GPS - finally

I got an early Christmas gift - a garmin for running! So far it's been so great! I now know my pace and time and although it's not all figured out yet I love it. I have been running when I can since the half but that hasn't been much. My husband works a lot and it's dark now at 5pm so that really limits my running. I usually run Mon, Wed, Fri - husband watches him Mondays (he has Sun and Mon off) and I find a babysitter the other times or take him. I prefer the babysitter. Usually my parents or my sister or aunt. It's a lot of work as I go to them about 20 minutes away. Sometimes I am lucky and they come to me like Wednesday. Tomorrow I am going to my sisters so I can run. I am ready to start running a lot again but really need to figure out the babysitter situation. He can be pretty bad still when I leave him and my parents will call me back. I can be about an hour and that's all anyone can handle so it's tough. I find the now it's dark that really limits my running as I used to get my parents to come out at night to work him and they didn't mind. During the day it's harder for them with their work ect. I am still nursing my guy - he just won't take a bottle which I don't mind it just makes it difficult to leave him with anyone. I never thought I could last this long but I have to admit that I will miss nursing him when it's time to stop whenever that will be...

Nagging breathing problems

Finally after seeing many drs and many tests I saw a lung specialist today and I have asthma they think. Probably brought on by my pregnancy as I have NEVER had this before in my life. One more test to in fact confirm....I am not that thrilled but thankful and grateful it's not worse. Also happy I can still run. I am putting together another blog of my daily adventures as a stay at home mom. Baby is 10 months old now so 2 more months of maternity leave then I am officially employed as a stay at home mom for the next 3 years til he's off to school. I got my wish - God always knows the desires of your heart xo

Reflecting

I am still sightly disappointed at my 6 minute slower half marathon. Saying that have taken a much needed break from running or really from training. Getting someone to watch my baby got increasingly harder as my distance increased and since I am still nursing and he has become more clingy its hard! Now just run when I can with or without him. I think I mentioned that quit my job but yep I quit. All I can say is being a mom is where I am called to be right now. Its a huge leap of faith for us financially. We expect great things to come with God on our side!

Another half done

I did it - it was hard - 1:58:44. 6 minutes slower en my first half two years ago. I am 20lbs heavier still and have a baby that doesn't sleep through the night so I will b happy with it and have a goal for spring!

Ready

I am SO ready. I am so ready after running some great runs - 21.1, 23, 17,16 in the last weeks up to this run and I am also done training!!! I need a break from training as my almost 9 month old is busier and busier every day and still not sleeping through the night! I think I am also using up all my babysitting for running and I really need to do other things. Finally last week I got a sitter to get my hair cut and get my nails done instead of run twice - I felt SO guilty like I should be running but I mean 8 1/2 months and no hair cut?! November 6th I am coming to get you!

Sick - well a little

Sick this week so not a lot of running but some much needed down time. Some yoga, a 10km, a 5km, and a lot of walking. Trying to get a 10km in tomorrow. Monday is a holiday and I have a longer run planned. What's a planning plan without some bumps in the road of course :)

21.1 - early

Headed out with a friend for a long run and it turned into exactly to her driveway a 21.1km run according to garmin....so I can do and not a bad time either at 2:08 with lots of walks and gel breaks. Super happy and proud of myself having a 7 month old that I nurse still :) On a personal note God really does know the desires of your heart because I am not going back to work after maternity leave. It makes no financial sense at this point with an almost hour commute each way...so looking for something part time on husbands days off and a lot of faith that he will continue to be blessed at his job (he's a commission based so totally going to rely on God for this one :)

Hiatus

Went on a brief hiatus from blogging as I accidently deleted my account and had to request it to be put back again....dummmmbbb I know. Running wise I am training for a half in November and am up to 15km for my long run with a base of 10kms and some shorts with baby mixed in. I am faster then last time training but I am about 20 lbs heavier from baby still which worries me. I am still nursing so extreme dieting is not on my radar which is would be normally as last time I dropped 20lbs in 8 weeks by sharpening up my eating. My diet downfall is sugar - if I lay off sugars the fat melts away. I started Monday off the sugar so hoping to lose 10lbs by half marathon time. I changed my shoes from Saucony Hurricanes back to Guides - it was an economics decisions really. Cheaper...so far it's been fine but my feet were killing from my dead hurricanes. Also been using my massage benefits which I love.

8km

This morning ran a 8km race..............so hot and humid. 47 minutes....ok I guess. Got 1 st place in my age division and won a bag and socks. Still have a headache from lack of water. Running is going so well. Having some tests done on my lungs as I have shortness of breathe issues which I thought was normal after pregnancy but my doctor says no and is very concerned. Xrays and a pulmonary test soon. Please pray it comes back fine and it's just something simple.

