Running Mania

Rather than hijack RG's thread, I thought I would start a thread for the new(ish) momma's out there to talk about stroller running (boo!), running at all (yay!), sleep-deprevation and whatever else we want. We can also support each other with running goals. Anyone interested?

how new of a mommy are we talking?

the main thing that I've found since having Delilah is that running isn't my life anymore. It's okay to NOT run for awhile. It's okay to drop back from my big goals.

So far, I've not done a half-Ironman, Around the Bay, and a Marathon - i.e. all things that were on my "to-do" list that I've scaled back. This being a mommy thing is way more mentally exhausting than I thought it would be. (and, I'm sleeping through the night!)

So, my advice might not be the most motivating, since I'm all for the "running should make you feel good - not provide stress in your life" kinda attitude right now!

If I count as "new" then you count too! I agree with your philosophy. I am enjoying running when I can, sleeping when I can(!!!) and taking it easy when I need to.

I'm a hot momma!

Yes running with the stroller does suck, but sometimes it is better than no run at all. I am finding that the stroller does slow me down on those days that I need to run a bit slower. If I am having a really good run with the stroller, then I am matching my easy pace without it.

A good tip for everyone is to always make sure your tires are inflated, just like you should do with a bike. I have forgotten to pump them for the past couple of weeks and now that I have said something I am off to do that right now.

IronColl wrote:I'm a hot momma!

.

I bet you are not...prove it, and let us be the judge of that

Us Daddy's get tired and sleep deprived too, not as much as the hard working Mommy's (fo sho) but I've been up late washing dishes. I've hand-washed poop out of clothes at least 3 times this week from 3 different users clothes, me included!!! and it wasn't even my poop.

My advise, just run, if you get the time, tired or not just do it.

Robbie-T wrote:Us Daddy's get tired and sleep deprived too, not as much as the hard working Mommy's (fo sho) but I've been up late washing dishes. I've hand-washed poop out of clothes at least 3 times this week from 3 different users clothes, me included!!! and it wasn't even my poop.

My advise, just run, if you get the time, tired or not just do it.

Do you want me to add "hot daddy's" to the thread, Rob? You are welcome to join in (and wiping your own poop out of clothing is just the polite thing to do ).

This weekend it is supposed to rain all weekend, I am looking forward to a run in the rain.

Oh, and anyone want to be my accountability person? I need to run 2X a week, and right now I am barely managing 1X a week. Not long runs, just any old runs!

No way this is for Hot Mommy's, I can't compete and don't want to. Mommy's Rule!!!

Not sure I count in the "hot momma" category these days (at least not with these bags under my eyes ), but I'm in!

I've been lucky - between a very accomodating DH and the TM in the basement, I have very few excuses to skip runs. I also keep reminding myself that I've never regretted going for a run - but I have regretted not going. There's only a couple of times that, once I got going, I just wasn't feeling good and cut it short. With baby #2, I've gotten back into running much faster. Part of that is that every pregnancy (and recovery) is different, but part of it is that I learned that I won't lose any weight until I get moving! Once I got running after #1, I felt much, much better and coped with everything (including sleep deprivation!) better.

I've noticed two things; one, that I've had to become waaaaaay more organized to get everything done, but I actually really like the structure. I put my runs on my work calendar (I just have to remember to mark them "private" so they don't show up on my admin assistant's calendar too - she'd think I'm nuts!). It makes me think that, since they're written down, I may as well just do them .

Second, I cut myself more slack. If things come up, I work around them. While I've registered for several runs this year, I'm not locked into a training schedule for them. I usually sit down with my calendar every few weeks and plan my runs around the rest of my life. I've also learned what wipes me out (like weeks on call at work), and I plan to take it easy then. That way, I don't get frustrated that I've set my goals too high and can't do even close to what I was planning.

As for running strollers - they do suck. But much better than not running and comforting myself on the couch with Goldfish crackers (at least in the long run ). Mmmmm... goldfish...

I would like to join!

I have managed to run 3x a week for the last 2 weeks, and I feel like it is a HUGE step in the right direction. My run today didn't totally suck!

I am lucky in that I already have an accountability person. Colleen has been nice enough to expect me to show up on days she is at our fitness facility, and she watches for me on the track. It has been a HUGE motivator, and she has no idea how much I appreciate having someone looking for me!

I'm really looking forward to when it warms up enough here that I can take the stroller outside. I have only managed it once. One good thing about the track, though, is it is kind of boring for John, so he naps

I think I need to check the air pressure on my tires. I felt them the other day, and they seemed a tad squishy.

Old Mommy here (but still hot )...
I just wanted to say that I admire and congratulate each and every one of you who has a young child or two and can still find time to run. It is so important for both your mental and physical health to be able to be physically active.
My daughter is adopted so I didn't have to worry about the physical body changes, but the mental demand of having a newborn (kind of suddenly) in your life was very demanding. Running or any physical activity was a great stress reliever. Keep doing what you're doing as often as you can, you are all doing wonderful. My daughter is now 15 and it's still just as important for the mental aspect to go out running.

