Yesterday I got the JB Sports 2013 race calendar in the mail. I have run a few of their races in the past, so flipping through I was a little bummed that this year’s races were out of the question for me.
Or are they?
I realized that though I’ve always run races in the past, there is nothing to stop me from run/walking them now. Or even doing an organized walk, since some of the races have coordinated walks in conjunction with the runs.
So I flipped through the catalog again and looked at the fall races. Baby is due in mid-June, so even if I go late I should have given birth by July 1 or so. Figure at least six weeks of taking it easy (though I’m hopeful I’ll be able to get some walking in during this time – I think that’s usually fine early on, just not more strenuous exercise, right?), then I’d like to pick up the pace a bit.
I want to take things slowly at first, but if all goes well with post-pregnancy issues and my hip feels good, I think I’ll probably start the Couch-to-5K program at some point. Yes, I’ve run a marathon and other races for several years now, but at that point I will have been out of commission for a year or so and will be bouncing back post-baby, so I feel like taking it extra easy is the way to go. I can always skip ahead if it seems too easy at any given point. I used Couch-to-5K back in 2006 to get back into running after seven years off and I liked having a structured and manageable program to follow.
So say I start Couch-to-5K September 1. I should be able to run/walk a 5K in late October or November, right? I think so. So I have set my sights on the Wicked Good 5K on October 27 as my tentative return to racing. I can run it, walk it, or run/walk it, and I will be equally happy with any of these options.
And this is a tentative goal. I will adjust accordingly depending on how I feel. If I’m not ready, I’ll select a later race. And if I feel ready sooner, I’ll look for something earlier. I am not going to stress myself out over this, rather I want to use it for motivation.
I really feel good to have even a tentative plan for my running life post-baby!
How did you return to running after a break due to injury or pregnancy?
I got the same calendar too. Then I realized you live in CT when you mentioned the Wicked Good 5K. I ran that race last year. It’s a fun race and most people dress up which I like. The only thing I didn’t love was the course. It’s pretty flat, but it’s just three big loops mostly through the park. However, I say go for it, a race is a race if your walking or running!
I’m not a fan of races that run the same loop over and over again, but whatever. (It’s my only complaint about the Niantic Bay half marathon – same loop twice). Glad it’s flat – that’s rare around here! Or at least up near me.
It’s still fun and there was a very friendly and nice crowd. Also, you do run by the water, which made the loops much better!