Fitness Geek

New plans, again

I was planning to post my upcoming schedule for 2010, but I wanted to wait until it was a little more set in stone. I’ve run one in last 30 days. I’ve lifted a weight zero times in the last 30 days.

I’m out of shape.

No, there aren’t excuses. Not good ones. Lil’ Geek doesn’t count. She sleeps plenty. Work doesn’t count. I could get up a bit earlier or stay up later. And sleep doesn’t count. I get plenty, even with the lil’ one.

Throw in a few more problems, issues, etc. and you’ve got a recipe for bad.

That being said, I’ve decided that right now I probably won’t run any race until June or July.

I don’t know when I’ll even lace up my shoes again. There just isn’t time anywhere. I’ve looked. I’ve tried. There’s an hour here and there, but nothing consistent, nothing more than twice a week at best.

That’s the bad news.

Tomorrow I’ll document how I’m going to fix the mess I’ve made of my body the past 90 days. Mostly it’ll be weights and the stationary bike for now. I’m hoping to get back into running in a few weeks. We’ll just have to see.

That’s all for now. I can hear dinner calling!

Lil Geek in photos

You’re a week old, lil’ one. We already know so much about you. You have nice plump cheeks perfect for pinching, your smile lights up the room (even if it means you’re conducting, um, business), and you hate going to sleep. Unless it’s on your dad’s arm in the glider chair.

So here’s to you, sweetie. Happy first week.

Your first bath

In your crib, but not sleeping. A constant occurrence

Snuggling with mom. A constant occcurrence too

Look at them cheeks!

Pefect

The best day. Ever.

Lil Geek arrived on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 1:01 pm. I could write about the labor (15 hours), the delivery (just a handful of minutes) or even the stay at the hospital after she was born.

Those are just small moments. Pebbles in a great big river.

Lil Geek. She’s beautiful. Gorgeous. Sweet. Tiny - 6 lbs, 14 oz.

And she’s ours. Our little girl. Our daughter.

We were husband and wife. Now we’re so much more. We’re family.

Write a thousand words a day for a thousand years. No combination of those words would be enough to describe our love for her.

We’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow at home by ourselves. As a family.

At last.

Here’s to you, Lil Geek and all the joy you’ve already brought us.

We love you.

Lil Geek ETA: Who knows?

No news is, well, no news. Lil’ Geek has yet to make up her mind about when she plans to make her grand appearance.

I’m hopeful it will be this weekend, mostly because I told my parents she was coming tonight. Nothing like a little motivation, right?

The running seems to be back on track. I did three Thursday after five on Wednesday. This morning I woke up late but still managed to get in a good long run. I finished 14 miles in just a hair over 2 hours 12 minutes for an average pace of 9:23. That’s pretty awesome since I was hoping for a 9:45-10:00 minute pace.

Right now the plan is still for the New Year’s Day marathon, but that will depend on when Lil’ Geek arrives. I’m doing my best to get those miles in now so when she gets here I can take a break without losing too much of my fitness level.

If the marathon doesn’t work out, well I’ve got other plans for 2010. I’ll announce those on New Year’s Day, regardless of whether I run the marathon that day. If all goes well, I’m planning 3-4 races next year. Two of them are going to be pretty tough.

Mrs. Fitness Geek continues to be strong and deal with her pain. She’s a trooper. Tomorrow will be a recovery run of just a couple of miles. Next week, I’ll be near 30 miles, the most I’ve had in months.

Lil’ Geek #22

Oh Lil one, you will be here any day. Well, technically, you are here, but not HERE. I hope that’s clear.

We’ve waited so long to meet you. When I think about what you’ll look like and how you’ll smell (post diaper change) and how you’ll be our little girl.

People have asked (a lot) about if I’m overwhelmed about your impending arrival.

The answer, little one, is no. I learned a few years ago something I hope you’ll discover: all problems, big and small, can be solved. All tough situations, can be overcome.

The key is this: How do you eat an elephant?

The answer is something even your vegetarian mother can appreciate. One bite at a time. No matter the size of your problem or the enormity of the task at hand, you can get past it. All you have to do is take a deep breath, relax and break your big problem into small, manageable parts and you’ll get through it.

Big elephants are really just little pieces stacked up. Take ‘em one at a time and you’ll tame that elephant.

We’ll see you soon, little one.

Our hearts are yours and you are our everything.

A busy (good) week

Friday at last. It’s been a good, but hectic week. Starting with last weekend:

I got in a great 12-miler Saturday morning and then headed to the in-laws’ house. Sunday was a baby shower for Lil’ Geek.

That’s Mrs. Fitness Geek opening some of her stash. We had a great time and it was really touching to see how many people are happy for us and cannot wait to spoil her.

