Melons and Pumpkins

A week ago, Mark and I dressed Avery up and took her apple picking and pumpkin patch wandering.

Exactly HOW do you expect ME to pick apples Mom?  The apples are the size of my head!

Being propped up against a giant pumpkin is HARD work!  I think I'm gonna fall here...

We came home with some cool memories, a bag FULL of apples, a pumpkin and some apple cider.  Then, on the following Monday, Avery had her first real session of smiling and laughing in response to something I did (rather than due to gas).  Coincidence?  I think not!   Of course, she CHOSE to do it upstairs, where my only available camera was my cell phone.  

HAHAHA!  This woman is completely bonkers!

And promptly ceased all smile activity when I ran to get the real camera and the video camera.  Seriously?  Definitely my child.  When she can stick her tongue out at the camera, she will.  I tried again the next day with the video camera...you can see for yourself how successful THAT was.

Also at home, our "let's plant this because it's 99 cents" watermelon plant yielded a watermelon!

We fully intend to cut it up and eat it with our tacos this evening.  Hopefully it's as yummy as it looks!


In other random news, I've been made a mentor runner in the NOBO program.  I'll get a special shirt and everything.  Yay!  Also, Whittaker Mountaineering called to tell me that they didn't have the boots in the store in my size....so they were having a pair shipped directly from the manufacturer.  Talk about great customer service!  More on that stuff when the boots arrive.


Back to the garden sensation - Normally, we only grow tomatoes and peppers...and strawberries and blackberries.  Have you ever grown a melon?  What's the most unusual thing you've grown at home?


Have you ever been apple-picking?  Did you "sample" any of the apples while picking?  Ha!

I suck - but look, giveaway!

I've totally been lost in Avery world lately and suck at keeping up with my blog this week.  :(

My friend Deb made the awesome quilt.

If I could run, workout, sleep and take care of Avery while blogging, I would be superhuman.  Just sayin'.   I will be better, promise.


I had to exchange my mountain climbing boots because they were too small, but I will be posting something with funny pictures and my fears about this big upcoming climb when the replacement boots arrive!


A lot of my friends are running the Columbus Marathon this weekend, and I'm totally jealous.  Especially since I'm too fat and out of shape at the moment to even really think about it.  I wish them all the best of luck at the race!


On the up side - my friend Sarah is having an awesome giveaway on her blog!
Check it out:
http://runningonwordsblog.com/2011/10/09/bobble-review-and-giveaway/

This post is totally boring Lady.

Destination Race and more

Well, my Longhorns lost in spectacular fashion yesterday.  Sometimes having a young team can be rather painful.  Avery was especially displeased:

They lost to OU???  I cannot show my face around the block!

After much debate and with the helpful comments from my last posting, I did sign up for the No Boundaries program.  The first workout was pretty easy for me given how much I've done trying to get my stride back, but that's okay.   I'm looking forward to building back up at a slower rate....hopefully that'll help me get some speed mojo going.  Looks like my friend Deb will be joining me in this back-to-basics endeavor AND I've already made a new friend in the group - Susan.  YAY!


After the MiT and NOBO workouts, a group of us went to breakfast (perhaps the best part of group runs).   Over breakfast the idea of destination races came up.


Here's the deal.  Every year, Mark goes on a golfing weekend trip with his guy buddies.  I asked him if he planned to do it again this year (considering Avery's existence), and he does.  SO - if he gets a baby free weekend where I'm left watching her by myself - I think that means that I get one too.  Right? Right? 


He seemed to agree.  My idea is that I travel with running friends (or perhaps by myself if I have to) to a destination race.  And by destination, I mean not here in Columbus.  LOL.


Any ideas or suggestions????   I'm ideally looking for a Spring or Fall race.   Half marathon might be ideal with the rest of my schedule that I'm already planning...but I'd consider a full marathon for the fall.  If I can convince the Lucky 13's, I'd also consider a marathon relay.


