I've been thinking...

I'm one of those runners who rarely uses an iPod or music when I run. Though I do feel pumped when I'm listening, I hate the dangling wires. Also when I get sweaty, (as strange as this may sound) my ears get sweaty and hence the ear buds fall out of my tiny ears. I find this annoying and bothersome. So, on most runs, I'm usually left to my own thoughts and the sound of my shoes hitting the pavement. I actually find it quite comforting.

Well, last Sunday, during my 7-mile LSD run, I had an epiphany. Instead of focusing on the marathon distance, why don't I just stick to the half marathon for now. In my mind I don't think it's quite as "prestigious" or challenging, but who am I kidding? A half marathon is just as challenging if not more difficult because I like to pace a little bit faster. (And apparently, I'm not alone, a recent Runner's World poll revealed that most of its readers actually race a half more than a full - the half marathon is the most popular race these days!)

Let's face it, as a new mom, my time is seriously pressed. And like other newbie Runner Mamas, like Runbuggy, sometimes just getting out - let alone completing the longer training sessions required for a full marathon - is a challenge. As I've written in earlier posts, these days I've got to work my training runs in with The B's work schedule because someone has to look after The Lunchie. Sometimes a visit to my parent's house doubles as a training day for me and a visit with the Grandparents for The Lunchie. Hey, whatever works, right?

And like new mothers everywhere, I'm still dealing with a bit of an energy crisis and often I'm running on empty. (I blame sporadic sleep deprivation.) I've got to admit, I'm so lucky to have a relatively "easy" baby. The Lunchie sleeps through the night on most occasions, but on some nights he gets up at 4:30 a.m. for a feeding. I get it. He's a baby. But it does sap my energy for the rest of the day.

So, with all this going on, I've decided to put marathoning on the back burner for a little while and concentrate on rebuilding my mileage slowly and staying injury-free. This month's edition of Runner's World has a great article about dealing with this energy crisis I'm referring to. And the picture of the guy dragging a large brick is an apt illustration of how I feel on some of the days that I run. It's no fun. But at least the experts suggest that I tone my training down, take rest days and evaluate my goals based on my energy stores.

Having this epiphany literally lifted the weight off my shoulders. I don't know why I put so much pressure on myself (I blame my A-type personality for this), but at 34, it's something I'm still dealing with. I really would like to run the Toronto Marathon this fall, but looking at the training programs, it would be hard to train (especially be out so long on the LSD runs), take care of The Lunchie, spend some time with The B, partake in my other hobbies - golf and tennis - and still be sane. I want to enjoy running - not make it seem like a chore. I know I have plenty of marathons still left in me, but for now, I'll just do what I can do best: and that is concentrating on shorter distances and spending time with my boy. After all, he's only young once.

Also, I'd like to get back into tennis and golf. I did play when I was preggers, but didn't get enough court or green time. (And there is nothing more satisfying than pounding balls - golf and tennis balls!)

These days, I finally feel like I'm improving. I'm feeling a bit lighter and faster on my feet during runs and my pacing is getting faster. But, I still have to keep watch and warn myself: not too fast. Slow and sure wins the race, in life and on the road.

Patience, my friend, patience.

(Aww fooey!)

Pack Mentality

No doubt, having a baby has changed my life (for the better) but it's also made training sometimes a challenge to fit in. Before I had The Lunchie, I ran in a group. I love running with a group because not only is it great to catch up on other peoples' lives, but also training with others really motivates me.

Case in point: this evening, I ran with my old marathon group for the first time in more than a year. Tonight's run: hills! Well, that's a great way to make a return! It was a lot harder than I remember! But at least I had a group to keep me going. I know that had I been by myself, it would have been very, very easy to quit. But tonight, there was not choice. I had to finish just like everyone else.

It was tough, but I really enjoyed it. We did four hills and after the second, well, I wanted it to end! Haha! I embrace hill training because (in the words of one my running pals, Jim) Hill are fun. Hills are our friends! It's so true. But these tough workouts are much, much easier to complete with a group.

Hills aside, one of the biggest challenges I have now is getting around to run with a group. I'm very grateful I have a wonderful and supportive hubby who takes care of The Lunchie while I run outside and play(!) However, sometimes - actually many times - his work schedule prevents me from allowing me the time to get together with a running group, so I end up running on my own a lot. It's going well, but when the going gets tough, it's not as easy to find the motivation to finish strong. I have to summon a lot of mental strength to do it.

So tonight's run was such a rush! I finished with gusto and felt rearing to go out again! (Well, not on the same night!) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to do the hill workout again next Wednesday.

Tomorrow I'm doing an moderately fast 3-miler and then weights. Here's to a good workout.

