Posted by: sarianderson | February 1, 2010

TTT – Third Trimester Training

With the arrival of February, 2010 is feeling like it is in full swing.  January was a busy month of being a mom, working, training, and playing.  Oh, and being pregnant and therefore being exhausted the majority of the time.  The beginning of the third trimester brought some great runs and even a few road rides as well as a fall down the stairs.  Unfortunately I seemed to have tweaked my back while landing on the hard tile at the bottom of the stairs.  Thank goodness running, riding, and skiing still feel fine but by the end of the day my back is in lots of pain and has me sitting on the couch with a heat pack.

Whether or not I get in any training, my back seems to hurt the same amount so I have continued to get out when I can.  Exercise and training are keeping me sane throughout this pregnancy.  It continues to be ‘my’ time and my release from the daily stresses of a two and a half year old as well as work, household chores and daily life.  I’m not sure any of us want to know what it would be like if I didn’t continue to get out and purge the stresses.

As I finish up the last few weeks of the seventh month, I’m psyched to still be active and fairly fit despite feeling like I’m so heavy I may not be able to get off the floor when I play with Juniper.  Not very many more weeks until I can get out there going hard again so I may as well enjoy the moderate pace right now.

Also, check out the video of Juniper skiing on her own this weekend (yes, I’m a very proud mom!).

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Posted by: sarianderson | January 28, 2010

Power Shield Pro – The Ultimate Soft Shell

A quick video on The Polartec Power Shield Pro material that I have been testing and really enjoying.

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Posted by: sarianderson | January 15, 2010

Road Riding in January?

I’m a bit concerned that winter is going to start in March or April right after I have the baby and am ready to get back into race shape.  But I’ll take advantage of the sun while I can and what better way to do that than a road ride with the older kiddo in January.

Thirty-five degrees is not hot by any means but feels pretty amazing at this time of year especially with perfectly clear skies.  Juniper and I were able to enjoy a nice hour plus ride along the plowed bike path – Juniper snug in her Chariot and I loving being out on my bike.  I have not been on my bike as much this pregnancy mostly due to the timing so it is great to be out at seven months.  Now that I’m on a riding kick again, I’m sure we’ll get lots of snow.  One just can’t win.

Get out there and enjoy it while you can!

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Posted by: sarianderson | January 13, 2010

Power Shield Pro Fabric Perfoming

Another bluebird day made for another great trail run.  I even managed to drop 30 seconds on my ascent time of my favorite lunchtime trail run. At this stage in the game (6+ months preggo), I’m pretty psyched with that…

Although the weather on my homepage said it was 10° outside, as soon as  I stepped out the door I found it was much warmer – probably closer to 30°.  Normally that would be a big difference in the way I dress for a run.  Shedding my hat and gloves were an easy answer but I was still worried about my core overheating (a big no-no during pregnancy).  I have been testing the new Polartec Power Shield Pro softshell fabric for a few months now and I’ve really enjoyed it for ski touring, resort skiing and sledding with Juniper.  But, I never would have guessed that my go-to winter running piece would be a softshell jacket. In my experience, softshells are just too thermal and not breathable enough to wear during truly aerobic winter activities.  However, Power Shield Pro is really lightweight and it allows just enough air to move through the fabric to make it really breathable. Today I put my Pro jacket to the test in relatively warm temps and it continued to impress me with its breathability.  No excess body heat for the little man in the belly and half a minute shed from my time on a 4-mile jaunt!  Now we need some snow so I can better test the fabric’s waterproofness.

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Posted by: sarianderson | January 11, 2010

Great Runs, Bluebird Skies & Lots of Fun

Another gorgeous weekend in Colorado, although I think all of us are hoping for some new snow soon.  The days have warmed up a little making for excellent running, backcountry skiing, sledding and downhill skiing.

The moms (Elinor, Joy and I) and the kids (Reed, Selah and Juniper) enjoyed an awesome eight and a half mile run on Saturday morning.  Even though we started when it was a balmy eight degrees out, we got ourselves moving at a good pace pushing the Chariots over snowpack and ice to stay warm.  We even threw in an additional hill just for a little extra push.  With a hard push at the end (and only one potty break for me), we all felt energized and ready to go for the rest of the day.

While the moms were running and blabbing, the dads all enjoyed backcountry skiing sessions in Marble and on Huntsman’s.  Good snow and bluebird skies keep the boys as happy as great runs for the ladies!

Despite not having had much snow in the past few weeks, I decided a day of skiing at Highlands was much needed on Sunday.  The hike up to the bowl could not have been any better with very few people and unlimited visibility.  The snow lower on the resort is not amazing right now but as usual good turns were to be had in the bowl.  Taking advantage of the warmer weather, Ian and Juniper enjoyed a day of sledding and snowman making.  What else could anyone ask for on a January weekend in Colorado?

