Thinking about: How we didn’t take any photos from this weekend. Not one on Saturday or Sunday. Along with that thinking about how I only have two more days and there is no way I am going to accomplish April’s goal with nearly 19 or so miles to go. Oh, and how much I would love to be on vacation somewhere warm and relaxing right now.
Feeling: proud of myself for getting out today and running 6.5 miles. I woke up not feeling too hot (still don’t) and after debating whether I should run or not I decided to go and at least try running and I felt amazing so I ran further than I expected.
Watching: Fringe. Neil and I are just starting it, currently on episode 4, and so far it’s just okay. It’s not terrible but also not my favorite but I am going to give it a chance because Joshua Jackson brings me back to the days when I used to sneak watching Dawson’s Creek. One thing that is crazy awful is all of the 3-D text- please tell me they eventually do away with that I feel like I am watching a bad high school power point presentation.
Reading: I am almost done Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I actually started reading it for last months mom group book club night but didn’t finish it in time, however my goal for April was to read one new book so I am working through the last 100 pages so that I can accomplish this goal. The book is really amazing and now I want to go hiking more than ever. Has anyone else read it?
Looking forward to: getting away next month. We are taking a little family trip to Seattle for our 5th wedding anniversary.
Making me happy: Neil and Edith. Thinking about all of the activities that we will be able to get out and do this summer. All the exploring of our new home that we have yet to do. Also knowing that I have a ton of meals prepared and ready to go for this week.
Last weekend I chose not to run my first postpartum race. I had prepared for it and was ready but in the end decided not to. It wasn’t due to lack of preparation or desire but because of the course.
Neil and I had registered for a local Earth Day race back in February with the plan being that he would run the 5 miler and I would run the 5k while pushing Edith in the BOB. Since I am also training for the Hippie Chick Quarter that is Mother’s Day weekend I needed to log some extra training miles so the weekend before the race Neil and I decided to run the Earth Day 5 mile loop. We downloaded the map headed out to the starting point and started our run.
The race map showed that both the 5-miler and 5k had the same starting point but broke off shortly after so we headed on our way with the plan of doing the 5-mile route. Just pass the point where the 5-mile route broke off from the 5k there was a few pretty huge hills that even without the BOB would have been a struggle for me but add the BOB and a baby and it made it at least 5x more challenging. I said to myself okay no big deal it’s good for you to get these hills in and don’t worry you won’t have to do this ever again.
As I made my way along the course things were going pretty well. There was a gradual incline which anyone who runs knows that they can be at times even more challenging than one big hill because you honestly don’t know when its going to end. It finally did end though and I met back up with the 5k course and ran along a section that had a nice gradual decline for a bit. Then we headed through a neighborhood where we were to catch back up to the paved nature paths which would lead us back to the park where we had started.
Just before reaching the path I had taken a short walking break which I am glad I did because when I hit the path I was greeted by a drop off. Okay not a total drop off but I am talking like steep decline which without the BOB would have been a challenge but with the weight of the BOB pulling me forward I had to use all my strength not to let it pull me head over heels. Once I made it to the end of this drop off all I could think was never again.
Things didn’t look up much from there either. Unlike the path we started on this one was uneven with lots of cracks in the path. My legs were already feeling strained from going down the steep hill so every bump, sharp corner and crack in the path made me cringe and say never again over and over. Finally the path smoothed out and I saw Neil who of course asked if I got his text about the hill and of course I didn’t because I hadn’t bothered to check my messages. We both agreed that if that really was the race path that we both had no desire to run it again especially with other people on the path with us. Honestly, it just didn’t seem safe at all.
After our run I went home and contacted the organizers to ask if we had indeed ran the same course that the race would be the following weekend. I also told them about our experience on the path and how if that was the correct course that it was not stroller friendly. In the end I didn’t ever get an answer to whether or not it was the correct course I can only assume that it was based on the map that was up on the race website. The only response we received back was to say that they would be happy to switch us to a different race, which we both did.
Race day came and I have to say that I was pretty bummed that we didn’t end up running. I had worked hard to get to that point, running 3-4 days per week with Edith in the BOB in preparation but in the end the race course just wasn’t the right fit. Part of me is glad we did a practice run of the race course before the actual race because it would have been quite the surprise to come up on that spot on the course mid race but I also wish we hadn’t because I really wanted to run a race.
Q: Have you ever ran a race course prior to race day? If yes, did it change your expectations? Have you ever decided not to run a race?
I once again asked for your feedback but unlike past years I actually got some harsh (but necessary) criticism…
I dislike the lack of content. I read a lot of blogs and a lot of them I have read through their babies first year. I never felt like their quality or content dropped significantly. I feel that your blog has, and I feel like you justify it every single blog by mentioning your baby. As a reader I prefer more day in the life posts learning about you and how you are navigating through your weight/workout/life/parent struggles so I can relate and maybe apply something to my life. I feel like all I read from you are sponsored posts and posts with very little heart. I unsubscribed from Naturally Family, but I keep holding off on leaving your blog. I feel like I might miss the moment when you get it and your blog becomes one I am happy to see in my reader.
and you know what you’re right.
