Return to Running

Here’s a bit of the Life part of Life Family Crafts as I’ve phrased it in my blog header.  Hi, my name is Jenn and I used to be a runner.  I guess I’m still a runner, but it’s definitely a statement with qualifications.  I’ve run twice since having my second daughter three months ago, and it has been and will be a slow and difficult return to some semblance of my former running self. 

This is me passing off my gel bottle at the Detroit Marathon.  I only ran 20 miles – I used it as a training run for Honolulu…


Running and fitness in general used to be a huge part of my life.  For a period of about seven years this so-called mild mannered accountant ran nearly daily, taught and trained in kickboxing (Muay Thai – the real deal!) three days a week, and also fit in a few adventure races.  I identified myself as a runner.  My social world revolved around running and kickboxing.  There was a core group of friends that traveled to run half and full marathons around the country – I’ve run Chicago, New York, Honolulu, Phoenix, Marine Corps, and Toronto marathons and a ton of half marathons and shorter races – you saw my t-shirt quilt here.

Honolulu Marathon with my buddy Kevin
 Baltimore Half Marathon with the hubster – Baby on Board!

I ran through a majority of my first pregnancy – being sensible and taking it nice and easy.  I had to stop around six months because my pelvis started to hurt too much to run.  That pelvic pain continued for nearly a year postpartum.  I went into my second pregnancy running sporadically.

Marine Corps Marathon – Finally hit my goal time of 4 hours!
So here I am almost five years after running my last marathon.  I have two beautiful daughters, so I can’t complain too much about the 25 pounds I need to lose.  I should count myself lucky that I can run at all.  It will probably come back more quickly than I think.  I’ve done this before – I ran my first marathon six months after bunion surgerys, and I had to recover from a broken collarbone another time.  I’m being held back some because my old nemesis Morton has returned to my right foot – Morton’s neuroma is like carpal tunnel in your foot – ouch! 
I know I won’t be running the mileage I used to, and I can’t maintain the weight I used to be – that required an insane number of hours on the road and in the gym!  But I REALLY miss the freedom of a good run, and how my body felt when I was fit and strong.  I am going to recapture some of that feeling, and demonstrate to my daughters that it’s important to take care of yourself by being active.
I can do this.  I know I can do what I set my mind to do.  I’m setting a realistic goal of running a half marathon this year.  I’ll keep you posted periodically on my progress – hopefully you won’t get sick of me blathering on about running and weight, and maybe being accountable here will help motivate me.
Gotta run,

Jenn

One Response to Return to Running

  1. Holy Craft January 17, 2012 at 12:38 AM #

    Good for you! As a reluctant runner, I am anxious to hear about your return to running. I did two halfs last year within 6 weeks of each other and they did me in. So I love to live vicariously through other people, who actually love the sport.

    Rachel
    http://www.holy-craft.blogspot.com

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