10km and headache

I am up to 10kms about once a week but what I haven't figured out is the nutrition/water part of it for running that distance in the heat while still breastfeeding. Wow Saturday was hot and humid and I ran 10 at 8:30am only to have a headache for the entire day. Not cool with a teething sad 4 1/2 month old...and husband working all day. I need to get a grip on this because it's been a hot summer before and I know that I do not do well in the heat. I am really really happy with my ability so for. I am impressing myself to already be doing easy 10kms. Hoping to do some doubles in a day to increase mileage. I got all my eload and hammers out from pre pregnancy so I am going to start trying them out during runs to see how I feel.

Why run?

I run to spend time with God. It's my time to really listen. I have been running longer and it has really been going well. I think it's time to start the 10kms as my staples this summer :)

Fall Half

So I have officially decided to train for a fall half. Probably the Road to Hope in Hamilton. Main reason is I already ran it once. Can I beat 1:52 after baby? We will see...on the running front everything is going well and feels great. I wanted to train for a full but I think that's a tad ambitious with a baby and still breastfeeding so I will stick to a half and go from there. Who knows maybe a spring full?

God who heals us

God healed my son. There is no medical explanation how he came out ok. This we know. We also know that my antibody test came back negative when it should have been positive. If it was positive then they would have tested and tested until our situation was found. Then we would have been monitored weekly and blood transfusions invitro. Now of that happened. It was by the grace of God we have him here today with us unharmed. Today at church I had an overwhelming feeling of not deserving to have our miracle baby...never had that before. I felt like what did I do to deserve this miracle? Nothing God loves me that much.

First back to back run

Yesterday and today was the first time so far I have ran two days in a row. Felt good. Actually great. Ran 5km yesterday and 8 km today. Love love love it and missed missed missed it. I think I mentioned my miracle child got a thumbs up from his first neurology appointment so we are happy and thank God for that. You know God is so good to us. Christian is such a testimony in our lives and we are so thankful every single day. Looking forward to 6 months when he can join me in my jogging stroller.

Late but....

Late I know
So on a HOT and HUMID Sunday with my 3 month/3 week old cheering me with my sister I ran a 27:40 5km!!!!!!!!!!!! Yeah I got my goal of under 30 atleast. Was it my best? Probably not. If you have noticed from previous posts I do not do well in the heat. Needless to say I am one happy mama. I am continuing to keep up on the 5 kms. I have ran a few 6 kms too. I am back on www.yogatoday.com once a week plus 3 runs plus a baby waves aerobic class and a mommy/baby yoga class plus numerous walks in a week. I am active and loving it! Summer is here and we are swimming away in Nanny's pool almost every day as well. We are lucky it's heated so today was 83 degrees :) I have been shopping online alot which is bad...an umbrella stroller, sunscreen (Badger Baby SPF 30 - rated the BEST all natural there is apparently...) sunglasses, uv clothes. All for my guy. He is 4 months today. Can't wait til he hits 6 months and we hit the jogging stroller together.

Less than a week away

I have been running 5 km for awhile now. I am ready. I am very happy as well with how well the training has gone and my weight loss so far. Running has been the least of my worries lately. We are trying to massively de clutter our house, still trying to juggle a 3 1/3 month old and little sleep and dealing with a range of emotions from our medical meetings last week regarding our future conception plan. We have an extremely rare blood type problem. Our specialist said he did a study of it 22 years ago and couldn't find one born in Canada for a year to study so they had to fly people in from Jamacia...our baby literally is a miracle but we knew that right from the start :)

Up to 5kms

Last week we got up to 5km on distance. We are running 3 8 minutes with walk breaks in between of one minute. It feels great. I am exited for the race. 2 weeks away. Still a lot of pounds but that's ok. My legs are working really well. We have had interesting weather. Rain to muggy and hot and back again. I am a colder weather runner. Considering my first half I trained in 5 weeks for from running 10kms to running over 20kms in the fall. As soon as the heat broke I could run for way longer and it seemed so easy! It is supposed to be a hot summer...

Eating

I am currently not dieting. I am still nursing my 16lb 3 month old and clearly it is working! He is growing so big! My diet is just out of wack. I am so hungry all the time. I eat toast, protein shake and fruit for breakfast. Snacks are nuts, yogurt, cereal, apples, oranges, bananas, carrots and cheese. I drink milk and water and lunch is usually soup or leftovers. I can't get cobtrol over the eating right now because I need to keep my milk and energy up so I am not focusing on this part so much. Check out my best God friends website for some nutrition tips: www.flavaliciousfitness.com

8 minute§

This week is 8 and 1 times 3 with some warm up and cool down. Feels great and it is getting easier and easier. Baby is 12 weeks and I have about 20lbs to lose still. Not rushing it. I still have some c section pain as well. My legs feel great and I continue to work on pick ups and speed work. Looking forward to 3 weeks from now and my race :)

I love being a mom

I love love love being a mom. It is hard to juggle my old life and my new one. One thing is for sure when I have time to run I give it my all because its the only shot I have. Even when I rarely have slept longer then 2-3 hours at a time. Baby eats like clockwork every 3 hours even through the night. Occasionally I will get a 4 hour stretch maybe 2 times a week. I think I am doing pretty good considering my situation. I just use that time to really give thanks for all the blessings we have experienced. Up to 5 and 1 and next week go to 7 and 1 and up to 4km.

