Postpartum Running GOALS

I literally cannot believe that in four weeks or so, baby TWO (!?) will be joining the family! As I think about what I’ve done with this pregnancy and what I want to chase after postpartum I am so excited. And also inspired. And overwhelmed. I honestly have no idea what life will look like with two small humans to take care of and no idea how I will get it all done. But, I do know that it is possible and with careful time management, flexibility, and prioritization, I know Landon and I can continue chasing after goals together and individually.

Running, postpartum goals 

Starting out I really want to make sure I do everything I can do make sure my pelvic floor + core are strengthened. Pelvic floor and core are so important for us runners to take seriously and I know I didn’t do much (any?) great pelvic floor strengthening work postpartum with Benaiah. Defintiely changing things up with that this time around.

• I will be taking the full 6 weeks off, postpartum (unless my midwife clears me earlier) and I when I do come back, I want to start with walk/running. After Niah, I immediately went out (I did wait the 6 weeks) and ran 1.1 miles and died. It felt hard, I felt excited but discouraged at the same time and soon after a couple weeks of running all out/dying I developed some hip flexor issues. This time around, I want to start run/walking to allow my body to heal, build fitness slowly, and avoid injuries. Also, if I can go further and get a better, quality, and more appropriate workout by run/walking 3 miles vs. 1 mile all out I think that sounds like a much better option to me.

• Another goal is simply to learn to balance both kids schedules with my own running goals. I won’t be able to take the nugget in the stroller until the babe is around 6 months (putting us at March) but I will be able to go with Benaiah or solo. This may mean evening runs for me (which are not my preferred way to do it) or early morning treadmill miles or nap time miles or whatever. I am determined to be flexible (there is a large part of me that slowly gives up if I don’t run first thing in the am). But this time around, I am going into it knowing I may have to run some evenings or afternoons if I want it to happen and that is okay!

• As for racing, my loose goal is to build up fitness/endurance/stamina etc. during the winter months and do a 5k in the spring, focusing on speed and shorter distances winter/early spring. Afterwards, I would love to transition training to marathon training and run my second full marathon late fall of 2020.

• Hire my coaches. I worked with Seth and Lauren Totten last fall and they were AMAZING. I loved not having to think about my workouts, having it all laid out before me, and knowing that what they had for me would help me achieve my goals. Once I build up a little base, they will be the first people I reach out to.

*Sub 4 marathon. I am SO excited to see how much time I can shave off my marathon this coming year. My first (and so far only) marathon I ran a 4:32. Looking back, I see a LOT of rookie mistakes I made (under fueling throughout the race, unprepared for hot weather, not doing really any speed training during the training cycle, etc.) I am eager to see just how much I can shave off my time. I would say right now, I would LOVE to go sub 4 – but I am not even in the middle of training yet, so I don’t have a realistically good idea of what I am capable of yet.

Overall, I am SO eager to get back at it, while still enjoying this season of more rest and less intensity. I know my body will only thank me for it later 😉

So tell me, what are your goals right now (running related or not?) Fire away!