Run Like A Mother

I went for my first run with the double jogging stroller today. I've been on plenty of walks, but this was the first time trying to move faster than a steady saunter. It went great. I can't tell you how much I love this stroller. It has a really smooth ride, handles like a charm, and isn't too heavy even with the car seat and both kids in it. 

We registered to run a 5k on June 2nd. It doesn't sound like much, but for someone who hasn't run in over a year, it's a worthy goal. I'm really looking forward into getting back to running regularly and doing the occasional race. I really love races. They give you something to work towards, you get fun shirts, the people are great, and it just feels good. 

I'm trying my best not to over do it. I put on my running shorts and my St. Olaf Track and Field shirt and my head suddenly thinks my body is 18 years old again and has been training for both cross country and track. I've always been pretty good at the mental side of running, so I push through a really hard, long run. Then my 28-year-old-mother-of-two body spends the next four days saying 'I told you so' while I audibly groan every time I move. 

It took everything in me to not let that happen today. It was sunny, 70 degrees, a light breeze, on a flat running path. Perfect. I could have just started running and gone forever. But I didn't. Instead I stuck to the plan, and am taking baby steps to getting back into it. While training for the half marathon I did in 2011, I found that doing a run/walk combination was the easiest thing to help my legs get used to the longer distances without making my bones hurt. So that's my plan this time: slowly increasing the running to walking ratio, with the ultimate goal of running the full 5k with the stroller. 

So I did it. I ran some, walked more, and it felt good. It felt good while I was running and it feels good now this evening. I definitely feel like I ran, but I'm not in pain and I'll be ready to do it again on Wednesday no problem. 

Lily even ran with me for part of it. That girl really loves to just run. While I was doing a brisk walk to warm up, she ran along side for a full quarter mile. She can easily walk for a mile or more, but I didn't know she could just run for that long of a stretch. Must be those New Balance shoes I bought her. And don't worry, I'm not one of those crazy parents that forces their kid to exercise to extremes. She wanted to run and as soon as she said she wanted to stop she hopped right back in the stroller. Will I encourage her to do it again? Sure. Will I suggest she try to go a few steps further? Sure. Will I make her do it? Absolutely not. 

So yeah, I'm feeling good. Still got some endorphins from the run and happiness from the sun.