I'm already thinking that the Las Vegas Rock n' Roll marathon in 2013 might be on the schedule too...because Sarah said she'd go with me!  (That could be my destination race for 2013).


Thoughts?  Race suggestions?  Have you ever done a destination race?  (i.e. a race where you had to travel).  Any big tips for those types of races?

NOBO and Absence

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?  Sorry y'all, Mark brought home a cold from work...and I have learned that there is not much worse than caring for an infant while YOU have a fever.  UGH.  I'm feeling much better now - other than tired which I think is a permanent condition - and will be catching up on all my blogs!  To make me feel better - Mark sent me edible flowers yesterday.  I think I'm in love with chocolate covered bananas.  Just sayin'.

So, many of y'all know, that the running group I run with, MiT (Marathoners in Training), is run out of my local running store, Fleet Feet.  Fleet Feet also does a couch to 5K program called No Boundaries.  Because of my frustrations with not getting back up to my pace quickly enough, my friend Sarah suggested that I join No Boundaries this session.   The session starts this Saturday and they are training for the First on the First 5K.   If I did this, I would basically run/workout with them in October and November until MiT winter session starts back up...and then I would probably move over to MiT.  (Or if I'm really ambitious, I could do both - they train back to back from the same location).


I'm torn about whether or not to do it.  Some days, I think I should, and some days I think that it would drive me bonkers to join it.   I never did a couch-to-5K program myself.  I started running by self-training for a half marathon...and yes, the initial runs for that sucked about as much as a lot of my runs have sucked lately.  (although - confession time - I haven't run since Oktoberfest).  I am very type A though, and anything too easy isn't worth doing.  LOL.


The head coach of MiT is also one of the coaches for NoBo.  I spoke to him and the other coach last night about whether or not NoBo would benefit me given my situation.  I know that they start with 30 sec run/1 min walk intervals - and I KNOW that would drive me batty.  He told me that there may be some others in similar situations to me - and they might be able to work up a more "advanced" schedule group.


One benefit of the program would be increased accountability, and it would bridge the gap between now and the start of MiT winter session.  You also get a snazzy jacket and technical training shirt.


So - the point of this rambling post is - to get some opinions.  Yay or nay?  I'm too torn to make this decision alone!


Has anyone reading this done a couch-to-5K program?  What was your fitness level going into it?  


Would you recommend it to someone who has run/walked a quarter marathon and a 4 mile race in that last couple of months?


Is my whiny "It'll be too easy" attitude ridiculous?


Here's a cute Avery picture to make up for having to read this...from her first week home.

Oktoberfest Meiler Vier Recap

Race: Oktoberfest Meiler Vier
Distance:  4 miles  
Date:  Sept. 23, 2011, 6:15pm start time
Finish time:  1:01:21, 15:21 min/mile
What sets this race apart:  Oktoberfest festivities post race


It rained most of the morning leading up to this race, which brought about nearly perfect race weather.  It was cool, but not cold.   Surprisingly, the humidity wasn't bad either.


The race itself was a two mile loop through the parking lot and fairgrounds of the Ohio Expo Center during Columbus Oktoberfest.  The fact that the race started and ended by the Schmidt's food tents was the best part of the race!!!!  A couple of my racing friends dressed up for the event - which made it infinitely more enjoyable - if I do this race again, I must dress appropriately!

The gang!

The course itself could win the "ugliest course I've ever run" award though.  It was essentially a bunch of loops and whirls (where you could see the other part of the course just a few yards away) through parking lots, marked off with orange construction cones.  The "best" part (sarcasm should be noted) was running near the overpass where the cows for the festival were stalled....and all the wonderful smells that come with stalling cows.   It was nice that for the entire course, all running was on pavement, but in several areas there were some dangerous holes and angles in that pavement.  There was one water station near the start/finish line - which was also the midpoint line.


