Backiotomy

My husband fancies himself quite the comedian and while a lot of times I try not to encourage his "tasteless" or horrible "dad" jokes lately he's been going around saying "The doctor said i need a backiotomy" and I have to admit I giggle inside because it's so true!!!  Out of all the things they prepare you for when becoming a parent one I was not prepared for at all was the back pain (I'm being literal here not figurative) that can accompany it.  As my son gets older/heavier it's been more and more prevalent and while it is only to the level of discomfort and occasional shooting pain if I position myself in very specific ways it is definitely affecting my training at this point.  The oddest part of all of this is that the pain is at it's worst during swims then second worst runs and during my bike rides I don't feel it at all.  So of course I've fallen in love with my bike all over again but my running has been paying the price!  I now DREAD my long runs and have become even slower than usual.  It even became part of small rift between me and one of my running buddies when they tried to push me harder on a long run and I became annoyed and pretty much refused to even try and run any faster.  Partly because I was going uphill on a mixed path and knew anything close to a 9 minute pace would have only stuck for 8 miles on a flatter course and partly me being stubborn and thick headed and out of sorts with my longer runs but also partly because my back was giving me problems.  My shorter interval runs during the week are still ok but I think it's because they are over quickly so the pain doesn't have time to settle in.  I'm hoping pushing myself during these sprint workouts will be enough to get me through the 6 miles in the triathlon. Sometimes after a long nights sleep I wake up with my back hurting also.  All that being said I am very VERY nervous about my upcoming triathlon.  I knew I was going to be a little under trained coming into this tri due to when I found out I'd be able to do it but I was ok with that now add back pain and the heat that has finally caught up with us I am doubting myself for the first time in my triathlon history.  I've always been very confident in my triathlons and always new that even though I wasn't a very good runner I could make up for it in the swim and bike.  So many emotions going on with my relationship with this sport right now. 

So that being said after this triathlon I will be concentrating on strengthening my back doing things like bridges, supermans, hipflexor & hamstring stretches and lots and lots of planks!  I will also try to remember to use my knees to lift him instead of bending at the waist when I pick him up from the ground.  But here are a few tips that I can't quite figure out the alternative for: 

• Consider using a "front pack" to carry the baby when you are walking. (I do have one of these and have it with me when we take our walks in case he gets tired but my back still hurts even when I use it)
• Do not carry a child on your hip; this overloads the back muscles. (How am I supposed to carry him a la piggy back ride style?)

Any other moms/dads out there have figured out other helpful tips?

In the meantime I have been doing pretty well at not freaking out about my lapses in training and have really been enjoying my family time this summer.  Hubs and I have been doing really well lately with communication and splitting chores and allowing each other time to do our "own" thing.  I'm so proud of him taking our son to the museum and the splash park and group play times, it's not easy with our son who is going through a "phase" of being very rambunctious when in a group setting he runs around like crazy not paying any attention to the instructor, sometimes slaps at kids when trying to say hello or when wanting to get on a toy that they are already on.  We just keep patiently correcting him or removing him from the situation but it does wear on you emotionally and physically.  Now once hubs is back in school I hope to keep up these positive advances! :-)  I know stress gets to the best of us and that's usually when things go bonkers.

On the work front even though I miss my son like crazy every single day and I still wish I could work from home.  At least my work has become a little more fulfilling lately.  I've really enjoyed mentoring a new employee and getting to make some progress on some bigger projects that in the past I've had to put on the back burner.  Even though I've been super busy and barely any time to breath it's been more rewarding.  

Here's just a few photos from our fun outings: 

Perfecting my selfie skills

my brother and I at the Smash Mouth concert

My longest ride in a very long time 30 miles

Swim classes

Market at the rail yards

Father/son outing to Explora

Ups and downs of running, or random runner thoughts

This weekend hubs had signed up for a motorcycle course so if I wanted to get my workouts in I was going to have to get up very early, that happened on Saturday for my 8 mile run.  I got up at 5:15 am and headed out the door.  It was a tough one for some reason that day but I got it done even though it took me 1:27.  Not that you asked but I thought I'd give you a little insight on my thought process that on a run that doesn't go as well as I would have wanted:

1st 4 miles (uphill mostly):

* Geez 5:15 am is way too early for a Saturday, why am I the only one out here?  Hello?  I know there are crazier runners than me?  Did I miss the memo and everyone else is at some super fun awesome race?
 * Why the heck did he sign up for that class?  When does he think he's going to be getting a motorcycle? Is he going through an early midlife crisis?  If so I don't want to be around for his 40s.
* Wow it's still a little chilly out and where did that wind come from?
* Look at the clouds brooding over the mountains they look angry and they are keeping the sun from coming out!
* My right butt cheek hurts! What is that about?  What if I have a running injury and I have to tell the Dr. it's my right butt cheek, what if I have to go to PT what would that consist of, 20 butt cheek squeezes?  Oh man I don't have time for a running injury!
* Another runner yay! Wait who does he think he is oh you're too good to say hello, you think you're faster than me?  Yes, ok you're faster than me but there's no need to not make eye contact...
*I'm tired, dehydrated and running on an empty tank for fear that if I had gone into the kitchen to get a banana I would have woken the sleeping beauties, oh the mom guilt whoa is me.
* I don't even remember waking up and getting dressed my legs definitely aren't awake yet, why is there led in them? Move please move!

2nd 4 miles (downhill)

*Ahhh, my right butt cheek isn't hurting anymore I'm saved! It's a miracle there will be no need to amputate! I must have just needed to warm up.
* Oh look at the wonderful sun over the quaint houses in the valley gently nudging everyone awake, what a beautiful morning!
* Another jogger, "Good morning, what a pretty dog you have! It's a great day!"
* I'm glad hubs is getting to take this class for free he needs some more time away to get a break.  At least he's getting up with the kiddo to feed him while I go for my run.
*I'm so glad I got up early to do this now I'm done and I can enjoy the rest of my day with my wonderful bright eyed smiling faced son! Life is good, I'm so lucky I get to and am able to run!
* I'm getting a negative split for once yay! (of course it's not because I'm going downhill on the way back)

Walk in the door ready to tackle the day! And greeted by:

On Sunday I needed to do a 25 mile bike ride but by the time hubs got home it was in the 90s and our first hot day of the summer.  I called it!  Yes, no excuses I didn't go due to being a wimp!  Instead we took my son to the splash park and I watched him squeal with joy as he attacked the spraying water.  What does this mean for my training? IDK and I'm not going to think about it.  It's a new week and all I can do is re-commit. 

After my run I got to have a breakfast date with my little man and he behaved wonderfully and I got to relax and slowly drink TWO cups of tea!  It's the small victories that make it all worth it!

Happy Training!