Family Run Night

Needing a good kick-in-the-pants to get me back on a workout plan (and for only $20), I signed up for the Weston Run for Tomorrow half marathon on December 12th. This will be my fourth half marathon, and I don't expect it to be my best.

My first Half was in January '06, and I had never really run before. I started at the basics with run-walks, and eventually trained my body to be able to run 13.1 miles pretty much without stopping. I added on a handful of triathlons (you can't be in this family without being a triathlete) and a full marathon before my second half marathon in October '08. This was the Marine Corps Half in Jacksonville, and to this date I hold this race as my best-trained and best-feeling. I felt awesome. I was a runner. It was... fun!?

I sure miss those days. I did another Half in January '09, but since then my running has been very inconsistent. A pregnancy, a baby, and 8 months later, I am back in the saddle.  It is frustrating to remember what you used to be able to do. Five miles used to be easy. Heck, 3 miles used to be easy.  I have to remind myself that I am starting from the beginning again and I can't go out and just do it. Yes, I am back to the humbling 3-mile walk-runs.

With Michael's Ironman behind him, he is temporarily retiring from triathlons so that he can focus on his running, too. In doing so, we have initiated Family Run Night. Once a week we load Adam up in the jog stroller and head out into the sunset for a 3-mile run. Adam is a great passenger and is usually lulled to sleep by the motion of the stroller (or Mommy's rhythmic panting, either one) by the time we get home. Daddy pushes and keeps the time. Mommy tries to keep up.

I am hoping that this time around my body remembers how to get back into running shape sooner. (It takes so long to gain the conditioning and oh, so quickly to lose it!) Only 84 days until race day. Guess I'd better lace up my running shoes.