Nov 14 2010
Dare I Try. . .?
Most of you know that I was, pre-baby, a runner (mind you, I wasn’t fast, nor did I have lengthy endurance, but I did run multiple miles quite regularly, and enjoyed it). Most of you know I’ve been struggling to get enough balance back between work, new mommyhood, and crazy-busy schedules to get back into running.
In mid-October – my bff’s birthday weekend, actually – Bryan ran the Dever Rock-n-Roll half marathon (his second half marathon – I’m so proud and impressed!). It was a beautiful day, great course and support (from what I saw), well organized, etc. At the finish line, so many folks looked so happy and the atmosphere was just amazing. These were not the elite runners; they were not the “winners”. They were normal, everyday people who kicked some major butt by doing something most folks just can’t/won’t/don’t do. It got me thinking that maybe, someday, *I* might want to do a half marathon. Ideally, I’d run it with the hubs. Of course, I made the colossal mistake of casually mentioning this to said hubby after the race…
Flash forward to about a week and a half ago – hubby says he’s found a half for me to train for: the Dallas Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon. It’s on March 27, 2011, so I’d need to start a 16-week training plan in about 3 weeks. Bryan seems to have every confidence that I can do this. It would be a good race for a first half marathon. The Rock-n-Roll race series is known to be well-organized, well-supported, and just plain fun. There are bands every mile, a big post-race party, and lots of great crowd support. I’m just not sure that I can actually make the training fit in my jam-packed schedule.
I tried this week to get started just building up a pre-training base and guess what? I was able to make ONE run fit in. That was on a work-from-home day and Bryan and I went together. It was great to run with him, and I actually felt good, but that was on Monday…that was it – that was the only exercise I got in! And it wasn’t for lack of support. More than one night this week, Bryan offered to either delay his run after the kids were in bed so I wasn’t out running so late, or keep dinner warm for me so that I could get in a run right after I got home from work. I was just too dang exhausted and frustrated from the day on those occasions to make myself hit the pavement. (Yes, I KNOW I probably would have felt better had I gone out, but in the moment, I only wanted comfy clothes and a large drink – I refrained from the drink, but the comfy clothes won out.)
So…am I crazy for considering it? On the one hand, the idea of tackling something so huge (to me) in a weird way would help me feel more in control of my life, which has felt out of control rather a lot lately. Plus there’s the pull of actually getting to run a race with Bryan (we usually go on our own at shorter races because our paces are quite different, but he’s promised to actually run the half with me, at my turtle’s pace). My fabulous mother in law and a fabulous aunt have offered to babysit Sam for us. The race is a month before Sam turns a year old, so what better way to sort of reclaim the runner in me than right before we celebrate his first year of life? But then…
There’s THE OTHER HAND. The other hand reminds me that I seem to barely make it through each week with my sanity in tact. The other hand reminds me that I get up and go nonstop all day long and barely get everything done that NEEDS to be done. I’m not talking about “want tos” on the day: work on hobbies, reading a magazine or book, or even non-essential housework. I’m talking about having clothing clean and ready for the next day, bottles clean and ready for the next day, lunches packed, work-work ready, evening meals/dishes done, children loved and played with, dog taken care of, etc. And that’s WITH help from Bryan.
I’ve tried to figure out ways to carve out extra time from the day, and there are a few things I think I can pretty easily do, but will it be enough? Please, readers, spare me the suggestion of just getting up earlier to run in the morning. As it is, I’m up around 6:15 most days, go nonstop all and, if I’m lucky, fall into bed between 11 and midnight. I cannot safely function on less sleep. And, please only suggest “you’ll make time for it if you really want to” if you want to terminate our speaking relationship. That is the last thing I need to hear.
So, AM I crazy for considering this? For wanting to do it, but being scared that I can’t make it work? Dare I try. . .?
4 Responses to “Dare I Try. . .?”
Cut yourself some slack. The first year is so hard, and I can’t imagine working through it as well. My opinion, just let yourself enjoy the few runs you can sneak in here and there, and save the real training for next year when you have your feet under you better. Plus, real training could negatively impact your milk supply. Just my opinion.
You’re not crazy. It’s definitely a big undertaking that requires some regular commitment. That said, you could commit to the race, do your best with training and, as the race gets closer, decide not to run it if you haven’t been able to train enough. Or you could walk part of it. That was my plan with the race in October. I hadn’t trained nearly enough, but I was determined to do it! It helped that I knew what I was up against, though.
You could probably get by with two runs a week — one mid-week (a shorter one) and your long one on the weekend. Of course, some cross-training would significantly help, as would more runs, but I averaged two runs a week (if that) and maybe one cross-training session a week.
In the end it depends on how motivated you are and how much support you have. I know you have Bryan to run with, but maybe you could find a running group to run with once a week. It does wonders to run with others! Good luck no matter what you decide.
YES!! You go girl! First of all I’m unbelievably impressed with you ambition and it give me great strength to even hear about your goal!! I agree with ur girlfriend Laura.. Do your best to commit and I think you’ll really feel refreshed although most nights you might feel exhausted. But, think about all that baby weight that you will shed and give you great confidence.
Every time you run then do something for yourself. Buy yourself something nice or splurge in some way.
Your doing great with the family- I always get to see beautiful pictures of you all- I hope to see you soon!!! So just stay sane and running might help you create a lil bubble of your own time too. Well i love you and just know you have the support and can do anything! Your a mom!! lol
[…] completed my first 8 mile run today. I posted back on November 14 that I was contemplating training for the Dallas Rock-n-Roll half marathon in March. I’m […]