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