Last spring, I was training for a half marathon and then found out I was pregnant. We had been trying to conceive for a year and a half. Some might think "why train for a half marathon while trying to get pregnant?". I honestly didn't know if we'd ever conceive, and I didn't want to put other aspects of my life on hold. I had to stop training, because running got to be pretty difficult. I continued to exercise during my pregnancy, but running was not my exercise of choice during those months. I did boot camp, strength training, and yoga.
After Caleb was born, I impatiently waited until time to start working out again. I just couldn't let myself wait the recommended six weeks, so I started running at three weeks postpartum. I know that probably wasn't the wisest or safest decision, but it ended up being fine. Working out is as much a mental thing for me as physical. I was dealing with a lot of crazy emotions during those first few weeks of Caleb's life. The best way for me to release my emotions/stress and clear my mind was to lace up my shoes and escape for a little while.
Since I had to stop training for my half marathon last year, I deferred my OKC Memorial registration to this year. That has been the perfect motivation to stick with running, no matter how much life tries to get in the way. I am following Hal Higdon's "novice 1" training program. I'm also taking Jeff Galloway's advice of doing run/walk intervals, so I alternate four minutes of running and one minute of walking. I did five miles today. I have nine weeks until the half marathon. I'm a little nervous that I'm not running a longer distance yet, but I'm right on schedule with the training program.
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