Post Baby Running

So one of the things Elin and I do to keep busy is run. Running has always been one of my favorite activities and I had no doubts that I'd continue after I had Elin. What I didn't expect was how difficult it would be to get back into it. Despite running until I was 24 weeks, getting back into it was beyond my expectations. I was still 21 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight when I started back up 6 weeks postpartum. I had signed myself up for a Veteran's Day half marathon last spring. I figured it would give me a goal to work towards post baby. I also figured four months was enough time.

Whoops. Rookie mistake.

I could barely run a mile my first time out.

I didn't want to take Elin with me until she was at least 3 months old so I had to sneak runs in whenever Colin was home, which meant for a tough, irregular schedule. By the beginning of November I had worked my way up to 8 miles. It probably wasn't enough but I wasn't going to pull out of the race at that point. So Veteran's Day weekend Colin and I set out for our first 1/2 marathon together. I won't go into detail on how hard it was other than to tell you people in their fifties and sixties were passing me.

Ultimately Colin and I crossed that finish line and it reassured me that while I still had some work to do, I knew I was back to running again and boy did it feel good!

Freedom Half Marathon
November 11, 2012

Blue Moon Wicked 10K
October 29, 2012

Now that Elin is big enough to ride in our BOB stroller she accompanies me on a few runs a week. Sometimes we venture over to Mt Trashmore park. Sometimes we go to the Oceanfront and race the waves of the Atlantic. Most of the time, we just cruise around our neighborhood. Me, clearing my head and organizing my thoughts. Elin, drifting off to dreamland. We were on a five mile run the other day and I marveled at how calm and content she was after the initial excitement of getting into the stroller. She is a pretty good natured baby but she is beyond pleasant during our runs. I have to think my running during pregnancy might have something to do with it. In this post from February I recalled how she would settle in for a nap during runs. It's funny how she does the same exact thing now!

Overall Elin is a joy to run with. Cheddar still accompanies me on a few runs when I'm feeling extra patient. But our squirrel chasing mutt can be a bit tough so I often just take her for her own run when Colin is home to watch Elin. I still have 21 pounds to lose (11 pre-preggo pounds plus an extra 10 I was hoping to lose before pregnancy) and hope our continued running will help me achieve my goal!