Headwind + BOB Jogging stroller = not good

Once again, I am declaring war on wind in New Jersey.

See, because running into the wind by myself isn't nearly as bad as pushing a BOB jogging stroller with a 17 pound 6-month-old in it into the wind.


Obviously, I lived to talk about it, but it sucked. Something tells me that come March, when the wind is at its mightiest strength, B and the BOB will stay in the closet.

Still, I did it. And, all in all, this has been a good week. Had one 5 am run, a liller weight work out that left me needing to recover for about 3 days, and another run to finish off the week.

Next week? Running 3 times, weights twice... ugh. I'm not making any promises.

I'm supposed to be running right now...

...but it is cold, and damp, and I have to take Bea with me in the BOB.

Bundled up, she should be fine, no?

What I think about during my runs

A lot of runners will tell you running allows them the opportunity to think.

Life, kids, career moves, what to have for breakfast, things like that are usually the hot topics. Especially if you're running alone.

Here is what I am thinking about on my runs: How many minutes until I can walk again?

Because right now, being that I am on Week 10 of Week 5 of the Couch to 5K program, I am running 10 minutes, walking for 5 and running for 10 more before my cooldown.

In the beginning, I am feeling good. Right on target with my heart rate, breathing is good, tunes are jammin'. But by the 8th minute, I am ready to stop. To walk. To give up. And then that 5 minute break comes just in time.

I dread the day I cut that 5 minute walk break... having to link both runs together to form one, 20-minute, long run. Yes, I know I can do it, Yes, I've done it before...but being all alone at the bottom of the figurative hill looking up seems daunting. Especially with this post-baby bod.

This is it!

Tomorrow morning. 5 am. No excuses!

I feel so much better when I start my day with a pre-dawn run. I feel more organized, more focused. And now that Bea is pretty much totally off the boob, I feel like I can go in the morning without too much guilt.

Week.. whatever of Couch to 5K. I lost count. But I think I am on Week 6? Regardless, I am running 10 minutes, break for 3, then another 10. At some point, I will need to join those two runs into a longer one :)

Wow, it has been a while

Okay, first let me get this off my chest.

It is damn hard to find time to do anything for yourself let alone RUN with a newborn.

I told myself, "Erica, you have 6 months of excuses before you are allowed to get tough on yourself."

Bea turns 6 months old this week, which means my excuses stop now.

You know, a co-worker of mine once told me I inspired him to start running. Seriously. Me. The 10-minute mile maven inspired HIM to start running...

But he has returned the favor and listening him talk about his new weights/gym routine has inspired me to stop making excuses and find the energy to do something about this post partum ass.

So I am going back to basics... I am going to report out on my runs. My goal? 3 times a week. Weights twice a week.

After all, I've got a half marathon in April to train for. And, how could I let my mommy-running friends down? Kris, Alanna- I'm talking to you!

E

Square One? Check.

Between injuries, pregnancy and the 60 pounds I gained while pregnant, there has been little time or energy for me to run. 

But I'm back... and am working on week one of the Couch to 5K program. Yup. I am back where I began. No real goals in sight other than to be able to run a solid 5 miles without stopping. So.... here we go!

Can I be the butt of your joke?

Maybe some of you work in big companies just like me. If you do, I am sure from time to time, you find yourself in a situation in which you're in a big meeting, with a lot of the heavy hitters in your organization.

Many times, these heavy hitters (or, people that pay my salary, thankyouverymuch) will get a laugh out of the crowd at someone else's (most likely, a colleague) expense.

Let me explain.

They are often "inside jokes" that no one outside of the organization would ever understand. A scenerio might be something like this:

Bob: And so, today I'll present this quarter's numbers, and hopefully, they'll be clear enough for everyone - even Jim - to understand!

The crowd roars with laughter... Jim might stand up, take a bow, and then sit back down.

Usually this type of interaction between, say, a superior and someone with less power might indicate said superior likes the other. In other words, if you are the butt of a joke, you are well-loved.

It's never anything malicious; it is mostly in good fun... but, well, you get it.

Here is where the disturbing part comes in.

I was at a meeting this morning and a similar joke/jab was taken.

I laughed. Out loud. Like, a real laugh. And, I think it might have happened twice.

Usually, I will roll my eyes, turn to a co-worker next to me and exchange some sort of look that says "Get a load of that guy!" or something fun... but this time. I laughed.

I mean, the joke was funny. The timing was perfect and everyone could relate. Not laughing might have downgraded company morale. I was just doing my part.

Still, the fact that I missed an eye-rolling opportunity is a real red flag for me.

Am I losing my sarcasm and sinister wit? Will I be able to see through it all? Did someone slip me a guest pass to a country club??

Someone, please, tell me it's not all lost!