That's Fit

This is pretty sad. I am just now getting to the point where I can post what I've written below. Between being a mommy, taking a road trip to see the families, taking the kiddo to the doctor twice about a face rash and trying to get my life in order (I recently got a new job) I've had precious little time to exercise, and even less time to write about it!

That said, and without further ado, I would like to point out that although it's been, er, steep, I have kept running....

The hills in Prospect Park are alive...with the sound of my grunting as I shimmy up them. I wouldn't exactly say I run up these hills, but I'm not walking either. It's tough getting back in shape after a baby, and these hills are a constant reminder of that.

Still, progress has been made. I am able to get up the hills, even the big one that is such a nemesis we've given her a name, Sheila. Sheila has three curves to her, the third of which is hidden until you make it to the top of the second curve, which is also the steepest. What's interesting to me is that Sheila is my enemy no more.

Maybe it has to do with what my husband said, about the experience of labor making anything else pale in comparison. If I could go through THAT kind of pain, he ventured, then running a marathon was no biggee. And running up hill would be no biggee. And he was right.

Well, I mean it's not THAT easy. I still had to struggle to get my lungs and my legs to work together. I still do that. But, but, BUT, this past weekend I ran 4 1/2 miles on Saturday and did a lap (3 1/3) on Sunday. And now I am very, very, VERY tired. It would be hard enough to do this without a near-three month old baby to care for.

I get so inspired by these celebrity moms like Kate Hudson who get back in shape after they've had a baby, but I know I can (and will) never be like them. They have all the time in the world to get back down to their pre-baby weights or sizes. Not so with me. A large chunk of my weekend was devoted to working out, but at the cost of spending time with my husband, who works during the week so I can take care of the kiddo.

My husband watches the baby for me while I stretch out (1/2 hour) then run (an hour), then walk the dogs since whoever runs gets that chore too. Then I have to take a shower. Then he goes for his run and I feed and watch the baby. And although I am achieving running milestones with every lap of the park--like lapping the park, getting up Sheila without stopping or even breathing too heavily, doing hill workouts like I always said I would--I am doing it all alone.

I really miss running with my husband and that time just after we stop when we're both totally winded but energized, so proud of what we've accomplished together. Now that time is split between us. Of course the one who gets to spend time alone with the baby is getting the better end of the deal if you ask me, since that generally includes a shared nap.

Lately I haven't even been sure I'd make it up those hills or around the park. I've just been too tired. Tired is the last thing you want when you're trying to haul it up a long, slow, annoying incline. Somehow I am sleeping more but more tired these days, and taking care of a baby is anything but easy work.

The result? I am pooped. I still get out there though, and try to do my best. After all, it's the only time I have to run, to do those hill workouts and to try to get marathon-ready. If I skip a day then I am out of commission for two, sometimes three days. Our schedule is so regimented that we can't afford to miss a day anywhere. It has to be.

This week, despite the extreme heat and humidity, it is even more essential we get in our runs. We're traveling by car as of this Friday and will be out of town until the following Sunday, ten days later. Road tripping means no running and basically no walking, which ensures we'll both feel gross by the time we reach our destination.

And that's just the rub--even if we feel too tired (or whatever) to run, we feel even worse if we don't. I still get an energy rush from my runs, even when I've been up all night with the baby or because I couldn't get out of my head.

"Do it now, while you still can!" is my motto for this week. Today I am scheduled to go for a run after work, nearly two full days since my weekend running odyssey.