Using races for tempos!

Wow, I didn't realize it had been so long since my last post. I am the worst blogger ever! We just have so much going on right now, and of course when I sit down for some quiet time to write I get interrupted by a screaming child. But all is good right now, as both Travis and Eileen are very happy hanging out with their daddy.

Since last I wrote I have run two 5k's and a half marathon. I definitely did not expect to be super fast, but it doesn't bother me at all. I have learned that there are some runners that won't come out and race unless they are in tip top shape, and there are other runners who really could care less and just want to toe the line!  I just like to race. I've always liked to race, since 7th grade when I was getting my butt kicked by the two Christine's, both 8th graders on my own team, I just wanted to get out there.

While riding the bus up to the start of the Decker's Creek Half Marathon, I realized that racing is my drug. I love the nervous energy and the anticipation. Here I was 10 weeks post baby and I was nervous for some stupid reason. I knew I was only going to try and run 8 minute pace, I wasn't going to be anywhere near the winners, but I was still giddy with anticipation.

Right now there is only one good reason for me to race, FITNESS! I need to do some kind of faster paced runs with other people pushing me, but I'm not near fit enough to do workouts with my usual running partners, so race it is. That's what 5k's are for. I decided to run the Half Marathon because I was having a hard time getting over 9 miles on my long run days, so I figured I would use it as a hard long run. I had the extra bonus of Don watching the kids since he had to time the race anyway!

I thought a lot today about how having kids changes a long distance runner. When you are a runner you are a very solitary person, and you are a very selfish person. You do whatever you can to work life around your runs. Before kids came along I could plan my day according to work and running, and when I went to a race all I had to worry about was racing well. Now I have to make sure the baby is fed and the diaper bags are stocked with an emergency bottle, sunscreen, and snacks for Travis. When Don went away over Memorial Day weekend, my babysitter canceled on me because her dog got sick and she had to make an emergency trip to the vet, so I didn't get my run in that day. You have to learn to roll with the punches, that's for sure. Luckily it had been about 3 weeks since I had a day off, so I was glad to take it! I realize every day that I am luckier than most and my husband will watch the kids in the evening if I am too lazy to get out of bed at 6 am and get my run in, or that my kids are both very good in the baby jogger if I have to go that route.  I also have wonderful baby sitters if need be!

At more than 10 weeks postpartum I have somewhat relaxed my expectations, even though my training is going very well so far. If November comes along and I am not in marathon shape, so be it! But I have a feeling it will happen, as long as Eileen keeps up her awesome baby attitude and I can keep getting some decent sleep!

I have recently started my HABIT prolapse rehab dvd. The physical therapist that came  up with the whole program is a triathlete and she claims that within 8 weeks you should be good to go, if you do the workouts three times a week. So I am trying hard to get it done 3 times a week and I am hoping for the best. Really the whole thing is not bothering me much anymore, but I'd like to do whatever I can to make it better and maybe it won't be so bad after the next baby (oye, next baby, lol)!