Half Marathon Training Week 3: Rough and Rainy

Last week was kind of an annoying week of training. Day one is always the day after a long run so I typically do 3 easy miles. When I run with J, I always have to be aware of the rain forecast because I don't want him to get soaked. We headed out that afternoon based on a 0% forecast for that hour....LIARS! It started POURING on us when we were inching closer to the mile mark. I turned around and ran my booty off to get James home.

The weather peeps lied again later that week. On day 4, it was crazy raining as Jimmy and I were driving home from work. I checked out the weather app and it made it seem as if it was going to be that way the rest of the night. I made the decision to take my rest day rather than taking my chances (I usually prefer my rest day to be Friday since it's the day before the long run). It ended up being gorgeous that evening but I couldn't change my mind about running because we had to be at dog agility around 7 p.m....SO ANNOYING!

Stroller running is a rough world when it comes to the weather.

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Most of my runs this week presented some sort of challenge. I've been bringing a bottle on longer runs in case J gets hungry. He's gotten to the point he can hold 3 ounces. Day 2, he was hungry and lazy. I handed him his bottle during the WU but he refused to hold it himself! Little turd. I stopped in the middle of my WU, fed him his bottle, and continued on...he was a happy baby after that.

He's also learned to throw his bottle out of the stroller. During our 10 miler, I gave him the bottle around mile 8. He kept throwing it down until I got sick of it and took it away! LOL. He was pissed at me but, when I finally gave it back, he actually held it and ate! Again, little turd.

Because I had to run on Friday, Saturday's long run was a little more challenging. I had some hip issues during the run (mostly piriformis tightness) that made the run not so ideal. I was able to keep with Jackie for about 8 miles then I just had to slow down a bit. I felt like my hip couldn't keep up with my lungs. And that's when the bottle crap happened. So I ended up averaging in the 9:40s rather than around 9:36 like we usually do. I felt like total crap and had my hip/thigh pain until the following Wednesday. It's still tight but feels much better!

STRETCH,STRETCH, STRETCH, people!

One more thing: Props to my girl, Jackie. When she finished, she knew I had to end the run on a hill. What did she do? She ran back to meet me at the bottom of the hill and run it with me even though she just finished her 10 miles! Now that's a good friend. I secretly started crying from the act of kindness but then I couldn't breathe so that ended quickly...LOL. Thanks, Jackie!

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The workouts:

• Day 1- 1.75 mile stroller run, no watch or GPS
• Day 2- Combo run with stroller, 7.4 miles: 2 mi WU, 3 mi @ half pace, 3 min rest, 4x2min with 90" rest, 1 mi CD; 3 mi average 8:43, overall average 9:20
• Day 3- Hip Hop Fitness
• Day 4- Rest
• Day 5- Stroller Run, 5 mi + 4x20" strides; 9:32 average ranging from 9:18 to 9:56
• Day 6- Morning SOLO run, 6 mi: 1 mi WU, 4 steady mile, 1 mi CD; 4 mi average 9:08, overall average 9:26
• Day 7- Long stroller run with Jackie, 10 miles; overall average 9:36 until the last two miles, ended with 9:40 something average (my mapper jacked up)

Pumping, Irish Festival, Godparents, and J is Eating Food (SIKE!) BUT...

...He does HAVE A TOOTH! Is it possible for a baby to be teething 1 1/2 months prior to actually getting the tooth?! It sure did seem like he was teething that entire time.

He had to be asleep in order for me to open his mouth for the picture!

BREAKING NEWS: J ate food last week on Monday! I bought one of those pouches that had a mix of two fruits and a veggie. We had just finished our run and sat down to watch Mr. Boo play volleyball. I decided to give the pouch a try...the boy ate about 1/3 of the pouch!! I was shocked. I thought for sure this was the turning point in his eating adventure. Not so much. That stubborn turd hasn't eaten since then!

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I'm  in a pumping slump. I was SO CLOSE to calling it quits last week. If it wasn't the life source of my precious baby, I would quit in an instant. I probably mentioned that I was getting up around 145-2 a.m. to pump since J was sleeping through the night. I did this EVERY NIGHT for a few weeks until I just couldn't stand the way I felt every day...I was so tired and sluggish in the morning. 

