Changes

So, this week something amazing happened. A great big glowing ball of heat rose high in the sky and illuminated the world. I was shocked. Totally stunned. I'd been so used to going for my runs in the cold, rain, wind and snow that I wasn't quite sure I was prepared for...SUN!

(c) M.A. Stacie

It was a glorious run, and even though my legs ached, I did another lap of the park. Little N loved every moment of it. I've also managed to get in two solo 5k runs, and my times are faster without the stroller. I never thought that would be the case, but the numbers speak for themselves. 

Running is a strange sport: you seem to stay consistent for so long, then there's a large improvement. I see changes in my body--besides the 45lb weight loss. My legs are toned, my arms have muscles, and don't get me started on my lung capacity! 

Running is something I will never regret starting, and when I cross that finish line on my first race it will be one one of my greatest achievements. No matter what my time is. When I'm feeling a little down or crappy I now have something that can almost instantly alter that. I run, knowing that the rush I get afterward will lighten the rest of my day.

Next week I'm back at work after 10 months of maternity leave. It means my morning runs will have turn into afternoon runs twice a week. I really enjoy my time running in the morning. The park is quiet and most of the time the weather is clear. It will take a little adjustment but it's only twice a week, right?

Stay tuned....

Another Day...Another Race...

So... after entering myself into the Bupa Manchester 10k, and clearly feeling like that wasn't enough, I saw the dates open for the Cancer Research Race for Life and was tempted.



I debated for all of about 3 minutes before I filled out the form and signed myself up for a 5k.

(c) M.A. Stacie

I admit, the 5k doesn't concern me as much as the 10k, but I still need to keep the motivation going with my training. The snow/ice set me back a little as it was impossible to push the stroller through. However, I did a few solo runs to maintain my level.



I still take walking breaks... still haven't run over 5k yet but I'm getting there.

xxx

Snow Run!

I had to share...

My very first run in the snow! I'm so impressed with myself. It was a solo run (too cold for baby N) and I only did 2km, but I went out and RAN IN THE SNOW!

xx

Book Review

Firstly, I hate 'how to' manuals. This book is not that, and I think that's why I responded so well to it. It's short--80-ish pages, but worth every penny as I know I'll reread often.



The Lazy Runner by Laura Fountain

Amazon.com
Amazon.uk












I literally stumbled across this, and started to read it with caution. However, within two pages I was hooked. This was the absolute perfect book for me right now, as I've not been running long. The author starts right at the beginning of her journey--not at the start of her marathon training.



Now, don't get me wrong, I have no intention of running marathons, though I do have two races (a 10k and a 5k) this year. I wanted to know how someone else approached running--someone who wasn't 'sporty' like me. To my astonishment, it felt like it was written FOR me! Her experiences, her 'excuses' were mine. I related to her past attempts, related to her school PE jokes, and that was why I devoured this book.



"I have more determination than I had previously thought."



This line spoke to me. I had only been discussing that very fact with my husband days before. Two years ago, I wouldn't have run for a bus, let alone do it for fun!



"Running can make you feel invincible." TRUTH!



This book is so honest. It had me laughing, snorting and chuckling throughout. I read it in two short sessions between my 'run days'. The following day I set out for my usual 3k but something was different...



In my head I now had a mantra...and my determination was fierce. Inclines that I usually walk, I ran and kept running. I ran for my longest stint without taking a walking break AND did an extra lap. I felt fantastic...I felt invincible. It was the best run I'd had in, well, forever.



I do believe this book helped.



"You're not just training your legs to go the distance but your mind to believe you can do it."



The book is now FULL of highlights sentences and segments. Parts that will motivate me. And it's already worked for me. I ran. I pushed, I battled, I fought... I did it!



This book is a fantastic motivator for the newbie runner. I can't praise it enough. Please read it. You will not be sorry.



"You have the potential to be physically and mentally stronger than you realise."

Motivation

I guess motivation is something most new runners struggle with. I started running when the dark nights had set in, the weather was turning lousy and damn, it was growing cold! Some people said I was mad. Maybe I am.


The hardest one for me was running when it rained and the first time I did this I became really disheartened. It was raining quite hard. I was as waterproof as I could be without sweating too much, and I had baby N strapped in the stroller, covered with his raincover.

I was doing quite well... until I came into contact with an older lady walking her dog. Usually I can't hear anything people might say to me because I have my music on, however on this occasion the song was changing and the silence gave way for her rant. According to her I was cruel--a terrible mother. I shouldn't be taking my baby out in the rain just because of my own vanity.


At first I was stunned--amazed that someone felt the need to pass judgement on another person who was doing exercise. It wasn't as though I was hurting my child, though to her I was. After a moment I asked her why I was so terrible when the only person getting wet was me! Baby N was snuggled up, and fast asleep. (He usually sleeps when I run.) Whereas I was drenched.

Hello!

As the title says, this blog is about how I tackle the world of running with a passenger in tow. About 18mths ago I decided I was way to heavy. I'd given birth to two boys and had never bothered to shift the weight with either of them, so it grew. I decided Zumba was fun, and a way I could do it at home as well as a class a couple of times a week. In the space of a few months I started to see the difference, but something unexpected happened... I fell pregnant.

Determined to keep the fitness levels up, I Zumba'd right through to 35weeks pregnant. My sons birth was the quickest and easiest of all three, and two weeks after his birth I weighed myself and found I'd only gained two pounds! I was determined to get back on the Zumba horse as soon as I could. The problem was my baby wasn't the easiest of babies to care for. Each time I turned on the Wii to get some exercise, baby N would scream. I needed to find something else if I wanted to keep the weight loss going. My husband had lost six stones just a year before and he'd really gotten into running. He said I could do it with the baby--he'd seen people. Now, please bear in mind, previous to this I wouldn't (and couldn't) have run for a bus! So for him to suggest this was a little...crazy to me but I went along with it. I bought some decent running shoes, some basic leggings and a t-shirt that covered me up as much as possible. I hid. I walked to the most deserted place near my home and tried it. I COULDN'T RUN.

Shocker. I truly believed I could run for longer than three seconds without feeling exhausted. I was so very disillusioned. It upset me, because I knew I was overweight but I thought I was relatively fit. However, I swiftly learned that running is a whole new level in cardio. I will blog further, and in more detail about my journey. I just don't want every detail in the first post! I've been running now for four months. I run four-five times a week, doing 3.5k in the park (with baby N) Monday-Friday, and I try to fit in a solo 5k at the weekends. My times aren't great. I still run/walk. However, now I can run for 1k without needing to walk for 30 seconds. I've lost another 24lbs though I still have a long way to go. My husband thought we needed a goal...he signed us both up for the Bupa 10k race in May. I am determined. And once I set my mind on something I go for it....I just hope I'm not crawling over that finish line. Hopefully, I can blog once a month about my progress. Maybe I can inspire someone to buckle the baby up, strap her trainers on and RUN... ...Because you totally can! M.A. Stacie xxx