It was cool to run through the section in the fair between the food tents though - and the smells there certainly inspired speed!  Another cool aspect of this race was that it was chip-timed and M3S sports had it set up that your split and final times could automatically post to your Facebook page (if you set it up to do so).  I did, and got my results immediately. Nice!


One downside/humorous aspect to the parking lot course.  At one point in the first 2 mile loop - a truck was driving through the course.  I saw a course official sprinting after him yelling "Get that truck off my course!".   He was FAST!  (the race official, not the truck).  In general, the volunteers and others were quick to instruct anyone attempting to drive in the course area to get away from the course.  


My goal for this race was not to PR, and not even to run my normal speed.  My goal was to take it slow and allow my body to run for a longer period of time.  A secondary goal was not to be lapped by Mark.  I also, secretly, wanted to finish in less than 1:15.  Success on all accounts.  I purposely started with the 14 min pacers (Hi Laurie!!!).  Unfortunately, it was an uncomfortable pace for me.  I'm not good enough to walk at their walk speed...and it's a weird stride physically for me to run at.  So, my friend Deb and I sped up a bit, and did most of the first mile at a 13:20 min pace.  I was able to keep running with her until 1.3 miles, when I walked for a bit to keep my calves in control.  I was then able to run/walk most of mile 2.  I walked quite a bit in mile 3 - again as a preventative.  I then ran the last 0.5 miles.  Bottom line:  I ran more than I walked for the 4 miles - and was NOT in pain afterwards.  By far, the best "run" post-birth.  YAY!


Splits: Mile 1: 13:14, mile 2: 15:25, mile 3: 17:20, mile 4: 14:43


I ran across the finish line - to the cheers of my awesome running friends who waited for me to finish - and see Mark holding a giant beer.  LOL.  (Thank you LeDawn, who brought me a bottle of water instead!)  

Me and Mark post-race.  Mark with his beer, me with my water. 

Yes, the best part of this race was it's location....and the company.   We celebrated post-race with brats and cream-puffs...and many of the others also had beer.  

Post-race rewards.  I'm so good...I can float the beer I didn't drink...while holding my cream puff and brat!

Product Review: Fischer-Price Newborn Rock n' Play Sleeper

Product:  Fischer-Price Newborn Rock n'Play Sleepr
Uses:  Baby naps, bedtime, and somewhere for the baby to stay when mom needs a shower.
Cost:  $50-80 depending on where you go


Something I learned that no one told me before I had the baby.  Many babies do not like to lay flat on their backs.  And yet, current dogma on SIDS is that babies are supposed to sleep on their back.  


For the first week, Avery did not spit up and was willing to sleep in a bassinet in our bedroom.  After the first week, she started spitting up and absolutely WOULD NOT sleep in the bassinet.  She'd be sound asleep and when placed in the bassinet would wake up screaming.  The only place we could get her to stay asleep, the swing.

Mark and Cassie - asking Avery why she won't sleep in her bassinet

We told our friends about our miserable practice of having the baby sleep in the swing while one of us tried to sleep on the couch next to the swing.  (I have a two story house and did not relish carrying the swing up and down the stairs).  Over and over I heard "We had to do that too."  Why did no one tell me this pre-baby???  LOL


Turns out, according to our pediatrician, many newborns have a problem with acid reflux until they get a little older.  Their lower esophageal sphincter just isn't strong enough to stay closed and prevent food/milk from flowing backwards from the stomach into the esophagus. No fun for baby!   Anything less than a 45 degree angle exacerbates the problem.  


Enter the Fischer-Price Newborn Rock n'Play Sleeper.   I had a coupon for a Fischer-price baby item...and was even considering a second swing for the bedroom.  (I was desperate here - I'd already spent the third trimester sleeping on the couch!).  As I was browsing the bouncy/etc. aisle at BabiesRUs, I saw this little rocker/sleeper.  Hmm.  It is at an angle, has deep sides so it will give her the cushy I'm being held impression....with my coupon, about $45.  SOLD!  


