Iād like to think that you, gentle readers, follow along in reading all of my blog posts. If so, youāll recall that in January I talked about finding āmeā time. If not, Iāve so conveniently linked the blog post from back then here. Go ahead, click on the link and refresh your memory about my previous post, Iāll wait right here. Ok, done? Anywho, I have been finding āmeā time over the last few months, slowly but surely. And that little bit in the previous post about runningā¦well Iāve just started running again. Iāll admit, the cold weather has made me grumpy and Iāve been too chicken s**t to layer up and get out and run in the freezing temps. Now that spring is sort of arriving, Iāve had the opportunity to take a few runs.
Iāve been a runner since high school. Outdoor track was my jam, sprinting to be more specific. I earned the title of āThe Intimidatorā on my track team because I had a knack for giving the āhairy eyeballā to my competition before taking my place at the starting line. Nice, huh? My junior year of track I received the award for most valuable player. Iād like to think it was because I ran so fast, but in reality, I wasnāt that good. I was good for the small town from where I reigned but as soon as we raced against the big-city ladies, I got my tushie handed to me on a platter. I was MVP that year because I was a good leader on the team. Regardless of what I did, it was a good ego boost for my 17 year old self. Something that many young women donāt get at the age of 17. Ā RunningĀ became my confidence boost, regardless of how fast or far I ran.
I took up long distance running when I wasnāt running sprints, and it has been my go-to form of exercise since. After having Henry, my first child, I realized that my body didnāt work the same as it did before having kids. So when I set out for a run a few weeks ago, 7 months post partum after my second child, I knew things would be a bitā¦off. Iād like to share a few things with you that you might want to keep in mind if youāre a runner, Ā have just had a baby, and are now looking to get back out there for your first run:
Peeing yourself in Public: I was so excited for a run, I could just pee myself. I did pee myself. Well not this timeā¦but ladiesā¦(and gents) if youāre a runner, and you just had a baby, and then you go runningā¦things just donāt hold in things the way those things used to. A few years after having Henry I ran a 10K race in the middle of winter in Chicago. We were lined up in the start corral and I felt the urge to pee. I remember thinking, āI can just make it to the first water stop.ā The gun went off and I started running. About 10 seconds in to the run, I panicked. I turned to my dear friend Sarah , my eyes filled with tears, āSarah, I think Iām gonna pee my pantsā¦Iāve gotta go pee!.ā The reason that this friend is so special, is that she laughed with me, and pointed out a great shrub on the side of the road for me to crouch behind so I could pee. She even offered to stand in front of me so no one would see my crouching ON THE SIDE OF A CITY STREET TO PEE.Ā That is friendship. Anyway, do the kegels. See Shannonās post from way back when.
Find an over the shoulder boulder holder: Dudeā¦when jogging, your milk-filled boobs will hit you in the face if you do not restrain those bad boys (girls) with a proper jog bra. I have yet to find one. Itās not that they donāt exist, Iām sure they doā¦you seeā¦I havenāt had time to shop for a proper jog bra. SO do what I doā¦layer two bras over each other. I made the mistake of going for my first run in a little cami-bra thing. I wasnāt blessed with a well-endowed rack, but even then, I regretted not putting on proper unmentionables.
We wear short shorts:Ā Listen upā¦ you probably gained a little weight from that pregnancy. I know I did. So just find yourself a pair of running shorts that fit well. If your thighs and butt are eating your shorts while you run, then youāre wearing the wrong stuff. And the worst problem with wearing ill fitting running gear is chafing. I might argue that chafed thighs, nipples, and or armpits might feel worse than labor. Just maybe. I might suggest wearing tight bike-like shorts if your thighs are munching away on your shorts.
Shoes: your feet have gotten bigger after pregnancy. Mine did. It happens to the best of us. Be sure to get yourself a pair of running shoes that fit properly. Gawd, I feel like a broken record here with all of my advice about finding things that fit properly. I wear a size 7 and my running shoes are size 8. They feel awesome. So awesome that after Iāve run them bare on the bottom, I just go in to the store and buy the same exact pair, even if that particular year’s model is hot pink.
Patience: Remember that song by Guns and Roses? Man, Iām getting all nostalgic with this cheese rock, but for realā¦be patient with yourself.Ā Be mindful and compassionate with your post-baby body (and spirit). Iām starting to talk like my therapist. Itās true thoughā¦I have this thing with myself and running. For a really long time I used to beat myself up mentally if I stopped to walk during a run. I saw it as a sign of weakness in myself. This past week when I ran, I had to stop and walk once and hit the reset button. It was ok. Don’t go out for the first time and say, “I’m going to run 3 miles.” Just go out and run and try and stay out for 20 minutes and then build up from there. And if 20 minutes are too much, then do 10 minutes.Ā There are plenty of running mommas out there who bounce back after having a baby, and it just takes a little time.Ā So be easy on yourself.
[…] out my old running shoes from where they were collecting dust in the garage. I told my husband that I was going for a run. He glanced up from the kitchen table with a look of surprise, āohhā¦ kā he said with slight […]
[…] back up a bit here before I get all Namaste on you, gentle readers. I have been a runner since high school. No other sport or physical fitness activity has resonated with me the way Iāve […]
Thanks for the link in your blog, appreciate it! Lots of luck with you run. I have always wanted to run a color smack run…sounds like so much fun!
I started running a couple of weeks ago. First time since having my two babies! The first couple of weeks were good, then bam!, both my knees are messed up! I read that having weak hips can make you overcompensate in your knees….and I would assume after having two babies my hips are pretty weak! I can’t even run ten feet at the moment. I guess it’s back to walking for me š Stinks when you finally get the motivation then physically can’t move.
Oh no Molly! That stinks. I too have had knee problems since high school. I was told that my quad muscles were not strong enough and therefore my knees overcompensate. I have been doing post natal yoga at evolution in Burlington and its been a nice workout and a a relief on my knees. Hang in there!
Since I’m supposed to run a 5K in August I will definately heed your advice. Especially about getting the right bra and practicing my kegels. Thanks for the humorous tips!
You’ve got lots of time to get ready for this run Shannon! Good for you! Happy to help…and more than happy to get in a few runs with you. š