Running with Two: Thankful for Family

It’s been a while since I submitted an article. I didn’t forget about writing; I just find myself strapped for time. Most of my childless, workless times are discovered late in the evening where I’m half asleep trying to fight my couch from consuming my body. I fill chunks of freedom with dishes, laundry and prepping for the next day. I make sure that clean gym clothes find their way into my back pack so I can hit the gym at lunch. Although I’m not training for anything in particular I need to keep running. I like to run; running clears my head and keeps me from going insane. The lunchtime run, though, doesn’t satisfy. I rush to get to the gym, if my schedule permits, then I squeeze in a run on the dreadmill, to hurriedly get myself clean, dry and smelling fresh to finish the second half of my work day.

Thankfully, I have a wonderful husband who understands my desire to squeeze in a good run. I try to get out on the road at least once during a weekend. We iron out the details of when/where and he watches the girls so I can get my head cleared. Maybe he just likes having me out of the house, hmmm. Nevertheless, I take him up on the offer and head out the door. I use these runs to de-stress; this is my therapy session. I still feel uncomfortable in my running tights, I’m not as fast as I used to be and I certainly can’t go two miles without a drink, but I don’t worry about the laundry that piles up or the chicken I forgot to pull out of the freezer. I forget to start my Garmin and I spend more time admiring the surrounding landscapes. During this run time is suspended; I am the only person in my universe. I hear my heavy breathing in line with my feet hitting the pavement creating a melodic cadence of surrender. In due time I’m looping back towards my starting place excited to finish a cleansing run. At the end I take a few deep breaths while bending over to relieve my tight hamstrings. My time is over.

I make it back to the house, remove my shoes in the garage and waltz through the door into the mud room. I’m greeted by my three favorite people. Ava runs towards me. I scoop her up and smother her with kisses. Marcus walks over, holding Allison, for his ‘hello’ kisses. The time apart recharged my mind and body, but also renewed the fact that I have a wonderful, supportive family.

Whether you’re a new mom (or dad) or could do this with your eyes closed, it’s acceptable and advisable for you to take some ‘time off’ and do something for yourself. You’re not abandoning your children. You’re merely preserving your mind and body to be the best parent you can be. Take time for yourself to rejuvenate. Happy running!
Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, ran through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running. She continues to write post-baby about the challenges of balancing running with motherhood. Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.

 

Running with Two: A Juggling Act

I returned to my full time job in the health care IT industry at the end of August. I started on a Thursday after three awesome ‘me’ days. Both girls went to day care that Monday and I took advantage of the free time to clock some mileage, prep meals, clean house and get a pedicure. As each hour peeled away I got a little more nervous about the next chapter in our family lives. I knew that we would face the challenge of juggling work and family responsibilities with personal desires. Could we do this? Would I survive?

Well, it’s been roughly one month since that dreaded day in August and I’m still here with a smile on my face. I returned to the gym to supplement my training program for the Hershey half marathon. Although I’d love to PR, I haven’t had as much time for speed work. I have accepted the fact that I am NOT Wonder Woman, but I continue to succeed in assembling healthy meals most nights during the week. My pants still don’t fit as well as I’d like and it’s been a while since I blogged.* I’m not able to vacuum the dog hair as often as I should and the clean clothes are starting to consume a corner in my bedroom. All is okay with the world as long as I get to spend time with my family.

Our days mirror the races we’ve recently participated in: we accept the challenge with excitement and try to plan as best as possible. We take off into the wind with our heads held high. Approaching the unexpected incline we try to stand tall while pushing the weight of the world forward. Struggling along mid-race we’re pleasantly surprised by a short downhill to the finish line. Careful not to sprint, we increase our speed ending with strength.

To all the Wonder Woman and Superman imposters: Happy Juggling!

* “blogged” is a term for writing or creating a new entry on a blog, or web log. A blog is a place to write, sort of like a diary or journal, which takes place online and is often shared with others.

Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, ran through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running. She continues to write post-baby about the challenges of balancing running with motherhood. Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.

