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.

the game of life

As you might have noticed, my running totals for the last week or two have plummeted to almost non-existence. I am not complaining mind you. Besides, I am too tired to complain. Lillian is finally getting accustomed to her surroundings and seems to be on a schedule of sorts. The first few days was rough. She wasn't eating as much and it was sporadic. She slept a lot and it was tough to get her to eat at times because she would fall asleep during the feeding.

This week has proven to be rough, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. With feedings every three hours Steph and I still trying to find time to sleep. I am actually doing okay - I am used to little amounts of sleep. But I am not finding any time to run. This morning would have been a good morning, but I have lots of work to get done that I haven't gotten to this week and I felt like I was run over by a truck.

Hopefully next week things will "normalize" to some extent so I can get back into a routine. I had it figured out that I could slip out for a run between feedings in the early morning or shift my runs to after work... we'll see. Last weekends 7 mile run was nice. I ran at a good pace and felt good, but I've done no running since and I don't want all my training to go to waste. My plan is to get out for another run this weekend - perhaps even a nice long trail run. I am still hoping to run a trail run race on the 17th... and maybe a few more races before the end of the year, but I'll be happy with just getting out for a run.

That's all for now.

finally...

It has been a long and tiring week, but Lillian is coming home tomorrow! The doctor has cleared her and she has passed all of her tests with flying colors. We spent the afternoon with her and came home for a nap before we have to go to a work function for Steph... she's feeling guilty about this, but this is very important to her because they are honoring a former client whom she helped and it was planned long before Lilli decided to come early, but it still isn't making it any easier (and her work is not been as understanding as one might think)... hopefully it will be a quick ceremony and then it is back home for our last chance at sleep - something that neither one of us have really had all week.

Both of us are excited, but nervous about bringing her home. We are both doubting our ability to be good parents - why? I guess because we have never been parents and this is for keeps and she is just so tiny... but I am pretty confident it will be fine once we get in a routine. I am going to get something worked out with my job to see if I can work from home for a few days to help ease the transition.

With Lillian being early, we have found ourselves a little caught off guard. We have to finish organizing the kitchen still, but her nursery is all set (even though she'll be in a bassinette in our room - initially anyway).

Lots of other little things that I didn't get to, but none of them important at this time. When they say "You're never ready" it is true. Nothing can prepare you to be ready to have a baby - you just learn to adapt and be flexible.

I'll be honest - I'm a little scared, but my excitement outweighs my fear.

That is all for now. I'll post more as time allows. Tonight's mission is to get the best sleep possible.