After seeking advice from other moms, I decided on a new method. I started pumping after his last feeding/just before I went to bed then again just before leaving the house for work/after his morning feeding. This is all in addition to the three times I pump at work during the day (I schedule pumping sessions like I schedule my patients!).  I've been doing this for about a week and just can't seem to get the same amount of milk. I've been feeling a little better since my sleep isn't broken but I just don't think it's worth getting less milk. Therefore, starting tonight, I'm going back to my 2 a.m. wake up call :( Until J starts eating food, I need to pump as much as I can.

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I'm loving all this family stuff we are doing this summer! This past weekend, we ate some delicious pizza at Dewey's then headed to the Dublin Irish Festival. The festival seemed lame, at first, until we found the Celtic game arena. We sat there for 2 hours watching these chicks throw these weighted bags over a goal post with pitchforks! LOL. James had a grand ole time, too.

 Dewey's

Mr. Boo!

Ninja in training!

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Finally, Jimmy and I have been praying and talking about the future with J and any other kids we may create. We knew we needed to write a will which meant we would have to pick godparents. We didn't want it to be any of our parents because we didn't want them to be senior citizens responsible for young children (sorry parents! LOL.). So, naturally, we went through our siblings next. Since we live in Ohio and this is where our kids will grow up (yes, things can change), we decided to first ask Chris and Amy (Mr. Boo's brother and our sister-in-law). Honestly, we were afraid they would say "no," at first, because they already have two kids and one on the way (very soon...yay!) but we knew they would be excellent at the job so we were hoping they would say "yes!" We gave them 2-3 weeks to think about it and they said YES!!!! We were so relieved because, if something ever does happen, we want J and other kids to have an easy transition.

Half Marathon Training Week 2: Warm Ups, Supplements, Cool Downs, and I Suck At Pacing

With the exception of high school, I've never been a "warm up" kinda girl. Of course, I know the importance of a warm up but I simply never cared to do it. After being pregnant and having James, I'm taking special care of my body. Since starting this training program, I've really noticed a difference in how I feel simply by doing my warm ups. It's hard to look at a workout plan and see "2 mile warm up" and be motivated to do it...two miles just for that?! IT WORKS!!! I feel so much better doing the actual workout part of the run when my muscles are warm and loose.

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I might have mentioned before that I started having protein drinks after my runs because I was feeling like total crap for a few weeks. It has really helped my fatigue and is a great post race recovery. My current drink of choice? One scoop of Peanut Butter Chocolate Muscle Milk mixed with 8 ounces of chocolate milk. Delish! I have it after all workouts and within 15-20 minutes of finishing.

I also decided to start training with Gu Energy gels. I just started this Day 7 this week. I ate a gel packet 15-ish minutes prior to starting my run and about 45 minutes or so into the run. I feel like it helped me get through the run but it's hard to say after only one time.

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I've been struggling with my cool downs during the week. I do the running cool down but I don't always get to stretch right away or as much as I'd like. When you take your baby on runs with you, they are ready for your attention and/or food as soon as you finish (especially after those long runs). That mixed with our crazy schedule takes away from my stretch time. I MUST make time for more stretching and haven't quite figured out how to fit it in. The last thing I need is an injury to get me down.

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Finally, I suck at pacing. I used to be so good at it My focus in week 3 will be to listen to my body as I'm running so that I can figure this pacing thing out. As you can see from day 2, I have a long way to go.

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The workouts:

• Day 1- 3 mile stroller run, 9:43 average
• Day 2- 7 mile stroller run (2mi WU, 4x1mi repeats w/90sec rest [8:10, 7:22?, 9:02, 8:30], 1mi CD)
• Day 3- Hip Hop Fitness
• Day 4- Hill workout (5.17 mi with stroller) (2mi WU, 5x[30sec uphill hard, walk down, 75" uphill at 5k pace, walk down], 1mi CD
• Day 5 (accidentally did the wrong workout...mommy brain)- 6 stroller miles (1mi WU, 4mi at marathon pace, 1mi CD), 4mi average 9:17
• Day 6- REST
• Day 7- 9 mile stroller run, average between 9:25 and 9:36 (my phone app was trippin')

Sitting, Music, Friends, and Cuddles

My boy is 99% there with his sitting. I'm still cautious with him sitting on harder surfaces because he occasionally gets lazy/tired and falls over. I'm so insanely proud of him! Today, for the first time, we noticed him on all fours!!! We've been waiting for this one! I tried to get  it on camera buuuut...NO.  

