Back to the start...

Originally I started this blog to document my journey to a marathon.  Two years later I have yet to run a marathon and my blog has transformed into more of our family life, it's highs and lows.  So, how has my running been, you may ask??

I started back running as soon as the doctor released me post-delivery.  It was very slow and I wasn't anywhere close to where I left off.  But it felt great to be back at it.  We (my two running partners and I ) had a few months of outside running before it turned off to a typical Iowa winter.  We moved indoors and did treadmill runs 5 or 6 days a week.  Not my favorite.

Over the last two months we've had more outdoor runs than indoor. It's been cold, but that's why we layer up.  The fresh air is very nice :-)  Our runs have been split between running in Montezuma and New Sharon.  Our runs in New Sharon are easy and fast, as there aren't many hills.  Our runs in Montezuma include Diamond Lake, a.k.a Killer Hills.  There's nothing mundane about it.  It also helps we talk the whole time.  You'd think we'd run out of things to talk about, yet we don't.

Our runs have been early... very early.  Due to time restrictions with jobs, we start at 4:50am.  You read that right.  If we're lucky we can wait as late as 5:00.  Even on weekends we go that early.  Life is so jammed full.  On days we run in Montezuma I leave at 4:35.  It's awesome to have pounded out 5 or 6 miles before most people get out of bed.  I also have no excuse to not go.  I can sleep when I'm dead.  Isn't that the saying?

One other challenge was I nursed until now.  There is no way I could have ran without pumping.  So, I would wake up at 4:10 to pump two bottles worth (usually half asleep), throw on clothes, pop in my contacts, and rush out the door.  I was lucky my supply stayed strong.  I worried about that at first.  Lately it's been the opposite.  My body is taking longer to quit producing that I thought it would.  I enjoy the extra 10 minutes of sleep nowadays. 

I have a few races on the horizon.  First one is Market to Market.  It's a relay race from Jefferson to Des Moines.  I'm running it with 7 other gals.  Two of which are my mom and sister.  I'm excited for it, yet nervous about the unknown.  This will be my first relay race.  Second is Dam to Dam.  This year it's a half marathon instead of a 20K.  It's a personal goal to do a half post-Sawyer.  Third is Warrior Dash the weekend of Sawyer's birthday.  There's a group of us doing it.  I have only done it once since I was pregnant the other two times.  I"m sure I'll pick up a few other 5K's before the year is over. 

I've thoroughly enjoyed running again.  If it wasn't raining and storming right now, I'd be tempted to go for another run after I post this. 

Happy Running!!!

First race of 2014.  25:44 and the first woman to cross the finish line.  Too bad it wasn't timed or have awards.