Sunday, August 29, 2010

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.

At mile 10...my husband met me there and ran the last 3 miles with me:-)

Crossing the finish line. I can't wait to have that smile when I run again!

Post race picture with Ruddley!:-)

4 comments:

  1. oh, i so understand your pain! I had baby #3 back in december and I'm still trying to get back to my running pace. My only words of wisdom are to be kind to your body. it went thru a LOT with childbirth and you need to give it time. Mentally I KNOW this is hard to do, but physically you have to respect it. Go slow and just enjoy the fact that you are running again. :)

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  2. first off, CONGRATS on baby boy!

    You need to EASE into things...you're body has been through a LOT!!
    Give yourself time to get back into shape.... be sure to eat right and drink plenty of fluids!
    Strength training would REALLY help your endurance and stamina... do they have a fitness class at your gym that focuses on that? I teach the Mommy and me class here... 35-40 minutes of various cardio and then some toning...also BODYPUMP (www.lesmills.com) has been a GREAT addition for Toning and strength..
    BUT remember EASY.. goes it...
    running 3 days a week, some wt training 2 times a week and maybe cross train cardio will help out.... start slow on the miles....or you will get HURT.
    thanks for reading my blog...promise to update more now

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  3. thanks for your super sweet comment on my blog! you'll get back to where you were pre-baby.... it'll get easier...but it'll probably suck for a while. you can do it! :) and yay for marathon training. which one are you looking at for your 1st?

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  4. Jeri...gunna run the Maine Marathon with Danielle (@RTdanielle09) Oct 2011:-) Shes gunna whip me into shape.

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