Tag Archives: running

What Happens When a Baby Meets a Villian?

After sharing our long journey to having Avery on yesterday’s post, I figured today’s post would help lighten things up a little.  I’ll aim for less talk and more pictures; mainly of Avery meeting “Bane”/Daddy with an elevation training mask.

I’ve been really into podcasts lately, and one of my favorites is Ben Greenfield Fitness. The host, Ben Greenfield (duh), always speaks on interesting topics surrounding performance, nutrition, fat loss, recovery, sleep, digestion, hormones, the brain, and more. I usually have one playing while I walk with Avery every day.

On the show, I’ve heard him talk about this training mask several times and how he uses it to get in a great workout while spending time with his twin boys. He mentioned how they’d go on hikes together and wear the mask along with a 50lb vest to give himself plenty of work as he keeps pace with the boys. That was all I needed; I was sold!

As soon as the mask arrived, I took it out for a test “spin” and had Going Mom take a picture of her husband as Bane from Batman.

Promise, I was smiling behind the mask! The real Bane, on the other hand…..probably not.

See? I don’t look so bad when compared to the real guy!

My loving wife, as I later found out, posted an apology to our neighborhood Facebook page to alert them of her husband. Geez, great support!!

Kelley_Apology for me running as Bane

Since I plan on wearing the mask while I’m with Avery, Kelley and I tested her reaction. I’d say she could care less….

She must have good “Daddy Sense”. If you’re a Spider-man fan, you know what I’m talking about.

This past weekend I was able to test it out in the Texas heat for an exhausting 5 mile run with 31 burpees, push-ups, and squats at the end. It was brutal and it sucked…..I loved it! One drawback is the sweat dripping inside and trying to clear my throat. You take a break from your breathing rhythm and it takes a while to “catch-up” when you’re running at 18,000 ft in simulated altitude!

Having confirmed I wouldn’t scar our daughter or make her poop her diaper, I figured we’d go for our first walk with the mask. But first I had a little selfie-baby photo session in the mirror.

Sunglasses don't work too well.
Sunglasses don’t work too well.
How to even embarrass a baby.
How to even embarrass a baby.
I promise, I'll take another nap ummmm....now.
I promise, I’ll take another nap ummmm….now.
#annoyed
#annoyed

The sunglasses just weren’t going to work, so I took those off and started the walk. I immediately found that the mask gets too close to her head and easily bumps it, so I need to wear her on my back when I have it on. Doesn’t she just look thrilled to be so close?

Yeah, I didn’t think so either. She’ll warm up to it, I’m sure. Kinda….maybe….right?

Well, I hope to bring this mask along on family hikes one day when Avery is walking, and maybe we can race up a hill while I am wearing a weighted vest and my training mask.

Have you ever heard of the training mask?

Would you wear one around?

By the Time You Read This, We’ll Be Finished

It’s the night before my first race with Avery and I should probably be sleeping. But instead, I’m sitting down in my running shorts while eating and writing this post.

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Yep, my nightly big salad with a mix of kale, Brussels sprouts, salmon, broccoli, jicama, pumpkin seeds, and mustard and salsa for dressing. The perfect pre 5k meal! Hey, it worked for my 10k the other week.

So, ummm, yeah, like the title says, this will have posted 30 minutes after the start of the race and I’m fairly confident I will be done well before 30 minutes. Hopefully Avery is good and enjoys the ride!

Today is the eve of my 30th birthday, and my mom (G-ma) and her boyfriend, Paul, are meeting us at the race for a fun day together. We are going to a new restaurant called Brewed that serves local fare and then heading to a local brewery, Martin House Brewery.

Seems weird, huh? A guy who despises eating out and normally just shares a beer with his wife is doing this for his birthday? Well, it helps that Brewed serves local food and fair trade coffee and I’m still a fan of craft beer and will happily have a few of for a special occasion! I’ll probably skip on the food and just enjoy some good coffee; then head to the brewery for beer.

Hmmm, coffee then beer; I’m sure I won’t be going pee a lot….NOT! Oh well, despite my aversion to restaurants, it’ll be in good company and I’m sure we’ll all have a great time. Of course, Avery will have the final say on that!

Who me? I'm always good....
Who me? I’m always good….

I don’t ever get to a “buzzed” feeling often since I hardly have much alcohol when I drink because I can’t justify it’s non-nutritive contribution to my body. Yep, I’m serious. But for my 30th, since Kelley is offering to hold off and drive home, maybe I’ll have *gasp* 2 or 3 beers! Hey, that’s a lot for this lightweight!

I don’t want to be an alcoholic dad, and I’m perfectly fine with just sipping some good stuff every now and then. Enough with the drink talk though, I’m just thinking in the future at this point, so I’ll fill you in early next week.

For now, I should probably get some rest before our “big” race tomorrow. I’ll leave with one of my favorite pictures of Avery this week; her smile makes me grin every time and flushes away any stress I may have.

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There were about 10 carrots around here just a minute before this picture. She didn’t eat them, but strategically hid them in various places….the floor, her lap, her diaper (seriously), and behind her.

Any special plans for the weekend?

Do you ever go places you usually don’t enjoy but when you’re with your loved ones it’s okay?

Avery’s Dip in the Pool and We’re Running a 5k

This past Sunday, when I finally broke free from trying to make my new laptop work, Going Mom and I brought Avery to the neighborhood pool. Avery has been in the pool at her Nana and Papa’s house, and one other time at the one in our neighborhood, but she cried both times. I would’ve too, the water was cold both times, but it was plenty warm on Sunday.

Kelley had ordered a cute swim diaper from Amazon and we were ready to put it to use for the first time. Of course, we were unsure of how ready Avery was though…

Turns out, she love it! Kelley hesitantly dipped her feet in the water first, and after not hearing her cry, she let her sit and splash away.

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There were several other kids and parents at the pool and Avery was intent on watching what every one of them were doing. In between splashing and jumping on daddy’s leg, that is.

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Having a canopy over the kid pool was extremely helpful since we try to avoid sunscreen if and when possible. If there’s a way to use clothing instead of sunscreen, we’ll do it! But with the canopy, we had no issues as we leisurely hung around with our daughter; probably as she peed. Yeah, yeah, you know it happens.

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Avery must’ve played pretty hard during her first extended pool adventure, because once she was dry and in the stroller, she was out pretty fast! Playing in the pool can be exhausting!

Avery Asleep After Swimming

Wow, look at those chunky legs! She’ll be great at squatting later in life, and she’ll need to in order to kick any unruly boys’ in the rear! As much as I’d like to be a menacing father where I instill fear in any ill-meaning boy, something tells me I don’t have that quality. What do you think?

Avery Asleep After Swimming_2

In my defense, the hat is great sun protection and I went from running right to the pool.

Speaking of running, I’ll be in another race this Saturday, June 7th, which is the day before my 30th! This time, I’ll be pushing Avery in the stroller for our first 5k race together! I’m really excited to be able to do this and hope she enjoys the ride. We run together several times a week and she hasn’t fussed at all lately, so I’m hopeful!

As always, I’ll be sure to let you know how it all goes down.

Hey, it’s the middle of the week, so hope you can push through it knowing it’s all down hill from here. Until you have to start again.

Run any races lately? Any with your kids?

If not, do you have one planned?