What's a Race Report?

*tap tap tap* Is this thing on? 

Well Internet, when we last chatted I was about 2 weeks out from running my first post-baby half marathon. Training was different, but I was running regularly enough and felt in decent (not good, but decent) shape. 

The race happened and I thought about writing a race report many a time, but never actually sat down to do it. But today is the finally day! So, here we go (kinda)... 

I'd say this is definitely the longest it has ever taken me to write a race report, that's for sure. So long in fact, I can't really remember the race, but I know I ran it... and I accomplished my goal. 

The details.... 

I ran the Victoria Half Marathon on thanksgiving weekend (way back in October) in under 2hrs. I can't remember exactly what my time was (1:57:something I think?), but I remember I was happy to be running (and surprisingly nervous).

I woke up a couple days before the race with a cold (kind of a bummer) and wasn't really sure what to expect from my body, but I felt grateful I was able to run, and grateful to be able to spend 2hrs doing something I love, for myself. 

I accomplished my goal pretty comfortably - and by that I mean I felt pretty comfortable running the whole time. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a walk in the park, but I ran at a sustainable and steady pace, and I knew pretty much the whole time I would be able to make my 2hr goal. My calf cramped toward the end, which was a bit weird and slowed me down a tad, but overall it was a great day full of positive self talk and smiles. Something I haven't always experienced during races. 

Oh, and I was much more sore after the race than I expected to be, but I recovered. 

Since then, we've moved to Nanaimo (actually, we moved about a week before the race), moved houses within Nanaimo, celebrated the little one's first birthday, celebrated Christmas and my birthday, and now we await the new year. 

As for exercise, since our move the amount of walking I do has significantly decreased compared to our life in Ukee, as has the amount of running I'm able to do (unfortunately), and so, I've let myself get a bit out of shape. This whole being a Mom things eats up just a wee bit of time. 

Life is good though, and I've got some goals and plans for the New Year, so hopefully I can get back into a bit of a better health and fitness routine. 

Also, Shane and I have signed up to run/hike the Kusam Klimb next June, so there is a goal on the horizon. Training will once again be different, but I'm looking forward to getting out and exploring our new area with the babe in the backpack. 

Let the hiking begin!

"Training"

Less than 2 weeks to go until the Victoria Half Marathon, and guess what? I'm actually pretty ready to run it. 

Race it, you say. 

Umm, no. But I'm confident I can get to the end and be quite alright, haha. 

Since my last update, training has continued to be a bit sporadic. Really, I've probably done absolutely everything 'wrong' in terms of training, but I have managed to get in almost all of my long runs (win!) and usually another 2 shorter runs during the week. Obviously, running only 3x per week is not ideal training, but I also walk A LOT with the babe, and my body has been recovering well from the long efforts, so I think I'll be okay. I suppose after all the years of heavier training that my body just kinda knows what to do. 

Don't get me wrong, physically, I'm nowhere near capable of running a PB and I don't expect to be even close. That said, when I decided to sign up for the half, my very modest goal was to break 2hrs. At the time, I thought that would be a pretty easy goal if I trained well. Now, I don't necessarily think it will be an easy goal. Hell, it will probably take a bit more effort than I would like to put out, but it's not out of the question, and I do still think it's attainable. 

And you know, even though training has barely been what I would consider consistent, it has been nice to get out and run. 

When I registered, in the spot for the race announcer to say something about you at the finish line, I put "celebrating a return to running post-pregnancy" and I just want it to be that. 

A celebration. A couple hours of sweat and good times. 

Life Without a Village

They say it takes a village to raise a child. 

The title of this post may be slightly misleading. I do have a village. I have an amazing support network of family and friends that are always available by phone, text, FaceTime or email. However, since my village is so far away (approx 4-5hrs by car), some days I feel a little village-less. I suppose you could say I have a remote village, haha. 

Anyway, all this is to say, that life with a baby has been an adjustment. Shane and I are definitely finding our groove, but there are days (weeks even) where I wish I could just phone up my Mom or Dad and say, "hey, could you come over so I can get out of the house for an hour to go for a run, or grab a coffee, and just clear my head."

Since we don't really have an immediate village here in Ukee, sometimes health and fitness takes a back seat to sitting in the couch with Shane after a long day, eating sour keys (or ice cream, or some sort of junk) and watching the boob tube. 

