As I was reading this marathoner-to-be’s post today I realized that one year ago I did my last long run before my marathon. I even declared it “half a pregnancy” because, man, was it a long training cycle. It definitely made me nostalgic. Even though the race was one of my least favorites – I’ll never forget how it felt to cross that finish line knowing I ran a FREAKING MARATHON. It’s funny how much can change in a year!
As this is my first pregnancy where I would consider myself a runner — I’ve realized that pregnant has it pros and cons during marathon/running season. A huge pro is that I am no longer obsessed with time, speed, and distance. Walk breaks and rests have been habit and I realize it’s not the end of the world (which, makes this girl very happy!). I still wear my Garmin when I run, but it’s not necessarily to maintain my speed, but to pinpoint distance and ensure I’m not running TOO fast. Sure, I would like to run more often and faster – it’s a big mindset change to go from, “Suck is up, you need to learn how to run tired” to “Dude, you’re growing a human, take it easy” – but listening to my body and knowing when I need more sleep or am pushing it too hard has become more important. Damn priorities! Another plus is that I’m not running to meet a goal. Sure, I want to finish my upcoming half marathons, but I’m definitely NOT running them for time. I’m running them because running is FUN! Yes, fun.
On the con side of things – it’s very difficult not being able to participate in a million races and events. I have SUCH an itch right now to sign up for a marathon. It is SO WEIRD. While I know I will run another one, I’ve had zero desire until this past month. Obviously, that’s not going to happen (and I will tell you right now it probably won’t happen until 2014) but it’s really, really hard to read so many great race recaps about Chicago and Marine Corp, etc and know that it’s nowhere in my future. I am a goal setter by nature and it’s especially unsettling to not have any fitness goals (other than stay healthy). That said, I know that good things will come with patience and hard work. I mean, a year ago I started thinking about babies (My brain: Do I want another one? Should we have a third? Should we just stick with two? When could we start planning? I have to wait until after May!…). Yes, I was internally stressing myself out.
It can be really annoying sometimes to be that person who is always focusing on the NEXT.BIG.THING so my current goal is to just chill. Instead of wondering what I’m going to do next (besides have another baby) I want to enjoy each day for what it is and live vicariously through those can run further, and faster, and stronger.
What happened today is that I did a fun workout this morning, we remembered to carve the pumpkin for tomorrow (I completely forgot last year. Actually, I don’t even know that we BOUGHT a pumpkin!) and I’m pretty sure I’m feeling the baby move around. Yep, it was a pretty good day.
AND I can’t WAIT to read your NYC Marathon, (because, I have faith that it’s still going to happen), Savannah marathon, relay race marathon, and *insert your marathon here* recaps. While you’re out there running them – if you could, run a mile for me! I’ll get you back. Someday.
The only sentence I saw in this post: I have SUCH an itch right now to sign up for a marathon.
Chicago HERE WE COME! woooo! 🙂
Yes! It’s going to happen. Maybe not until 2014 (ok most likely not until 2014, unless I have an amazing bounce back to running), but we are SO running Chicago.
I think you will be dying to run by the time BW3 is here. That is my prediction. 🙂
NEXT.BIG,THING. –> see also: growing a human
!
I will run a mile for you. Heck, I’ll run 2. Which ones would you like???
I have nothing to contribute to the desire to run. I’m currently the person telling myself, “Get out of bed dummy and go run. GET UP NOW!”
But if it makes you feel better, you win at parenting today. We never carved a pumpkin this year. When we got home tonight at 6 p.m., my arms loaded down with groceries and dinner still to cook, E. says to me, “Mommy, we have to make a jack-o-lantern tonight or tomorrow morning before school because TOMORROW IS HALLOWEEN!” Yeah, it didn’t happen. So I’ve got mom failure going on tonight.
She’ll survive but I still feel bad. Damn busy October.
I so understand where your coming from. The last race I did was a half in Dec and then got pregnant right after while I was training for a full with friends. After 4 months I had to switch to walking because of round ligament pain. 4 weeks post pregnancy and I’m dying to get the ok to run again.
My fear this fall was that I was going to get pregnant while marathon training! I didn’t think I could handle making the decision to quit training (I’m stubborn0 so I didn’t even let myself thing about it. Congrats on your baby!!! Hopefully you’ll start hitting the pavement again soon!
I completely understand how you feel. I see all of these races that I want to do, but can’t right now. Enjoy growing a human and you will be back to racing in no time.
Man, I missed a lot of stuff on your blog. I’m such a slacker. How did I miss that you moved back to Orlando!! You MUST come to the lady bloggers meetup!! (If you need the FB link let me know – the next one is on Nov. 27th). Also, I’m so sorry about your miscarriage 🙁 I hope you are healing and you are pregnant again very soon! *hugs*
No worries. You have been a bit busy :). Thanks for your really sweet words, we are hoping things work out. I would love to go to the next lady blogger meet up. I follow them on FB, but didn’t see a Nov date, I’ll take another look. Have a great weekend.
First of all,congratulations on the pregnancy!!! I have been reading your blog for a while. I have a blog but don’t update it much. But I do run a lot. Anyway,the reason that I am and writing you is because we are going to be down in FL soon to do a race and we are looking for a sitter and I was wondering if you were willing to share information on that. I know that sounds a little weird, but I figured I would try someone who lived close by with kids. Please email me if you are willing to share, I don’t want to give too much information out on the comments section. But if you think it is weird,I understand. 🙂 Thanks! Liz
Hi Liz! Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply to this comment. I don’t think it’s weird at all! Unfortunately, my babysitters are my family members (though I need to FIND a babysitter in the area!). That said a few of my friends have had a lot of success using care.com. Good luck with your race – which one are you doing?
We are doing the Disney Wine and Dine. So basically someone to sit in the room while we run. I will checkout care.com. Happy Saturday!!!
Damn you, that is all. 🙂