So, after having 2 kids in a 4 year time span and hitting the 34 year mark, the baby weight didn’t just fall off after I had Joseph like it did with Anna. Two weeks after Anna was born, I was back in my skinny jeans. Two weeks after J was born, I was unable to breathe in my bath robe.
Something had to be done. So I did it.
I started the Couch to 5K program right around the 5 week mark after having Joseph. I used to run quite a bit pre kids and even managed to hit the treadmill quite a bit after Anna was born. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed and a way for me to feel like I’m healthy in some capacity (I eat like total crap). So, after being out of the loop for a while, I dove back in and haven’t looked back since.
It was a very slow process at first. Using old running shoes that were well past their lifespan certainly didn’t help. I had major knee issues that I forced myself to run through. A new pair of shoes, many hours of icing myself down, and bottles of Naproxen later, I’m now running again, and this time I’m in it for the long haul.
It took me about 8 weeks to start seeing any results which was pretty frustrating, but once my body realized it was being used again, the baby bulge started coming off, and I started getting stronger and stronger with each run.
I set a challenge for myself right before I had Joseph to train and run in a 5K before the fall. I’m proud to say that I met my goal, and I’m even surpassing it by running in additional 5ks (my friend and I are running in the Breast Cancer Awareness 5k in October) and maybe even a 10k if I feel brave enough. At this point, though, I’m just proud of my accomplishments thus far and am going to enjoy the moment.
Joe was nice enough to join me (he used to be a runner although he’s not been very active with it over the years) at the Saints Back to Football 5K in NOLA. There were about 5000 runners who showed up that day, and while it was pretty claustrophobic to be around so many people, once we started running, it was fabulous. The energy was intense.
Here I am before the race showing just how fabulous my time was going to be: 
I basically didn’t want to die, so I paced myself very slowly just to be on the safe side. I am also kicking myself that I didn’t eat any chicken on a stick after the race.
I made it without stopping to walk once! I wasn’t last either. WOOT! My eyes look like that because they were sweating.
Pretending to lick this man’s sassy shorts. I was just shy of photo bombing their photo.
Video of me crossing the finish line. Take a Dramamine because it’s hella shaky!
My results:
Overall: 1798 out of 4089
Women: 708 out of 2291
F 30-34: 149 out of 466
Age/Grade: 43.29%
Place: 1709
Finish: 34:26
Pace: 11:05
Tag Time: 34:26
Gun Time: 45:23
I am happy to say that I feel more fit now than pre-kids, and it’s all because I got my butt off the couch and started moving again. The Couch to 5K program is absolutely amazing for anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort. By following the marathon not sprint mentality, you slowly work your way up to long hauls of running time. It truly works!
After the 5K program, I started the 10K bridge program, but I really don’t have an hour a day to run unless I want to neglect my kids, so for now I’m going to work on running faster miles and adding on more difficult challenges with my runs (inclines, arm weights).
If you’re on the fence about this program, start today. I promise you won’t regret it!
If you’ve had success with the program, let me know. I’d love to hear your feedback about how it worked for you!
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7 comments:
That's awesome! This is great inspiration for me since I've been making every excuse in the book to not start the c25k! Now I just need to get off my booty and do it!
You can do it! Quite a few of my friends have started it, and they're also seeing great results. Give yourself 8 weeks, and then you'll be hooked. Let me know how it works out!
SO proud of you! It must be an amazing feeling to cross that finish line. :)
congrats on your run. I too am working on a better run time and I think for the time being I will just stick to the 5K runs as well. Great pics. We need to be better about taking pictures pre and post races.
That's really great that you set your mind to do something and accomplished it! Way to go!
You look awesome, girl! I still have 30 pounds to drop from having little man, and can make myself walk maybe once a week. I really hate running, but I need to do SOMETHING.
WOW! You are such an inspiration to all the mamas out there... I'm due in 3 months although I have really good weight gain (it's only baby) I feel like I will still need to do some exercising to get back into shape. My mother-in-law already said "forget about it honey" but I want to prove that it can be done. Not in 2 days or 2 weeks, but in 2 months for sure.
I will definitely check the program out!
LOVE YOUR BLOG already
happymedley.blogspot.com
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