Friday, February 3, 2012

January in Review

Running Stats
# Miles Ran: 45.2

# Runs: 11

Favorite Run: a 5-miler on 1/7. I ran 9:49, 9:31, 9:54, 9:20 splits on the first four miles and felt amazing. It was a huge confidence booster. I honestly didn't even know I could still run that fast!


Most hardcore run: 1/17 run with a friend across town. The run itself wasn't crazy, but overnight we'd had fierce storms complete with tornado sirens and hail, and almost immediately after our run the temps plummeted and the wind picked up. It was a little surreal to find 45 minutes of relative peace in the middle of such chaotic weather, but we did it!

Other running related highlights: My Chickbands giveaway and the Freeze Your Thorns Off Virtual 5k. It's fun to be part of stuff like this.

Current obsession: Getting everything ready for baby. He could be here next month! (last week March/first week April) I had a dream about it last night.

Current triumph: The last day in January I left my house for a run and realized it just was not going to happen. It was just uncomfortable. So I changed plans and went for a 2.3 mile walk. I felt great about being flexible and getting my exercise in one way or another.

Current less-than-triumph: I am periodically having shin splints. I guess it's just the change in my gait, because my shoes are not over-worn.

Pregnancy Stats
# Weeks: 31/40 (7 months)

Weight gained: 18 pounds (this was earlier this week, when I hit 31 weeks), right where I should be. And still only 4 pounds more than I weighed at Christmas 2010.

How this affected my running: I'm getting asked this with increased frequency. Mostly, it's changed running in 4 ways:

  1. I run slower. With each passing week, more slowly. It's now rare for me to break a 10 minute mile, and I take walk breaks at least once during most runs, usually on hills. 
  2. I'm much more vigilant about hydration, and always carry my Nathan handheld now. 
  3. Sometimes runs get cut short. See "current triumph", and yesterday I cut my standard 4-miler to 3 because it just wasn't in me. I felt fine, I just knew it wasn't there. 
  4. I am much more careful about running on the sidewalks around here. Those of you who have been reading for a while may recall how badly I bit it soon after we moved here. I'd really like to avoid that.
How it affects the rest of life: It hasn't affected work too much, thankfully. Sleep on the other hand, yes. We're working on getting ready around the house. We still have all the stuff from our older kid, so there isn't a lot of stocking up to be done. We try to talk to our older kid about the baby, try to get him ready for it. He has such a big heart, I actually get a little choked up sometimes. A couple nights ago, for instance, he had a sheet of stickers and wanted to share them with baby brother. This was his effort. And yes, he lined them up like that. That's his thing. 

That's all I've got! Run strong in February everyone!! I may be waddling strong!

6 comments:

Jen Feeny said...

That is so sweet!!!!!!!!! He's going to be such a great big brother to the new baby! :)

Good job making it through another month on the run, even better that you're being flexible and still getting some kind of workout in. That baby is going to come out ready to run! :)

TNTcoach Ken said...

Just the fact that you're running is amazing! deena Kastor/Kara Goucher look out!

Raquelita said...

You had a great month in January! I'm impressed that you have managed to keep fitness a priority during your pregnancy!

I hope the shins stop bothering you soon!

Suz and Allan said...

You never cease to amaze me Joanna! What a great month! Hopefully the desire to share will last for many years to come as they grow up together.

Marlene said...

Tooo cute with the stickers!

Glad you are feeling so good and enjoying the runs.

Black Knight said...

I don't know how you can be so fast! Congrats!!!
I am sure we will see you to run as fast as the wind with the baby-jogger!