So remember when I thought that it was realistic for me to try to train for a marathon?  Guess what?  It’s not.  (You aren’t surprised, I know.  Me either.)

While my spirit is certainly there, and I hope to do another one at some point this year, I’m also finally ready to be realistic about what I am capable of both mentally and physically right now.  As soon as I let go of the pressure to do another marathon so quickly, I felt like a big weight came off my shoulders.

I am not a very good self-motivated runner.  I have a really hard time just deciding “I will go for a run today!” without a training plan and something to work toward.  I need the validation of checking off a box on a training calendar.  So for me, it’s still important to have goals and plans, rather than just casually trying to get back into regular exercise.

My desire to run is much more about my love for the sport than it is about getting back into shape.  I really miss running.  It’s strange to think that I am essentially starting over at something that used to be a huge part of my life.  For the past few years, that outlet has always been through marathons, so it felt natural to me to make that my goal again.  But just as my body is different and my life and time are so different now, I realize that my goals need to be different too. 

I have a hard enough time juggling being a mom with my work and writing projects, along with finding time to cook and exercise, and do all the other things that keep households afloat.  I also want to make sure that I let my body adjust to training slowly.  I don’t want to do anything that interferes with my milk supply or continued healing.

Now that I have new goals and new races picked out, I’m excited to get started on this new phase of running.  The first race I’m training for is the 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis!

(source)

I have always wanted to do this race, but every year it falls on the same weekend of the Flying Pig (which I ran in 2008, 2009, and 2010).  I thought it would feel weird to run the half-marathon at the Pig since I’m used to the full course, so it works out perfectly to do this race instead.  It is a Saturday half-marathon, and Casey will be running the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati the next day.  We’ll be able to turn it into a mini vacation to visit both of our families in Indianapolis and Cincinnati, and we can cheer for each other on the sidelines with Cullen!

When I was trying to just get back into running on my own, I found that trying to do 3 and 4 mile treadmill runs felt like torture.  In order to build up a good base for training, I downloaded the Couch to the 10K app on my iPad.  It combines running and walking, and gives voice prompts and countdowns until your next walk or run segment.  Since I’m not totally starting from scratch, I decided to start on week 4, with intervals of running 2 minutes, and walking 3 minutes for 62 minutes.

I did my first run/walk with the app this weekend, and felt great afterward!  It was my longest postpartum run to date, finishing out at 4.5 miles.  I zoned out and watched Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix (I’m only on season six – no spoilers!), and the run went by quickly and easily.  Once you finish your run you get a very validating checkmark at the end, which I love.  I think starting with this run/walk approach is definitely the best way for me to get back into shape.

The other race I am signed up for is the Rock N Roll Seattle Half Marathon in June! 

This will be my first race in our new city, and I’m so excited to finally get to do some running here now that we have lived here almost a year.  Casey will be running the full marathon too, and it’s fun for us to plan and train together.

I’m happy to have new, much more realistic goals in place now, and rather than pressure I now feel hopeful.  Run number two starts now!

In addition to running, I’m also doing as many at-home strength workouts as I can.  Today on Babble – Five (More!) Exercises for Mommies and Babies!

I think it’s pretty obvious from the fact that I was cleaning and running errands all day yesterday, my scheduled long run did not happen as planned.  But that is okay, because training plans and weekend runs are meant to be flexible – as long as you make sure you don’t skip them entirely.

This morning I woke up with only RUNNING on my mind.  My new spring training schedule said that I needed to run nine miles, but ever since I made my return to running, my recovering legs have only actually run five.  Gulp.

Normally on a training schedule you wouldn’t increase from 5 miles to 9 so quickly, but I’m actually starting this training schedule 2-weeks later than I should have (16 weeks instead of 18).  Keeping in mind the fact that I have run so much in the past (and never had a running related injury), I felt confident in large step up in mileage, as long as I took it slow.

We got ready for the run by making our homemade sports drink – an absolute must-have for any long run.  This mix tastes so much better than Gatorade or other energy drinks, and I love knowing exactly what is on the simple ingredient list.

Filled to the top of my awesome 127 hours Nalgene bottle.  If you haven’t seen this movie, GO see it.  Just be prepared to need to peek through your fingers a few times.

When I trained for my first marathon, nothing could stop me from hitting the sidewalk for a long run.  Icy sidewalks?  I’ll run in the street!  Freezing temperatures?  I’ll just bundle up!  Not so much these days – I have become a HUGE wimp when it comes to winter running.  So much that I am willing to subject myself to long mileage on the treadmill in order to avoid being cold on a run.  With my iPod charged and my bottle full of sports drink, we headed to the gym.

Since I haven’t done any long distance mileage in a while, I forgot to consider that might want some additional fuel for a nine mile run.  Turns out it was my lucky day – they were handing out snack packs of Craisins at the front desk of the gym – score!

It also turns out that Craisins made for PERFECT running fuel!  You will definitely be seeing these again.  The little chewy bites of almost pure sugar were exactly what I wanted mid-run. 

I used my favorite treadmill tricks and alternated walking breaks with interval running.  One by one the miles ticked by, and honestly it wasn’t that bad. 

To my right, Casey the speedster knocked out 12.5 miles like it was nothing.  He’s training for the National FULL Marathon at the end of March!

Story time!  Back in 2009, I was training for the Flying Pig Marathon in May and Casey was running the Atlanta Marathon in March.  The weekend of his race, I was scheduled to run 19 miles, which I planned to do in Atlanta on a pretty trail near my brother-in-law’s house.  But the day before the race I woke up to crazy thunderstorms and monsoons of rain.  Knowing it was the only day I could do my long run, I borrowed my sister-in-law’s gym pass and headed to the local LA Fitness.  Armed with Gu, Gatorade, and only a Kelly Clarkson CD on my iPod, I banged on NINETEEN miles on the treadmill.  I don’t think I will ever forget that run.

Today’s run was much shorter and much more more bearable, and while my legs were definitely tired, I found myself doing my fastest interval at the conclusion of the 9th mile. 

Nine miles later, I felt absolutely amazing.  I can’t believe I have come so far in such a short amount of time!

I am also INCREDIBLY sore.  I see a soak in our giant bathtub in my future.  Immediately after showers and getting ready, we only had only one thing on our minds – LUNCH!

Pretty sure post-run burrito bowls are going to become a weekly celebration.

Relaxing tonight with my feet up.  I am SO sore, but so incredibly proud of the progress I have made in returning to running.  Here’s hoping that my legs and knee continue to feel great, and the mileage just keeps building. 

Now, about that bathtub…