Need some motivation re: running

[lauren170]

I know we've done this here before, but tell me your story about how you worked up to or got back into running.

Before the baby, I enjoyed running as much as is possible. Now I don't. I'm also 40 lbs heavier than I previously was so obviously that is slowing me down too. It's just mentally hard being so much more out of shape - and remembering what it used to feel like compared to what it feels like now. Sometimes I feel like I don't have the energy to do the hard training all over again.

[joenali]

Heart rate training! I also ran based on time. I kept my hr in zone 2. Which made me feel like I could go forever. I was slow, but felt great! Then I began to work in some speed once I built my endurance.

[Susie]

I was a swimmer as a kid and through high school and college. I was not a well rounded athlete though, and legit thought I couldn't run. In HS my dad dragged me out for 2 mile runs for XT, and I thought I was going to die despite being able to swim 500s in barely over 5 minutes.

In college, I ran briefly (did intramural cross country) to stave off the weight gain while awaiting and then recovering from shoulder surgery, so I could get back to swimming. I ran my best 10k ever, 54:06, which I still haven't touched. That was in 2001.

Fast forward to 2010, I was a couple years out of law school, and finally admitting that the weight I was carrying (and gaining) was no longer the socially acceptable "bar exam weight," it was "sedentary lifestyle weight." I had to do something about it. I tried the elliptical. Weight didn't budge. So I started doing something HARD: running. I'd warm up on the elliptical, then run a short distance - started around 1/4 or 1/2 mile - and then finished the balance of a ~45 min workout back on the elliptical. Gradually, the balance of elliptical :: run shifted. I ran my first 5k that year. I FINISHED IT, YAY. I was in the ballpark of 10.5 minute miles.

Then the next year I started a casual tri club at the Y. I did a sprint tri. And another. I ran more; finished a 10k, and dropped 4 minutes or so off my 5k. I built up to a 15k, then half marathon - and got a stress fracture mid-training plan that kept me from running for ~6 months. In the meantime I kept swimming and biking.

The following year I built back up, starting all the way at < 1 mile, up to finally finishing my first half marathon, followed by a first half ironman, some olympic tri's, and another half marathon. This year, I've got the lineup in my sig.

Obviously my running has not been continuous, so I can appreciate how daunting starting over is. It sucks. Don't force it if you're not in the head space for it. Your baby is wee, and I'm guessing you're probably running on less than ideal sleep still. When you're ready it'll be there, and you will be able to build up not only to what you did before, but more if you want to.

[Deleted]

When I've put on weight, I just focus on slow steady cardio/running for a little while to build up my endurance. I just tell myself TEN MINUTES. I usually last for a half our or so though because I feel good once I get out there. You don't have to be competitive to be healthy.

[libbygrl109]

Both when I started 3 years ago, and when I essentially took last winter (2012-2013) off, I went out with the mindset that I would pick a distance (usually 2-3 miles) and focus on finishing. Yeah, my times were ridiculously slow, but I tried focusing on just being outside and away from the craziness of daily life. Eventually that got easier, and I was going faster, so I pushed myself farther. It was discouraging at times, but I figured doing nothing at all would be a lot worse. I know you're frustrated right now. Sometimes you just have to focus on the little things about exercising that make you happy, and not about the "where you've been". Fall back in love with exercise, and hopefully everything else will fall into place.

[breezy8407]

After babies, it was frustrating. I wanted to be back to my old self NOW. I just aimed to get 3 runs in a week usually around 3 miles. I didn't wear my Garmin and just tried to run most of it. I think not knowing how slow I was helped, so just doing the distance I knew was helpful.

[water*drop]

It took me a full year after DD was born to feel like I could really get back into running. She was (is) a crappy sleeper, and I just couldn't handle feeling like I had to hit X miles or do speedwork or whatever when I was still in survival mode due to sleep deprivation. For that first year, I didn't train hard; I just did the best I could to get out there as regularly as possible (my general goal was 3x/week, 30ish minutes, but I didn't think about speed or whether I was walking too often or anything like that) and accept that it was going to take a while for it to become fun again. It was a hard pill for me to swallow, but as the year went on, it started to become fun again, and that's when I started having goals beyond just running in general.

