{To run or not to run…with diastasis recti?}

Posted in Pregnancy Journal, Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

That’s my big question that only I can answer. I knew something was going on before I headed to my six week postpartum appointment with my midwife a week ago. I suspected DR, but didn’t want to check it myself and really face reality that I was going to have some real work ahead of me. Work I would not enjoy, look forward to or likely ever really want to do.

Why the suspicions? I felt so weak in my core when doing everyday things, but a different weak than last time postbaby. My lower abdomen easily became sore, but different from last time also. Sneezing was very painful. My posture was terrible. I’d consciously sit tall and seconds later I’d find myself so slouched. My belly looked so different from last time-loose skin, dimply and pregnant by the end of the day despite me having just six pounds to lose from pregnancy versus the 15 pounds last time around. My running form felt off, too. My feet were barely lifting off the ground and my paces were so slow despite any effort I expelled.

Last Tuesday my midwife confirmed or answered my concerns with a significant diastasis recti diagnosis as measured by me having a four finger gap between my abdominal muscles. After my previous pregnancy my gap was a 1-2 finger gap. Upon arriving home I was neither upset or discouraged by my appointment. It didn’t seem to be that significant. That would come later.

After doing some reading on the topic, I realized that my fitness goals and plans really are on hold or need to be modified. I can’t jump into any real training for a longer distance race without addressing this issue or I will end up injuring something else or making the separation worse. My plans to head back to yoga class and use 21 Day Fix to get back in shape and cross train will have to wait as they both use too many core exercises that not only do nothing to improve DR, but can make the DR worse.

Now that this post baby issue was jeopardizing my running and my related goals it became personal. I was mad. I don’t have time to do extra exercises. I don’t have time to read books and research what exercises are safe and which ones are not. I don’t need something else to worry about. I know in the scheme of life and real problems this is not important, but we all can be dramatic at times.

The next day I had some negative thoughts running through my head. Since I don’t have time to fix this problem, I was going to become one of those mothers who HAD a goal. Who WAS a runner. Who HAD abs-the least of my concerns. Who HAD dreams…before she had kids. It was kind of a dark few hours thinking about throwing away a goal.

Then I remembered how insane I become when I can’t run and how much happiness I feel when running and chasing down a goal. I remembered how much better a person I am when I’m focused on improving myself. I remembered how much more patient I am as a mother when I’m being active and running. I thought about the places this goal would take me and my kids and the experiences I hoped to share with them. This goal is not just a selfish goal, and even if it were, a mother can dream and have goals and still be a good mom.

Elle Woods was totally spot on about this!

After thinking about all of this, how could I not make, find, steal and create the time to fix my DR and get back to my goals and what I love. Going forward I am taking the advice of my midwife and a physical therapist relative. You should always take advice from your own doctor and not from an online blogger with no medical training (that’s me!) Of course other’s experiences are valuable to me and after reading other bloggers and websites, most said running with DR is ok, but I would likely have issues if I didn’t work to fix it. I also read many online experiences that suggest less running is more especially early on.

My midwife cleared me to run, but explained some issues I might experience such as leaking urine when I run (not currently an issue for me (yeah!!), but common with DR and pelvic floor issues) if I don’t do anything about it. She said she could refer me to physical therapy right away or she recommended Katy Bowman’s online videos and her book on DR as a more lifelong approach to strengthening a weakness. If after giving my DR some more time to heal and close along with following Katy Bowman’s work, I still don’t see improvements she can refer me to physical therapy.

Check out the time on this…up with baby!

I’ve purchased the Nutritious Movement for Pelvic Health in the digital download version and Katy Bowman’s book Diastasis Recti. Her message is all about “you are how you move.” We create most of our body aches and pains by how we move. Her exercises encourage not a six week program or do these five exercises and your fixed forever, rather change how you move on a regular basis to get stronger and aligned. Her exercises are based on the idea that by changing how we move and doing more moving in general we can make many of our issues go away.

I have to admit that so far what she blogs about and says in her book make a lot of sense to me. Let’s just say if her work were candy, I’d be the kid in the candy store. This is also so encouraging because it means I may not have to find so much extra time in my day, rather I could change how I move and see improvements that I will work to maintain as I continue through life.