Keep it up.

Thanks Hot momma Susan!

I am planning on running semi-alone today (a lap with the pup first, otherwise he freaks out), but now DH wants me to wait so he can join with the stroller. SIGH. Not that I mind the company but alone time was going to rock.

Today's run SUCKED. Environment Canada says the wind speed is 21 km/fr but I swear, it was like 50. Completely motivation sucking.

I told myself "4km or 40 minutes, whichever comes first." 4k came first, but not by much...

At least it's over with

Woohoo FP, you ran!

I did 3k's, I was freezing the whole time, and it was miserable, but a rum and coke afterwards sure helped!

Irongirl, I have exactly the same philosophy!

That is a great idea - I really do think my tires need inflating. Now if only I could find the tire inflater thingy!!! Maybe there'd be less drag and I could run more easily.

I like the idea of a thread for the mamas and papas out there. Running has become a different beast now!

One question I have for the stroller runners out there: I used to pump my arms like a mad woman going up hills - it used to help a lot. Now, since I am pushing something, I can't pump my arms as much - any hints or tips of what I can do???


RG

randomgirl wrote:Irongirl, I have exactly the same philosophy!

That is a great idea - I really do think my tires need inflating. Now if only I could find the tire inflater thingy!!! Maybe there'd be less drag and I could run more easily.

I like the idea of a thread for the mamas and papas out there. Running has become a different beast now!

One question I have for the stroller runners out there: I used to pump my arms like a mad woman going up hills - it used to help a lot. Now, since I am pushing something, I can't pump my arms as much - any hints or tips of what I can do???

RG

I push with one arm and pump the other, but switch arms frequently. It's not the same, but it's better than not moving both arms.

randomgirl wrote:Irongirl, I have exactly the same philosophy!

That is a great idea - I really do think my tires need inflating. Now if only I could find the tire inflater thingy!!! Maybe there'd be less drag and I could run more easily.

I like the idea of a thread for the mamas and papas out there. Running has become a different beast now!

One question I have for the stroller runners out there: I used to pump my arms like a mad woman going up hills - it used to help a lot. Now, since I am pushing something, I can't pump my arms as much - any hints or tips of what I can do???


RG

Avoid hills with the stroller!! That was my best defense. Seriously - I could never manage to make it up anything more than the slightest hill with the stroller.

And it's so true - inflated tires make a huge difference!

Can I join, even if I'm not running right now?? I'm going to need a bit kick in the butt come July! I found it doable to manage fitting running into my life with one little one, but I imagine that 2 will be trickier. I was lucky that I had a good gym membership with cheap childcare, a supportive husband and a good running stroller - plus a baby who didn't mind a stroller run! I'll be looking for some advice from others in the summer, when I'm starting all over again.

Kristi wrote:Can I join, even if I'm not running right now?? I'm going to need a bit kick in the butt come July! I found it doable to manage fitting running into my life with one little one, but I imagine that 2 will be trickier. I was lucky that I had a good gym membership with cheap childcare, a supportive husband and a good running stroller - plus a baby who didn't mind a stroller run! I'll be looking for some advice from others in the summer, when I'm starting all over again.

YOU ARE IN the club haha.

I just thought I would share with the hot momma's out there, I am so excited. I just mapped out the route to my *potential* new daycare person (after we move we lose my current one- I am so sad about that). And, it is about 3k one way, which means some days I can run there, leave the BOB (hopefully), and then run back. Or, at about 5k I pass a few coffee shops- so I could stop and walk the rest of the way with my coffee.

Kristi - what Prats said - you ARE in the club!

Prats -that sounds awesome!!! How great is that???


RG

That sounds awesome pts!

pts wrote:I just thought I would share with the hot momma's out there, I am so excited. I just mapped out the route to my *potential* new daycare person (after we move we lose my current one- I am so sad about that). And, it is about 3k one way, which means some days I can run there, leave the BOB (hopefully), and then run back. Or, at about 5k I pass a few coffee shops- so I could stop and walk the rest of the way with my coffee.

That's awesome! That would be a great way to work in a couple of runs each week. And it's awesome that you have a new potential daycare person lined up.

Tried the one-handed running (while pumping the other hand) and it worked! My run was a lot easier, AND I didn't steer Miss M into traffic! YAYAYAY!!!!

...now if only I could find that bicycle tire pump....


A

(who is really excited that it appears that Anners will be joining us hot running mamas any minute now!! Not that she'll run tomorrow or anything, lol!)

There is always the push and catch up technique as well - which I only do with the wrist strap attached because it freaks me out. But when I'm tired of running without my arms, I'll push the stroller a foot or so ahead and then catch up. It's a nice bit of a break, but I'm not sure that it's any easier.