[Brit]

I have had two comebacks in the past two years. In January 2012, I started post-baby running. I hadn't run much during pregnancy so it was super hard. I focused on just getting out there and making it happen. As soon as it started to get easy again I had a huge setback...

Six months of chemo and radiation later I found myself out of shape yet again and with my energy totally zapped from treatment. I seriously got worn out going up a few flights of stairs, but again I was determined to get out there and do my best. When I first got back to it, some of my mile times were nearly double the times I had when I was in great shape a few years earlier. It was super upsetting to me, but at the same time I knew that the only way to make the problem go away was to face it head on and little by little make improvements.

You have been such an inspiration to so many people and I know you have it in you to tackle this when you can get yourself into the right frame of mind.

[enfuego23]

I'm in the same spot you are in but I didn't have a baby, I have a pelvic stress fracture. I wasn't able to run for close to 3 months. I'm now just getting back into running and it doesn't feel good.

I gained weight while I was injured and my body feels different when I run now. My legs feel heavy and I feel like my arms are swinging weird - basically nothing feels like it used to.

I'm trying to come to terms with this and I try to remind myself that anything we want to change, it usually takes time. I know right now that I have to allow myself to gradually get back into running or I will frustrate myself over and over again. I can only imagine trying to run when having a little one to look after and the non-existent sleep.

[mrshandy]

After DD, it was definitely really hard to see the slower paces an know the hard road I had to get back to where I was.

I started small with a 5K and just did a few runs a week. Then worked my way up to 10K.

Take it easy on yourself. The weight will come off eventually. I tried not to put too much pressure on myself. I didn't run my first race until like 3 1/2 months post partum.

There is no shame in pulling out Couch to 5K. Enjoy your baby and know that running will always be there. You'll get back to your old self eventually. It just takes some time and patience.

[sassystace]

And I will add that everything is harder when you are sleep deprived so give yourself some slack and just do what you can! It will get better with time.

[lauren170]

Apr 8, 2014 10:23:46 GMT -5 Brit said:

I have had two comebacks in the past two years. In January 2012, I started post-baby running. I hadn't run much during pregnancy so it was super hard. I focused on just getting out there and making it happen. As soon as it started to get easy again I had a huge setback...

Six months of chemo and radiation later I found myself out of shape yet again and with my energy totally zapped from treatment. I seriously got worn out going up a few flights of stairs, but again I was determined to get out there and do my best. When I first got back to it, some of my mile times were nearly double the times I had when I was in great shape a few years earlier. It was super upsetting to me, but at the same time I knew that the only way to make the problem go away was to face it head on and little by little make improvements.

You have been such an inspiration to so many people and I know you have it in you to tackle this when you can get yourself into the right frame of mind.

This is super inspiring!

[Deleted]

When coming back last fall, I started back doing intervals. It helped my body adjust to running and I was still able to get a nice pace since the walking parts gave me a break. Plus it's interval training! Quickest way to jump start that weight loss. .

I fully intend to get back to running this time the same way.

[mswax]

I'm about 6 weeks in to really running post baby #3. It's slow going. I run at night after all the kids are in bed. When I get home from work I put on my exercise clothes. If I put on sweats or pj's I'm not going to run. I know myself. I live in the NE, and the snow is finally gone, but I started in the "winter," so I'd hope on the treadmill with my ipod. I'd tell myself, "I will run for 1 song." Then 1 became 2, 5, 7, etc. I just did 6.8 miles on Sunday and it felt great. Was I fast? NO! But my goal has never really been speed. I just want to complete the run I set out to do.

Good luck. I always say, "9 months on, 9 months off" with the baby weight. Be gentle with yourself.

