Having Fun....Running too...

We've been pretty busy and crazy this fall. We ran White Rock together (more on that later).

We made Christmas cookies together (with all 4 kids) for the first time in 15 years. Amanda and Amanda style.
Yes. That's a kitchen wall. And yes. That's a cookie stuck to it. "Oh Amanda, what naughty children you have. How could you let your children throw a cookie on to your kitchen wall?"
Only....it wasn't a kid that did it. It was a 32 year old Amanda that did it. Because, you see, back in the good old days (aka when we were teenagers), we'd frost all of Amanda P's mom's cookies for her. It was an industialized (or maybe institutionalized) setting. "Girls...frost with THESE colors and use THESE sprinkles...ONLY do this." And there were hundreds of cookies. So being Amanda and Amanda...we made fun where there was none. We'd frost 20, throw one. Can it stick to the ceiling? How long before it falls? Do the ones with sprinkles stick better or worse?

As we later learned, when Amanda P's parents re-did their kitchen...a Christmas cookie can remain stuck to a kitchen wall for at least 10 years.

We attended the casting call for Amazing Race. Really. With the baby. We're all going to be famous.

And because it has been the holiday season and we're moms living in America, we've had a little bit of stress. Just a little. So we've been there for each other...encouraging each other to run it out.

We're Going to ROCK WHITE ROCK! Women's Running Dallas Texas

Finally settled in Texas!!!! First impressions of this great state are fantastic! I love where we live, not to mention the endless back country this state has to offer a seasoned outdoor, take it anyway it comes , runner. Life is SO fast paced with a move, a two year old, new jobs, new home, but I can't forget the passion and urgency to take time run. My husband and I have transitioned SO many times and we have finally found our settling place… an added bonus is of course being close to my running partner in crime, plus I always find a way to inspire women to get out there and get going! You CAN do this… You can go further than you did yesterday or last weekend. Be empowered to take on the roads one stride at a time. As my husband says it helps to "run the crazy " out of me:) I am very excited to announce that I have found a new "student" Lezlie, to help coach right in my very neighborhood… We will be making her and our first debut at the White Rock Half Marathon on December 5th. We will be teaming up with the other Amanda for this exciting event. Even better we will be running kid free… Yes Moms we said it… kid and jogger free. Please take time to enjoy the spirit by yourself sometimes, you know you deserve it. Please take a "water break" at our sight as we continue to post our "Road to White Rock" as it's only a month away!

A big thank you to Texas and all it's wonderful people for making this our new running home…

Yours in Running,

Amanda P

Just keep running...just keep running....Dallas, TX Running

I'm in the midst of an identity crisis.

For a long time I was a stay at home mom. I raised my babies, drove them to preschool, play dates, spent afternoons at the mall. I enjoyed this greatly. Then my babies went off to school. I spent a year getting in shape, learning to run. By the time I had a 3rd grader and a 1st grader, I was ready for work. So I got a job.

I loved my job. I worked in an elementary school as a Special Education assistant. My days involved modifying instruction, writing social stories, and administering IEP modifications. I worked closely with the behavior teachers, so occasionally I'd have chairs thrown, words thrown, and help with behavior charts. I loved my job.

With the birth of Jogger Baby and the increased craziness of my husband's schedule, we made the decision that I would not return to my job this fall. Back at home raising a baby is where I am.

I love Jogger Baby. She is da baby bomb. The coolest baby ever. But I miss, greatly, my coworkers. I miss students, people that can talk. I miss having a purpose. These days I get up before the sun to rush the big kids off to school and then have almost nothing planned for the rest of the day. It's leading me down a road of depression.

The days that I can make it to run are much better than the days like today...where I don't get a run in first thing. I need to find a purpose for my days! How do you get out of the change-of-identity funk?

At least the weather is better!

Thankfully it has cooled down considerably here in the Dallas area. I hope that where ever you may be running, you are also experiencing this great weather!

This Mommy Jogger is seriously in the throws of "post baby running blues". It hurts. I'm not going to sugar coat it. Getting back out there after a baby is tough! I've had many a morning where my body hurts from shoulder to toe as I creak out of bed. My knees are creaking louder than the crickets chirp. My quads hurt, my shoulders hurt, I'm a mess. That's the awesome Relaxin at work, still. It also doesn't help that I've got arthritis.

But...during my run...those blues are gone. I feel (generally) good and I'm happy.

So how does one cope with the "body falling apart after you had a baby-itis"?

Because I am nursing Isla, I choose not to take pain relievers. Sure, if I am in serious pain, I will thrown down an Advil. But I have to be pretty sore to do that. What I have found helps is this: keep moving! On days when I've woken up stiff and sore then run I know I'm in for it if I sit around all day. Now, if I keep my body busy, I'm feeling much better the next day. So my solution has been to do some light yoga or Wii Fit activities following my run. This helps my body stretch and stay limber. I'm not guaranteeing a huge relief, just a difference you'll notice.

Also, remember to keep hydrated. It helps your joints and muscles recover!