So, as you might expect from the above, half training has not been as easy as I hoped (although, if I'm honest, it is going sort of as I expected. I figured it might a challenge some days/weeks). 

The first couple weeks went great. Runs were short, and therefore, I was able to sneak them in after the little went to bed, or during the day with her in the stroller. But then Shane got sick, and the babe got sick, and we had a couple weekends away, and well, my motivation faltered and there was about a two week stretch where I barely ran. I stated thinking maybe I'd be better off just training to run 5 & 10k races. See if I could work on speed (sometimes that still crosses my mind actually). Anyway, needless to say, my training calendar has a lot of Xs on it. That said, I set this half as a goal, and I'd like to see what I can do to accomplish it. Once it's done, maybe shorter, faster races will be the goal. 

Last weekend, Shane and I had a good chat about making a healthy lifestyle a priority again, and we recommitted ourselves to supporting each other to get out the door and stay active. It means we workout at separate times, and sacrifice a bit of time together, but so far (5-6 days in, haha) it feels good. And sustainable. I know as my runs continue to get longer, they may get a bit more difficult to fit in, but we'll make it work. 

I'm feeling optimistic.

Different, but the same.

Exactly 20 days after I published my last post, Shane and I welcomed our feisty, beautiful, teeny-tiny little baby girl into the world... Hard to believe that was nearly 6 months ago! 

As a friend once said to me "the days are long, but the years are fast."

To say life has been different would be an understatement. Of course it's been different (no duh, right?). Awesome and challenging and fun and (some days) downright hard, but definitely good. Different good. 

I know it's been a long time since I've written anything, so let's jump right back in with a list of sorts. Just some of the things that have been on my mind recently.

1. I'm obsessed with sleep (and not getting nearly as much of it as I'd like). Baby sleep stresses me out way more than it probably should. The funny thing is, I don't think we actually have it that bad in the sleep department compared to some new parents, but I also know how important good sleep is, so perhaps that is why the obsession. I'm pretty sure Shane is tired of hearing me talk about naps, haha. 

2. I've also discovered my overtired response to stress is crying. I've cried a lot since becoming a Mom (happy tears and frustrated tears, emotional-I-don't-know-why-I'm-crying tears and tired tears. But don't worry, I'll survive). 

3. My body has changed. I'm pretty much back to the weight I was when I got pregnant, but I'm definitely a little softer and jiggle a bit more when I run. Not that this is a bad thing, it's just different (like everything else). Some days it frustrates me a little, not being as strong or as active as I once was, but most days, I'm actually pretty pleased with where I am at physically, and know with a little bit more consistent exercise I'll be back to 'normal' (whatever that is) in no time. Not to mention, I've created something pretty awesome (and adorable) with this wicked bod. 

4. I ran the TC10k a couple weeks ago, completely untrained (running right now happens about once every week or two, as exercise mostly consists of walking around hilly Ukee and short strength workouts while le bebe naps). I was actually pretty pleased with my time (not fast, but faster than I was expecting) considering I registered the day before with the intention of just 'participating'. I was also pleasantly surprised with how I felt during and after. So that was a definite win. 

5. I have been throwing around the idea of running the Victoria half marathon in October for a while now, and I've officially decided to train for it. My friend Laura and I are going to be virtual training partners. The good ol' accountability factor. Training commences May 22. I don't think it will always be easy to get my runs in, but the little squirt will be able to ride in the running stroller soon enough, so that should help. Also, no expectations. I just want to have a goal to work toward and to feel a little bit like my old self again for a handful of hours each week. 

6. Our little family will be packing up and moving once again at the end of August. Shane's next work placement will be Nanaimo. I'm thrilled to be moving closer to my family and think I will enjoy being back in a bigger city with more amenities (hello swimming pool!), but I'm also really sad to be leaving Ucluelet. It took me a bit to feel welcome and comfortable here, but now I really love this awesome little community. For such a small place, there is sure going to be a lot I miss about it. 

Well, I think that is enough for now. If anyone is still reading this, thanks for sticking around. 

Oh! Oh! 

One final thought that just popped into my head. If anyone ever tells you labour isn't that bad, they are a dirty rotten liar. I had some different/complicating circumstances (maybe one day I'll share my story on the ol' blog) but let's just say, labour is way harder than Ironman. 

The medal at the end is way better though.