Saturday, April 30, 2011
Week 1 redux
This morning I went out for Day 2 of Week 1 (repeated) of c25K. Running first thing in the morning is actually quite nice. Would like to live in a more rural area so I didn't have to run under overpasses and such, but still good to get out.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Back into sneakers
After a comparative quiet weekend, with the baby recovering from his procedure on Friday morning, I was back at work yesterday, and restarted the c25K plan. Good idea - my legs were weirdly sore. I took it easy, and by the 8th (final) repeat, I felt pretty good. I thought, "I could keep going!"
And then I stopped, per the plan, because that way ("push it until it hurts!") lies madness.
Hoping to go again tomorrow. I like having a plan. I like having the 5K goal. Since running is a fairly unstructured passtime, giving myself some goals and limits helps a great deal.
And then I stopped, per the plan, because that way ("push it until it hurts!") lies madness.
Hoping to go again tomorrow. I like having a plan. I like having the 5K goal. Since running is a fairly unstructured passtime, giving myself some goals and limits helps a great deal.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Weekend recoup
The baby is doing fine so far after his procedure, which is great. We've got some other big things to tackle now, and another work week looming. I am planning on restarting c25K this week, as my back is almost all better. Huzzah for exercise! I often miss working in a bookstore during the day - I was almost always standing and walking around, or squatting to shelve books. I felt much better at the end of the day than just sitting in meetings, at my desk, and so on. If only being a book clerk paid half as well as corporate drone.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
C25K Redux? and worry
In lesser news, I strained my back last week, and have taken almost a week off from c25K, in order to heal up. I've missed it, though. I'm wondering (since I finished the first week) if I should re-do the first week of the program, re-do a day of the first week of the program, or jump into the second week. (I have rejected the very competitive, Puritan idea of skipping the missed week and going straight into the third week, because that is crazy.)
That is the not-as-big news.
The big deal is that I hurt my back while holding the baby in the doctor's office for an hour. Long, draining, worrying story short, he has had ear infections pretty much since last Thanksgiving. I don't think he's had a two-week period since where he has not been sick - usually with an ear infection (or an ear infection on top of something else). So, tomorrow we are scheduled to go have tubes put in his ears.
For those not familiar with the process, a small cut is made in each eardrum, and a tiny tube is placed in each cut, to keep the space open (otherwise it will heal up) and to allow air to enter the middle ear. Babies and young kids may have trouble keeping their Eustachian tubes clear, and that blockage leads to fluid (and typically, infection follows) in the ear. So the tubes prevent (hopefully) infection by keeping the ear dry.
The part that worries me is that for kids, they have to been anesthetized for the procedure. (Apparently if an adult has it done, they just have to hold still, maybe get a local anesthetic.)
Thus, some stress. Also lots of doctor appointments.
We have to leave tomorrow at 5:45 am, so I need to go get things ready.
That is the not-as-big news.
The big deal is that I hurt my back while holding the baby in the doctor's office for an hour. Long, draining, worrying story short, he has had ear infections pretty much since last Thanksgiving. I don't think he's had a two-week period since where he has not been sick - usually with an ear infection (or an ear infection on top of something else). So, tomorrow we are scheduled to go have tubes put in his ears.
For those not familiar with the process, a small cut is made in each eardrum, and a tiny tube is placed in each cut, to keep the space open (otherwise it will heal up) and to allow air to enter the middle ear. Babies and young kids may have trouble keeping their Eustachian tubes clear, and that blockage leads to fluid (and typically, infection follows) in the ear. So the tubes prevent (hopefully) infection by keeping the ear dry.
The part that worries me is that for kids, they have to been anesthetized for the procedure. (Apparently if an adult has it done, they just have to hold still, maybe get a local anesthetic.)
Thus, some stress. Also lots of doctor appointments.
We have to leave tomorrow at 5:45 am, so I need to go get things ready.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Actual inspirational quote
Everything that lives and breathes is sacred and beautiful in the eyes of God. The whole world is a sacrament. The entire created cosmos is a burning bush of God’s uncreated energies. And humankind stands as a priest before the altar of creation, as microcosm and mediator. Such is the true nature of things; or, as an Orthodox hymn describes it, “the truth of things,” if only we have the eyes of faith to see it. - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I
Today's projection
I enjoy visiting this site every day for news, a word of the day, and so on. Go check it out! It's great if you love language. Included are little side bits are the local weather, horoscopes, and so on.
Today's horoscope for me:
April 14
Today, Taurus, you might feel caught between the determination to reach a certain goal, probably financial, and a desire to stay home and work on your own projects, take care of your family, or both. You're clever and resourceful enough to have it both ways. Friends who know the ins and outs might be able to help you along these lines. Think carefully! You may be surprised by what you learn.
I'm amused at the idea that I'm clever and resourceful enough to do *anything* these days, let alone have it both ways! I'll keep trucking along, though, with words of inspiration like the quote of the day, from the same site:
Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.
Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)
Today's horoscope for me:
April 14
Today, Taurus, you might feel caught between the determination to reach a certain goal, probably financial, and a desire to stay home and work on your own projects, take care of your family, or both. You're clever and resourceful enough to have it both ways. Friends who know the ins and outs might be able to help you along these lines. Think carefully! You may be surprised by what you learn.
