The 'Get Back To Running' Chronicles

 The 'Get Back To Running' Chronicles:

It has been a hot minute since I have run.  The last time I ran was around month 7 of my fourth pregnancy at the age of 43.  I was running the Midtown hills pushing a stroller that contains a 1.5 year old as my cheerleader.  I was running an average of 2.5 miles at least 3 times a week.  When we were in Chicago, I hit 4 miles!  It was a beautiful run with my partner (he pushed the stroller).  This round of postpartum has been different in a way that my desire was ahead of my body and my mind in the recovery process.  I desired so badly to be running.  But my head wasn't clear enough to figure out a way and to not be scared at how difficult it may be to start running again. 

 Difficult, it was....in my head.  I started slow.  By slow, I mean, walking slow.  I had to start SOMEwhere.  One day I woke up (errr, one Little dragged me out of bed) and I decided we were walking to the park that is somewhat in our neighborhood.  I did not know how far it was, and I wasn't going to think about it.  I packed a quick lunch before I talked myself out of this adventure.  I had to get outside and I had to move my feet, legs, body.  I popped open the stroller, filled my water bottle, slid into my yoga slides with the Littlest wrapped in my ring sling.  Off- into the direction of the playground!..... after many hills....many STEEP hills..... lots of high fives (we always high-five when we make it to the top of a hill.....and 1.5 miles later- WE MADE IT!! I pushed 30 lbs. with the stroller and carried 15 lbs. on my front.  In my Sanuk yoga slides.  I could feel a small blister forming on the pad of my foot and my feet already ached from using all foot and toe muscles to keep the shoes on.  I was exhausted and achy and amazed that I did it.  It was at that point I realized this is the beginning of my training.  This is how I am going to get back into running- I first have to W A L K (and try not to let it sound too cliche).  

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This is where you are going to find TIPS AND TRICKS for getting back to or getting started with a physical activity.

TIP ONE. just get started and set a goal to do it again tomorrow.  Walk out your front door and go!

TIP TWO.  if tip one didn't work or come to fruition- try again tomorrow.  It's not that deep ;)

TIP THREE. each step forward makes you stronger than you were when you started.  So, take a few extra steps (or distance) more than you would like- the outcome: it makes you stronger.

TIP FOUR.  when you hit the painful part of the run, acknowledge you will probably feel this pain in a future race.  If you get through the pain now, then it makes you stronger to get through the pain on race day.