I woke up on Monday with the determination to be less of a garbage person. I am going to be a mother in 4 months FFS I should prob get a handle on this whole adulting thing.
My day started with a coffee date with a friend who I had not seen in far too long and her daughter. I made them meet me wicked early in the morning so I could go to yoga. We chatted, drank lattes and fed ducks. It was a good start to a Monday!
From there I headed to my fave yoga class . I love the instructor. She will make comments in class when everyone is struggling to balance or groaning through an ab workout “smile guys, it’s just a little yoga”. I was sitting on the bench watching the body pump class wrap up when I saw a little sign that said yoga was cancelled INDEFINITELY. Dafuq?! I take 2 Mondays off an now the class is over? After a little research I found out the instructor no longer works there and they are looking for a new teacher.
I was disappointed. I couldn’t hop on a treadmill because I wore slippers as I do on yoga days. So, I decided I would go for a run in the outdoors…
It is almost comical what a big deal this felt like for me. This time a year ago, I was in the middle of marathon training where I was racking up 50 miles per week. Now I was checking in with KC about a quick little run. KC, the ever supportive husband who must ask himself weekly “why did I marry this crazy girl?” suggested that I just do a mile run since it had been quite a few months since I had run outside. I agreed with the intention to run 2 miles because I am a pain in the ass. I laced up, changed my shirt 3x since all of my shirts right now make me look fat and not pregnant and hit the pavement with Jim Gaffigan’s book “Food: a Love Story”.
I did not use a running app. I really did not want to push myself or know how fucking slow I am. I just ran an old and familiar route. I got to where I would turn around for 2 miles out and back but felt great! The sun was shining., Jim Gaffigan was slaying. I decided I would do 3 miles but promised myself not to push it.
It was a slow run. It took me about 33 minutes to run the 3 miles. Typically it would take me 27-28 minutes on an average day. Still, it was a good run. My sore back felt relief. My legs felt strong. I focused on my form on and off. I finished the run and felt good, proud; the way I had pictured pregnancy feeling all the time.
I went home and stretched out really well before conquering some house chores and work. I really felt unstoppable. It made me realize how much I missed running for the mental release and not just for the physical improvement. Running has always been something that gave me pride. Something that I do that not everyone can or would do. Pregnancy has really brought a lot of things up that I can no longer do. I put running in the “Can’t” category because there are some days that I really cannot run. And, I really cannot run as well as I had been prior to getting knocked up. Because of that- I put running on the same list as raw sushi, heavy lifting, alcohol and hot tubs. But, running does not really belong there.
So, I am making it my goal to run at least once per week for as long as it is comfortable. I think my mind needs it and I know my body will appreciate it!