I'm amused at the idea that I'm clever and resourceful enough to do *anything* these days, let alone have it both ways! I'll keep trucking along, though, with words of inspiration like the quote of the day, from the same site:
Earth has its boundaries, but human stupidity is limitless.
Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
c25K
Prior to pregnancy, I led a life of varying levels of exercise. At some points I was pretty lethargic. In high school I participated in the (required) sports. After that, I seem to have had cycles of slacking off, and then picking things up again. Martial arts, bellydance, and yoga have all been things I have enjoyed doing to lesser or greater extents, and have kept me interested.
Now that I have A Commute to work (40 minutes is a short day to get to work; it can take 1 - 1.5 hrs on long days), a job that has been quite stressful the last couple of years, and now a child, I have not had time to exercise until 8 or 9 pm, when I am exhausted, and my husband is sometimes asking me what is for dinner.
In order to get back into shape (I still have 20 lbs extra on me, 15 of which is "baby weight") I have started the c25K ("couch to 5K") program. It's a guideline for moving from the "not running" state to "running".
This past weekend I went to a local running supply store and a young woman watched me walk, picked out three pairs of shoes and I tried them all while jogging on their treadmill (and feeling very self-conscious). I picked the pair that felt the most like I was wearing little on my feet, the Brooks Accelerator II. I also bought a Timex IronMan digital watch which have an interval timer: this ability allowed me to set up the run/walk times and be cued by the alarm, rather than having to look at my watch all the time.
Each of the nine weeks has three workouts per week. You are encouraged to do only what is on the list, and not overdo it (which is a problem I get myself into - I can do more! I think, and then burn out). Yesterday was Day 2 of the first week.
So far I am liking the program. I'm enjoying feeling physically better. Even with a ton of stress going on, I think it's improving my mood a bit. My legs feel better. My back feels better.
And now, I am thinking of trying to run in this 5K in the Autumn: the Run for Your Life Zombie 5K. But it may just scare the poop out of me.
Now that I have A Commute to work (40 minutes is a short day to get to work; it can take 1 - 1.5 hrs on long days), a job that has been quite stressful the last couple of years, and now a child, I have not had time to exercise until 8 or 9 pm, when I am exhausted, and my husband is sometimes asking me what is for dinner.
In order to get back into shape (I still have 20 lbs extra on me, 15 of which is "baby weight") I have started the c25K ("couch to 5K") program. It's a guideline for moving from the "not running" state to "running".
This past weekend I went to a local running supply store and a young woman watched me walk, picked out three pairs of shoes and I tried them all while jogging on their treadmill (and feeling very self-conscious). I picked the pair that felt the most like I was wearing little on my feet, the Brooks Accelerator II. I also bought a Timex IronMan digital watch which have an interval timer: this ability allowed me to set up the run/walk times and be cued by the alarm, rather than having to look at my watch all the time.
Each of the nine weeks has three workouts per week. You are encouraged to do only what is on the list, and not overdo it (which is a problem I get myself into - I can do more! I think, and then burn out). Yesterday was Day 2 of the first week.
So far I am liking the program. I'm enjoying feeling physically better. Even with a ton of stress going on, I think it's improving my mood a bit. My legs feel better. My back feels better.
And now, I am thinking of trying to run in this 5K in the Autumn: the Run for Your Life Zombie 5K. But it may just scare the poop out of me.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Ear infections
We recently returned early from a week-long vacation, which was somewhat disorienting to me and not as vacation-like as I would have liked (or needed). Baby was running a fever, and is back on antibiotics for another ear infection. Our pediatrician was hoping we'd be able to get through the Winter and not have to put tubes in his ears, but we may have to do so: I hate swamping the kid with antibiotics all the time (although thank goodness we've got them).
Anyone out there have experience with tube placements? The idea of knocking out a baby, even briefly, has my stomach in knots.
Aside from the various illnesses, he's been doing well. Crawling now. Amazing.
I started knitting him a pullover in some lovely 100Purewool, but as usual, my slow knitting speed is hampering things. Nice stuff though.
We may be going TV-free again soon. We were without TV reception for about 3 years, two of which my husband was returning to school. We decided to hook up to cable again as I neared my due date, as it was helpful to have TV to watch or listen to while rocking a bewildered newborn (as they all are slightly bewildered - where am I? what is going on?) to sleep. But television, although seductive, is also a big time-suck.
I wonder, though, if I'd get more done without it, or somehow dribble that time away with something else.
Anyone out there have experience with tube placements? The idea of knocking out a baby, even briefly, has my stomach in knots.
Aside from the various illnesses, he's been doing well. Crawling now. Amazing.
I started knitting him a pullover in some lovely 100Purewool, but as usual, my slow knitting speed is hampering things. Nice stuff though.
We may be going TV-free again soon. We were without TV reception for about 3 years, two of which my husband was returning to school. We decided to hook up to cable again as I neared my due date, as it was helpful to have TV to watch or listen to while rocking a bewildered newborn (as they all are slightly bewildered - where am I? what is going on?) to sleep. But television, although seductive, is also a big time-suck.
I wonder, though, if I'd get more done without it, or somehow dribble that time away with something else.
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