As I finish up my last week in the second trimester, I am hoping to enjoy a few more great runs alone and with Juniper.  At this point, I have gained twenty pounds but continue to feel great and am looking forward to the next phase of training while pregnant.  I’m also looking forward to hanging out with the randonee crowd next weekend at the COSMIC Sunlight race.  I’m not sure I’m capable of racing at an appropriate pregnant pace so I think I’ll be cheering and helping out.  Come race!

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Posted by: sarianderson | January 8, 2010

Burrr. Cold Running with the Kids

Juniper bundled in the Chariot a few winters ago and still happy to have a ride like this at two and a half.

Either I’m starting to become a bit of a wuss or it is very cold so far this winter.  I like to think it’s the latter.  It took a little extra motivation this morning but Juniper, Joy, Selah and I braved the single digits for a great road run with the Chariots.  I’m not sure how we would have done it without Chariots as they are the only jogger that I’m aware of that you can completely protect the child from the elements.  With both kids bundled under down jackets with entertainment and snacks, Joy and I were able to enjoy a nice six and a half mile run on a mix of dry, snowy and icy roads.

As I’m just over halfway through the sixth month of this pregnancy, I have been starting to think more and more about training with two children in tow.  The double Chariot is a must but I also hope I’ll be strong enough to push and pull approximately 50 extra pounds around (and that’s just when the little guy is a newborn).  My motivation to get back in shape and play outside should be enough to get me going even if it’s at a bit slower pace than normal.  If I can train with all that extra weight, racing should feel like a breeze…right?

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Posted by: sarianderson | January 1, 2010

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  May 2010 bring you good times, great training and great health!

Although I haven’t made any ‘resolutions’, I am hoping to have a fun, healthy year.  I hope to continue to have a healthy and active pregnancy and then to get back into shape for some possible racing later this year.  Keep up the training and fun!

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Posted by: sarianderson | December 27, 2009

Christmas turns

Although I’ve been able to get out to ski for the past few days – a tour through the neighborhood, No Name in Marble and then Snowmass today – I think my favorite thing the last few days was skiing with Juniper on her new cross country skis.  It is amazing how fun it is to watch her fall in love with all the things Ian and I love to do so much.

While my parents are in town, Ian and I took advantage of the babysitting and made a quick trip up to Marble yesterday for some backcountry skiing.  We have not had any new snow in a while but have had some wind so some aspects have considerable avalanche danger.  While Ian and I were very confident in our line, we watched a group just next to us set off a slide.  The first two skied the line but the third person set it off – a good reminder that it doesn’t mean it’s safe just because someone has skied it.  Thankfully, everyone was totally fine and the skier was able to hike back up and ski our much safer line.  Conditions were not perfect, nor was my skiing, but it was great to get out for some exercise with Ian! Also, I have to say I was pretty impressed with my prototype Polartec Power Shield Pro jacket. I wore it on the ski down and it stayed completely dry despite a couple of pretty good crashes in deep snow, but it also breathed well enough that I didn’t overheat during some aerobic route-finding on the way back to the car.

6 months pregnant

Top of No Name had some great snow.

I was standing on the ridge when a skier to my right triggered this slide (you can see him in the center of the frame above the slide crown, click photo to enlarge). Thankfully everyone was ok, but it was definitely not how I wanted to start my descent.

Debris path

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Posted by: sarianderson | December 20, 2009

Winter Trail Running

Blue skies, snow packed trails, two girlfriends and a dog all make for a great day of winter trail running.  After my first skate ski session of the year, Elinor, Wendy and I were able to get out for a child free trail run on Red Hill.  We were a bit surprised how everyone had stuck to the frontside trails which forced us to as well after a short trail breaking section and turning back around.  Constant chattering makes the uphill grind go by very quickly and seem almost fun. The descents on snow covered trails are soft and fast with little concern for tripping or turning an ankle on a rock.

It’s hard for me to believe I’ll be six months pregnant tomorrow as I’m feeling better and better while I’m exercising.  I’m not sure if I am finally no longer nauseous or if my body has adjusted to the weight gain, but it is so nice to be able to continue to run so much while pregnant AND feel good.  Although I’m probably not getting faster right now, I don’t seem to be slowing while my pace feels easier and easier.  Since this most likely won’t last as I continue to gain weight and grow for next few months, I’m going to enjoy every second of it while I can.  I’m also going to continue to mix in some good ole family fun.

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Posted by: sarianderson | December 6, 2009

Weekend of Fun

Running the 4-miles and 1,500 feet up to our house.

It is finally feeling like winter and this weekend reminded me why I love Colorado so much.  I spent much of my weekend teaching Juniper how to ski which has been one of the most fun and rewarding things I have done in a long time.  The kid truly loves it and is able to ski all alone down short beginner slopes.  Watching her learn and have so much fun is such an amazing experience as a mother.

Mixed in with the skiing, I was able to get out for a run and a skin to test out a new Polartec fabric.  So far I have been very impressed and am excited to get out more to continue to put it to the test.

I continue to feel well and fit even as I’m at five and a half months pregnant.  It’s a relief to be able to get out to clear my mind and do what I love.

Elinor, Sari & Wendy ready to skin in some fresh snow!

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