On The Run Mama

Baby P and his friend (future girlfriend) ready for a walk together this morning.

Another 5K done! Yesterday the doctor cleared me to start running again too b

Another 5K!!

I met my friend, A, for a walk this morning. She had a baby girl three days before Baby P was born. It is so fun for me to see Baby P and her girl together. I’m so glad they’ll get to grow up together!

Today reminded me of one of my favorite parts about running or walking - the social aspect. The time and the distance flew by and she I caught up and compared babies and recovery. It is a big blessing to have someone who is going through the baby changes, physical recovery and getting back into running together. We talked the whole way.

Mile 2 & 3 were decent paces, and mile 1 I had to stop to put in Baby P’s pacifier a couple times. There was no running in today’s 5k!

How long was it after giving birth that you started exercising again?  

My coworkers are starting to scare me saying that I should wait 2-6 months.  I need your advice!  I can’t stand the idea of waiting another 6 months to start running again.

Last night we walked the Fab 40’s neighborhood with friends. If you’re in the Sacramento area I recommend going to see the Christmas lights and incredible houses.

Pre-pregnancy I wouldn’t have counted this as a workout, but now anything counts! 1.41 miles in 41:56

This was such a refreshing walk this morning!! I felt stronger than I’ve been in a while. I went farther and faster!!

My 17:47 pace, although not running, is 1 to 5 min/mile faster than any other pace I’ve done since being pregnant. I’m so happy with that!!! Woohoo!! And it was the second longest walk since being pregnant too. Woot!

Oh it felt good!! It felt great to push myself and not let it be “easy.”

I’m not setting any PRs. No it isn’t the running I had hoped to do while pregnant. I’m learning to not be hard on myself though. I’m finding my new normal. I’m learning with pregnancy my new normal is about listening to what my body can do and not pushing it to what it shouldn’t do.

It is a beautiful, chilly morning for a walk!

I have been feeling worn out and blah today. Melancholy for some reason. I finally dragged myself and the kids (they’re always eager to go) outside for a quick walk. The whole walk just took a lot of effort even though it wasn’t very long or far. I was hoping for a mile, but I didn’t think I had enough umpf to go for that much longer.

Thank you for your encouragement & notes yesterday!

We are very excited to be growing our family! The kids are supper happy, which I’m very thankful for. I’m seven weeks along now and the baby is healthy.

Remember how I said I was so dead tired and thought it was because I had stopped excersing due to my knee injury? Well I know now it wasn’t the lack of exercise… I can’t seem to sleep enough!

Remember how I said I was determined to not gain weight?? Yeah… that’s not happening. I’ve gained about 6 pounds so far (I am really struggling with that, but I know it is for the good of the baby.)

We found out I was pregnant on Labor Day and it has been so hard not telling anyone. Between not being able to exercsie, morning sickness, only eating whatever my stomach will tollerate I haven’t had much to blog about. (By the way morning sickness really should be called ALL DAY sickness!) I’m glad to be back now and able to share with you all. Now my journey will be about being a healthy prego on the run mama. I’m learning how to take care of my body as being prego and learning how to exercise while being pregnant. I want to be the healthiest prego mama I can be!

That I won’t be running the half marathon on October 7th. I know it is the best decision. I’ve lost too much muscle tone (which I’m very eager to get back) and I just don’t think it is wise for me to do it.

Instead I’m going to go cheer C on while she runs it. I’m also going to start from scratch with Couch to 5K all over again. I want to build a solid base and not jeopardize injuring myself. There’ll be 10Ks and halfs to conquer again in the future! I just can’t wait to run and exercise again. Two more weeks!

Swimming should be fine. The only challenge would be the resistance of the water when kicking (which is like adding weight to the leg). See how it goes….

I emailed my Doc today to ask about swimming and that’s the response I got back.  I’m still not sure what I should do.  Should I swim and keep my cardio up, but risk my knee taking longer to heal?  Or should I just take it completely easy in hopes for my knee to heal in time to do the half, but have no training?

Several of you and IRL friends are telling me to just forget my half, but I’m not sure… (I’m stubborn and don’t like giving up easily.)