March 2 - 2 miles

Today was my first day of class! I've signed up to a class with my coach that takes place at lunchtimes on Friday. It's meant to help to increase speed. People are grouped with those who run similar times for either 1/4 or 1/2 mile runs. Today we did 4- 1/2 mile runs through the Arboretum.

I was in Group D for those who take longer than 5 minutes for 1/2 mile. I took it easy and it still was tough. My breathing was ok but I will admit that it was tiring. I was last each time. I ran the first 2  and walked the last 2. My foot started hurting during the 3rd run so I decided to play it safe. So far the swelling isn't bad at all.

So on one hand I am sad that I am not as strong as I once was (or disciplined) but it is a starting place!

38.5/366

February 26th - 3 miles

Getting back into shape by running is proving impossible! I ended up wit a sprained foot and it's been taped up for 2 weeks. My return to walking was the Argus Charity Walk - 5K around Hamilton!

The morning was pretty cool and since I had Liam with me I had to bring layers of clothing for both of us. Aidan decided to play the bagpipes for the entire walk so I knew I'd have a good pacesetter. I taped up my foot and we were off a bit before 8.30 am.

We stayed near the back because of the stroller. It's amazing the number of people who get in the way as they're walking and talking to their friends. Aidan set a great pace and I got a workout on the hills. We did have to stop for 5 minutes to let a running race cross our route (Validus Running of the Bulls) but it did't affect the walk for us.

We finished the 3.1 miles in 1hour.It was a good walk to start on the way back to being healthy. And our charity earned some money because of our participation!

36.5/366

Liam - 14 months

Date/Week: February 22nd; 14 months

Milestones: 

• Liam is walking more than he crawls! 
• Liam now has 6 teeth. the teeth on either side of his front teeth have come in. The teeth next to those are about to break so we should probably have 8 teeth in the next few weeks. 
• He has recently stopped breastfeeding. I have a new appreciation for cabbage thanks to this.
• We've been experimenting with different types of milk. He didn't mind oat milk but didn't like almond milk. Rice milk is his favourite. We're now doing a week on cow's milk to see if the congestion issues come back.
• Liam knows that the dogs get a treat before we leave so he goes tot he cupboard, takes out the treats, walks to the dog area, gets one of us to hand him the treats, feeds Bronwyn and Ptolemy, takes the back back from us and puts the bag back in the cupboard - Excellent!
• He has participated in his first PALS Walk!
• When he wakes up in the morning he turns on the music in his crib and plays until you come to get him.

Developmental Progress:  

• He is linking some words together i.e. 'dog woof'
• Liam can feed himself using a spoon or fork. 
• His coordination while walking is getting better and better. He can bend down, change direction, and even run a bit. He still keeps his hands out in front of him though.
• He does a lot of things while playing - rolling things, stacking things, pushing things, climbing on, over and up things. And he is learning to put his toys away.
• His preferred parent is 'da da' but when irritated by his dad he was follow me around saying 'mum mum mum'
• He loves trying to walk up steps with help and climb them without help (we're behind him when he does this.
• He uses baby sign language regularly to ask to 'eat', 'more' and 'all done'.
• His most used words - 'da da', 'mum mum', 'dog', 'ow', 'thank you', 'outside', 'let's go', 'duck', what's that', 'no', 'book' - there are a number of others that we're starting to hear as well.
• He is very helpful when getting dressed. He will push his arms though and try to put clothing over his head or on his feet. Granted, he is much faster getting undressed!

Thoughts and Feelings? 

We've all been through the cold that just doesn't seem to end, of which the cough still remains. In the midst of this and teething, we continue to monitor Liam's ears. His next appointment is on March 13th.


With better weather this winter, we have been getting outdoors more than at this point last year. We did some gardening on Saturday and Liam loved it. He's been playing with his plastic gardening tool and even sleeps with the hoe. I guess beach season will be fun as I assume he will  get into the sand this year - then again, he doesn't like grass so sand may be a no-no!


We're thinking about vacation 2012, which will not be happening until the 2nd half of the year. On one hand we're thinking toddler friendly activities and on the other hand we want to relax. We'll see what we come up with using those parameters.