This week I’m also starting to do exercises a physical therapist in the family recommends to patients she sees with DR. She recommended the following websites for fixing diastasis recti and this website for more information on DR.

I am hoping that a combination of the above will help me return to my old goals (running long distance races, and someday faster) and achieve my new goal (closing the gap.) As a teacher, I can’t believe the irony of my problem and one of the bigger educational achievement issues in our country. Sometimes you really can’t get away from work! Again, consult your own doctor, please.

As for running, I’ve decided to not make an official plan. My unofficial plan is to not run back to back days to make sure I have time to listen to my body. I will run only 2-3 times a week and cut back if needed. I will keep my runs to 3 miles and under for the next month. I will run all easy pace runs (as if I could run faster now.) I will reevaluate in a month. My sights are set on a half marathon in the spring (roughly six months postpartum) and a late fall marathon (roughly one year postpartum.)

Here’s to closing the gap!

Sarah

7Jul2016

{Why you should consider streaking!} #rwrunstreak 2016

Posted in Running Pregnant, Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

I can’t say enough about my #rwrunstreak experience this summer. In the past streaks have been hit or miss, and I’d never been as successful with streaking as I was with this streak. I’m super proud of running 34 out of 36 days during the streak.

What was unexpected about this streak is all the benefits I gained from maintaining my streak. I share them with you in hopes that you might try your own streak or join in the fall/winter streak from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day later this year and benefit, too.

{Benefit #1-Build on or maintain your fitness level.}

Even more rewarding than the number of days I ran was the way streaking helped me maintain and even build my fitness. I attribute streaking with being the main reason why my recent 5 mile race at 24 weeks pregnant felt so great. Running a mile feels like nothing most days now. I also feel much stronger during runs of several miles than when I started out even though I’ve gained more weight and bump as my pregnancy has progressed.

This makes streaking a perfect way for runners to get back into running and to build fitness without overwhelming the body. Because you get to pick the distance you run each day (as long as it is at least one mile) you can listen to your body. Legs tired from your run the day before? Run one easy active recovery mile. Legs feeling great and strong? Go for a longer run. You can always run just one mile tomorrow. Maybe you just ran a marathon? A streak where you determine the miles not a training plan can be a perfect way to recover and find joy in running again.

{Benefit #2-Find you love of running.}

I know, I know streaking requires running everyday. How can this make you love running? You get to control your run everyday. You get to pick where, how far, how long, etc. You can get creative with your route or run the same route each day. You can determine your miles before you leave or run by feel and turn around whenever you want. There is no training plan telling you what you must do. Just you and your running shoes out for a run. Whether a newbie runner or an experienced runner getting back into running, you can find enjoyment in pounding the pavement. Starting is always hard, but it will get easier! Just don’t expect to love it right away.

I found that being able to run what I want, when I want made me find a lot more joy in running. Yes, some days I dreaded getting out there, but I got to have that I-just-ran accomplished and awesomeness feeling, you guessed it, EVERY SINGLE DAY (well, except two.) Talk about loving your run!

{Benefit #3-Lose the I’m busy excuse.}

I get it. We are all busy. I find myself using this word so much that I actually annoy myself. But, guess what? We all have time for streaking. One of my biggest barriers to working out is feeling busy and like I don’t have time. Make time for at least that mile and you will find making time for running gets easier and more important. What is important to us we do. I started planning ahead and over the course of the streak have gotten much better about making time in my life for running than I was prior to starting the streak.

Because you get to run what you choose each day it allows for the craziness of life to happen. Have an unexpected event come up? Run just one mile when you get home. Have a crazy day ahead? Run just one mile in the morning before your day begins. Find yourself with some extra time? I know me neither, but go longer. It is the perfect plan for the busy person.