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J is getting major exposure to music. We've decided he'll probably play the piano or be a drummer...or both! He'll have the perfect teachers! Last weekend, he went to his first James Davis gig. Mr. Boo played with his dad and their friend (also named Jim!) at a bar/restaurant. James had a great time and even got some drumming lessons.

He mostly likes to eat the sticks but that's a good start!

We also went to the Columbus Jazz and Rib Fest that weekend and James got to hear some great music and watch us eat some great food! The boy doesn't know what he's missing.

(My favorite picture this week)

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We had some good friend time this week! Our friends, The Hatti, invited us over for dinner. We grilled burgers and veggies, drank margaritas (my fav!), and topped it all off with cake! J got to play with his friend Charlotte  (10 days younger than James) and take notes on her yoga skills.

Later that week, we met our life group at Schiller Park in German Village for bible study. It was an amazing evening outside. We enjoyed a yummy Mexican style salad for dinner and sipped on Blue Moon. 

Finally, this weekend was The 5th Annual Davis Hillbilly Party! It's funny to see how the party has evolved over the years. It used to be a bunch of drinking 20-somethings partying the night away and now it's this:

LOL. Not that I'm complaining! It just cracks me up! Different and still fun. You can't go wrong with food, drinks, and friends!

Who says your life ends when you have kids?

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My boy is becoming a cuddler. Needless to say, I'm LOVIN' it!!! After I feed him or when I pick him up and carry him, he just gives me these sweet little hugs that put the biggest smile on my face. :) :) :)

Half Marathon Training Week 1: This Girl Needs a Goal

As some of you may know, I've committed to TWO half marathons in October and they're two weeks apart. This may seem like nothing to some runners but, for me, it's a first. I've done a couple of fulls, a few halves, and a ton of other races but never two big ones this close together. Needless to say, I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. 

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I'm the type of runner that needs a running goal in order to be motivated to run. If I don't have a race to look forward to, I will easily skip running workouts by saying there's no reason I HAVE to do it. 

I'm also the type of runner that does a lot of research to find a program that fits my life at that time. This time around, I have a running partner. This is the first time since the one year I ran in college that I've even attempted to run with someone (I'm way to self conscious about slowing others down). Fortunately, I have the perfect partner and we both have to run with our babies.  We do our own thing during the week and do our long runs together on Saturdays. My long runs are not the same without her!

So...week 1 of training (from competitor.com)...I have to switch the days up based on my personal schedule but I try to get all of the workouts in at some point. All workouts this week were done with James in stroller: 

• Sunday, 7/13: 4mi + 4x20" strides (Avg pace 9:38, fastest mile 9:13, slowest 10:01)
• Monday, 7/14: Easy 3 miler (no GPS or watch this date...it was just one of those days)
• Tuesday, 7/15: 6 mi tempo run (2 mi WU, 3 mi @ 1/2 marathon pace, 1 mi CD; 1/2 pace average 8:48)
• Wednesday, 7/16: Cross Training, P90X Yoga
• Thursday, 7/17: 4mi + 4x20" strides (Avg pace 9:18, fastest mile 9:07, slowest 9:42)
• Friday, 7/18: REST DAY!!!
• Saturday, 7/19: 8 miles; I'm pretty sure I ran uphill for 7 miles and, finally, downhill the last mile! Avg pace 9:38, fastest mile 9:03 (mile 8), slowest 10:25 (mile 1)

Overall, it was a great first week of training. There were some cool days and some HOT and HUMID days but this body must adjust!!

James Turns 7 Months

Dear James,

You are such a big boy! This month's "milestone" has been all about sitting. Since your doctor appointment, we started practicing A LOT! By the time you hit 7 months, you could sit 2-3 minutes at a time without falling over! It was neat to see the strength that you gained. You are becoming a sittin' fool!

We are STILL trying to get you to eat food. You're still not a fan but seem to like bananas and applesauce more than anything else we try. But, mostly, you purse your lips and do anything you can to keep me from putting food in your mouth. It's become pure entertainment.

