Running...with Micah

I wish I had a picture to post along with this, but today was the first attempt at running with Micah in the BOB stroller. Actually, we did try last Saturday, but the BOB was quite wobbly and we didn't feel comfortable running - as we barely felt comfortably walking. A blow up of the tires though, and (I think) we were good to go. I had originally not planned on getting the infant car seat adapter for the BOB, but realizing that meant the BOB wouldn't be used until December, I wanted to be out sooner, and we got a nice gift card to Target (thanks Jeff and Liza!!) I decided it was worth trying.

As most of you know, I'm a pretty dedicated runner. I have even signed up to run a marathon at the end of November (crazy, I know, and something that may or may not happen, depending on how my training attempt goes!). Saying I was ready to get started running again after Micah's birth is a bit of an understatement. Never mind the fact that I had a c-section less than 7 weeks ago! I attempted my first run (of only a mile) while I was at my parent's place over July 4th weekend (at 4 1/2 weeks post-birth), and feeling great, I thought I could try more. So I tried a 3 mile run a couple of days later. I finished the run feeling good, but was definitely bright red from heat, hills and being out of shape...don't get me wrong, I'm very happy to be able to run 3 miles as soon as I did after giving birth, but 3 miles for me is (was) not that much when you're used to training for marathons and maintaining a 10 mile base. At my 6 week check-up this past Monday I got the official clearance from my doctor to resume all normal activity. So this weekend, we decided to try another run with Micah in the BOB.

A little background - Micah doesn't particularly like being in his car seat and/or stroller rides right now. Which means I'm quite gun shy about leaving the house (at least by myself) as he screams bloody murder in the back seat of the car. If Christian and I are together, and someone can entertain him, then it's a little different story. And while strolling around, he normally screams off and on, and eventually (hopefully) goes to sleep if it's a long enough walk. So when we started out today, crying he began. I had Christian run just a few steps with the stroller to see if it seemed better, and believing that it was, we started running. Almost instantaneously, no joke, Micah stopped crying and within 5 minutes was asleep. And while I ran around the trail (2 times) there was sporadic crying, but for the majority of the time he stayed asleep and/or content.

So, here's my conclusion...running 5.25 miles today was not part of my plan, seeing that it was already 80 degrees and I was pushing a baby in a car seat in a stroller! But, seeing that Micah was content and/or asleep while running and would start crying when walking my plan was slightly modified. If that's not great motivation to run, then I'm not sure what is. Let's just say that I was absolutely exhausted at the end of the run today - and that it was probably one of the most difficult runs that I've had in a while! But it was also great to be out, with my content baby (#1 and #2 including my husband) and I look forward to hopefully more pleasant runs.