[andrealynn]

Before I got pregnant with DD, I was in the best shape of my life. I'm getting close to that point again.

It takes a while. You will feel weird in your own skin for a while. Just like before, you need to make small goals for yourself, and work to achieving them.

I promise you, though, that you will get back to a place where you can be proud of, and inspired by, the things you are able to do.

[humpforfree]

I'm just starting to get back into it too after DS was born in February. My first run was just a couple of intervals stuck into walking- I was supposed to just walk but got antsy. That really gave me confidence because even though it was only like .25 each, I could do it and the running high came back.

My second run was a full mile straight at almost my old pace. I think I could have kept going too but didn't wasn't to push it. Today I am going out for #3 and aiming for 2 miles. I just tell myself to slow down/pace doesn't matter when it starts to wear on me.

I was going to do C25k again, but didn't have the patience. I'm going to just keep building each week and do some repeats to build up my endurance at each level... It's hard to get out when I am so tired and lazy from being home all day, but I really want to get back to where I was so I am making my husband hold me accountable. That and the races I've got planned!!

[shelbyann]

I have no answers but I am there with you. I won't even touch my Garmin these days...I don't want to know.

[hannahb]

Just leave the garmin at home as others have said. Just get out there and enjoy the weather and yes I'm going to say it, time away from being mom. It will come back. Take it one day at a time.

[gncorman]

Just echoing others. I gained some weight, though just due to slipping back into habits. During my run on Sunday, I have only been that slow three years when I just starting out. It was so mentally hard to see that slow of numbers. I just need to keep remembering that no matter what, I am out there trying and I will never be fast. I just need to take the time to enjoy the moment during the run and not worry about time. Take the time to enjoy being active!
PS you have been an inspiration for me so thank you!

[labbie]

I ditto the couch to 5K, or any type of run/walk combination. I'm recently back into running after a many year hiatus, and it was humbling to go back to a couch to 5K program, but I really just wanted to get back into running without getting injured, so going slow was my only choice. I tried to focus on how great it was to just be moving, have some 'me' time, and doing something good for myself, at whatever pace.

[mollyrunner]

I think you will really enjoy running again. For me, the inconsistent sleep really affected my running. If you have any runner friends I found that group runs were so invigorating. And if running isn't doing it for you right now, see if something else is really fun for you like taking some kind of class (BodyPump, spinning, etc.) Your time is even more limited than it used to be so make sure you get to enjoy what you're doing. Maybe once you're into a new format you'll be even more motivated to run.

[dragonfly08]

I'll be in the minority, but when running stopped being enjoyable for me, I decided to find other ways to keep in shape rather than try and fight my way through it. I figured that if I was meant to run and truly wanted to do it, I'd find my way back eventually. Never happened...it's been a couple of years now and while I'll do the occasional dreadmill interval workout, I'm just not a runner anymore and I'm very happy that way. I do a lot of interval workouts, yoga, cardio kickboxing and other things most of the time and that works for me. Good luck!

[tuggyruns]

I had a calcaneal (I'm not sure that's even right, but it was in my heel) stress fracture, that I ran on so long last year that it ended up almost breaking all the way through that was January 2013. I was in a walking boot for almost 4 months until mid April 2013. I couldn't really do most of the things I liked to stay in shape while I was injured for various reasons. I ended up gaining almost 15 lbs.

I had to work back to running slowly. It was frustrating, b/c I had worked down to a fast (for me) pace, and I was super happy with my running. I found help in my sister who I coherced into trying out running. I turned my focus onto getting her into running shape and helping her find her stride, when the reality was-she was helping me as much as I was helping her. She didn't let me take my garmin, she yelled at me when I tried to race people, or run too fast. It took time, but I built my base back and year later, I finished my first marathon (march 2014).

You are such an inspiration to others- think about what motivates you (in general) grasp onto that, and see how you can apply it to your goal.