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.