I'll admit it, it sounds horribly superficial, but one of the main reasons I really wasn't sure if I wanted to be pregnant was that I didn't want to gain the weight. I really wasn't sure if I could handle getting heavy and if I would lose the weight. I had grand plans to be the healthiest pregnant person you ever saw and those quickly flew out the window. I stopped weighing myself once I had gained 50 lbs, who knows in the end how much I actually weighed. All I know is that now, 5 months and 1 week post partum, I only have 5 lbs to go to pre preggo weight. Woohoo. I did it. I got my 5'3 body dangerously closer to 200 lbs than it should ever be and I almost back to the 120s, almost. I'm sure the last 5 lbs will be stickers, but I am okay with that, I know they will come off. I really was scared that I wouldn't return to a life of exercise, but I have. And I honestly think that once its all said and done, I will actually have a better body than I did before, thanks to twice weekly weight classes since Harper was 6 weeks old. There is a little extra skin on my belly maybe, but nothing to be too upset about. It would have all been worth it, even if I stayed in those much lager jeans I bought right after Harper was born, but I am glad that I am back in my old pants. And so happy that all the people who said I'd have a hard time losing the weight because of breastfeeding weren't right, at least for me.

Okay bloggy friends, I want you all to comment, all of you that read have to have something to say about one of these topics! I need opinions/advice on several things. They've all been on my mind and aren't related at all, so let the randomness begin:

1. I want some new tunes to run to. I've exhausted my playlist on all these long runs lately. So, please tell me a few songs you love to work out to. I prefer rap and angry white boy music like Rage Against the Machine.

2. Moms out there, what are your thoughts on the swine flu vaccine? My doc says they will have them in Oct and I can give it to Harper since she will be 6 months old. I just don't know that I want to give it to her or get it myself since I am breastfeeding. I do plan on giving her the plain old flu vaccine, but I am nervous about a vaccine that isn't even FDA approved yet. No history on it, you know what I mean? But then again, how bad will I feel if she does get the swine flu and I didn't vaccinate her? I haven't heard much about it here in Cleveland, but it is all over the place in my hometown in KY...what to do??

3. I can never just focus on the task at hand, so I am thinking past the marathon now. I know I want to do a spring marathon, and then my plan is to not do a fall one and train for the MS 150 bike ride with Gary and some sprint tris (back in the pool ack). Anyway, I want to get faster between Oct and late Jan when it will be time to train for a full again. What advice would you fast ladies give me? How many miles a week should I log? Should I get my butt on the treadmill and do sprints? Should I just focus on losing 10 lbs? I do know that I only want to run 3-4 days a week, I don't want to stop doing my weights classes and spinning classes, I will never be a 6 day a week runner. I think cutting my miles back for awhile and concentrating on losing the pregnancy weight and then some will make me faster for sure.... I have a half marathon in Nov and Feb, and figure I will keep my long run between 10-14 miles after the marathon.

I put another 20 miles into the Towpath marathon training bank yesterday. I was worried about the run. I was feeling under the weather all last week and only had 2 ridiculously short lackluster runs under my belt. I was still feeling aches in my ankles and feet from last weeks 22 miler. But I got down to peninsula at 7, camelback on, granola bars and gus in my belt, tunes in my ear, garmin set (sheesh I run with a lot of stuff) and ready to go. This week I got to run with a very interesting guy that I haven't ran with in awhile, so that made the first half of the run fly by. We had absolutely perfect weather and b/c we started so far south on the towpath (due to construction by boston store) we ran allll the way to Akron. I literally ran 3 miles further south than I ever had, so I had some new scenery. Some of it bad, hello water treatment plant, ughgggg. I felt pretty good on the 10 down and kept an easy enough pace around 10:30, but when we got to the turn around my ankles and feet really started aching. So, the way back was a bit slower and more painful. But with a few walk breaks in there I managed to do 20 miles in a little under 4 hours. So, I really do think I can maybe run with a 4:30 pace group, if I get scared I'll stick with 4:45. What do you think? All my long runs have been around a 10:30-11 min pace, but I think I could go a bit faster for sure.

Now what to do today? I never know what to do with myself the day after a long run. I think I wil take the dogs for a 2-3 mile walk, see how the ankles feel and do some yoga later. I weighed 138 this morning, I have been stuck there for awhile, but I have had countless cookies lately, so I need to get back to watching it. I really want to be as close to 130 as possible for the marathon. It's hard as hell to diet when training for a full, not that I think you should, but I can clean it up a bit.