{Benefit #4-Lose the other excuses, too}

It is so easy to make excuses. I’m pregnant so don’t even get me started on this. If I wanted I could come up with an excuse every SINGLE day. I’m tired. My bump feels heavy. I’m nauseous. I didn’t have a chance to eat yet. I’m dehydrated. My feet hurt. My arches hurt. It’s too late. It’s too hot. We have somewhere to be soon. My back hurts. I have a headache. It’s raining. I have heartburn. I’m bored with my running route. My Garmin is dead. My phone is dead. I’m sick of my running playlist. The list goes on. I’m pretty sure all of these excuses crossed my mind at least once during my streak time. We all make them at times, but overcoming them can be so good for us.

Streaking helped me realize that I do have time to run that one mile before my packed day. It helped me see that running a mile at 9:30 p.m. is both doable and rewarding. Streaking helped me see that no matter how hot, wet or dreadful the conditions a mile or two is definitely possible. Overcoming excuses everyday has helped me make less of them.

{Benefit #5-Find your me time again.}

We all have demands in life. Some days we feel like someone always needs us for something. Our to do list is longer than the time in our schedule. We just want some time for ourselves once and while. Even just 10-15 minutes would have a rejuvenating impact.

Hello, #rwrunstreak! Without intending for streaking to give me time to myself, it ended up giving me time to myself multiple days a week. Some days were stroller runs. Some days were family runs. A lot of days though were just me and my music and my running shoes hitting the pavement. It became a chance for me to clear my head, breathe the fresh air or catch up on some guilty pleasure TV while running on the treadmill. It was time I would have struggled to give myself otherwise and I felt happier all around because of it.

{Benefit #6-Make running a habit.}

On the last day of my streak I mentioned to my husband feeling a sense of loss that the streak was ending. What would I do when I didn’t have to run? How would I organize my day if a run wasn’t in it? Without forcing it to or trying to running had become a need and something I wanted to be a part of each day. Not running seemed, well, weird.

A few days post-streak with a few days off and I’m itching to run. I feel grouchy having missed a couple of days. I like that I have a need and desire to run each day again. It makes it so much easier to keep at it and enjoy all these benefits when I want to run.

{Benefit #7-Get over a distance requirement.}

In the past if I didn’t “have time” to run more than two miles I wasn’t going. I always thought what was the point? I wouldn’t feel like I worked out. It would be a waste of time when I could get something else done. There is no fitness benefit to such a short distance.

Post-streak I know this is absolutely not true. If you are not training for a long distance race, then running even just a mile a day can feel like a workout and build fitness. It can relieve stress and make you feel more relaxed. A mile IS enough to change a bad mood or negative attitude. A mile can make you feel accomplished. And all those one mile runs add up over 36 days. Even running one mile each day is 36 miles at the end of this streak.

Of the 66.6 miles I ran during my streak, 21.5 of those miles were from runs of less than two miles. 21.5 miles I would have skipped in the past because they wouldn’t have been enough or really counted for an experienced runner like me.* I’ve had a change of heart and now see the benefit in running “just one mile.” There is no mileage requirement to be a runner after all and this helped remind me of this.

*Keep in mind for a beginner or someone getting back into running this is great mileage.

{Benefit #8-Run further.}

Some days your run a mile and you are ready or have to be done. On occasion though everything clicks and a planned one mile run turns into two and then three miles or more. You got yourself out the door, the hardest part, by saying “just one mile.” Then running took over and you ran further than you thought you would. Streaking allows you this opportunity everyday. If you give yourself a chance, you might surprise yourself. I know I did on a multiple occasions.

Before you think streaking is not your thing or say you can’t, consider the benefits! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Now go run just that one mile!

Sarah

13Jan2016

{Confessions of a (Sort of) Mother Runner}

Posted in Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

I’ve been absent a lot lately from this blog and well, running too. I’ve been busy working on that whole balancing act called motherhood. Some days life is great while other days suck because of all the time you spend doing things you have to do rather than what you want to do (snuggles, baby giggles, get in a workout!) Mostly, it is nearly impossibly busy.

{Being a mom is amazing. Being a working mother runner not so amazing.} I’d hate for anyone to think that the working mother runner life isn’t a struggle each day especially after my recent childlike joy post was so positive. I like positive and uplifting. I like not making excuses and complaining about what you can control, but I also like real. Honest and real. And that is not always pretty, positive and uplifting.