The Party's Over...reality (sometimes) bites

Well, after almost two weeks of partying at the Olympics in Whistler, I'm now ready to get back into the grind and pick-up where I left off. I did do some running while I was away, but nothing significant.

Yesterday, I went out for my first run, post-Olympics. I felt hungover (even though I didn't even drink) and like I was the fat kid in gym class- you know the one : the chubster who no one picks for their team because they are as slow as molasses in January. That pretty much sums up how I felt.

Yup.

My parents were over and so they looked after The Lunchie while I ran (at a snail's pace) a 4.5 miler. There was virtually no wind and the weather was fantastic. So I have no excuses. I don't want to beat myself up about this, so I'll keep this lament short.

I'm going for another run this afternoon. It will be a fresh start.

Positive thinking. Positive thinking. Positive thinking.

Olympic Baby

Well, The Lunchie and I are really enjoying the Olympics at the Whistler Venue. The B is working hard at the alpine events. So far I've managed to squeeze in four glorious days of skiing under sunny, blue skies and mild temperatures. It really doesn't get much better than this.

Much like running, when I ski, I enjoy the wind against my face and the feel of the snow under my skis. While I love running, I must confess downhill skiing is my passion. I fell in love with the sport on a grade six field trip to Glen Eden in Milton, Ontario. After that day, I was hooked. I still remember how much I didn't want to part with my rental skis that afternoon. I begged my mom to sign me up for ski lessons. Thankfully she did and I managed to learn how to do more than just a snowplow! (Also, I'm fortunate enough to have married a former ski racer.) On one of the days of skiing here at Whistler, I recall how at peace I felt. Being here in the mountains gives me a sense of inner calm. I feel so connected with the snow, the mountains and myself when I'm going down those mountains on two wooden planks. It's strange, I know, but I'm sure many others can relate. There is a similar feeling when I run. And I do a lot of these sports to connect to inner self.

What is it about downhill skiing? Well, first of all, it's exhilarating. I mean, really...looking down from one of the bumpy steeps really gets your heart going. And once you've committed to a run, it's so much fun -- and sometimes scary to get down. Watching some of the downhill events live at Whistler Creekside this past week is proof that skiing at such fast speeds is truly death-defying! I mean, some of those athletes are whizzing by on snow injected with water at dizzying speeds. As CTV's "Skiing Cameraman," The B has had an amazing opportunity to actually ski and "inspect" the race course runs with the athletes. He reports that those runs are like skating rinks on an incline! I'm truly amazed at these athletes' amazing skills and strength.

Along with the skiing, I've also managed to get in some running. It's tough though because I have to go and workout when The B gets home from his day on the hill. (We hired a babysitter for the days I went skiing, but I have to rely on The B to get in some other physical activity sans bebe.) I've done a couple of fast 5Ks and have also done some light core work at a cool Whistler gym called, "The Core."

When I travel, I like to search out cool gyms to work out in. I found this one in Whistler and I was impressed by its laid back atmosphere. It's a climbing gym, cardio, spinning and weight room all rolled into one. I highly recommend it. Since The B gets back when the sun is sometimes setting, I have to do most of my runs indoors on a treadmill. (Which is really sad because the scenery is spectacular and the temperature has been quite mild for this time of year.) To save my legs (skiing is so hard on my muscles!) I only run on the days I don't ski.

We've enjoyed the Olympic spirit at the village and taken in a lot of the sights and sounds of the Games. (I will post some video and pics when we get home.) I'm so happy that The Lunchie got to experience his first Olympics. I know he probably won't remember much of these Games, but he's having a great time never-the-less. (And laughed for the first time last Friday night.)

No skiing for today - or running for that matter. After four days of skiing, my legs need a much-deserved break. We're going to head out in the afternoon and catch some of the bobsledding at the Whistler Sliding Park.

I'm so proud of our Canadian athletes. They're doing so well under so much pressure. And like most Canadians these days, I'm extremely proud to be from the True North Strong and Free.

Yay! RW Challenge comes to Canada!

Reading the March edition of Runner's World, I was excited to learn that the Runner's World Challenge is coming to the True North Strong and Free; land of the Polar bears; land of the buck toothed beavers; and land of maple syrup--- Canada! Yay! Pretty good, eh?

I checked out RW's website and though there isn't a lot of information up yet, the Challenge training plan starts on June 27. It targets the Goodlife Toronto Marathon & Half Marathon that's set to hit Toronto streets on October 17. It's the only Canadian destination.

Yay! Yay! Yay!

As I posted in my "upcoming races" section, I'm planning to run the Mississauga Half in May. One of my other goals is to run a marathon before Baby Max turns one (November 12). The Toronto Marathon is scheduled at the perfect time. In the past I ran the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon two weeks earlier, but this year I don't think I'll be quite ready that soon.

