Running with a Stroller

How do you get back in shape after baby?  For me, its me, my son and a running stroller.

I want to run fast.

Well, not Olympic fast.   Just fast enough to break 30:00 in a 5K (3.1 miles). 

I am a mediocre runner.  I started running when I was 20.  Completed my first marathon when I was 22.  Now, 10 years later I’ve done several more marathons, some half marathons, dozens of 5ks and a triathlon.

The problem is: I haven’t trained seriously since my last marathon (2010).  All of my attempts to run after the birth of my son have been thwarted by…myself.  I’ve quit part way through the Couch to 5k training program because one bad running day got me down.  I quit through my running streak because running was making me a ravenous beast and I wasn’t seeing any weight loss.

Now, I’m ready to try again.  I want to be strong.  I want my pre-pregnancy pants to fit nicely again.  I want to show my daughter that her mom can be fast, which means she can be fast, too.

Here’s what I’m doing differently:

I’m not going to weigh myself for 7 weeks.  I’ve become obsessed with the scale recently.  I weigh myself everyday (sometimes twice a day) and let the number dictate how I eat on any given day.  If I lose weight, I give myself a little extra leeway in nutrition.  That means, I might justify cashing in my free Starbucks for a Grande Caramel Frappuccino.  A tenth of a pound means nothing. My goal is to focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit, not the number.

I’m purchasing a training plan.  When I did my marathons, I ran them with a running group under the guidance of a coach.  We had a set training plan that was realistic to our goal and adaptable.  Runners World has an awesome running site for Beginners called The Starting Line.  I’m starting on Step 2: Start Running.  Even if you don’t purchase a plan, they have a lot of helpful articles for free.  I highly recommend the site!

I’m pushing a stroller. This is harder than it sounds.  I am seriously winded after running for just a few minutes with the stroller.  I’m hoping this works in my benefit though.  My cousin, Jessie, pushes her two littles in a stroller.  She is seriously fast and places in most of her races.  Here’s to the stroller providing a little resistance training!

My Starting Line:

Weight: 158.4 lbs (Next weigh-in: April 12)

Loop around the park (close to a mile): 11 min 8 sec

Running starts tomorrow

Read on: Mid-Week Update