Slow but steady

This week is 5 minutes of running and 1 of walking. Its getting easier and easier one run at a time. Patience...This week baby is 11 weeks old. He's not sleeping any longer at a time so 12, 3, 6, 9 through the night is wearing on me but I continue to focus on eating right, napping and exercise. I walk every day its nice out. Sometimes twice. Sadly its been raining a lot :( baby loves walks.

This week

This week I am running 4 minutes and walking 1 minute. So far so good. Taking it easy after a small sxcare with my knees. Some massage therapy seemed to do the trick. Having a 14lb child that loves eating all the time was wearing on me too. He loves to eat every 3 hours or less 24/7 :). It's been crazy weather here from snow to hail and tropically warm. So strange! Can't wait for my 5km race at the end of May. I see the goal ahead. Only 20 more pounds to lose.

Stay at Home Mommy

In my dreams....I have less then 10 months to figure out how I can stay at home with baby or family plan to only have to go back for a year to work then be off with another baby. Therefore extending my time to figure out how to stay off a little longer. Now that he's here, I don't want to go back to work EVER. Running has been postponed this week due to a very bad pain in both knees. Took it easy, went for a massage and walked a lot. Hoping to get out Wednesday night with the group for a session of 3 minutes walking and 1 minute walking. I think that the nice weather will help my knee feel better. Baby is still up 1-2 times in the night and I have yet to get more then 3 hours of sleep at a time. No complaints - I thank God every single day for making us parents to this amazing boy :)

Massage

I got a much needed massage. Most days I feel like I still got hit by a bus :) Baby is doing so well and growing so fast. It's kinda sad. I visited my work today with him and left depressed I have to go back in 10 short months from now. I thought running changed my life but he changed it some much more.

Knee pain

So after a 4km today I can't walk. The pain inside my knees is unreal. I can't go up and down stairs, can barely lift anything or get out of bed. I have no clue what the problem is. I can only think its my shoes at this point and need to warm up better. I have super intense stability shoes for the distances I was runnng before. Maybe I just don't need them right now?

Running is the easy part

My husband watches baby the three times a week I run. Running has become the easy part. Currently we walk/run 3-4 kms a time. So far so good. Loving it and really enjoying the slow start. Weather is great. Having a baby to take care of is hard. No sleep is hard. No freedom is hard. He is only 7 weeks so we are still sorting ourselves out I think. He also has trush in his mouth poor guy :(

Running Group

Turns out in my very small town there is a running group started up for 0-5km in 8 weeks. Saturday was my first sesson. This is perfect for me! 3 times a week. 2 minutes down the road from my house. We actually run by my house! Did 2 miles. Run 3 minutes and walk 2 minutes. I felt great. So happy to be back at it :)

Colic

My darling little man has colic - BAD. No sleeping ever for me. It is so frustrating. We see the dr Monday for his 6 week check up but tonight for example he cried and fussed for 7 hours. Please pray for us!

Next Week

Next week I will have a 6 week old and next week I am starting to run again. I am actually where I started weight wise when I started this running journey. I have 35-40lbs to lose except this time its in different spots and I imagine it will be a lot harder. I think the lack of sleep and demands of breastfeeding are going to make it quite a challenge but I am up for it. First race is May 29th :)

4 weeks old

I am just over 4 weeks post c section and with our new little man. He has been home 21 days now. I have another 2 weeks before I can think about exercise again. I didn't really know the magnitude of a c section until I had one. I had big plans for myself but I have definitely adjusted them now. I hope to train for a half in the fall. I think that's doable since I only trained for 10 weeks for the half last time - my first ever. For right now I spend a lot of time staring at my beautiful gift from God :)

Running in the path of His command

It started by obeying a command and what a journey it has been. Dealing with a sick baby has by far been our biggest test of faith both personally and as a couple. The most comforting thing was knowing that God was with him and would never leave him. God was in control the entire 10 days and He showed up in a mighty way to heal him. For this we give Him all the honour and praise. It is amazing how God orchestrated such an amazing experience. He showed up and answered prayers and provided needs over and over again. We stood in awe. How great is our God!

God is our Rock

Christian was born by emergency c section after 14 hours of labor. His head has too big. After 36 hours he had routine screening and they tested for jaundice. His was off the charts and within an hour he was on his way by ambulance to sick kids hospital. When we got there tests confirmed an AB0 incombatibility between him and I. Our blood types didn't match and my red blood cells attacked his causing them to release biliruben and go off the charts. At 48 hours he received a blood transfusion. They also found pneumonia in his lungs which required antibiotics for 7 days by iv. Our little man had Gods hand on him before he was even born because there are so many complication from what we have. Most babies require transfusions in the womb even! God saw us through the entire way from providing us a place to stay to food and the right drs and nurses. God is good all the time! After 11 days he was able to come home. What a blessing he is to us! Psalm 23.

Christian

Christian David Emmanuel was born February 8th. What a blessing from God! He spent 7 days in pediatric care for some complications but is home with us and God's light is shining so bright through him!