{I used to think I knew so much.} I used to imagine what life would be like as a working mother runner. I laugh at myself now. Loudly. Belly laugh. Here’s to hoping this helps some future mother runners or others in the trenches to see even for people who love to run, exercise, etc. like myself, finding the tools to make it happen as a mom are another thing entirely.

Oh, and to working mother runners (and really any mothers) before me, I’m so sorry for thinking I understood. I didn’t. Now I do. Please consider my sincere apology while you read my confessions.

{I thought being a mother runner would be a lot easier than it is.} In reality it is so, so, so hard with an ever-changing routine, breastfeeding, working. I only have been finding the time to run/workout approximately once a week since my half marathon in October.

{I thought people who said they didn’t have time to workout after having kids were simply choosing not to.} I want to. I’m not choosing not to. I plan my day from sun up to bedtime in my planner just to make sure I don’t forget all that must be done that day. We have a daily chore chart posted in the house. These lists rarely afford me more than 5 minutes to just sit and think, stop and take a breath, or just do nothing. My mind is always moving at a million miles per hour nearly all the time. These lists though save me from Sunday meltdowns when I realize all the chores that need to be done when what I really want is all the cuddles from my boys before the very long work week begins.

{I thought loving something so much that you do it almost daily and consider it part of your identity would be impossible not to continue. Unthinkable even.} Who were those people who let their dreams become their past? Now I’m not even sure some days if I should call myself a runner with how few runs I’ve been on since going back to work.

{I thought moms who didn’t make time for themselves were annoying.} Now it turns out I’m annoying. How do you make time for yourself when there are 850 million things to do, 9+ hours to work in a day, food to be made, pumping to be done, a house to clean, …you get it. You probably know yourself. What the hell did I do with my time before kids? SERIOUSLY what was I doing before?

{I thought moms who lost themselves in motherhood were disappointing.} Remember I apologized in advance. All I could think of were the goals and dreams postponed or worse-lost forever. Talk about postponed and a picture of me comes up. I guess I’m disappointing. Being disappointing has never been so rewarding. How do you not be all-consumed when mothering those babies. Those little toes, giggles and toothy smiles just turn you into putty and make you want to do anything for their benefit. Missing runs, fun time with the girls, getting your hair cut and colored, taking a proper shower, eating-nothing is now more important than quality time with this little tiny person.

{I thought I would need my me time…and that need would keep me working out.} I do miss my me time, but not more than I miss my boy. I have a really hard time leaving my boy for a run when I hardly see him during the week. He pretty much has to be sleeping for me to leave. Not so easy for me when his wake up time fluctuates and I’m dead tired with a list of things to do after bedtime.

{I thought a mother runner could work full time, breastfeed, run and train for distance races all while being a present and involved mother AND find time to blog about it while looking put together because I have juggled so much for years.} Juggling motherhood with life is like adding ten more balls into the mix. At any given moment at least half the balls are on the floor. I’m not one to say anything is impossible, but let’s be real people. Doing all that is IMPOSSIBLE. Since coming to terms with reality, I’ve realized I’ve never read a blog post from or met such a person. Either they don’t work full time or they are not breastfeeding beyond the early months or they walk around a hot mess or something.

{I will not be running the Houston Marathon on Sunday.} When I was pregnant I refused to believe I couldn’t accomplish my goals while also being a present mom. A couple of months ago minimal training started to allow doubt to creep in on this goal of mine. I really didn’t want to hurt myself in pursuit of a goal I didn’t prepare for. I also was having some serious mom guilt and lack of interest in leaving Pierce for the weekend. I hardly see him Monday-Friday so the last thing I want is a weekend away from him. My flight times were at night and I’d be going alone to save money so it would be really hard to bring Pierce along.

Struggling to train and not wanting to miss the boy, but still wanting to achieve my goal proceeded to cause a lot of internal conflict within myself. That conflict was resolved in the past month by two things.