What I am looking forward to: 


Will I get in trouble if I say July...

February 12th - 14.15 miles

Yesterday was the PALS Charity Walk. Dockyard to Hamilton - usually 15 miles but due to the high winds, they moved the finish to a sheltered spot so the walk ended up being 14.15 miles. All in all, I am not in as good shape as I had hoped but I did finish the walk in 4 hours, 23 minutes.

We walked about about a 16 minute/mile pace and had the jogging stroller with us. At about 6 miles my thighs started to hurt and by 7 miles I definitely felt that I had gone past what I was physically used to. By 10 miles I actually wondered if I'd make it to the end - by legs, back and feet hurt at that point. Aidan even thought I wouldn't make it. Somehow I managed to just keep walking. Perhaps it was the stroller keeping me propped up...

It was good to sit down at the end. In the car I felt fine but when I got out I realised that my left ankle was a bit swollen, in addition to both thighs being sore. I spent most of the afternoon with my ankle propped up. It is still a bit swollen today but I can put weight on it. I am hoping to be able to work out on it tomorrow night - I now really need to get back in shape!

33.5/366

Recovering from Bronchitis

No running for the last few weeks. Such a shame but the bronchitis has been awful. And I'm still coughing!

Anyhow, I have started walking again and I have a major walk scheduled on Sunday. Hopefully I can get over this coughing and start running soon. I am doing pilates and yoga to at least rase me back into things - and I am in no way in even decent shape!

So my last 3 walks have been 2.06 miles, 2.96 miles and 2.01 miles. So I am behind on my number of miles to date (should be 38 miles) but hopefully I can make it up in the coming weeks and months.

19.5/366

Liam - 13 months

Date/Week: January 22nd; 13 months

Milestones: 

• Liam is now in the toddler class at school. 
• Before he started, we had his feet measured (3.5) and got him his first pair of StrideRite sneakers. He also has a pair of 'dress shoes' but he still fits the 6-12 month size. 
• Liam's front teeth came in between Christmas and New Years.
• We've begun the process to get Liam to take his liquids from a cup - currently he goes to school with both a bottle and a cup and he has a cup with dinner.
• He LOVES his tricycle
• Liam is 10% percentile weight and 25% percentile height

Developmental Progress:  

• He has about 8 words but he copies as well
• He can stand and walk on his own but he chooses not to 
• He knows to pat the dogs/cats gently
• He is actively trying to manipulate the situation when you say 'no'
• He colours on paper a bit
• He can point out animals in his books
• He hums/sings along with 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star'

Thoughts and Feelings? 


We have come into 2012 with concerns over Liam's ears. He had fluid in his ears again for his 1 year appointment and he will probably be put on antibiotics and be sent for a hearing test at his 15 month appointment if it is still the case. I expect that we will consider grommets as there are the concerns of hearing loss and slow speech development if the ear infections continue to be bad. The preference of the doctor is to let him grow out of it but we'll see if that would be best.


As for the everything else, it's a matter of developing new routines, making sure there's enough time for walks with the tricycle and playing and many, many books! I do hope that this year is as enjoyable as Liam's first.

What I am looking forward to: 


What shall we do for vacation 2012?

January 10th - 2.54 miles

This was the first attempt at a lunchtime run. I decided to run from my office to the Botanical Gardens, visit with my coach for a breather and assessment of how it went and then run back to the office. It's a lovely day, sunny but not too warm and a slight breeze. The run to the Botanical Gardens was pretty easy. I did walk up one hill but managed to get to the Gardens in 15:18 seconds.

My coach met me when I got there and we walked over to the Masterworks Museum so he could get lunch and I could have a look at the facility. We also made tentative plans for Sunday training. We'll meet halfway - it'll let him train for the 1/2 marathon in May and I get a good workout with the stroller in tow...

The run back was a bit more difficult as I ran the whole way (a first for 2012!!!). I did the run back in 16:32. Cooling down has been a bit tough - I think I need some extra supplies in the office so that I am in professional shape for the afternoon. I hope to run again on Thursday... and hopefully I have the motivation now to do a workout at home tonight!

12.5/366