My crazy post-baby plan/dream

[mrshandy]

I've been a little MIA since I'm done training for races and cutting back running due to packing to move into our new house and laziness. So I finally went on a nice long run yesterday, 8 miles. It felt great to destress from all of the moving stuff and my defiant 2-year old.

On this run, I came up with a post-baby plan that may be a little crazy, but I guess it's good to have a plan to strive towards even if it doesn't come to fruition. I do much better fitness wise when I have a set goal in mind.

Here it is.

August 2013 - Baby girl born
September/October - Start running again
November 2013 - Run a 5K
December 2013 - Run a 10K
March/April 2014 - Run a half marathon
Summer 2014 - Train for Marine Corps Marathon
October 2014 - Run Marine Corps Marathon (see if BQ is feasible based on time)
Spring 2015 - Run spring marathon possibly VA Beach Shamrock for a BQ attempt

If BQ, run Boston in 2016.

If no BQ, either attempt another BQ in Fall, or start looking into triathlons with an end goal of an Iron Man a few years down the line.

My one and only marathon time is 4:01:32. I know I have better marathon times in me, but I'm not sure if I have a BQ time (3:35) in me. Maybe it won't happen until I age up in June 2018. I'll just have to see how my training goes to see if it's even feasible. I think the key will be losing the baby weight and getting down to at least 125 or 120. My experience has always been the lighter I am, the faster I run.

Thanks for reading my crazy plan. Any thoughts are welcome.

[hannahb]

I hope it isn't crazy because I have the same plan! Hadn't picked a marathon yet as my comeback marathon but marine corps may be a good one.

[MrsE]

I love it! It's great to have goals. In fact... I may have already made a similar plan (although not quite as extensive) for my post knee surgery recovery.

[ebeth]

I would just like to say that I am shocked that you don't age up until June 2018. I thought you were older than that given the level to which you have your shit together with the home buying and the baby having and whatnot. I need to get witht the program.

[kams]

I've been wondering how you were doing, I almost paged you a few days ago!

I think your plan sounds ambitious but completely possible for you!

[mrshandy]

Apr 22, 2013 8:38:50 GMT -5 ebeth said:

I would just like to say that I am shocked that you don't age up until June 2018. I thought you were older than that given the level to which you have your shit together with the home buying and the baby having and whatnot. I need to get witht the program.

Lol. Enjoy your kid-free days when you can! I would give anything to sit on my ass or take a nap after a long run. Instead I'm running around with DS all day and so damn tired at the end of the day.

[jamalynn]

I think it's doable. It won't be totally easy, but it's not crazy. GL to you!!!

[cinco]

Sounds like a good plan! I am waiting to figure out how I'm going to get into MCM for 2014. If they offer the guaranteed entry for the 17.75k in 2014, I'm doing it. Even if it means driving my least favorite part of 95!

[Wines Not Whines]

Definitely doable! I have a similar plan in mind... maybe not a BQ, but at least a much faster marathon in fall 2014.

[runblondie26]

Sounds like a good plan. I know myself and many others have experienced big PR's post baby. Plus, you've only got one marathon under your belt. 26.2 is a long way to run. There's so much room for improvement with the marathon, and you have some experience to rely on now. You can do it.

(FWIW, I went from a 4:01 first marathon to a BQ a year later at my second one)

[gt7301b]

I'm having a had time with the birthday math, but you realize that you could qualify for Boston at MC is 2017 because you would be 35 when actually running Boston. (Assuming you don't qualify before that)

[mrshandy]

Apr 22, 2013 10:53:09 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'm having a had time with the birthday math, but you realize that you could qualify for Boston at MC is 2017 because you would be 35 when actually running Boston. (Assuming you don't qualify before that)

So you just have to be 35 when you run Boston with that time? I turn 35 in June 2018. 

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone.

[ebeth]

Apr 22, 2013 13:45:56 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

Apr 22, 2013 10:53:09 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I'm having a had time with the birthday math, but you realize that you could qualify for Boston at MC is 2017 because you would be 35 when actually running Boston. (Assuming you don't qualify before that)

So you just have to be 35 when you run Boston with that time? I turn 35 in June 2018. 

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone.

qualifying standards are based on your age on marathon monday, so that little loophole won't work for you for the 2018 marathon since you age up after race day. 

[gt7301b]

Apr 22, 2013 14:35:44 GMT -5 ebeth said:

Apr 22, 2013 13:45:56 GMT -5 mrshandy said:

So you just have to be 35 when you run Boston with that time? I turn 35 in June 2018. 

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone.

qualifying standards are based on your age on marathon monday, so that little loophole won't work for you for the 2018 marathon since you age up after race day. 

She would still have to wait till 2019 to run Boston. The only reason i pointed this out is she could try and qualify in the fall of 2017 and sign up in September 2018 for 2019.

This is my DH's plan. He turns 34 next month and is planning to run Philly which is after the September sign up. So even though he would have to wait till 2015 to run Boston he can qualify this fall. (With five extra minutes)

But it doesn't matter, cause you can BQ long before then:)

[jillybean222]

I had a late July baby in 2011 (my 3rd) and I ran my first 5k in mid September about 7 weeks postpartum. I did another a few weeks later and took about 5 minutes off my time. By the spring (after a mild winter) I ran a 10 miler and then did 2 halfs and another 10 miler all before my kid's 1st birthday goals are good. They help keep me on track and will probably help you too. Good luck.

[beachygal]

That's so inspiring. I just want to do a fall half and call it a day. 

[jessj222]

Totally doable!!

My daughter was born at the end of May 2011.  I started running at 4 weeks PP.  I PR in a 10K in August and PR in a 10 Miler in October.  The following May, I PR in a Half Marathon and then ran my 1st Marathon later that fall. 

Maternity leave (for me personally) was a great time to get back into shape because I didn't have to worry about being away from her because I was always with her so getting away for a couple hours to run every week didn't feel like such a big deal as it did when I started back at work (part time).

[agswife]

25 weeks pregnant and you ran 8 miles? You're bad ass!

[psyri]

I think this is doable. Be patient with yourself, in case speed doesn't come back easily or you aren't improving as quickly as you want. I tend to not perform well if I put too much pressure on myself. Having said that, I went from a 3:55 first marathon to a 3:31 in a little more than a year. It is possible. You have to really want it, work hard, and hope everything comes together on race day.