Darcy - Hard Cardio July 23, 2008

My quads are still sore from the run yesterday. I definitely pushed my limits.

Today, I went to the gym, met mom there. Did an hour of the Cybex Arc Trainer as usual, but bumped up my level to 9, which means my resistance was at 65% on my hard interval and put my low interval at 40% *which is usually my hard interval setting*. I focused on form, and keeping the arms and legs moving together. MAN! My arms are tired. My butt is sore. I'm exhausted! But it felt good (and I got really really stinky!)

I got my new pilates dvd in the mail yesterday, with the circle, so tonight I plan to get started on it. Time to rebuild core, and to do something about this pudge that lingers (though it probably has more to do with nightly beverages with my hubby!).

During my run yesterday I contemplated PRs. In my post-baby life, with my post-3-babies body, I wondered if my PRs from my prechildren life still count? Could I write them off as BC (before children). I made the executive decision that anything that happens after my children were born, is considered a new PR in my book. So this marathon, regardless of time, will be a PR for me. Because I never completed a marathon, postpartum. My 8:15 mile - a PR for me, because I never ran a sub-9 minute mile postpartum. My long runs will be distance PRs for me, because once I go beyond 8 miles, I've never been that far postpartum! It really makes me feel good to PR. And maybe I should add an asterisk to my AC (after children) PRs, but I won't. Because this is a new ME that is running, and creating New Me PRs. And that is totally motivating!

I feel like I'm running in new territory! Scheduling time for myself, time for my workouts, time for long runs was easier when childcare wasn't an issue - my major hurdle then was doggy care while I ran. Recovery, stretching, even nutrition proves to be a challenge with children - making it all the more apparent to me that MOM's ARE DA BOMB! heck, half the time, I'm running in dirty workout clothes because I forgot to do the laundry! Or wet workout clothes because I forgot to move from washer to drier!

And, while I'm on my soap box, there should be a new endurance event - pushing strollers while running! Its not as easy as some people make it out to be. Especially when the combined weight is almost 60 lbs! Its a workout for the hammies, the quads, the arms, and the VO2 MAX!

Rock on Mama!