Have you found anything that works for you when you're particularly sore?

Hello Hydration! Mom Running Dallas Plano Texas

Whew, it sure is HOT here in North Texas. More than just hot, it's extremely humid. Baby Isla and I went out for our morning jog today. In that 2.6 miles, I sweat much more than I did all week thanks to this humidity. This sort of weather makes fluid consumption a critical topic for all runners, but especially nursing mommy runners.

As a nursing mom, I'm facing new and different hydration challenges. Even when I'm not running, I find I need more water these days. That means, when I'm running and sweating, I need even more water. There just isn't a ton of information available on the topic of "nursing" and "running", so it's an area that I am experiencing myself and I'll share with you.

Why is this important, Mommy Joggers? In consulting with lactation consultants at the hospital, they reminded me that if I was to run in this heat, I must must must replace fluids and electrolytes, or my supply would diminish.

How do I stay hydrated for my runs?
Before my jog, as I'm getting my big kids dressed for school, I have about 16-20 ounces of water (the average bottle size). The key is not to drink it too fast. I also bring along another 16-22 ounces with us. In this weather, I love to freeze my water bottle 1/2 full, then top it off with cool water right before we leave. This makes my water the perfect temperature!

Because we sweat more during this humidity, replacing electrolytes is crucial. After my post-run recovery shake (more on that later) I down a small bottle of Gatorade. This is based on the advice of the lactation consultant at the hospital. She said replacing the electrolytes is exceptionally important for nursing running moms. If you're really concerned about your electrolytes, have Pedialyte instead of Gatorade. That is more concentrated.

Now, I probably consumed 32 ounces of fluid since I took off on my run. The sad thing is, I still don't feel as if I have to pee. And I'm still thirsty. What this means is that thorough the day I must pay close attention to my fluid consumption. When the baby is nursing, I should be drinking water. I also need to pay very close attention to my body's needs:

My lips feel dry. Probably haven't drank enough.

I'm thirsty. I definitely didn't drink enough yet today. Did you know...if you FEEL THIRSTY you're already dehydrated?

So Mommy Joggers, whether your nursing or not, but especially if you are nursing, please make sure you pay CLOSE attention to your fluids. When you're running in the heat and humidity, you're going to lose more fluids. Replace them with plenty of water and don't forget the electrolytes. Failure to do this can result in diminishing milk supply and quality. It can also take a toll on your muscles. Your muscles can't recover from their workout without proper hydration. Take care of yourself!

Dallas Arboretum 10K- Mom Running Plano Texas

Will and Isla Belle pre-race

The Mommy Joggers did our first race together with the kids! William (2) and Isla (2 months) were such good sports, hanging in their BOB strollers all morning!

This is the second time we've run this race together (it's Amanda D's 4th time). But let us tell you...pushing the kids added a whole new level of fun to racing! Review: This was an okay run to do with the strollers. The hill and "trail" part of the course is not exactly stroller friendly. Additionally, there were a ton of bikers out there. But the post-party is really fun for the kids to enjoy. Lots of healthy (and not so healthy) eating, music, flowers, and pumpkins!

Post Baby Running- Women Running Dallas Texas

Jogging Baby, otherwise known as Isla Belle, was born via c-section on July 8. This has NOT been the easy-peasy recovery I was expecting! My friends have kindly reminded me that it's because I am much older this time around (hello, is 32 that old?!). My OB cleared me to run 7 weeks post baby. I went out for a spotty 1.5 mile run that week (run a mile, walk .5, run another .5) and noticed a good amount of pain in the area just above my incision, so I took another week off.

I addressed the issue with my OB who said that the pain is most likely completely normal. She said, "push through it". So I went back out for another jog on Friday, at 9 weeks post baby.
The pain was still there, but I found when I pushed through it, it disappeared just past mile two. I managed to do almost 3 miles.

Isla Belle post 3 miler, chillin' in the BoB Revolution!

So how did it feel to run those first three miles?

Hard. Painful. Exhausting. Not going to lie. That night, my knees KILLED. My back hurt. My shoulders hurt! "Why does everything HURT?" I asked Amanda P. Her reply, "relaxin". The lovely hormone that keeps your joints loose and spongy while your pregnant, to allow for birth, are the same ones that post baby can make you prone to injury and hurt. By Saturday I felt more pain. Especially in my abs, neck, shoulders and...TOES!I did some gentle walking and normal house work, nothing crazy. Today, Sunday, everything feels fine. I plan to go for a nice, brisk walk and maybe a light jog tonight. Tomorrow will be a walk only day.

Another interesting thing...I dehydrated much faster than I thought. Granted it was very hot Friday morning. However, I consumed a whole bottle of water before the run, one on the run, another immediately following, and a G2. Through the day I felt like I couldn't drink enough. This will be a challenge, I know!

I plan to write about what it's like to run after having a baby, post c-section exercise, and doing it while exclusively breast feeding. I hope to learn a lot about nutrition and how to take care of your body as a running mom.