The first night I put this together was the first night since week one that Avery was able to sleep in our bedroom...and I got to sleep in a bed again!  (for a couple hours in between feedings).   


Mark threw away the box the next day - We generally save the boxes until we know we're keeping something.  He obviously considered this a keeper!


Other great features???  It folds flat and is fairly lightweight.  Thus, it is easily transportable.  In fact, it is so lightweight (yet sturdy) that my cat Ginger rocked the baby by rubbing on it.  (It is a rocker, with rocker feet, so it's mean to do that).  I am able to slide it around the bedroom with ease, even with the baby in it.  It also has a little pocket - that I just discovered - that you can store small things in. 

Ginger - "I don't know what this lady is whining about, taking care of a baby is easy!"

Baby can use this product from birth up to 25 lbs.  It has a safety belt to strap them in as well.  We actually may bring this with us when we travel to Texas for the holidays.


The only potential negative - everything is manual.  What I mean is - there are no batteries and no motor.  Rocking it requires someone to physically rock it.  (But, the swings, etc. with motors generally cost about $100 more than this did, so it's a trade-off).


Bottom-line:  I should have bought this sooner!

Ginger - "No worries, I'm watching her."

Editor's Note:  After writing this review, but before posting it, I spoke with another mom who had a baby who'd had bad reflux issues.  She was talking about this amazing rocker that helped out - turned out - She was talking about the same rocker.

Step Up Dreams

Today during my workout with Adam - we started in with a series of step-up exercises.  Although we've done a set or two of "easy" step-ups since I gave birth...he hasn't pushed me too hard...until today.   He decided that he would start pushing me harder today - although still not too many split-movements until the doctor clears those on Tuesday.

This is the step we used...

O.M.G.  Step-ups are hard.  Especially when you've taken it really easy on your legs for a couple months....and are heavier than you should be.  All I kept thinking during the second set of straight on, knee raises step-up was.....before July, I will need to be doing about twenty hundred of these at a time...not twenty.  


Toward the end of the workout - when I was running through the exercises a second time, I think Adam must have seen the frustration I've been feeling.   He gave me a mini-pep talk about not letting myself get frustrated.  He told me "fitness is supposed to be hard! There is a reason why so many people don't stay in shape - it's not easy."  The usual, just keep pushing and it'll get easier stuff.  And then he said - "Just don't do one thing.  Don't quit."  


Pfft.  I don't know how to quit.  Besides, I've already paid money for the half marathon in April and my Dad was nice enough to pay my climb deposit for July.  There is NO QUITTING in my vocabulary.  :D  I admit though - my 6 week postpartum brain made me tear up a bit when he said all this.  I wouldn't look at him.  LOL.  


Now the funny part - Avery took a nap this afternoon - and I decided I'd better nap with her so that if she didn't sleep tonight, I was better rested.  I dreamed about doing step-ups..with Avery strapped into the Bjorn.  HAHAHA!   It made the knee raise part rather difficult!  

You're going to do WHAT with me in here?

After our nap, and Avery's meal, we walked over to Fleet Feet (with her in the Bjorn) and picked up Oktoberfest race packets.  

It may not look like much - but the purple slip is a beer, the blue slip a brat, and the pink slip...

The most exciting thing in the packet?  The pink slip in the picture is good for one Schmidt's cream puff.  YAY!   I will finish this race, however slow I have to go, so that I can justify this yummy goodness.

Mmmmm....cream puff.

A cream puff almost as big as Avery????  I cannot believe I have lived in Columbus for 6 years and never had one of these...what was I thinking???


As a random side note - We also stopped at a store so that I could buy a sock liner to add to my climbing gear - I promise a post with funny photos of me wearing some of the new gear will come soon!


Would you run for a cream puff?
What is your favorite/least favorite step up exercise?