Trying To Love Running Again: The Road Back From Pregnancy {Guest Post}
By admin
Being that it is early Saturday morning can only mean one thing… I am up and headed out for a long run. For some reason, I am really excited about this particular run. Maybe it’s the course I have laid out in my head or the fact that it’s not 30-degrees? Whatever the cause for excitement, I’m hoping it will flow into a great morning workout.
While I am hitting the roads (and bridges), I have another guest post for you today from my friend Jeanette. I’ve mentioned Jeanette several times over the years… in fact, it might be safe to say I might not be running the times and distances that I am if not for her.
Looking back, she was my first “fitness friend” when I decided to dive right into the personal training world.
The very first time we met was at a charity event about 5 years ago… an event I was was attempting to put on for Louie’s Kids (I say attempt because it was a big F.A.I.L) but at least I met her. I remember thinking how freaking cut and in shape she was. To be honest, she was inspiration to me and I knew we would be friends (I was going to force it on her if I had to).
Luckily, I guess she felt some what the same!
Jeanette has a great story to share, one I think a lot of you might be able to relate to.
I Used To Love Running… When I Was Fast
I was asked to write a blog about running and I jumped at the chance.. and then I put it off.
Then I put it off again, and again… and I wondered to myself, “Why am I hesitating to do this? I love running. Don’t I???”
I had to correct myself (be prepared for a fair bit of whining ahead): I USED to love running.
She is far too excited during a 1/2 marathon! And again, another person so much better at taking running picts!
I realized at that moment that I’m a running fairweather friend.
I loved running when I was fast.
I loved running when I was winning my age group in races.
I loved running when I was setting half marathon, 5k, and 10k PR’s.
I loved running when it was easy.
I loved running before I gained 35 lbs while pregnant (that’s what was leftover after the baby).
I knew it was going to be hard post pregnancy to get back into the whole running and fitness thing, but I never pictured that 7 months later I’d still be struggling. The road back is looong and treacherous, I’m making my way slowly… very slowly.
Dealing With Progress
But honestly, the desire to go out and run when it takes me 10 minutes more than it used to for the same distance, it’s just not there. But somehow, I still do it. It makes even harder when I have to leave the sweet smiling face of that awesome little bundle of joy (even harder if she’s sleeping and I can find that rare opportunity to clean the house).
In my former personal trainer days, I would see people coming into the boot camp I taught who had not worked out in years and I would see their frustration as they realized how out of shape they had become.
It’s humbling and it sucks. Truth be told, it’s easier to quit and somedays I want to quit. On those days, I tell myself that quitting won’t get me back to where I used to be and thus I move run forward.
Bit by bit, mile by mile, a few seconds faster this time than I was last time. It’s progress.
I keep myself motivated by signing up for races like the Charleston Half and the upcoming Palmetto 70 in April. I am scheduled to run just under 8 miles including a bridge and then another 4 miles later on that same day.
I can’t let the Taylor’s Swift down (that’s our team name) so I trudge forward however slow it may be.
For the record, my daughter was totally worth it.
Pegan Update:
Two pegan updates in a row? Crazy! I think you deserve a follow up from yesterday… I have decided to end Project Pegan. I am pretty bummed about this but after giving it some good thought, I’ve decided it’s in my best interest to hang up the vegan-paleo diet. I’ll give the full report on my experiment tomorrow so check back! If you have any questions on the paleo or vegan diet let me know and I’ll answer them! But for now, I am going to make a quick bowl of oatmeal and make annoying “mmmmm” noses with each bite.
What’s one thing you’re doing today?
If you’ve had a baby did you find it hard to get back into exercise?