Oh and I am horridly, unreasonably scared of spiders, they make me cry, make me nauceous. But look was has been living in the window at the top of my stairs all summer. The only reason he's still alive is b/c he's on the outside and that window isn't near anything! He's huge.

I am feeling better, in case you were wondering :) Harper still has a nasty cough, but is better for sure. She kept having coughing fits last night though and that led me to run into her room every time and make sure she was okay...she was. But just to be safe I am not taking her to the gym daycare. So this week is just creeping by, it's amazing how long the day seems when you remove the 8:30-10:30 chunk that was consumed by gym commuting and working out. Then I would come home, shower, eat lunch and the day was half gone. Gary is sick too. So we're not having a lot of fun around our house this week. I took a few days off of working out, but I finally ran last night. I took Fonzie for a really nice "fast" (for me) run. I plan to run tonight and tomorrow morning and then have a 20 miler on Sat. So, I should still get close to 40 miles in for the week I hope. I have made sure to walk the dogs 2-3 miles each day, so at least I am getting out there. It's amazing how off it makes me feel when I don't work out. It's weeks like this where I know I need to learn to relax and not worry so much about working out, but it's hard when it's ingrained into your everyday life. So many people out there just work out 2-3 times a week and are fine with it, yet if I don't get 6 days in, I feel like the whole week is lost. So silly.

I am feeling pretty good about the marathon. I don't think it will be fast, but I have no doubts in my ability to finish it. I really hope to finish in under 4:45 b/c that will at least be a PR by a few mins. But as long as I am under 5 hours, I will consider it a success. I have a 20 miler this weekend, then I am out of town next weekend, so I am doing my long run next Wed. I am going to shoot for one last 20 miler, but b/c it's so close to my Sat run, if I am hurting I will stop anytime after 16. Then the next weekend in my half marathon at Akron. I am going to do a 1-2 mile warm up and 1-2 mile cool down to make sure I get at least 16 miles in that day. Then it's taper time. woohoo.

Oh boy Harper had her first real cold this weekend, it was awful, for her, but probably more for me :) I was just so worried about her. Her nose was basically full of concrete snot and there's not really anything you can do about it! The bulb sucks, the saline is hard to get up their nose. But she is much better today. So, 1 bad night and 2 bad days and the cold is on its way out. Not too bad. But today I woke up feeling horrible. My throat hurts and one side of my head is totally clogged. Ugh. I guess I better find out what if any meds I can take. Fun, but it was a nice holiday weekend regardless.

I started it Sat am with a 22 miler! Yep I made it through it. Can't say I felt as strong at the end as I would have wanted, but I got through it and I got through it in a time that makes me feel like I may be able to try for a 4:30-4:40 marathon. Afterwards I felt pretty good. I went home and got a hour nap, and that night we went to dinner with the in laws. Gary's sister and her husband are in town from OR for the week. So we went to little Italy. That night Harper was up all night, so I was a zombie on Sunday and of course we had a party at our house! So, I was not a happy camper. I was a mess Sunday, sore, tired and an unhappy stuffy headed baby to contend with. But the party was fun, everyone seemed to have a good time. Harper got up from sleeping a few times, but she slept most of Sunday night so I was thankful for that. Yesterday we went to G's dad's house, they had a get together for that side of the family for his sister. So, I got to see a lot of family this weekend and its been fun.

This week's running is going to be hard. I didn't run Sun on purpose and missed my Monday run b/c we got home too late from his dad's. So, I pretty much need to run everyday this week. Today I will be lucky to get 2-3 done, I feel like shit and I'd probably be better off resting I guess. I don't feel like I should take Harper to the gym daycare until she is 100% so this week is just going to be off. I hate off workout weeks.

I love 1's, the first of the month, the first of the year, the first of a training plan. I am all about calendars. I thought when I had the baby I would loose a bit of that "obsession" but no, now I get to plot her growth on the calendar too! Anyway, I decided to start the 100 pushup challenge over so it coincides with the start of Sept.