Running with Two: My First 5K

For me, training for a race is like preparing for a graduate school final. I go through all these emotions during the process. I sign up for the race with confidence (“I’m gonna kill this.”); I start training with authority (“I am definitely gonna kill this.”); I may encounter a road block such as a missed run or a less than desirable run (“Oh, boy. I don’t think this is going to go well.”); and, finally, just before race day, I’m filled with doubt (“Yea, I’m not going to do well.”). Since history repeats itself, I went through the same process after registering for the Alburtis 5K. I signed up a few weeks after having my daughter in the hopes that this goal would kick start my training and get me prepared for a 10K at the end of August.

Because I maintained somewhat of a running schedule while pregnant, it did not take long for me to get back into the swing of things, which also included getting acclimated to a double jogging stroller. The majority of my training runs took me through surrounding neighborhoods, peppered with inclines. I focused on keeping my upper body in line with my lower body (“…relax your shoulders, abs in…what’s left of them, breathe, RELAX YOUR SHOULDERS!”) especially while running uphill. I prepared myself both mentally and physically for the landscape I may encounter on race day.

The race was scheduled on a Saturday, but my heart sank Thursday morning after realizing that I had been training with a twelve pound baby. My three year old daughter did not go on any training runs with us. Oh, boy, I’m going to add another thirty pounds! After freaking out, unnecessarily, I took a deep breath and got comfortable with the thought of walking. There’s no point in worrying about my performance, or lack of, in a 5K. Everything was going to be okay. Early race morning, I got both girls up and ready to rock. Thankfully, I picked up my packet the night before, so I could arrive with enough time to put the girls in the stroller and walk to the start. I carefully pinned my bib number to the front of the stroller, handed Ava a water bottle and put a pacifier in Allison’s mouth. Here we go.

I met a friend at the start. My nerves were settled by the excitement I had for her first 5K. Within a few minutes the horn sounded and we were off. Alburtis is a cute little town nestled outside of Trexlertown. We were led to the bumpy trails of Lock Ridge Park, out towards the end of town, then back again. Bumpy trails and hills. Bumpy trails and hills. At one point the hills were so steep that I felt like kissing the ground – it was virtually impossible to stay upright. I stopped to walk twice while the peanut gallery (Ava) noted that I wasn’t going fast enough for her. Allison, not knowing the difference, maintained a steady snooze. It felt like an eternity before I made it to the flat stretch leading to the finish. I sprinted, as best as I could, to the chute and crossed with a respectable 33:16, my two-child PR. The Alburtis 5K was my initiation back into racing. I knew I’d have to work harder to get in the game again. I believe I passed this test.

At times it can be a challenge to stay positive in the face of adversity. Pick up your head, pull your shoulders back and move those feet. Relax, you’re in for the ride of your life. Keep breathing and happy running!

Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, ran through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running. She continues to write post-baby about the challenges of balancing running with motherhood. Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.

Running with Two: Back in Training

July 31st marked the first day of my training for the Hershey Half Marathon on Sunday, October 16th. July 31st was a Monday jam packed with a full workout of ‘rest’. Day one of training and I already felt like a slacker. I decided to mentally prepare for the weeks ahead by thinking about my nutrition. After all, I needed to shed the rest of my pregnancy weight to get my body back into shape. Well, a shape that could comfortably fit back into my running clothes.

As the mother of a three year old and a two month old I needed to focus on foods that would keep me nourished and energized. Cutting out carbohydrates for the ‘quick loss’ would leave me feeling sluggish, so I opted for a reduction in meat without sacrificing a reduction in protein. I scoured my recipe books, on-line archives and even reached out to Running Scene readers for ideas. Fortunately, I am swimming with fresh ideas for meals, sides and snacks that are great for me and my family.

Of course, the first few weeks of training does not lend itself to long runs. I’ll embark on that journey, unfortunately, once I head back to my full time job in two and a half weeks. I can worry about that later. In the meantime, it’s all about good runs and good food.

Happy running and healthy eating!
Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, ran through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running. She continues to write post-baby about the challenges of balancing running with motherhood. Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.

Running with Two: Baby Steps

Running With Two is a series on LV Running Scene written specifically for women who balance running and motherhood. Christina began writing for LV Running Scene while she was pregnant with her second child, covering topics such as active wear, racing while pregnant and cross training and stretching. Now, with a toddler and a new baby, she tackles the challenge of finding a place for her running while raising two beautiful daughters.

