Army Run 5K Race Report: Slow and Steady

I ran the Army Run 5K on Sunday. It was my first race since Munchkin and I was excited and nervous about it. Overall, I'm happy with how it went, considering everything that happened over the past few months. I finished in 35:48, which is a personal worst for me, but a huge victory considering where I started 5 months ago.

I realized about a month before the race that I needed to lower my expectations. I did my own return to running program that I modeled on Couch to 5K, but was more conservative given the c-section and a switch to minimalist shoes. I had some pelvic soreness after I ran more than 15 minutes straight. Dr. Google told me this was due to some separation of the pubic symphis related to pregnancy. I figured as much, since my hips were HUGE up until recently. So I knew I needed to slow down and dial back the distance/time increases so I wouldn't end up injured. I decided to focus instead on enjoying myself at the race and celebrating my return to running.

The morning was warmer than previous years at about 8C, sunny, but with a brisk wind. The race was really crowded and I probably lined up a little too far back. I try not to weave as it's a waste of energy and dangerous in such a crowded race with less experienced racers. But, I was definitely in a too slow group at the beginning, as I was held up quite a bit in a couple narrower parts in the first K. I ran 10 and 1, then 9 and 1s since my math sucks and I forgot to go to 21 for my next break. Oops. It was early, I swear! I saw my brother and his munchkin near the 4K mark and that gave me the push to keep going to the finish line. I had a little juice left in me for a sprint to the finish and crossed the finish line strong. I felt a little sick after, so I know I left it all out there on the course. We celebrated with a post-race brunch, me with French toast. Yum!

Now the race bug has bitten me again and I've got to figure which race to run next!

Celebrating the victory over stupid choices

Yep, that's right. I made some stupid choices when I was pregnant. Specifically when it came to food.

I gained far too much weight. I gained 70 pounds. Just typing it out makes me sick. In the beginning, I had some morning sickness and ate what didn't turn my stomach. By the end, I'd given up. I'd gained so much even when I ate healthy, that I was so discouraged. I lost my will to make smarter choices when it came to food. And I was such a slave to sugar... I craved it 24/7.

I also take some comfort in knowing that it all wasn't food, as I'm super sensitive to salt and prone to bloating. I gained 10 lbs in the first month, and I was eating okay and still exercising regularly. And the fact that I'd lost 30 lbs. within 2 weeks of delivering the munchkin was a pretty clear sign that my weight gain wasn't solely due to my eating habits. That's not to say that too many donuts in the third trimester didn't play a role...

This week I'm celebrating my first victory over the stupid food choices I made when I was pregnant. As yesterday, I've lost 50 pounds. I've got 20 more to go to get to my pre-pregnancy weight, then another 10-15 to get back to my goal weight. I'd be great to get close to the pre-pregnancy weight before winter comes, so that I can hopefully fit into my winter running gear without having to buy new stuff!

A marathon, of sorts

It's been awhile. I know, I've slacked off. But really, I had good reason!

Much has changed in my life in the past year. We sold our condo and moved out to the 'burbs at the end of 2011. All this in anticipation of adding a +1 to our family! Husband and I welcomed our daughter into the world in April. So really, I did a marathon, but the marathon called pregnancy, not 42.2K!

I was able to run a bit in the first trimester, but then life took over. Selling our condo, moving, and work left me with little time to run. And that little person growing inside me took a toll. I really didn't enjoy being pregnant. It wasn't a bad pregnancy by any means, but I didn't/don't care for what it did to my body. I didn't want to think about running during my pregnancy. I disappeared from this blog, online running groups, the miles games that I loved. I was a bad pregnant woman and gained far too much weight. I didn't feel like myself during those 9 months, literally. Delivering my daughter was like coming out of a haze.

Now I'm ready to reclaim my life. But, it's not going to be easy since I'm back at square one. Square one in running and in my weight loss journey again. It's as if the clock was turned back to 2008! Thankfully I've done both before, so I know I can do this. It's just going to be more difficult since I've got a munchkin to take care of and feed. Oh, and the recovery from pregnancy.


So all this to say, hello again. :)

Socks Socks Socks

I say that with the Monty Python saying of "SPAM SPAM SPAM" running through my head.

I need new running socks for this ridiculously hot weather. I have all kinds of socks, none of which I really like. I have two pairs of the Sugoi R+R socks, but they give me blisters. I have some thicker Wigwams that are great in the winter, not so great in the summer. I have other pairs, too, but they aren't really worthy of a mention. My favourite pair so far has been a pair of yellow Thorlo Experias, but I'm always left wondering if there's a better pair out there...

Do you have a favourite brand of running socks? Tell me about them. My only criteria is that they have to be ankle socks. Fire away!