Pretend you are reading this on Friday when I started writing this post …
Everything hurts. My calves. My quads. My butt. My abs. My shoulders. My head.
All because I went for a measly 3.2-mile run yesterday. OK, my head hurts because I need coffee or Diet Coke. Everything else, though … all because of a run.
My first post-baby run.
Now, I hadn’t been planning to make my comeback until Saturday so I wasn’t ready. I had no real strategy mapped out. However, Mark encouraged me to to take out the BOB on Thursday morning as he got ready for school (the car seat adapter arrived Wednesday) and, well, you don’t have to tell me to run twice. At least the old me.
So after Miles’ second morning feeding, I got him situated in the car seat, put on my Garmin and Road ID and headed down the street. We walked the first quarter mile and then began a slow jog. And when I slow, I mean S-L-O-W. My focus was just to make it as long as I could before I had to die, walk long enough to catch my breath and go again. I made it about 1.7 miles before walking .15 and going again. There was one more short walk break – a block or so – before I “sprinted” home.
I really wish I could say that the run felt amazing, that it was like riding a bike – coming back naturally – but I felt heavy. Tired. Slow. It was my legs forgot what it was like to move.
As for Miles? He was quite happy with his introduction. Active and alert the entire run, he stayed content as I tried to wash away the frustration of such a poor comeback.
I know that it will take time, effort, patience and miles (and Miles :) ) to get to where I was. I just wish I wasn’t starting so far away.
What are your return to running tips – whether it’s from a baby or injury?
I think that's completely understandable.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure exactly how many exact days it's been since you last ran but it would be like if any of us stopped runnning for what 6 or 8 weeks? I would be dying. It's so easy to lose that endurance, but you know you can build it up again. That's the good thing.
Just take your time and patience along the way! I think your endurance will come back first, and then your speed. :)
I agree with Holly - it takes time, but because you were in such rockin' shape before the baby was born - you'll regain endurance and speed remarkably quick . . .patience girl - you'll get there!!!!!! I honestly can't believe your first return to running was a 3+ mile session - wow, you're amazing! One step at a time, one mile at a time, one run at a time - I am cheering for you!!!
ReplyDeleteIt will definitely take time. I can't even imagine running that soon after baby (I had two, both via c-section) - but I wasn't in good shape before hand either. Anyway, my point is kudos to you for getting out there and getting back to it. I imagine your next few runs may be rough but you will do great!
ReplyDeleteGo you!!!
ReplyDeleteI know for me it was trying to get over the pain, so i walked alot! Being patient is not one of my virtues so celebrating any workout or milestones helped me get through it.
Just know you'll get there!!!
I think you did great! Not only did you run, you ran with a baby jogger!! And pretty far for your first run back. That's super!
ReplyDeleteMy plan to resume running was just to take it easy and have fun. It was like my little break away from the baby. I haven't even started running with her yet, so I can't imagine how hard that must've been to push something too. You're doing amazing. In no time you'll be full speed ahead.
I have to agree with the ladies above. I was REALLY surprised to see how slow and heavy I felt. I'm still INCREDIBLY slow, but I can really tell that my endurance is improvingi but it's taken a few weeks. You will get there :) Oh, and I'm so glad that Miles loves the stroller. We couldn't have survived summer without ours.
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