“And I’m back in the game”
Last week was pretty great. In addition to another week with my baby boy, it was highlighted by something I’ve been looking forward to since I was 32 weeks pregnant with him. I finally went running!
I dressed for the mild, sunny weather, laced up my sneaks, and brought Burton with me on my maiden running voyage since my last miles six weeks before Abel was born. Taking the advice of several people, I started slow, just two five-minute runs in between walking intervals. I took the pace slow, too, running between a 9:30 and 10 minute mile pace.
One mile, people. F yeah.
Oh it felt so good to get back at it. It’s funny, I never thought running one mile and not peeing my pants (a very common side effect for postpartum runners) would be such an accomplishment but it was.
With that all-important first run in the books, I have some bigger goals in sight now; first, to run/walk the Fargo Marathon 5k. The plan is to do it with my friend and fellow Ainsley’s Angels runner, Christine, pushing her daughter, Sam. I’m so excited to take part in the Fargo Marathon in some way, as it’s a race I’ve done for more than a decade straight. We’ll see how things go as I start to increase distance but then my next goal is the GoFar Woman half marathon in August. Hopefully I can be a pacer, too, as I’ve enjoyed pacing the event the past two years.
It will be awhile before I can bring Abel with me on a run but that’s something I’m also looking forward to. In the meantime, he’ll just get to enjoy the positive side effects to me being back running – better mood equals better mom.
What’s the longest hiatus you’ve taken from running or your workout of choice? What advice would you offer someone just getting back into it? Please leave a comment or tweet me, @LindsayIRL.