Last week was a "rest" week and I barely ran. The week just got crazy and with the 14 hour round trip car ride to KY for the wedding, I just relaxed. But I started my week off right. Yesterday I hit spinning class and worked the heck out of my abs and then that night Ilana met me and we took Fonzie for a 6 mile run. This is the best running weather. I ran in a long sleeved shirt and capris, my fav thing to run in. I got up this morning and went to the gym for my Urban Iron class. I usually take it on T & Th, but they are changing up the schedule at the gym and I am going to have to change my workouts. I am excited about that though, there are some new classes I want to try and some older ones I've never gone to. I think I want my week to look like this:

Monday:
Beamfit & Hardcore class - 45 min class on a beam and then 15 min of abs on beam, run in the pm
Tuesday:
Spin class or Power Playt class (30 min class using weight plates)
Wednesday:
Urban Iron, run in the evening
Thursday:
Spin class, run
Friday:
Urban Iron
Saturday:
Long run
Sunday:
Rest of yoga

I can't believe I've been out of high school for 12 years. I graduated with the same people I went to kindergarten with. Small town, a lot of us stayed in touch. I can go years without seeing or talking to my hometown girl friends, but then when we get together, its so easy and the conversation just flows. This weekend Gary and I trucked Harper the 7 hours south to Danville KY for my friend Crystal's wedding. It was a long drive, but Harper did really well. She slept most of the way both there and back. Good baby! Here are a few pics. We had a great time and she had it at this gorgeous farm outside of our town. It was really nice to get caught up with some great friends and to see Crystal so so happy. This week I have to get back into training mode, I too my rest week a little too literally!


Look at those chubby cheeks!!!

First off I started the 100 pushup challenge yesterday! Anyone care to join me? I've attempted it before, but never really gotten very far. I fully intend to complete it this time and have a few friends on Facebook doing it too, so we can check in on each other. I can only do 8 measly boy pushups. So, I hope by the end I can do at least 50 off my knees. I can't imagine I'll be able to do 100, but 50 off knees and 50 with knees would be great.


And then this morning I bit the bullet and went ahead and registered for the towpath marathon. So ready or not I am doing a marathon on Oct 12. My schedule is going to be a little tough b/c I have a half marathon 2 weekends before, when I should be doing my last long run, but I will just taper 2 full weeks. I basically have to run 3 20-24 milers in a row, which will be a bit tough, but I think I will be okay. Wish me luck. New shoes came in the mail today and I slipped them on and took Fonzie for a quick 3 mile run. Nothing like running as the sun slips away for the day.

We are having some lovely weather. I love love love the end of summer, beginning of fall. Even though it means winter isn't very far away. Considering I live in Cleveland, we get about 6 months of winter. Ugh. Anyway, I had a great sunny 18 mile run this weekend. I went out to do 20, but stopped short due to some awful chaffing on my thighs. Gross, I know, but I felt it with every step and couldn't go any further. Boy I can't wait to be rid of the chub rub, which hopefully won't be too much longer b/c I was 138 this morning. Wooohoo. Once I am back to 130 all my clothes will fit, but I do hope I can see the 120s again someday. I am really hoping I can make it to 130 w/o much effort, as I haven't tried that hard yet.

But back to the running. The 18 miler did not feel as strong as I wanted it too. But I did a few things wrong, I didn't eat as much as I should have for breakfast, I need some new shoes and it was quite sunny so I got really hot and drank all my water and went a few miles w/o. So, I just wasn't feeling so hot after 14. I wanted to feel strong out there so that I could come home and sign up for a marathon. But after that performance, I'm still not sure I want to do a full. But then again, why am I running so far if I'm not going to just do it! This week I have to go out of town for a wedding, so I am using it as a rest week and will probably just do 10 miles for my long run, but next weekend I will attempt 20 again.

Happy 4 month bday Harper! We just went to the doctor and Harper is in the 90% percentile for height and weight, weighing in at 15 lbs 10 oz and 25 inches long. Big girl! Healthy girl. She handled her shots like a champ. A lot has changed this month. Harper is pretty much doing something new every day. She can almost sit up unassisted and hates to be held in the cradle position now. She wants to sit up in your lap, sit up on the floor, sit up in her chair, etc. She loves to babble and makes lots of new noises. Her favorite toy is her jangly giraffe from Lamaze, but she just got a Sofie the giraffe teether and is super excited about it. Harper usually sleep from 8 pm to 6 am, which is great. She is taking the bottle better and is really pretty much perfect, how did I get so lucky!

