Two Months into Training

So far I have two months under my training belt and I am headed into month three with the feeling that I have settled into a bit more of a groove. But, it’s a real juggling act.

I have been following a customized training plan put together the Peak Centre for Human Performance. After measuring my response to exercise on in terms of lactate production and VO2 max when running as well as cycling, speed and power output ranges were developed. This allows me to do workouts according to zones of effort, with zone 1 work being the slower and longer workouts and zone 5 being the more intense workouts.

So far they have me doing three runs, two bikes, two swims and two strength/core sessions per week, as well as stretching as much as possible. Having a plan that I have total confidence in has been invaluable. Without it, I’d probably do too much of the wrong type of workout and end up injured.

It’s been a bit (actually, a lot) of a juggling act trying to fit in the long workouts. It’s only with the help of my Mom looking after Hannah on her one weekday off, my husband coming home for lunch now and then, and the supplemental food lovingly prepared for us by my mom-in-law that I have been able to manage so far. On weekends, my parents sometimes come over while David and I go out for a bike ride; otherwise, we have to do our workouts separately.

I’ve also been doing an early shift. On Wednesdays I get up at 5am so that I can get my workout at Peak Performance in. They have Computrainers which allow me to do a high-intensity ride on my own bike at a constant power output level (measured in Wattage). I then try to get home before it is time for David to leave for work and, sometimes, even before Hannah wakes up.

On Thursdays and Saturdays I have early morning swim practice. David and I signed up for four days a week with the Canadian Dolphin Masters and we each take two of the four sessions.

It seems to work out that whenever I come home from a workout, it is just in time to catch Hannah needing to eat or wanting her mom, so I almost never have time to stretch while I’m still warm. This is the biggest casualty of the training. Instead, I am stretching at night but without the benefit of having just worked out. Hopefully this doesn’t lead to injury.

After two months I am feeling stronger and have lost all the baby weight. I wouldn’t say I totally have my pre-baby body back, as my stomach and waist still look a bit barrel-shaped to my eye, but I think that will get better over time. One of the best things about having a baby is the realization of how unimportant these things are.