A Quick LT Run

So I got to the fitness center in my office park yesterday at Lunch Time to give a run a try. It is a small facility and I was worried that I'd get there and all the machines would be used so I left 15 minutes early and was able to get one. I started out kind of slow so I could get used to treadmill running again - almost like getting your "sea legs". The first mile came up and then I increased the speed and then continued to do so until I was running 7:30/miles at the end. Needless to say I was exhausted, but it felt good to go fast.

I think I'll keep it at a more reasonable 8:30/mile pace for next run. I have realized I have a long way to go to get ready for the half marathon in May... I love challenges.

LIFE by Design

A much belated Happy New Year! I tried to 'lighten' up my blogs look and redefine it. While most of my entries will be about running, I know that being a dad among other things is important to me and will be something I share. It was quite a holiday season and we are finally settling in to a routine of sorts. Lillian started daycare on January 2nd. Of course, it was tough for us to have to take her someplace for someone else to watch her - it was toughest for Steph. My running has still been sporadic at best. I get one day a week at a minimum - a far cry from my 5 days a week this past summer. I have a new plan that I am going to try. Since I didn't care much to run at 8pm in the dark (though it wasn't much different than running in the dark in the morning except there was no hope of seeing the sunrise), I am planning on running at lunch time. I hope this works, as it is the only chance I seem to have that won't interfere with home life. I did get a 5.5 mile trail run in yesterday evening. I was a little sore after that run. The ground was frozen rock solid as it was only in the single digits, but it was still a good run. I'll have to post new photos of Lillian soon - she has grown so big! Certainly more to follow.

out of touch

I have been away for some time... yesterday was my first run since the trail run race back in November (also my last blog entry). It was only three miles, but it felt longer. I am starting back at the beginning (again). Life has kept me pretty busy. I am not complaining, but it has been tough. One can never really be prepared for a baby. They don't change everything, but they change one big thing - priorities.

I am going to still work on getting back to my running on some sort of routine, but with the holidays, it is difficult. Every weekend something is going on, not to mention an attempt to catch up on sleep.

For now I am going to lay low from blogging for awhile, but when I return, look for a new and improved blog. Until then, Happy Running and Happy Holidays!

race report

Yes. You read it correctly.

I said RACE REPORT.

I actually ran this weekend.

I will actually blog about some running.

It had been one day shy of two weeks since I had run. Oh boy did it feel like it too. Actually it felt like it more this morning than yesterday. My legs were tight when I woke up - most likely from running up and down all the hills from yesterday's race.

Okay. The race report:

It was the last DINO trail run for the year and it was held at Fort Harrison State Park (my "home turf" of sorts). I had not been trail running in three weeks (the last time was Sunday morning of the day when Steph's water broke) and had only run two other time since Lilli was born.

I didn't know for sure if I would run the race or not until that morning. It all hinged on Lilli cooperating with her schedule (i.e. sleeping between feedings). Thankfully she did pretty well and I was able to get ready and go. Steph didn't want to deny my need for running and was happy to let me get out - she knows it makes me happy.

I showed up at the state park and saw a vast sea of cars everywhere - probably the most I had ever seen at a trail race. I was determined to run the 15k even without running for almost two weeks. Probably not the best idea, but I wanted to see if my legs could handle it.

I met up with Brooke just before the race started and ran with her for the first half. We were keeping a pace right around 8:30/mile even with some pretty challenging hills. But after the turn around point, I felt I was losing steam. I was feeling it and wondered if the 5k wasn't a better idea - oh well - too late. I pushed on and kept focused on the person in front. I actually ended up running with a guy named Josh who was a first time trail runner. We talked a little bit and eventually he headed out past me around mile 6. By this point I was on more familiar ground with the trail since I had run this trail throughout the summer, but my knee was feeling the pounding of the downhill running. When I hit the road, I felt a sense of ease and picked up my pace, only to slow down a bit on the way up the sledding hill. Back down the hill my knee protested a bit, but I pushed on with the finish in site.

I finished in 1:21:58 - about a 8:48/mile pace which I was pretty happy with given my running over the last few weeks. So I am hoping for a more regular routine, but we will have to see. Maybe I'll try to run the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving morning, but again, it will depend on how my running goes. More to follow... until then Happy Running...

sleep is overrated

To say that I have not been getting much sleep is an understatement. I am tired, but so is Steph. Lillian is on a schedule of sorts (hers), but it is becoming more regular (whatever that means). Today is her first Pediatrician appointment, so we'll see how she is doing. We think she has gained some good weight since she was born, though she still swims in most of her clothes.

My running is still non-existent, but I still have hopes of trying to get out for a run. I can't seem to find the time to do it. It is always in between a feeding and Steph needs time to rest too, so I'm just not sure. If only her mom could have spent any time helping out like she did for both of her sisters boys, but it has been just Steph and myself. My mom did come up for one day last week, which was a huge help. Hopefully she'll come back soon. I know it's only temporary, but I am itching to get out there for a run... especially with the weather being as nice as it has been (minus the rain).

That is all for now - just an update. Hopefully more to follow.