The reality of my breastfeeding situation took the edge off realizing I might not accomplish my goal. In early December I had about 10 extra bags of milk in the freezer. To go to Houston I’d need 19. I told myself if had a really good pumping month I could do this!!! Then I got sick for two weeks and I struggled to make extra milk since I felt like crap and was too tired to get up for extra pumping sessions. A couple of weeks later I got the stomach flu and became dehydrated and was only making an ounce or two at a time.(luckily this only lasted a day). As I watched those bags of milk disappear from the freezer, I started to accept I would not be running this marathon.
The ironic twist to this all came last Saturday when my stepmom had a close family member pass away. My dad and stepmom live in Texas and would have been coming to see me run and were the reason (along with visiting my sister) for choosing this race. They are actually in Wisconsin now and wouldn’t have made it to the marathon. I would have been alone at the race rather than visiting family. This would have made bringing Pierce impossible, too.

{I’m not as upset as I thought I would be that I won’t be at the starting line Sunday.} Getting race reminders stings some, but I realize that some things just are not meant to be. Goals sometimes have to be readjusted.

My point of these confessions is not to be negative. I also know this is my life and I owe no one an explanation for races I run and don’t run, but I think sharing struggles makes the difficulty in enduring them less. It also helps to show I’m only human like everyone else.

{I’ve realized it’s not my season. Seasons of life come and go, but currently running is not in season. I don’t know when it will be.} It still brings me joy. I miss it almost everyday. When I get to run it’s like paying extra for that really good produce that came from somewhere it’s in season…sweet, refreshing, addicting and intoxicating. It leaves you wondering why you don’t have more. Then you read my confessions and you understand.

{Despite not making it to the starting line of my past two marathons in the past couple of months, I remain determined to get into a better routine of running and to run another marathon sooner rather than later.} They say insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. I guess that means I have to do some things differently this time.

{I value my personal goals, but NEVER at the sacrifice of my son’s needs or things that will benefit him.} For now running is spotty, not so fresh, often unavailable and I’m learning to be ok with that while also always working to be better about it. Do I miss the fresh stuff?

Confession-Without a doubt. Living in the Badger state has taught me that seasons come and go quickly. Every season has amazing things to enjoy in each of them and unique memories to be made.

{I’m not an expert at anything. I’m just a sort of mother runner trying to do something I love out of season.}

Sarah

1Aug2014

{Friday Fab 5-Navy Pier, Lambeau Field, Eating Clean, Back to School…}

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

If I had to summarize the happenings of this week it would be meal preparation. I feel like I spent most of the week cutting food, cooking food, prepping food, etc. Eating clean is harder than I thought when you’re on the go and trying to do things like paint your house and organize your closets. Exciting adult stuff happening at my house this week.

Really not so exciting, but life can’t always be awesome everyday. After a super eventful five weeks, it is time to catch up on the mundane and you know, do adult stuff like pay the bills, make appointments, get organized and back on track. Sometimes I just wish I had a secretary. Oh, and a cleaning lady and a chef. That would make life a lot easier. I’d actually have time to read a book or relax with one of the three unread, not-even-opened issues of Runner’s World. July, August, and now September are all begging to be read. I suppose all the traveling was worth the unread issues. 🙂

{#1-Navy Pier Ferris Wheel}

Last Friday when in Chicago I finally rode the ferris wheel at Navy Pier. For some odd reason it is something I’ve always wanted to do. My husband was not so interested, but I gave him the pretty please eyes and the next thing you know he was in line to buy two tickets to ride. It is was a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline at night and fireworks being launched above Adler Planetarium.

{#2-Lambeau Field}

After a wedding last weekend we headed to Lambeau Field. It was like a sneak peek football weekend with the Big Ten Network 10k on Saturday and Lambeau on Sunday. I can’t wait for football to sport my new Packer headband, tattoos, and can coozy I picked up from the Packer Pro Shop. Go Pack Go!