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Since the birth of my second daughter I have been walking at least three times a week. It’s important to stay somewhat active during recovery. This will help me lose the baby weight, keep my head clear and ease my body back into a running schedule. Today, I got myself ready, both physically and mentally, to tackle my first walk/run. I spent about 45 minutes gathering my gear (hat, water, sunscreen, stroller, phone) and prepping baby (light clothing, feeding, diaper change) before I actually hit the road. The weather proved to be a little humid with a slight breeze. I chose a shaded route to keep me and the already protected stroller out of direct sunlight. I planned to walk for four and run for one – a great idea for my first excursion which took me a little over 2.75 miles. Although my run was more like a fast trot I felt comfortable and wanted to increase my speed in addition to the length of the run. Not wanting to overdo it, I made sure to cut each run off at the one minute mark. The last thing I need this early in the game is an injury. My legs responded well to the road, much better now than at nine months pregnant. It’s amazing the effect extra weight has on the joints! Forty minutes later I carried my little girl through the garage door into the comfort of my air conditioned home. Allison was delicately placed into her bouncy seat, the water bottle was refilled and stretching had commenced.

When planning your route stay close to home or, if you drove to a park, make sure you have any baby items in your car (diapers/wipes, change of clothes, bottles). Not only does the first ‘run’ require physical preparation, but I also needed to make sure I had the all necessities related to my gear. Here are some suggestions for getting back in the game:

1). Wear a supportive bra – I will wear two the next time I go out.

2). Wear a belly support – I purchased a maternity belt to provide extra support when running during the pregnancy. This proved to be a great investment for post-baby, too. Your midsection can feel like a deflated punching bag which can be awkward when running.

3). Bring water – It’s always important to stay hydrated, especially if you’re nursing your baby.

Keep in mind that getting back to your ultimate level of fitness will take some time. Relax and happy running!

Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, ran through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running. She continues to write post-baby about the challenges of balancing running with motherhood. Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.

Back in the Saddle: What Did I Miss?

Running With Two is a series on LV Running Scene written specifically for women who balance running and motherhood. Christina began writing for LV Running Scene while she was pregnant with her second child, covering topics such as active wear, racing while pregnant and cross training and stretching. Now, with a toddler and a new baby, she tackles the challenge of finding a place for her running while raising two beautiful daughters.

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On June 2nd I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl weighing in at 6 lbs. 8 ounces via scheduled C-section.   I did my best to maintain an active pregnancy for the past nine-plus months which I contribute to my already, quick recovery.  During those months I dialed down my training and desire to race for the newest PR.  As this time passed I watched my buddies step up their training and smash their personal bests.  Friends I couldn’t imagine lacing up a good pair of running shoes were signing up for 5K’s left and right.  I joined some of them in these races – they maintained great pace in the middle of the pack while I pulled up the rear.  We all finished with smiles on our faces which, I guess (hard swallow), made us all winners.

As expected, the desire to run outweighed the joy of having another little girl.  I upgraded my software to Mommy 2.0 and was quickly reacquainted with caring for a newborn.  The family has settled into somewhat of a routine and it’s back to business as usual.  Now, the need to run has been moved up in my ‘To Do’ list.  I’m nervous.  I spent months hanging back as those around me killed their best.  They formed training teams, without me; they reached unimaginable milestones, without me; smiles beamed across their faces in post-race photos, without me.  I’m going to have to put in some serious training in order to get my butt back in gear.  I needed to take a breath and a nap – I was already exhausted.

Ironically, I was closing in on the end of Kristin Armstrong’s latest book Mile Markers.  She reflects upon spending part of a summer in California, while her training group starts marathon training in Texas, without her.  Just like me, she’s fearful of the progress that her group is making.  And, just like me, she spends a few sentences obsessing about the situation until realizing that she needs to come to terms with it.  No one was left behind; we, as individuals, decided on different paths for that time.  Those paths will cross again.  As Kristin sums it up, “They are just doing their thing, and I need to do mine.”¹     I didn’t really miss anything; I gained experience.  This is just another milestone for me.  I’m ready for the next chapter.

¹ Armstrong, Kristin. Mile Markers: The 26.2 Most Important Reasons Why Women Run. Rodale, Inc.: Rodale Books, 2011
Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, ran through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running. She continues to write post-baby about the challenges of balancing running with motherhood. Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.