Day 30 - First Mentor Run

Yesterday I spent only 10 -15 min in the pool walking back & forth across the 3ft deep end. Although it was a warm day (high mid 80s), the pool was surprisingly frigid and I couldn't see keeping Ethan in it any longer. (He was content as long as I held him, but didn't seem overly thrilled with the experience.) I gave Ethan a nice long, warm playtime bath afterward.

This morning I went for my first "mentor run". These are optional midweek sessions set up around the San Diego area at various times and days throughout the week. They are called "mentor runs" because they are led by mentors as opposed to the coaches who lead the Saturday runs. I chose the 6am Mentor Run at Lake Murray on Thursdays. (It was either that early or not until after Luke got home and I didn't want to miss more time with him. ) So I got up at *gasp* 4:50am wondering what in the world I was thinking, and left the house by 5:20 to drop off Ethan with Luke's mom and then head over to the lake by 6.

There were about 5 other women who met there including the mentor. Two seemed to be close to my pace, one seemed just a little fastor, the mentor was just a little faster than her, and then there was another one who blew us all away. They all seemed very nice and it was fun running as a group. Although we didn't stick together the entire time, there were times when someone was close enough to talk to for a little while and I could always look either behind or in front of me for someone familiar. It's really motivating to have someone you know coming up behind you or just in front of you. It helps pass the time and makes it easier to judge your pace. It is also really nice not to have to push the stroller, although the path would be perfect for it. I'm thinking of going there for my daily training sessions once I finish fundraising. Right now I just don't have the time to drive anywhere. It's hard enough squeezing everything in as it is.

Days 28 & 29

Yesterday I ran about 2 3/4 mi because I started my run too late and had to cut it short in order to attend a funraising clinic. There never seems to be enough time in the day lately.

Today I am supposed to run 30min or XT at medium intensity. I am going to make it a priority to get into the pool and deep water run today.

As a fundraising note: I seem to have hit a slight road block in trying to find a place to sell raffle tickets. 1) I didn't expect people to be so unwilling to give me permission. 2) I apparently have to get a license from the city and that may take 4 weeks to aquire! I may have to rethink my strategy. Prayers are appreciated!

Day 27- XT

Today (Monday) the schedule calls for either a day off or a day of cross training (XT). XT for these purposes is defined as any low/non-impact cardiovascular exercise maintained at an intensity similar to running. (i.e. Deep water running, Spinning, Cycling, Rollerblading, Stairmasters, Lifecycles, Elliptical cross-training machines, Rowing machines, etc.)

If it is warm enough, I'm thinking of doing the Deep water running. Otherwise I guess I'll do the stationary bike in our gym (I think it's a lifecycle). It's one of those you feel like you're sitting in rather than actually on a traditional bike. Normally I don't like it (too boring!), but I can't think of anything else that will give my joints a break.

I also need to check on the many cannisters I've placed in the businesses around the area and make a couple phone calls regarding donations.

And of course, I'll have the regular feeding, changing, and playing with Ethan to do along with laundry and dishes. This is going to be a very busy day!

P.S. As of about 10:30 this morning, I now weigh 189.5lbs!! Yeah- goodbye to another 3lbs! :-D

Days 24-26

Friday did not go as planned. My mother was in town and I spent the first half of the day working on fundraising, then took Ethan to get another vaccination, then spent the rest of the day and well into the night shopping. We were looking for some new pieces of furniture to replace the nonchild-friendly pieces we have now (Ethan is just beginning to barely scoot.) as well as a jogger stroller. For various reasions we did not find the furniture but we did get a jogger stroller. YEAH! I LOVE it! It makes running with Ethan SOOO much easier- especially on my shoulders- and it makes the ride more pleasant for Ethan. It has shock absorbers so it's not as bumpy a ride and he gets to sit up instead of the nearly laying down position of the other stroller. So with the canopy fully extended on the new stroller he can see where we are going (although he can no longer see me) without having sun in his eyes (which he hated- the sun I mean).

Saturday was my first official run with the Team! It began with an orientation at 7am at the LLS offices in Kearny Mesa. That lasted about 45min and then we did a warm up run and stretch followed by the actual training run. To explain:

The SD RNR Run Team is divided into three groups based on experience:

C group= done races before & running like maniacs (20+mi) each week anyway (long runs are more than 8 miles)

B group= maybe done a couple of races; logging 10-20mi/wk recreational running (long runs are in the 4 to six mile range)

A group= new runners or those starting up again after a long absence

I have placed myself in the A group. This time that group was further divided into 3 more groups based on pace:

Group 1: 8 min running, 2 min walking
Group 2: 5 min running, 2 min walking
Group 3: 3 min running, 1 min walking

This Saturday, I placed myself in Group 1 based on past training runs, but because Ethan had decided to keep me up Friday night for the first time in over a month, when the run ended I was somewhere behind Group 1 but in front of Group 2. Oh well. Not bad for a first time (especially after less than 5 hours of sleep).
(Next week the slowest subgroup will be eliminated and incorporated into the 5 minute group. This is because that is the pace of a 15 minute mile and is the slowest pace allowed in the marathon.)

After the run, there was an "Expo". First we had to sign our return on the sign in/out sheet. Then we stretched, got refreshments (Powerade and Einstein's Bagels)- I accidentally got a chocolate chip bagel thinking it was cinamon raisin. Then we made our way around various information tables. At one table they gave us a name tag and took our picture individually for some mysterious reason (I was so tired it didn't occur to me to ask why.) I do not think this was very kind- taking it AFTER we'd run!! Not fair. At other tables there were fundraising sign ups and information, as well as power food & drink samples.

All in all I had a lot of fun. While I was running (especially toward the end) I occasionally wondered what in the world I had gotten myself into. But once I'd stretched and made my way around the tables I was thinking more clearly again and felt an overwhelming sense of joy and excitement.

I also met Dylan again. He'd gotten up early enough to come the orientation. He was SOO cute! His dad held him and introduced them and then asked Dylan if he wanted to say anything. Dylan nodded but didn't say anything for a few seconds, so the Dad suggested he wave. And he turned and waved to the whole group with a big grin on his face! I got to watch him interact with several people that morning and he reminds me of the twins I used to care for when they were his age (although they were girls). Seeing him and watching him has made him more real - not just a name, a story, or a picture. It's really brought it home that these are real people facing very harsh realities. It's not just this vague threat to them. It's what's real. It's what they have to deal with every day- that their little boy could die way before anyone should.

I am more determined than ever to be successful!

Sunday- I was sick in the wee hours of Sunday morning and chose to sleep in rather than go to church (which was a difficult decision since I REALLY had wanted to go). Then, when I woke up, I had breakfast and allowed it to digest. And when I was still feeling well after about an hour and a half, I took Ethan out for our first jog with the new stroller. Because it was Sunday, the schedule called for an easy 30 minute recovery run. So I took my short route (about 1.5mi) at an easy clip and made it back to the apartment in about 20min or so. Ethan was alert the entire time and seemed to LOVE his new perspective. Unfortunately, we were so rushed to get to my inlaws house for the SuperBowl that I blew it and forgot to stretch. I'm sure I'll pay for that today (Monday).