Run Mama Run!

My running buddy is in Switzerland for the next 4 weeks. She is affectionately known as my favorite task master when it comes to running :) I was so happy to receive a text from her on Friday night checking to see if I had run, she had gone for a run in freezing weather, -10 degrees!

Yes Marlene! I did run :) Although no other mums joined me for the run, I had a great time. Running alone can be very therapeutic. It's me and my music and the cool sea breeze.

When I started my run, I felt fortunate to live near the sea. I love running by the beach. I notice the trees with the beautifully bright pink flowers that caught Dean's attention when we were there cheering on the marathoners last Sunday.

There was a group of elderlies doing tai chi. One lady stood out because she was holding onto her daughter for support as she was trying to do the moves. She lost her balance and burst into laughter which made me smile :) it reminded me to laugh at myself more often, and not take myself too seriously all the time.

I'm entertaining thoughts to do the Sundown next May. Not ran that race before. Ginny's signed up so maybe Marlene and I could join her ;) lets see!

The Nike City 10K: We did it!

We achieved our goal of completing our first race since pregnancy happened last year :)
It was the least prepared we had ever been for a race but we did it...in decent time in my opinion.

We were grateful that the haze cleared dramatically on the night before the race. The weather was good and the race was very well organized. I must say that it's one of the best organized races I've participated in.

My only gripe was that I took so long with my toilet break because the runners were running between the portable loos and the queues for the loos! This made it really difficult to get in and out the loo without colliding into someone. Come on guys! Be considerate in a race..everyone's out to do their best!

My foot hurt from the 2km mark but I ran on, thinking about getting home to my son. It was a great first race for Marlene and I. Here's to more races to come :)

The 3 mamas: Denise with 3 children and Marlene and I with our firsts

Kinesio Taped up for the Run

Training Session #5: 6 a.m. Run

3 weeks to the Nike City 10K Run.

Marlene and I had to run separately this week because I had to take Dean for a blood test on Friday morning. Since Dean was up at 545 a.m. and Gino could not get back to sleep, I got to do my run at 6 a.m. :)

It was a nice change. Ran along East Coast Park as always, it was beautiful at that time of day. The air was cool and there was only two other people walking along the path. The lights from the ships illuminated the water. It was like a whole other city out there. Some of the ships looked like skyscrapers!

The last time I felt that I could run forever was when I used to run by the river in Adelaide. The low humidity and cool weather allowed me to run for longer before I got tired. I felt that way during this run. I had to force myself to turn back after a while.

Must do more of this.

Next week we plan to do a long run :) Will keep you updated!

Aized

*Photo courtesy of Getzschman's Photostream on Flickr

Return to Running After Pregnancy

October's Runner's World has been a great read. This month, it has a whole write up on Fit Mamas. It's about training during pregnancy and after delivery.

It features world class marathon runners, Paula Radcliffe and Kara Goucher. Although they are at a whole different level, it inspires me to get my ass up and running after giving birth to Dean.

Wouldn't it be great if all mums had a support network so they could get out there to run :)

Two tips mums gave in this October issue that I thought useful;

1. Mums could take turns caring for one another's babies, while the other runs.
2. If your home was large anough then you could put a treadmill in your living room so you can run without waiting for your hubby's return.

Running to me is more than just exercise, it gives me more energy, it keeps me sane,it gives me a break from caring for my son and it gives me time and space to think :)

As Dean grows and reaches different milestones, Gino and I realize he's a very active individual, so I want to be fit to be able to keep up with him :)

Aized

*Photo courtesy of Tristan Savatier from Flickr

Running Indoors In Krabi

We're in Krabi and I got my first run done :) I get a lot of support from Gino to train so I consider myself a lucky mum. As I run, a million thoughts race through my brain. The first one being, "Whoa! This is hard!". I glance at myself sideways in the mirror to check my form, second thought, "Man it's tough running when you're 7kg heavier! That's about my son's current weight!"

Knowing pain-free running techniques help because as I got more tired, my stride length increased and this in turn increased my effort. So Gino's cues for pain free running kicked in, "small steps, show them your heels, elbows back" kept me from dying.

Completing a 30 minute run on the treadmill which used to be easy is a big job for me now. My comfortable running speed has dropped by more than1km/hr. I begin to count the days to the Nike City 10K. Do I have enough time to train for this? I'm constantly telling myself "C'mon Aized, c'mon Aized".

It's an experience returning to running after having a baby. It's not easy during the run but heck it feels great after! 30 minutes apart from Dean made me love him that bit more too :)

If you want to learn pain-free running techniques, join Gino for a run on Thursdays 630pm from his clinic at 108 Amoy Street.