Run Mommy RUN!

I’m back! Well…. Hopefully! I’m still getting used to this whole blogging thing, and I’m loving it, just hard to find the time with my little one. Like I said in my last post, he is my priority 🙂 He is also my motivation, which brings me to my post today.

I’ve always been a runner and for years I couldn’t wait to have a baby, and have that baby be at the finish line as I finish a marathon. Though it wasnt a marathon, I ran my first race post baby and had my little man at the finish cheering me on. Talk about motivation, I couldn’t wait to see my little man waiting for me.

I’ve been doing my best to get back into running since the baby and I’ve been pretty successful. Though not as dedicated yet as I was before, I’m still working on it. After I had my boy I was sure that running would come right back, which it did, but not after a few AWFUL and MISERABLE runs along the way. For the first time ever running had actually felt like a chore. It wasn’t fun, everything hurt, and I was going at a snail’s pace. Luckily, because I was a runner before I knew I just had to get back into it, give it time, put in a few more dreaded miles, and it would come back. And, it did! But, I had to use lots of motivational ideas to get those first awful runs over with. Bought myself amazing new hot pink sneakers, which I love…

                       

Brooks PureCadence

I got to use my BOB jogger stroller, which is by far the best jogging stroller you can buy (my opinion)… worth every penny!!!! I’m obsessed with it, so it helped get me out the door because it’s so easy to run with and my boy LOVES being outside, and he’s pretty cute in it too, so there was some more motivation 🙂

Blake and Sophie the giraffe on one of our runs

And of course rewarding myself with ice cream at the end never hurt. Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. I also signed up for some road races, the Newport Pell Bridge Run and the Thanksgiving Day Pie Run (both of which I ran pregnant last year.) Once I got back into it, the joy of running was enough motivation for me. So, my point for anyone new to running or someone who has taken a break from it is that It’s usually never easy when you start, but please please please don’t give up. If you put in the time it will only get easier. Find a way to get those first few awful runs done. Whatever it takes to lace up your kicks and get out the door. Once it starts getting easier and your body gets into better shape you will be able to appreciate all that running has to offer, and I promise you won’t regret it!

Once I signed up for the two runs I knew I would be running. I’m very competitive with myself and always want to do my best. I work very well when I have a goal set, so signing up for the races was just the thing I needed. It was a perfect fit doing the bridge run too, since that was my first race I ran pregnant, I figured what a great race to get back into it. My husband ran the race with me and my mom walked my baby in the stroller to meet us at the finish.

I had no idea how I was going to do, I had been running, but nothing crazy. When we arrived at the race I started getting really excited, my boy was going to be cheering me on at the finish line, something I have always wanted! I couldn’t wait to get started. My running bug was officially back. When the gun went off, I took off… and left my husband in the dust (sorry Keith) but I’ll never let him win. The race itself was beautiful. Of course I didn’t take any pics this year because I really wanted to race, but here is one from last year…

Newport Pell Bridge 4 mile Run

As you can see it’s a gorgeous run. What’s better than watching the sun rise as you run across a bridge? I was feeling great the whole race and as I approached the finish line, amongst all the crowds, there I saw my adorable mother in her Patriots jacket of course (it was football sunday) with my BOB stroller, and my perfect little boy. Needless to say I sprinted towards the finish, I couldn’t wait to hug my boy, and I was happily pleased with my time as I glanced at the clock crossing the line. My first race back I ran a 7:24 pace. It was a 4 mile run and I finished in 29:35. Here is a picture of me and my boys at the end of the race…

Me and my boys 🙂

And we topped off our race with a few celebratory cocktails at our favorite restaurant, Brick Alley Pub (if your ever in Newport, RI)! Mimosas and Irish Coffees anyone??? Sometimes the best part of a race is the beverages after 🙂 Whatever motivates you right?!?!

After the bridge run I had the Thanksgiving Day 5 mile Pie Run coming up. What better way to start your Thanksgiving day with a 5 mile run. I felt fantastic after and was ready to eat everything and not feel guilty about it. I did pretty well in that run too. I ran a pace of 7:39 and finished in 38:16. I would have liked to have gone faster, but considering I just had  a baby six months ago, I’ll take it!

So what’s next? Ironically, as I was writing this post one of my runner friends texted me asking if I wanted to do another marathon. Now that my running bug is back I quickly responded with an absolutely. LIke I said, I work well when I set goals. Signing up for a marathon will definitely keep me running. It isn’t until May so I’ve got plenty of time. As for something a little sooner, I’ll be signing up for a Christmas 10k in my town, and then we’ll just have to see what comes next after that.

Happy running everyone! Now lace up your kicks, get out the door, and get moving!!!