We’ve spent this week running all over the place. An inpromptu visit to the hospital Wednesday night kept us out until after 2 am. Everything checked out, but we were exhausted when we arrived home.

I ran on Wednesday and Thursday, four and six miles. Wednesday was great with sub 9 minute miles the whole way and one sub 8 mile. I took it easy Thursday and coasted along.

Lil’ Geek continues to grow and squirm and kick and generally just be adorable.

We’re five weeks away now, of course she could come at any time. Woo!

Tomorrow I’m scheduled for 14 miles and 3 on Sunday. Sunday is also our local baby shower for friends and family. The guys are all off to a local place for wings, football and beer. Perfect.

Lil Geek #21

Oh, Lil’ Geek, how we can’t wait to meet you. Today was another trip to the doctor and once again you got a glowing review. You were bottoms up, and that means you’re getting ready to be ready. Soon you’ll be here.

I appreciate the fact you’re trying to get ready ahead of time. I just hope it lasts. This a spot of contention for your mother and I, especially when it comes to getting to events, movies, etc., early.

Me, I leave early enough that only a jet crashing on the highway would cause us to be late. Your mother, not so much. Take movies for example. I like to be there BEFORE the previews. Your mom, and this comes from her parents, like to arrive hopefully by the end of the credits.

I know. I don’t understand it either. Baseball games, appointments, whatever. I aim for early.

You’re a girl, as you know. This means the urge to leave early may not always be strong in you. That’s OK, little one. My sister was never one for on time either.

I’ll do my best not to get upset when you’re running late because nothing fits right or you don’t like your hair. Just promise to not get mad at me too much when I embarrass you when you reach middle school. Because it’ll happen. A lot. I’m sorry in advance.

Our hearts are yours and you are our everything.

Pressure…crashing down on me

Specifically sinus pressure. It’s no fun. I did manage to get in an easy, but cold three miles. I’m still not used to the cold. This morning it was 30ish degrees when I hit the park.

I realize that possibly running a marathon on New Year’s Day (contingent on Lil’ Geek’s scheduled appearance) I know I need to get used to the winter weather. It was another good run, and I’m beginning to feel confident about the race.

Lil’ Geek is expected on Dec. 2. I know I’ll be missing quite a few runs for a bit after she’s born, so I’m working hard to be get my fitness level up now. I’m not naive enough to think I’ll be running regularly a day after she’s born. I don’t want to be either. When she gets here, she’ll have our complete and undivided attention.

However, I’ll be headed back to work a week or so after she’s born. At that time I’ll try and get back on the track. If I’m running a good bit now, it won’t be too tough to get back up to par after the break.

It’s time for bed now. I’m hoping this headache is gone. And that I can get my lazy, sinus-congested body out of bed tomorrow for another early run.

Seeing the light at the end

It’s been a good week. Normally this is the time for a letter to Lil’ Geek, but I feel like it’s good to catch up on some good developments. First, I feel like we’re getting more and more ready for her to arrive. We’ve been cleaning the house and the nursery is pretty much done! Woo!

I’ve also become more organized in a lot of ways. That has really helped me feel a bit less stressed about work/Lil’ Geek/life in general. I’ve found Remember the Milk
to be a lifesaver as well as Lifehacker.

On the running front, I had a great run yesterday of 10 miles at just over a 9 minute pace. That’s pretty much what I was hoping for this early on in my current training round. This week I’m continuing to get in the miles and work on the speed bit by bit. Saturday’s goal is 13 miles. A half marathon. I feel I could have done that this weekend, so I’m not too worried.

Lil’ Geek continues to grow both in her mom’s (round) belly and in our hearts. Mrs. Fitness Geek continues to glow and be beautfiul.

This week will be a busy one for me. I’m doing a talk Tuesday morning and a radio interview Wednesday. Live. That’ll be something else.

There have been days where I felt life was pulling me along and I was trying to keep my feet underneath me. Now I feel that I’m the one on the move and the one making the moves. Try and keep up!

Lil’ Geek #20

Balance, lil’ one. Not just in what you do, but in how life comes at you sometimes. There will be good days, and there will be bad days. I wish I could protect you from all the ugly in the world, but some much you will have to fight on your own.

Some days will start well enough and end poorly. Others, vice versa. Just remember, my daughter, that when life seems at its worst, it will get better. Keep your head up and stay focused.

Life can be tough, but you are tougher. No matter how bad some days seem, there is always light around the corner. I’ll do my best to be that light for you. But when I can’t help, just remember: you are strong. Stronger than even you realize.

Bad times or bad days can only last for so long. Then life balances out and the world seems brighter. Those good days return.

Balance, lil’ one. There is night and darkness, but the sun will eventually rise. Just stay positive. Life will work itself out.

Our hearts are yours and you are our everything.