I finished the first 2 run’s of my 5km training, 3.5km Monday and Tuesday and my lungs are still burning, but I did it. December 1^st Santa Shuffle here I come.

I’ve ran a few times in the last 6 months (since having a baby) but Monday was the first time actually tracking my stats with my Garmin. It felt really good to be running again, but I could not help but notice how things have changed from my old running days, of course there is the obvious gasping for air and needing some walking breaks but also:

• Pushing a stroller is not easy; running with only 1 arm moving is going to take some getting used too.
• My breast are bigger and heavier because I’m breastfeeding, sorry, (too much info) but it really is a different feeling. I need a better bra.
• My heart rate was often in the high 180’s while on flat road, this is elevated for me.
• I need music to power my run’s but I don’t feel comfortable using 2 ear phones since I need to hear Alia, so I’m running with only 1 ear phone.
• My previous post run relaxing stretching has been replaced with a 6 month old who immediately wants out of the stroller when we enter the house and it seems I don’t get water before she gets milk.

Training must have’s: Garmin, new Ecco Biom running sneakers, a cute running partner.

You will never hear me talk about being a fast runner; my fastest 5km is 27 minutes and that is OK with me, I compete with myself and run out of pure enjoyment for the sport. I completed 3.5km Monday in 28 minutes, this included about 4 short walking breaks and a few stops to pick up a toy that Alia thru out of the stroller. I know my time will get faster as I run more however this being my first race in over 1 year I am not focusing on time at all. Since there is only 5 weeks before race day focusing on fast times will only stress me out. My goal for my first post-partum race is simply to finish and feel good afterwards, if that means taking a few walking breaks, then so be it.

Here is what my training plan looks like and my goals for the race. I teach a fitness class on Thursday and Saturday so that will be rest day’s from running. As I get closer to race day the 3-4km days will increase to 4-5km then a few 5-6km 2 weeks before race day. I don’t plan on doing any interval runs this time however I will incorporate interval (tempo) runs in any future training as they are an important part of training. I will be including a few hills in my running however the 5km course is very flat so I won’t go crazy with hill training. I’m not sad about that  AT ALL

Monday – 3-4km

Tuesday – rest

Wednesday – 3-4km

Thursday – fitness class

Friday – 3-4km

Saturday – fitness class

Sunday – rest

Race day goals

• Finish
• Not stress about my time.
• Take walking breaks if I have too and not beat myself up about it.
• Smile as I cross the finish line as I will be completing my first race as a new mom <– CRAZY
• Take an obligatory post run picture with the little miss. Seeing her little face at the finish line is most likely what will push me to finish.

I’m very excited to be running again; yes it’s hard to feel like I’m starting at zero. It’s hard on the head and ego to talk about letting myself be OK with walking during a race I mean I used to run half marathons and now I’m struggling to run 3.5km?…. but that’s OK and I will run my beloved 21km once again some day.

First run of 5km training. COMPLETE

Stay posted for weekly training updates until December 1 race day and let me know if you’ll be joining me in running the Santa Shuffle.

Lisa