Oh Running, where have you gone?

Posted by – February 21, 2011

and why won’t you come back?

Is it just me or is running hard for everyone?  I remember running 5 miles and it being, not easy, but easier than it is for me to run 2 miles today.

I know I have a lot of factors to consider: I just had a baby (6 months ago, I can’t use that one forever), I was pregnant before that, I haven’t ran in over a year, consistently, and now I am pushing a baby jogger – which is actually light considering but the contents are getting heavier everyday.  ;)

Even though I know it’s not easy making a come back, it is still so much harder than I expected.  I feel so heavy and the funny thing is, I weigh less than before I was pregnant.  So, I’m not heavier but my body sure feels like it is.  I really try to concentrate on my form as I am running.  I run better if I am paying attention to my body but I like to say hi to people I pass or I check out neighbors gardens (especially if I see succulents), and then I forget about my form.

One thing that has really helped me transition into running again is walking.  I had a rude awakening when I headed out the door for my first run after getting the ok from my doctors to start exercising again.  My body was like, “WAIT A GOSH DARN SECOND LADY, YOU WANT TO DO WHAT???”  Really, that’s what it said!  I don’t know why having to walk feels like you’ve been defeated but it does.  So, I stopped.  I didn’t exercise for a long time.  I would try to get out every once in a while but when I don’t exercise regularly my body doesn’t respond well and then once again I would get defeated.  A vicious roller coaster.  With Little T loving the outdoors (clearly gets that from Kev) it made it easier for me to get out and walk.  I didn’t think of it as exercise but after a while I noticed I was starting to feel a lot better and I was starting to get some baby weight off.  I felt good!  Then I started keeping track of how far I was walking until recently I’ve picked up the pace and now I’m running again!  Not far but I feel better this time around because I started out walking.  I started over without really thinking about starting over.  ;)

It’s hard not having a running buddy but guess what?!  I do have a running buddy.  He’s 27 inches long and weighs about 16lbs and his name is Thomas Guillermo.  ;)  He sits up front and says, “Mush Mommy”.  Well, not yet but someday he will.

I still have a long way to go with my running but I am glad where I am headed with it right now.

p.s. Kev, I did 2 miles today without stopping!  ;)

4 Comments on Oh Running, where have you gone?

  1. Kev says:

    Good job!

  2. Tara says:

    Hey loops!!! Awesome! Don’t worry…it’s not just you. After babies I felt heavy and uncoordinated. Yuck. Even now after a long-ish break I feel heavy even if my weight is fine. Just keep with it! I use to start out with a tough but doable distance, run t, and then walk until I hit 50 min. That way I got a long workout in, I didn’t have te defeated give up feel, and I exercised past that crucial 40 min mark. Keep upping the amount of running as you are able. It goes quicker than you think! :-)

  3. lulucakes says:

    Thanks Tar! I am excited to see how tomorrow goes! I am surprisingly sore today so I’m going to have to through it tomorrow.

  4. I’m having trouble running and I haven’t even had a baby! :) Good for you for getting back into it – I’m inspired to do the same in the next few weeks. Reading “Born To Run” by Christopher McDougall also inspired me to want to run, and trying barefoot-style shoes (Vibram Five Fingers) allowed me to run without all my joints yelling at me. Keep it up!

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