On the Run

I participated in my first 5k last summer when I was (unknowingly) newly pregnant with baby #3. I felt like I was just getting the hang of running. My form was finally right, I could go over a mile without feeling like I was going to die and--the key thing--I finally learned to ENJOY it. One thing I noticed from that run was the sense of community I felt with my fellow runners. Everyone was so supportive and excited. It must be all of those endorphins. :) I walked another 5k a few months later while I was 4 months pregnant and unbelievably uncomfortable and hot. But I did it. After having my baby I tried running about 8 weeks after she was born. I did surprisingly well, and then...I got hurt.

Yesterday I took my newly rehabbed ankle for a test run, running a loop around the local high school (which has HILLS). I did better than I expected, and didn't even feel a twinge in my ankle, but after my first 3/4 mile lap I didn't think I could do it again. This song came up at just the right time:

My second lap actually went better than the first. I had a little more speed and I managed to jog a little further up the hill. On my way down I passed a fellow runner, his face just as red and sweaty as mine. I gave him a nod of, "I'm with you brother, keep it up" and it was returned. In that small gesture I felt welcomed back in to the community. I plan on running three days a week.

Last week the women in our church had an activity centered around how to get healthy: nutrition, cooking tricks and fitness. Several of the speakers outlined the importance of goals, so I decided to get more specific:

*Drop three pants sizes
*Tone those arms and legs!
*Flatten belly (as much as I can after having 3 in 3)
*Work those glutes/get a butt (one way I am doing this: http://pinterest.com/pin/6333255698943845/)
*Make it through the Warrior Dash 
*Run a 5k all the way through
*Do 50 push ups (I can do, like, 2)
*Do both regular and standing splits

One important part of this journey is to use fruit and veg as the largest parts of my diet. Today I made a smoothie before workout #1 that consisted of: banana, mango, frozen peaches, strawberries, pineapple juice, and almond milk. To incorporate veggies, as I try to do with every meal, I added a cup of baby carrots. SO GOOD. And, for those of you with sweets cravings (yo!) I took a lime and a lemon and added three slices of each to my water bottle. I've been drinking the citrus water all day and it has been such a help.

My goal isn't to look like a celebrity, I know that would require all sorts of professional help (but, if that were my goal, I would definitely want to have Jennifer Lawrence's figure). I want to be lean, energetic, able to keep up with my extremely active kids, and look great in clothes. I love being a mom, but I really don't want to look like one. :)