Run Mommy Run

Yesterday started off like most days, running my daughter to school then trying to get a paper written and house work finished between rounds of breastfeeding. But as they day wore on I struggled with figuring out financial aid issues and dealing with the balance in our bank account. Let's just say it's a little lower than I would like it to be. So, by the end of the day I have gone from sweet, loving mommy to snippy wore down mommy and all I could think about was going for a run.

 

It's funny that I have only been running again for about six weeks, but it is already an addiction. When we were all finally home I made a deal with my husband- I'll feed the chickens if you watch the baby while I run. Luckily, he agreed. After the chickens were given fresh food and water I made a bee-line for the drive way.

Okay my drive way it probably about 1/8 of a mile or so. We live out in the middle of nowhere so laps on our sandy drive it something like a trail run. Rather than following my original training plan I walked up the drive-way and ran all the way back down and repeated this for 20 minutes. I think I was able to repeat this 4 or 5 times. But my time or distance wasn't what was important, it was how I felt. Running doesn't solve my problems, it gives me a clearer understanding of them.

 

Actually, yesterday I realized I didn't really have any problems. Nothing is really wrong at the moment. Rather I am just being faced with a few, relatively small challenges I know will pass. It's that simple. Snippy mommy went for a run and came back sweet, loving mommy. Metamorphosis complete! At least until I need to run again...

Running Schedule for Absolute Beginners

Picture courtesy of: http://www.flickriver.com/photos/nathaninsandiego/tags/sandiegosunset/
 

 

So even though I used to run I am back in the beginner's circle again. I'm mean, let's face it, I hadn't run in over a year before the beginning of  this month, but that's okay. I have a second chance at becoming a strong runner, someone who really experiences that 'runners high' and to get to that place where my body can really relax into a run, so much so that I feel as though I could keep running forever. I haven't experienced these things, but others have written about them, so I know they exist. That kind of running is my ultimate goal, but I know it will take time to get there.

I put together a schedule of running and strength training to slowly get me back in shape. I am focusing on building up to running for 30 minutes straight. If this sounds appealing to you feel free to join me or if you are an experienced runner and have advice, feel free to comment. Just remember, everyone is at a different place in their running journey, if this is too hard scale it back a bit, if it seems a little to easy shorten the walking intervals and lengthen the running intervals. Listening to your body means not follow a plan just because it is written out that way. I will listen to my body and increase my time running if I am feeling strong, we'll just see how it goes.

 

 

 

I am so excited it hard not to go for a run today, but I know it wouldn't be a good idea. I am not really sore from yesterday's run, but I can still feel the effects linger in my legs, if that makes any sense at all! Today I will focus on strength training. I'll post more details about that later.

A Spoonful of Running

     Is there anything better than looking out your window and not seeing winter? The chill is gone and the sunlight is filtering down through the trees. Redbirds and scissor-tails are fluttering back and forth on the breeze and everywhere you turn wildflowers are in bloom. That's when I got the urge to run again.



Photo courtesy of http://www.workingmomsagainstguilt.com/2012/06/summer-of-2012-the-greatest-summer-of-our-post-kid-lives/mary-poppins/



 

     Mary Poppins said a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Wouldn't we all love to take something sweet to cure the problems we encounter everyday. (Screaming toddler? Have a cupcake or two!) Unfortunately I think this would only add to our problems, including cellulite and tooth decay. Me, I have discovered running can replace my spoonful of sugar. (At least some of it!) I honestly started running to lose a bit of weight, but fell in love as I ran with the sun warming my skin. I ran one 5k, then I think I became too rushed to run farther faster and ended up hurting all over. Then I became pregnant with my second child, which lead me to the couch and cupcakes, not the road. Now that my baby is here I am running again and so excited! This time however, I am taking it easier and gradually adding to my time. My current training sessions may have an experienced runner giggling but a walking/running combination is the way I need to start so I don't destroy a romance before it has a chance to fully flourish!

     My time today was 42 minutes of 4:45 walking/ 1:15 running at the local high school track. I was excited to make it about 2 1/8 miles!

     Overall, it's just wonderful to be out there running. The track is empty and silent. There is no baby crying (he's asleep in the stroller), no echoing of "Mommy!" in the background as I juggle housework and school work. No diapers or due dates, just me running. It feels good just to be moving to the cadence of my own breath. Just moving feels good, even if I am only going in circles.