Postpartum training, week 7

July 7 - 13

For context, see Postpartum training - intro  

On an excursion to a nearby island, Munkholmen, with my daughter

Goals

This week I decided to take a step back towards more structured training, and restarted my Albon App subscription. I tested this out for a bit last at the end of the summer last year and think it's a great tool if you want to be self-coached but crave structure. While it's early still, I think I have a tendency to overdo it a bit if left to my own devices, so I find it prudent to have a structure. So my goal this week was to follow the plan laid out in the app.

Satisfying to see workouts ringed in green in the Albon App

Highlights

Mountain running with Zorro!

Despite waffling a bit due to the shear logistics of traveling with a newborn, a 3 year old and rambunctious dog, the weather was too good to pass up and we went to the full service DNT cabin Gjevilvasshytta for the weekend. In addition to some nice family time at a gorgeous beach on the lake in the mountains, I got out for a solo bike ride and run that were both beautiful. It felt great to get some mountain time again!

Lowlights

This was the first of three weeks with no daycare for my 3 year old daughter, and the only full week where I'm the primary caregiver all week. Maternity leave feels like vacation compared to this! Time to exercise was mainly in the early morning and evening, and it was challenging to squeeze it in. 

Double pumping while eating a little breakfast before I went out for an early run

Although I work to carve out "me time", I'm also trying to see the beauty of the phase I'm in. With my daughters, I stopped and picked strawberries along the road, in bushes that I've probably past hundreds of times without stopping. 

Beach time on Gjevilvatnet with Ellen

I also noticed that with implementing a new structure via the Albon App, I felt pressure to complete everything even when I came to realize it wasn't realistic. For example on Thursday, I needed to take the dog out in the morning, and pack for our weekend trip in the evening, so a bike ride wasn't in the cards. I had to make due with a dog walk pushing the stroller where I tried to get my heart rate up on the hills. Not a huges workout but at least time outside and a little stimulus!

Training summary

Run: 21km / 2h20min

I've stopped run/walking, and started running continuously! I'm still on high alert for any twinges but really feel good so far. I haven't run since March, and I struggle to find a nature pace again, but this will get better with time.

Hiking: 7.4km / 1h42min 

I used longer walks / hikes are recovery in the beginning but as I feel better I'm decreasing the lengths of walks and I don't log dog walks under around 3 km. The cardio impact of these is minimal and they no longer feel like a key part of training. 

Cycling: 84 km / 4h4min

An increase in cycling, all outside this week due to the great weather.

Strength: 1 session, leg work in the living room with light weights (no time to go to the actual gym)

Yoga: 50 min

Amount decreased due to time constraints this week