{#3-Clean Eats}

After getting back to reality, it was time to get back on track with my eating. If you missed my two-week clean eating post earlier this week check it out. Remember I’m not a rule follower and will make adjustments to this plan whenever needed. Last night I grilled out with friends and ate a hamburger, and pasta, and tortilla chips with my pinto bean salsa. AND I ate the brownie dessert. This is life, not prison. Eat clean most of the time and enjoy the sweet goodness of processed foods once in a while. Seriously, I can’t believe how good some of the clean eats are, but at the same time my body wants processed food at least once a day. I’m trying and while I have not followed the plan perfectly at all, I’m eating better than I have in a LONG time. That is a success in my book. Perfection is overrated. If only I took my own advice more!

{#4-Back to School}

I can’t believe I’m even putting this on my blog because I’m so not ready, but there is something I love about buying a new desk calendar and planner. It’s a blank slate to fill in with the upcoming events of the school year. I love a fresh slate each year. And organization. I picked these both up at Target this week and love the design. Having pretty school supplies is a must. End talk of the school year. I must enjoy the last weeks of summer. I must enjoy the last weeks of summer.

{#5-Upcoming Race Plans}

I know you were expecting some big thing here, but the truth is I don’t know. I don’t even have a clue. In the past the above quote was me to a T. Right now I’m feeling a little over running, a little burnt out. I want to run, but I don’t. I want to fall in love with running and not need to be training for a race. It has been so long since I’ve run that way. I’ve got some fun 5k’s coming up with friends that I’m definitely excited about.

As for my next distance race. I’m just not sure. Funds are low after racing so much the past three months (1-10k, 1-half marathon, 3-marathons and 1-50k), and I just don’t know what I want my next goal to be. PR half marathon? PR marathon? cross off another state? With school starting and cross country coaching officially beginning in a couple of weeks I don’t want to overload myself. We will just have to see. Please tell me I’m not the only runner who has felt this way before?!

Anyone have any big races coming up? A football team you love to cheer for? Tips for race burnout?

Happy Weekend!

Sarah

1Jan2014

{3,2,1…Happy 2014 Goals}

Posted in Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

Here they are…my fitness related goals for 2014!

{#1-Run my first ultra marathon}

So this is a big one for me (and a scary one)! I’ve been thinking about going longer for a few months. Registration for the Kettle Moraine 100 opens Tomorrow and I’m signing up. I’m not totally cray cray though…I’m signing up for the 50k (31 miles) in honor of my 30th birthday the weekend before. I’ll save the 100k and 100 mile races for when I really lose it.

{#2-Run more trails}

This goal goes with goal #1 since most ultra marathons are on trail systems and the 50k is no different. I’ve been liking the trails more and more for the private conversations with nature (not literally) and their scenic beauty. Getting state park passes for Christmas from the in-laws seemed like the ultimate sign. Plus with our amazing road trip this summer I have a feeling there will be some great trail runs!

{#3-Cross off two more states at minimum towards reaching my 50 in 50 ultimate goal}

I’m registered for both of these races. I’d love to run more than two this year, but alas I don’t have an unlimited racing and travel budget. Without a sugar daddy for a husband, I will be content with the great places I do get to visit this year.

{#4-Complete a Century ride}
After injuring my ankle and rediscovering biking after a ten year absence, I realized how much I enjoy cross training on the bike. This summer I plan to ride the entire La Crosse State bike trail to the Sparta-Elroy trail to the 400 trails end in Reedsburg…exactly 100 miles in a day!

{#5-HIIT workouts after short runs and yoga once a week}
I was very inconsistent with HIIT workouts last year. This year I’m scheduling them after my short run days. I started doing yoga this year and want to make sure I do it at least once a week. More would be great, but I need to be realistic, too.

{#6-Train and Pace my husband to finishing his first marathon}

I put this one last because I don’t think he needs that much help, but I did make his training plan, buy him running clothes and fruity GU for Christmas, and will be running with him so it counts for something.

Those of you who have ran a marathon before probably remember all the questions and uncertainty you had while training for your first. I’m going to document what it’s like to train with your husband along with all those first marathon experiences in a new post each week. If you’ve never ran a marathon yet or are training for one, join us! Stay tuned!!

When the champagne has worn off start thinking about YOU! What are your 2014 fitness goals? You only get one body…how will you take care of yours?

Happy 2014!