Today I’m three weeks postpartum. I don’t know if that’s one word, two words or two words with a dash between. And I’m too lazy to look it up. So one word it is. Physically and emotionally I feel 10,000 times better than right after I had Marshall. I knew that c-section recovery was more intense than a regular birth but man they weren’t kidding. I am less anxious and trying my best to savor the newborn snuggles even though I’d be cool with him being a little bigger. Tiny babies freak me out. I look totally calm, cool and collected below, but I’m a little freaked out in reality.
Side note – We had some families pictures taken on Saturday (which is where the pic above is from) by Rhiannon Loyd and I can’t wait to see the rest. I’ll send links to her FB page and website asap!
Am I tired? Yes, of course. But I am incredibly grateful and every time I feel like I’m struggling learning to care for two, I remind myself how fortunate I am to have these gifts in my life. Marshall is doing a good job with his new role and is always asking “Louis growing up?” “Louis ok?” “I give Louis hugs”. He’s smitten. He’s also 2.5 and can be a be a huge handful sometimes like any 2.5 year old. We are figuring things out.
So three weeks. I’m pretty happy with having my down time come during the very cold winter time. I do run outside when it’s cold and nasty and I usually don’t mind it. it makes me feel tough coming in after a long run in cold weather but I’m happy next to my space heater right now.
I’ve been browsing my base build Glenn drafted up for me leading up to late spring/early summer. It’s BASEY. Not a lot of miles. THINK: Injuries stay away.
In my opinion- you want my opinion right? That’s why you’re here?? There is never a legitimate reason to build miles too fast or start workouts too soon after having a baby. There is a reason the doctors standard rule of thumb is 6 weeks for recovery and I’m all over sticking to that. Nothing can be gained from an extra 2-3 weeks of running. NOTHING… except maybe setting yourself back.
| 2/23/15 | Week 20 | Base | 5 (2 runs) |
| 3/2/15 | Week 19 | Base | 10 (3 runs) |
| 3/9/15 | Week 18 | Base | 15 (4 runs) |
| 3/16/15 | Week 17 | Base | 18 (4 runs) |
| 3/23/15 | Week 16 | Base | 22 (5 runs) |
This is all just an idea of what I’ll do, but it’s gonna be smart. I’m hoping to incorporate swimming & biking into this as well- but we will see, as this will be difficult as I can’t use gym childcare with Louis until he is three months. I mean I could get up at 5:30 and go get workouts in, but we’ll just see how much sleep is happening first. Sleep wins over workouts if Louis has me up all night. For now, that’s just how it will be.
Oh and on Monday, I did those lunges I mentioned in my last post. I did 15 lunges on each leg. And man I could feel it in my core and my lower abdomen felt a little funny. I could be doing some basic things like arm weights and stuff like that- but I’m sticking out these next three weeks with baby carrying, diaper changing and going and down stairs a million times a day for my workouts. I might try those lunges again today though. Surprisingly I didn’t get sore from Mondays.
In other news- we were really excited to take part in Ashley’s charity auction for Every Mother Counts. Every Mother Counts links Mothers to providers of essential care and address barriers to maternal health- transportation, education and supplies.
We can’t wait to see who won our auction item… who we will get to coach! Ready for a new adventure with a new athlete!