This past week of training was one of the those weeks that just didn’t go as planned due to several circumstances that were beyond my control. Last weekend we were in Illinois for little man’s baptism, and flew back to Virginia on Monday. However, we got home much later than originally planned, which meant that my plans to go to the grocery store Monday night went out the window. Little man had several rough days last week, and I wasn’t able to get to the store until after Preston got home from work on Tuesday, so there went another day of not being able to get to the gym. Although I made it to the gym on Wednesday, I wasn’t able to on Thursday and Friday. Thankfully on Friday I was able to get a Baby Strong workout in at home. And since I completed my longest run since having little man on Saturday, I decided that it was best to still take my planned rest day on Sunday.
Despite only having run twice this past week, both runs were very exciting. One of my February goals was to run a sub-34 minute 5k, which I accomplished on Wednesday when I completed my 5k in 33:52.
So excited that halfway through the month I’ve already met one of my February goals – to run a sub-34 minute 5k
Then on Saturday when I ran 4 miles, I completed the ZOOMA Run Love Challenge. Participating in this virtual race allowed me to run my first postpartum race, as well as to earn a medal for doing so.
Despite it being a challenging and busy week, I still made the best of it and got in my workouts when I was able to.
Mon 2/8 – Travel/rest day
Tues 2/9 – Rest day
Wed 2/10 – 3.10 mile run on the treadmill, 0.35 mile cool down walk, 30 minutes of weight training (upper body, lower body, abs)
Thurs 2/11 – Rest day
Fri 2/12 – Baby Strong Workout – 30 minutes of strength training (upper body, lower body, and abs)
Sat 2/13 – 4.o0 mile run on the treadmill, 0.51 mile cool down walk
Sun 2/14 – Rest day
Total Weekly Mileage – 7.96 miles (3.70 miles less than week 1)
Total ZOOMA Mileage – 19.62 miles
This past week has been a reminder of several things, most importantly, that life with a baby is unpredictable and that things rarely go as planned. This is one of the many reasons why I’ve opted to follow an 18 week training plan as I prepare for my first postpartum half marathon, so that I have the flexibility needed without sacrificing my ability to properly prepare to run 13.1 miles in June.
QOTD: How do you handle things when they don’t go as you hope they will?
You are handling things the best you can!
In reality, I bet you can even beat your 33:52 5K time once you are running outside again. For some reason I don’t seem to go as fast on a TM and I know others who are the same way. Good job!
Hopefully the weather will finally cooperate soon so that I can start running outside again.
Good for you girl! Yes life with children is definitely unpredictable at times! Great job on that 5K! And what a fun virtual race! But 4 degrees???? Wow!!!
Yea, there was no way that I was going to run outside with it that cold.
Great job with all the curve balls. I think an 18-week plan is great, and you have room to go with the flow when you need too. Hopefully Little Man will have a better week, it’s never fun.
I’m hoping it’ll be a better week as well.
I think having enough time to make room for little man’s inevitable interruptions is key for you. You’re doing great!
Thanks for the support.
way to go! when things dont go as expected which has happened a lot lately) i remind my self that all days/runs/workouts cant be great just like all cant suck and i try to think (overthink?) my plan and make sure its reasonable 😉
You’re right, each day will be different and I just have to go with the flow.
With running, nothing can every go as planned, at least that is what I think:) That is kinda the beauty in it too, the unpredictableness of it.
I think that is why I (even before when I ran) never relied on specific training plans, because you just kinda have to allow for life to happen, even without kids things are always coming up.
I am sure being a mother, you’ll get plenty of “life” happening! As my sisters would say, enjoy the first year, and the naps, because once they don’t take naps and want your attention all the time, it really gets hard to run, my one sister has to get creative with it. The others either get up before the family or wait until everyone’s asleep to get there’s in.
I’m already starting to think about how I’ll fit everything in when I go back to work. That’ll just be one more demand on my already limited time.
Way to nail that 5K goal! And your first race back – woohoo!
Thanks Nicole!
Congrats on making that sub 34 minute 5k so quickly! And life happens, other things have to be a priority at times.
Agreed.
Congratulations on that 5k PR/goal… way to go!