You had a few firsts this month including your first festival, first trip to Lake Erie, and first time to see Grandpa Davis perform his music.

I've been convinced the last two weeks that you are teething. I'm just waiting for a tooth to pop through. If you do have one, I probably can't see it anyway because you won't let me look inside your mouth!

You have been such a trooper with mommy and her running. I think you might like it! I did one run without you this month and it was so weird! Honestly, I missed you like crazy!!! I just hope that you can tolerate it when I get into the 10+ mile range.

Besides you moving all over the place in a matter of seconds, the coolest thing about this month has been the fact that your personality traits are starting to show. So far, daddy and I think you are stubborn. You make this apparent with the whole "I'm not going to open my mouth" phase. You are also becoming very vocal. It's fun to hear new little noises coming from your mouth. Finally, you are such a chill baby. You have this attitude and look like everything is all good. You mostly go with the flow. You definitely didn't get that from your momma!

I love you, son, and have so much fun hanging out with you! I only wish I didn't have to work so I could spend even more time with you!

Love,
Mommy

Independence Day Weekend, Teething, Date Time and James Still Won't Eat (LOL)...

I definitely should have posted last week because I have a lot to say about the last two weeks!

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Independence Day weekend was 99% awesome! I had the most wonderful 4 day weekend and spent all kinds of time with my boy (the other 1% was James being a little nuts on Monday because of teething...he cried most of the day and didn't sleep well the night before). We kicked off our weekend with mommy/baby happy hour at BJ's Brewhouse with Jackie and Kirstin and had Whit's that evening with The Hatti! Good thing we ran the next day! 

July 4th was awesome! Mr. Boo had a volleyball tournament so we went to Marysville to hang with his family. We ate yummy parfaits on the Davis patio...such a beautiful morning...then went to the popular Union County Fairgrounds to see Grandpa Davis play some music for the festival. James loved hanging out with Grandma Joan...he even fell asleep in her arms :) After the gig, we hung out with Aunt Amy and the cousins for a few. The only thing that would have made the day better is having Jimmy with us!

The fun continued on Saturday. After our long run with Peyton and Jackie, we all met some other friends at Bunny Park in Dublin. They have some cool fountains and waterfalls. J wasn't a fan at first but eventually warmed up to it. Later that evening (the weather being even more perfect than the day before), we went to Local Cantina at Creekside with Grandpa and Grandma Joan. They have the best margaritas and tacos! (SIDE NOTE: If you EVER want to go out for a margarita, I'm the girl to invite...just sayin')

Despite a rough end to our long weekend with James' teething, the day was made better by Grandma Deb coming over to hang out with us while Mr. Boo was at work. She even brought us...well, me...some Cane's!

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James is so stubborn when it comes to opening his mouth! I want to get a good look and feel for teeth but he just won't let me!! The little stinker. I thought I saw a white spot and so did his daddy and sitter. He has been gnawing on things all week and I can tell the little booger is in pain at times. He won't take the typical teething toys so I have given him some baby Tylenol if I think he's really in pain. Poor baby.

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Last night, we were given the opportunity to go on a baby-free date. We went to Marysville and dropped J off at Jim and Joan's and went to uptown (or is it downtown) Marysville and had some Mexican food and a margarita. (For those in M-ville, that Mexican place, Fiesta something, is not that great. If you haven't been there, I suggest just going somewhere else.) We then crossed the street to get some custard from Whit's! If you guys haven't noticed, margaritas and Whit's are obviously two of my favorite things :)

When we went to pick J up, we saw the cutest thing:

Grandma feeding him a bottle while Grandpa was playing the guitar and singing him a song.

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James still won't eat and I'm still not that concerned about it. It's more annoying than anything! LOL. I bought a couple of new gadgets at Target to try to coax him into eating. One is basically an oversizes pacifier that you fill with pureed food; 

the other, a mesh feeder in which you can put frozen treats, amongst other things. We tried frozen blueberries during one of our runs and that was a mess! Basically, I'm just trying to feed him something everyday without force. Eventually, when he's ready, he'll eat real food.

Oh yeah...he's starting to drink some water!

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I'll leave y'all with some smile pictures since it's SO HARD to get that boy's smile on camera!

At Jane's.

So cute!

Not a massive smile but he LOVES to splish splash in the bath tub!

Saucer fun.