When I first read this it felt like a having cold water thrown in my face, I should have seen it coming up it still shocked me. I read this and re-read it and re-read it again. I then opened up RWT went back to my archives and looked at this month last year compared to right now and it’s true. The last few posts from this month consists of sponsored posts, post about things I like and the upcoming challenge but nothing really about me, my life or anything with real significant content. I agree as well that I am running into the same issue over on Naturally Family (NF).
I will also say it’s true that Edith has become the excuse behind why my content has dropped. As well as the fact that I struggle between what belongs on which blog and at the end of the day I am tired and often spent but I make a half-assed effort to write a post.
I have been working on my goals for May and one of them is to slow down and make more time for the things that I love and am passionate about. From reading RWT right now you wouldn’t think it’s this blog or NF but it is. Transitioning from the working world to becoming a stay-at-home mom and moving across the country has really sent me into talespin and I’m trying to recover. I write this blog for you and for me and I know I have so much more to offer. It’s about taking time to deliver more quality content vs. quantity of posts.
I appreciate your feedback and would love to continue to have it so please take a few moments to answer five questions. I will say I am working on more personal posts to go along with the sponsored , recipes and link up posts. As always I love to answer questions from you because to be honest if you met me you’d know I am a sharer so please no question is too personal just ask–> lindsay@runningwithtongs.com
Can you believe that it is almost May? Did this month fly or what? First just a shout out to all of the April 100 Mile Challenge participants you rock! Now on to May!
This months challenge is slightly, okay totally, more attainable than last months challenge (more on that in a future post). This month I want you to complete a plank-a-day. That’s it. Can you do it?
So what you need:
A stop watch- if you have a smart phone there should be one on it
A space for you to preform your plank and that’s it!
Challenge yourself to increase your time everyday even if it is just by a few seconds.
How the challenge works:
After you do you plank record your time on the Google Drive spreadsheet that I will send you. At the end of the challenge participants who have completed the full 31 days will be entered to win a prize (TBD). Bonus: You can Instagram or Tweet a screenshot of your stop watch time for a bonus giveaway entry (up to one tweet per day) but make sure to include @runwithtongs and #RWTPlankADay to your IG/Tweet AND you must submit the URL on your spreadsheet for it to count.
If you have little to no experience with the plank here is a quick tutorial:
1. Long-sleeve running shirt for women: Brooks Essential LS 1/2 Zip II: Although we are having a spree of nice weather her in Oregon we still have our cool days and this has been the perfect top for the 40-60F weather. It keeps me warm without overheating and it’s so light that I hardly even notice that I am wearing long sleeves.
2. Champion Women’s The Show-Off Sports Bra: I actually won this bra from Gina’s giveaway last month and it is AMAZING. I have had such a hard time finding a good postpartum sports bra and I think I finally found the perfect one.
3. Angel Baby Bottom Balm I know you’re probably thinking isn’t that for diaper rash? Well yes, yes it is BUT it is also amazing for post running chaff. It is soothing and is the only thing that I have found that really works to relieve the pain and heal quickly.
4. Brooks Glycerin running shoes These are a new essential for me as I have been running in my Brooks PureFlow 2 for the last few months. Although I LOVE my PureFlow 2’s I decided to get fitted for another pair of shoes and have found that the little extra support of the Glycerin have been great for me (although I still go for easy runs in my PureFlow 2’s).
5. Wunder Under Crop: I have a ton of different running pants but these are by far my favorite. They fit snuggly and don’t fall down when I run. Bonus I can throw on a tee, a denim jacket and a scarf and wear them for a post run beer.
What we did this weekend… Friday night I had the house to myself while Neil went to a concert.
Saturday Morningwe started off our morning with breakfast at AND Cafe and then we went to the Saturday Artist Market before heading home to get ready for date night. Saturday night we dropped Edith off at a local childcare spot and we went out for a drink at Branch, had some small plates at The Station (honestly wasn’t very good), got ourselves some Kombucha Sorbet at Salt and Straw and then a coffee before heading back to pick up Edith. Sunday we stocked up on yummy baked goods at the Worldwide Vegan Bake Sale and we wondered around Mississippi, picked up some groceries and took Edith to play on the baby swings.<
Recipes I want To Make… I hear that Frito Chili Pie is one of those things everyone is “supposed to” try before they die, so maybe one day (after I have gone for a long run) I’ll make this recipe.
On a healthier note these tacos sound fantastic or how about these nachos.
If you haven’t figured it out yet besides breakfast on the brain I have Tex-Mex on the brain and this salad is on the top of my must try list.
Over on Naturally Family… You can start off with checking some photos from last weekend. Then you can move on to some cute photos of Edith Eating. Lastly, I finally did a cloth diapering update.