I made it through the 16 miler on Sat. I tried something new, I drank a 5 hour energy before I started. I did this once before a half marathon twp years ago and had a great race, so I thought I'd give it another try. I have to say it really made a difference, I felt wonderful from start to mile 13. Usually I feel pretty bad for 2 or 3 miles and then my running legs kicked in. But this time I was ready to go from first footfall. I made it through 12.54 miles w/o issue, then a friend I was running with got sick, so we walked a mile or so with her. She was having awful cramping. We ended up leaving her at a trail head and came back to pick her up later. So, I had 2.5 mile to get back to my car and then I ended up having some belly cramping and ended up run/walking the last 2.5 miles. Soooo I covered 16 miles, but I didn't run it all. Either way, 16 miles in the training bank. I only ran 3 times last week, I missed one run all together and one got cut short by a case of belly rot, so not the most successfully running week. But I am pleased with how my feet held up on the long run. I have to admit I am still thinking of a marathon. Can you run a marathon on the long run alone....? Some people do. If I do one it will be the towpath instead of Columbus. Logistically it will just be easier. Decisions Decisions.

As a public service announcement I will share with you something I didn't know even existed until my sister and BIL introduced me to it. Sports Cream! How did I never know this wonderful stuff was out there. If you are like me and don't know what it is, it's aspirin cream. I have been rubbing it on my feet after runs and it really helps. Love it.

Oh and guess who finally made it to 140! 10 lbs to go to pre preggo weight.

For having such great parks and trails. My sister and brother in law came into town this weekend. Tim and I got up early this morning and headed down to the towpath. We started at Boston Store and ran south 3 miles, then back past Boston Store and headed up the trail to Brandywine Falls. We ended up running 14 miles and other than some stomach upsets it was a good run. My feet don't hurt too badly right now, knock on wood. So, now that I have done 14, I feel confident for the half mary at Akron, now I just have to keep that fitness up.

Gary is great b/c he watches Harper for me every Sat so I can get my long run in. He sacrifices sleeping in (which he llloooovveeess to do) to get up around 8 with her instead. All in all it amounts to about 6 hours b/c I drive about 20-30 to where we run and we usually have breakfast afterwards. These weekly long runs allow me to feel like I still have a social life and some athletic conditioning. So, I am so happy that he does this for me. But please observe what he did to my poor little baby while I was gone this past Sat...sigh...baloney face.Anybody besides me watching the new show - More to Love? It's a plus size dating show. If so, is it just me or is the "bachelor" totally creepy! I don't like him. Oh and speaking of more to love, I was 143 this morning, thank you scales gawds.

You know I really don't miss sleeping in. I always was a bit of a morning person. But I love getting up at like 7 in the morning, Harper super happy b/c she just got up and sitting on the porch with a cup of coffee. Good times. This morning sitting on my porch we saw a deer in our front yard! Which is both cute but also sad b/c they are in town. Which is of course not good for the deer. But boy were my dogs confused.

Last night Harper slept from 8ish to 6 am! I call that sleeping through the night. Okay, when I got back from a party (pure romance party, oh sheesh, I just got shaving cream!) at 10, I fed her, but she never woke up it was a dream feed. But even 10 to 6 is great. She had a big couple of days. On Thurs we took her to her first movie! I had been wanting to do this, I figured if I saw something a few weeks old during the day no one would be there, so what would it matter. We went to see the Orphan and there were only like 2 other people in there. She didn't make a peep and she also didn't go to sleep, which I thought she would. She just stared at the screen mesmerized. I guess I will pick funny movies from now on, certainly didn't mean for her to watch a stupid scary movie. Yesterday we took her to the farmer's market and for the first time pointed outwards in her baby bjorn. She had so much to see and loved it. One of the guys working the stand gave her a mini banana and she just sucked on it and seemed so impressed with herself, also gave her a piece of mango to gum on. She's getting so big.

My mom has been in town since Tuesday, she leaves today. It was great having a visit with her. But also great b/c I got to take 2 really great runs. I ran on Wed and Fri. Like I said I am going to run every other day. Wed I had a great 5.3 mile run right after it stopped raining, perfect weather. I didn't have my garmin b/c the battery had died and it turns out I ran way faster without it! I finished the 5.3 at about a 10:00 pace and that is with stopping at stop lights. So I was pleased with that. On Friday I took Fonzie with me and he ran 3 whole miles with me. Running with a dog is great, but you do have to stop for them to pee sometimes. I find I run really fast with Fonzie, about a 9 min pace, but that we take a few walk breaks, that's okay I'll call it interval training. Then when I got home I took old man Mushi out for his own run, but only .5 miles. But he did really good. I haven't ran with him in a long time b/c he only sprints, but he stayed with me pretty well. I really need to start taking Fonzie for at least a mile a few times a week. He really enjoys it. Tomorrow I am doing 13 miles. I am looking forward to it, my feet still hurt, but it is manageable.