I completed C25k Week 1 Day 3 on the treadmill this evening. Even though I am still walking far more than I am running, It was nice to see that my average running pace was less than a 9 minute mile. I’ll take that.

I spent most of the run holding my pants up with one hand. My running tights/capris/pants/shorts are all mediums or smalls and resemble sausage casing when I try to put them on. That only leaves sweatpants (too hot) or my maternity yoga pants to run in. I guess I should be thankful that they don’t stay up anymore!

I’m also happy to report that the evil poop monster tried to make an appearance in the last 2 minutes of my run. Normally I would be pretty pissed to see him, but this time he made me happy. If he shows up, it means I’m actually doing something to shake up the stasis in my body. So again, I’ll take that.

Making progress. Slowly but surely.

I went to a local specialty running store called Marathon Sports to pick out a new pair of running shoes today.

I have been rotating between Brooks Ravenna and Brooks PureFlow so I told them that I like to have a light shoe that still has some support. I also let them know that I had just had a baby and am heavier than normal.

He had me try on the Brooks Adrenaline the Ravenna 4, the Saucony Guide 6 and the Asics GT 2000.

I really liked how light the Sauconys were, but the Asics just seemed to fit my foot better. I’m excited to try them out and see how they feel. If I don’t like them I can return them within 30 days.

SLASH - “Anastasia” (by slash)

Driving home from the doctors office today, I listened to this song at a decibel level that probably would be considered unsafe by most professionals. Sometimes you just have to crank up the volume, drive a little faster and feel all the feels. I know this probably seems like a strange song to cause “feels”, but feeling good and hyped up can cause strong emotions to sweep over you at times.

When the doctor told me that I could return to all my regular activities, it was like someone unlocked my cage and said “It’s okay, go be yourself. Make amazing things happen”.

The last ten months of my life have been filled with more changes and challenges and heartbreaks than I have faced in the last five years. From my dad being diagnosed with a rare form of Lymphoma to finding out that I was pregnant. Fundraising for Chicago to losing an Aunt and Uncle to cancer. Gaining weight (a lot of weight) to giving birth to unexpectedly losing a cousin this week. I have learned a lot of lessons, lost a lot of sleep, and have found more love in my heart for the friends and family in my life.

So where I am at right now today is back at square one. I haven’t run since Thanksgiving Day. So that means a complete restart. I haven’t weighed myself in awhile, but I’m guessing I have at least 60 pounds to shed. Do I feel overwhelmed by the road in front of me? Yes, a little. Will I get frustrated at times? Absolutely.

But maybe by embarking on this fitness/weight loss/running journey for a second time, I can inspire a few more people IRL and online to think about their health. To re-evaluate their lives. To take a chance. To make a change. To redefine who and what they can be. I am blessed in more ways than I can count. I will never stop trying to be the best person I can be on the inside and outside.

So tomorrow morning I will turn the page on a new chapter in my life. It will start by running some miles. I can’t wait.

“All glory comes from daring to begin.”

Minnesota tumblrs (or anyone else), would you be interested in running the Minneapolis Marathon on June 2 as a relay team?

Teams can be made up of 2, 3, or 4 people.

Leg 1 is 6 miles
Leg 2 is 5.5 miles
Leg 3 is 9.2 miles
Leg 4 is 5.5 miles

It’s usually hotter than hades that weekend, so this sounds like a fun way to participate without having to do the full marathon.

Let me know if you’re interested.

I walked 3 miles on the treadmill this morning in 54 minutes. After, I spent some time getting my home gym set up. I put my bike back on the trainer and pulled out my weights, medicine ball, foam roller and yoga mat. I just need to inflate my stability ball.
Everything is visible and within reach so there is no excuse to not use it.

I finally wrote out all the thank you cards for my baby shower and addressed the birth announcements. I put that off for longer than I should have, but it is finally done.

I go to the doctor in just over a week. Fingers crossed that he clears me to start running. Fortunately the cold and snow has kept me from feeling the itch to run outside.

I have been struggling with some pretty big feels over the 7k last weekend. Walking a race was more difficult for me than I ever anticipated, but that is another post…

I walked 2.01 miles in 34:02 on my new treadmill.

It was a humbling experience. I have lost more fitness than I anticipated. The good news is what was lost can quickly be regained.

I will just have to take it in small chunks. Adding on a little more each day. Hopefully I will be cleared to run when I go to the doctor on the 26th. Until then, I power walk.

I finally signed up for my first race of 2013. I will be doing the Get Lucky 7k with the hubby on March 16th. I haven’t been cleared by the doctor to run yet, so we will be walking or doing run/walk intervals. I know it will be difficult to not “race”, but at least it’s not forever.

It was important to me to participate in this race. My very first race ever, a 5k, in 2010 was a St Patty’s day race. So the Get Lucky will be my 4 year racing anniversary and I just couldn’t miss that. There are around 14,000 people registered so strollers aren’t allowed. The Little Mister will have to spectate with the Grandparents. He did 6 or 7 races with me last year so it will be weird to go it alone again.

Team Ortho the sponsors of the race have a volunteer program. You earn points for every hour you volunteer. You can convert those points into race registrations. I have finally earned enough points and was able to register for the race for free. So all the more reason to participate.

Now to figure out what kind of ridiculous green outfit I can pull together this year.

Now bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible.

4 days ago I gave birth to a little boy. 

4 months later, someone finally got to wear his Chicago Marathon finishers onesie.

I was checking out your blog and I was like, wow I really dig her posts, I wish she posted about her exercise though, and then I was going to click follow when I realized I already was!

Double props for having a great bog :)

Thank you for the compliments and the follow. I haven’t been posting about my exercise as of late, because I am currently pregnant and 5 days past my due date.

As soon as the doctor clears me to start exercising I will be back out there training. I’m planning on doing a 7k for St Patricks Day as my first race for the year.

I’m excited to get back to a solid workout routine. I know it will be incredibly challenging with a newborn, but I am determined to make it work.

Initially I started the year thinking I would be running multiple half marathons in the hopes of achieving a sub 2:00:00 time. At the same time shifting my focus more towards triathlons. I truly never thought I would do another marathon.

It just shows that no matter how much you plan ahead, things have a way of shifting and changing as the year progresses. I am emerging from this year a little more damaged than I entered it. But I am strong. I always have been. Nothing will ever break me permanently. So it is with head up, eyes forward and a heart filled with hope that I greet the new year.

I wish a happy and healthy 2013 to each of you.

My bibs from 2012.

1) 10k
2) 5k
3) 10 mile
4) Half Marathon
5) 10k
6) 4 mile
7) 5k
8) 10k
9) 5k
10) 5k
11) Ragnar Relay
12) 5k
13) Marathon

This is a pretty good article from Runner’s World that includes several dreadmill workouts. You know, for those times when you can’t avoid the hamster wheel.