Hitting the pavement again !
I did it!
I ran my first postpartum run last Sunday and it was glorious!
Well…maybe not glorious but it couldn’t have gone any better. I feel great!
When I was given the A-Okay to start running again from my Doctor I figure I needed to start planning for when I get actually get out and hit the pavement…..OR snow covered ground.
Running in Winter
I couldn’t just go out and run 5k without any pain coming my way….or injuries for that matter. So I thought I could take a two different approaches to my first run:
- Walking + adding in running every few minutes for 30 -60 seconds. Using power poles as distances to run in between. OR
- Couch to 5k Program
It worked out that Lilly went down for a nap and I nursed Hilary and she fell asleep on Daddy’s chest (such a lovely sight if you ask me). So I geared up, laced up and hit the pavement.
It was more like snow-covered pavement so I put on my yak tracks and off I went. I walked at first to warm up and then decided I’d just go with the flow and run when I could for however long I could. I managed to run between 45-90 seconds before needed to slow down and walk again (and I took a few pictures along the way). The power poles were too close together so I gave that idea up pretty quickly.
Slight fail with my yak tracks 
I was out for about 25 minutes on that cold Sunday afternoon. It was -9 C but felt like -17 C with the windchill – brrrr! Good thing I dressed warm. I got back from my run and had a quick snack of yogurt and granola, got cleaned up and got back into Mommy mode to feel Hilary again. Lilly woke up shortly after I got back and saw my running jacket out, she asked why it was out. So, I told her I went for a run. She then asked to go running with me numerous times throughout day…it was pretty cute.
After my cold run
In the past, when I take time off from running throughout the year, when I return to it again I always have pain in my jaw. Weird, eh?! It always happens. Sure enough my jaw was sore Sunday night. I thought I would really pay for it on Monday but my body wasn’t too bad. A little stiff and soreness here and there but nothing major. I would call that a successful return to running.
Now I have to find some time once or twice a week to get outside and run between my husbands work schedule, our girls, nursing the little one and many other things we juggle every day. Wish me luck!
Other work outs I am doing/going to start again:
- Starting back at my DVD workouts (Jillian Michael’s) soon
- Arm Workout
- Baby Belly Workout
What was your first postpartum run like?
For those with children, do you have to plan your runs?
Anyone braving running in the cold this winter?
Good for you! That couch to 5k program is awesome – I wish I could go for a run but I just can’t bring myself to go out in -42 degrees.
Thanks! It was great to be out again! Yeah -42 is a little tough to run in.
That’s awesome!
I did not start running until Parker was 2, but my 1st postpartum work out at 4 weeks was glorious and slightly painful!
I “sort” of plan my runs, I decide on the fly when I leave, but I can pretty go any day that I want! Adam is so wonderful that way! However, I do try and be mostly considerate and leave once Parker is already in bed…so after 8:30pm.
Thanks!
Late night runs are sometimes the best runs! Thanks for sharing.
Good for you girlfriend! Way to get out there and just go for it. I cannot run in cold, let alone snow!! My goodness, my cold is also CA cold too! Great job
Thanks! I find running in the summer really hard – the heat gets me. But any running is good running
Congrats on your first run back! I find that time away always makes me appreciate it more. Things aren’t snow-covered here anymore because it’s been so cold and there hasn’t been much snow. I’m sure we’ll see some more before spring!
We (now) have no snow either but are expecting 10-15cm on Sunday -woohoo!
Congrats on your first run! So jealous and huge!! I cannot wait to get out there, however I willhave a lot of weight loose before I can start running.
Thanks Hanna. I felt like I was counting the days not only until baby arrived but when I could run again. Quite enjoy your blog these days – cute belly. Hope you are feeling great, can’t wait to read about the arrival