I'm still in recovery mode from my pregnancy and I want to give myself as much time as possible before running my first marathon postpartum. I also don't want to rush the training. A few Runner's World issues ago - before I began running postpartum- I read about how successful the challenge went. My favourite running mag profiled some of the runners and finishers. I was very inspired. Many of them completed a PB. I'm not going for a PB this time around. For me, the thought of finishing all the training and ultimately the 26.2 mile distance (healthy) is all that matters.

My current training regime is going well. Since I've become somewhat "afraid" of the cold (haha) I'm alternating running indoors and out. I've now added some short tempo runs and my LSD runs are now about 6.5-7 milers. So...it's slow, but sure. I think this is my best strategy. For, the tortoise also followed it and ended up actually beating the hare!

Hey RW, Yes! I'm up for the challenge!

Oh God, Here We Go Again...

I can't believe that Baby Max is now approaching three months. Everyday I'm grateful that I've been blessed with such a beautiful, healthy baby. Second to these feelings of gratitude, I feel what perhaps most other mamas feel too: guilt.

As I type this, my boy is in the room next door, crying his face off. Literally. And I'm here, cowering, separated only by drywall and feeling absolutely guilty. He's just eaten; he's got a fresh diaper on his tush; but, goshdarnit, he just doesn't want to go for his afternoon "noo-noo" or nap as we call them at Chez Weatharro. We're trying to teach him how to self-soothe and after speaking to so many other moms, letting him cry (a bit) is effective. (Granted, I don't let him go on forever and always will attend to him if the crying intensifies.)

Guilt. Guilt. Guilt. I thought it was bad when I was pregnant, but now, it's reaching its zenith.

I feel guilty for taking that extra 20 minutes stretching outside after a run while The B tries to placate a hungry Max;

I feel guilty for taking that extra run down a ski hill when I know Baby Max is waiting for me down below and on the verge of a mini-meltdown in the chalet;

And I feel guilty for eating that extra bit of chocolate and less vegetables when I know Max is still "eating" what I'm eating.

Guilt, be gone I say.

I justify some of my morsels of extra "me time" as ways that make me happy and content. A happy mom is a happy baby. I've heard this phrase time and time again and for me, it's true. After those few extra minutes of stretching and collecting my thoughts following a great, fast run, I'm ready to face the firestorm of dirty, poo poo diapers, hourly feedings (especially when he's in a growth spurt) and meltdowns over afternoon noo noos.

Still, I can't help it sometimes. I think parents are hardwired to feel guilt.

Sometimes, I also feel plain guilty for leaving Max in the very capable hands of my gym's babysitters to go on a fast, treadmill run. However, as Kristina Pinto writes in the Life & Times column of the March issue of Runner's World, she runs to "get away from home for an hour,"and if she gets injured and is unable to run, "the whole family pays."

I know myself. I need my hobbies; my activities to keep me sane. I've had to reduce the time I've spent on them (which is a given with a new baby) but that's okay, at least I get to still do them.

A happy mother is a happy baby.

I have to tell myself that over and over, many times on my runs.

Again, guilt, be gone I say.

True North Strong and Free

With less than a week to go before Opening Ceremonies, the excitement is building toward the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games. This will be the second time in my life that Canada welcomes the world in this most prestigious athletic event. The last time the Games were held in the Great North, I was a pimply, pre-pubescent lass.

These Olympics will be very special because I will share them with my son for the first time. Doing so reminds me of the first time I remember sharing the Games with my dad. Those Games were in 1984, in Los Angeles. I remember watching track and gymnastics with him. For me, it was very special.

These Games will be more special because we will make the trip to Vancouver - actually Whistler - where all the alpine skiing events will be held. The B who works for a Canadian broadcaster will be helping to cover the Games. He's been assigned the downhill ski events which is great because both of us are avid skiers. (Last year at this time we were actually skiing on the Swiss Alps.)

I'm so excited. And I even went out and bought Olympic finery that matches that of my young son! (I know, so nerdy! But hey, very patriotic!)

In addition to my skis, I will pack my running shoes. I'm very hopeful that I will be able to do a few LSD runs among the mountains - one of my most favourite places to be. (I told The B that when we retire, I want to live in the mountains and ski every day!) During the weekend of our engagement, I brought my runners and did a few long runs along Lake Simcoe and during my honeymoon a few years ago, between rounds of golf, I ran through Palm Desert, California. For the last few vacations, running has been important. I find it relaxing and besides, running is also a great way to see your vacation spot.

Anyhoo, the countdown to the Games begins with the Opening Ceremonies set to hit the stage at Vancouver Place on Friday.