Thanks Elle!
Life rarely goes as planned right?! Awesome that you are getting your speed back so quickly
Thanks Deborah, I’m pleasantly surprised with where I am with my speed right now.
I am an expert at rolling with it. Life never goes as planned. Life is always busy. I constantly rearrange my runs. Sometimes it all comes out ok, sometimes I run a race with less training than I’d like. But as long as I fit things in wherever and whenever I can, I feel good about it. Keep up the good work with training when you can.
Thanks Erika. As a fellow mom, I know that you get it.
It’s so hard to be a running mama with a baby. I used to set my oldest son in his car seat next to my treadmill and sing to him. Of course, he cried the whole time. It was so hard!
I wish we had a treadmill at home. That would definitely make things a tad easier instead of having to wait for my husband to get home from work to be able to get my training in.
Anything with a baby is unpredictable-right!?
Good job with the 18 week training….you will do well with the little hick ups that are bound to happen!
Yup ran the Love Run in feels like 2 temps on Saturday…brrrr!!
Life most certainly is unpredictable when there’s a baby involved. And I can’t believe you ran the Love Run when it felt like 2 degrees outside. I’m cold just thinking about that!
Wise mama! The 18 week program is great for new moms. Looks like you are motivated and getting it done!!
Oh I’m definitely motivated! 🙂
it may seem like everything is a whirlwind….but you are doing great! You are getting a lot of quality workouts knocked out despite being a mom to a newborn 24/7. Your priorities are right where they need to be 😉
Thanks for the support, Kim.
Yes to flexibility!! Babies are rarely predictable 🙂 You are doing so awesome with your running and I think you are so smart to do an 18 week program. You will be so ready to run happy in June!!
Thanks Nat! I’m really hoping to be well prepared for ZOOMA.
Hah, yes, that is an important lesson of motherhood! You need to plan but be flexible because often things won’t go as planned.
Exactly!
Ah yes, the joys/perils of being a mother runner! I have learned to just roll with the punches and squeeze in my workouts whenever/where ever I can!
I’m learning the need to do the same.
Way to go Kathryn! I’ll text ya when the snail mail is on its way 🙂
Aww thanks Jenny! 🙂
Life is def unpredictable with a baby! Great job on reaching your 5 k goal and an 18 week trying plan sounds perfect for your situation!
Thanks Toni!
You truly are amazing! You are rolling with the punches and doing the best you can!
Thanks Juliana!
There must have been something in the air last week – so many people had wrenches thrown in their plans!
You’re doing great at taking things day-by-day and two great runs is always excellent!
I’m glad to know that it wasn’t just me.
You had a great training week!! Way to go!
Thanks Rachel.
Great job lady! Learning to be flexible was totally key for me as a parent. Sometimes I don’t adjust to being flexible as good as I should though 😉
I sometimes don’t either, but I’m trying to remind myself that its okay when things don’t go according to plan.
Congrats on your sub 34 minute 5k!
Thanks!
Looks like a great training week, even despite not everything going according to plan! I love planning things, but have also had to accept that things don’t always go according to em’–life likes to just do what it wants! 😛
It absolutely does, whether we like it or not.
Sounds like even though things haven’t gone completely according to plan, you’ve handled it so gracefully! I have to admit, I don’t always handle things well when they don’t go according to plan – I totally let it stress me out! I think my baby girl has taught me more about flexibility, patience, and going with the flow than I ever would have learned otherwise!
I’m not a very patient or flexible person, but I’m trying to remind myself that life with a baby has so many unknowns and that you never know what will happen.
You are doing such an awesome job of getting back into running post-baby! Hope to see you in Annapolis!
Hopefully I’ll see you there!
I can’t imagine running & taking care of a baby. I have a hard enough time fitting it in taking care of myself. I heard Annapolis is a great race. I’m doing my first ZOOMA in September in cape Cod.
I’ve heard great things about Cape Cod as well. I wish I could make getting there happen this year.
great week! Did you like all the ZOOMA swag? I thought it was great! I am planning on running ZOOMA Cape Cod and Florida! Smart on the training schedule, take care of yourself!
The swag is incredible!
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