tales of a running mom: so much work to do...

I know while some of you are reading this post you will be screaming at me through your computer, especially if you are are a mom and know what I've just been through. I know if I was reading this, I would scream at me too! Week 1 of training for the MDI Marathon Relay is over. It sucked. It sucked because I am out of shape and slow. I've never been a fast runner, I openly admit that. I'll never win a race and I'm never going to BQ (but seriously, how awesome would that be!?) Before I got pregnant I was running 9:30-10:00 minute miles. At that time I was not ok with that pace, but as a new runner I felt it was respectable. Today, I would give anything to be running a 10:00 minute mile. I have 7 weeks left before the race and I'm 5 weeks postpartum. I know that I need to start out slow and listen to my body, which is what I have been doing. Trust me. Both my midwife and the nurse that helped her to deliver my beautiful baby boy are runners and they both warned me not to start back to early to too hard. The last thing I want to do is get an injury and be sidelined from running for another year.

I picked, what I thought was a very easy and doable training plan from Runners World. It had me running 3 days this week for a total of 6 miles and some cross training mixed in. Shouldn't be too difficult, right? My pace for my runs this week has been around 11:30. Seriously??? Come on, I know I can do better than that but my legs just wouldn't go. At the end of 2 miles I was tired and glad my run was over. I guess I just didn't expect a 6 mile week to be difficult.

I'm not used to this and frustrated that I'm not what I used to be. I know it will take time, but I want to snap my fingers and be back in half marathon shape like I was the day before I found out I was pregnant. Does anyone have suggestions/ideas/tips/inspiration or motivational thoughts for me!?? What's the best thing to do to get back in shape? Hit the gym on my off days and build up my strength?? HELP!?

Next week I have two 2 mile runs, a 3 mile run and cross training. Last year at this time I would have laughed at how easy this week was going to be. This year, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some good runs.

End of me feeling sorry for myself. Week 1 done. Bring on Week 2...

Here are a few pictures from my half marathon last November, the day before I found out I was pregnant.