When it comes to marathons I’d say I’ve had one “successful” experience-success defined not by the time on the clock but by how I felt during the race and after I crossed the finish line. All of my marathons have been a slow slog to the finish, the result of under training and improper pacing. Once I finally got a successful marathon under my belt I was sure I knew “what it took” to run a marathon ... Read More
6 Months Postpartum Running Update: Where I’m at an How I got there
Last week I ran a time trial 5K on the track and clocked in at 20:34. It's the fastest I've run since finding out I was pregnant in August last year. At six months postpartum I'm feeling stronger and running faster than I ever have after pregnancy. I didn't run this fast after my second pregnancy until I was 12 months postpartum. My return to running after this pregnancy compared with my other ... Read More
Post-Baby Comeback: 12 weeks postpartum
It's hard to believe that, as of last week, I'm 12 weeks postpartum and Liam will be three months (!!) old this Saturday tomorrow. Last week was a little nutty in our house thanks to potty training, so I needed my runs more than ever. Nothing tests my patience and taxes my ability to deal with messes quite like potty training. I was determined to have a different experience potty training Jack: ... Read More
Post-Baby Comeback Training Update: 11 Weeks Postpartum
The name of the game this past week was "Embrace the Hill." There was a lot of hill running this week including a mountain and a hilly 10K pushing the triple. I may not be running track workouts but these slow, hilly runs have my heart rate up where it would be if I was running around the track. So I know I'm gaining cardiovascular fitness with each tough workout. And thanks to some specific and ... Read More
Post-Baby Comeback Training Update: 9 weeks postpartum
Last week. Last week is a blur. Where did the details go? Oh yeah... Seriously. We may have gained a third child, but I lost my mind in the process. So last week started off with rest. Three days off from running. The rest was self prescribed to try and deal with some tightness in my gluteus medius. I did some strength exercises but nothing intense. Thursday I made a trip to the PT. I got good ... Read More
Postbaby Comeback Training Update: 9 weeks postpartum
My running last week was punctuated by the triumph of my longest postpartum run and the frustration of a run cut short. I started off last week feeling so strong. I was running in one of my favorite places: the Adirondacks. I love vacation running. It's my favorite. With hubby around it's easy to take off at almost any time of day and explore new routes or return to old favorites. It seems, as ... Read More
Post-Baby Comeback Training Update: 8 weeks postpartum
The end of last week marked eight weeks postpartum. I've been running for four of those weeks and in the past week have started to feel a shift in my fitness. I haven't had any expectations in regard to pace on any of my runs, but on Saturday I took Sophia out in the stroller and managed 8:30's. I honestly thought I'd be closer to a 10 min mile, but once we got going my body seemed to settle into ... Read More
Post-baby Comeback Training Update: 7 weeks postpartum
Important Note: I was cleared by both my Doctor and my Women's Health Physical Therapist BEFORE returning to any type of running postpartum. I strongly recommend that anyone returning to running postpartum meet with a Women's Health Physical Therapist prior to resuming any kind of running. The end of last week marked my third week of running since having Liam. In the past three weeks I have ... Read More
Post-Baby Comeback Training Update: 6 weeks postpartum
Important Note: I was cleared by both my Doctor and my Women's Health Physical Therapist BEFORE returning to any type of running postpartum. I strongly recommend that anyone returning to running postpartum meet with a Women's Health Physical Therapist prior to resuming any kind of running. Since my plan to return to running is a more conservative and more structured than most I though I'd give ... Read More
A Step by Step Plan for Returning to Running After Having a Baby
The plan outlined here is reflective of my personal experience and conversations with my physical therapist. It should not be taken as medical advice. Every woman and every pregnancy is different, so you should consult your medical provider when considering postpartum running. I walked into my physical therapists office at five weeks postpartum with confidence, hoping to ... Read More