Today, during lunch, I had to step out and all I have to stay is "Wow, beautiful running weather." We have had 20 degree weather for so long that 40 degree weather felt amazing.
For Christmas, my mom bought me and the girls a jogging stroller. After I realized how beautiful it was outside, I was so excited about going for a run with the girls in the new stroller. I decided to go for a run with them after work and also tomorrow morning. Tomorrow I am planning to run at a park, but I thought it would be a great experience to run with the stroller today in our local streets.
I wanted to make sure I didn't head out too late to avoid running once it got too dark out, so as soon as I logged off of work, I dressed the girls and myself and we headed out the door. My dad came along for the run as well. My dad was worried the stroller would be too wide for the sidewalks, but considering I have seen many people walking with double jogging strollers before, I wasn't too concerned. I figured it would be a learning experience for the future. If we couldn't run, then that would be fine.
Wow, what a difference running (even walking) with a jogging stroller was. Such a smooth ride. We first hit the park just a couple blocks from my house to make sure the stroller was ok and then we hit the streets and went to another local park with a 1/2 mile path. At first I didn't really feel much of a difference running with the stroller. I thought that was odd considering I was now pushing 60+ pounds more than usual, but once we ran about 1 mile and were going slightly up a hill I started to feel the burn on my thighs and glutes. Man, oh man, now that was a burn.
Overall it was a good experience and am excited about running my six miles with them tomorroow in a park with a trail. If I can get use to running with the girls in the stroller, I'm assuming that when I don't run with the stroller I will run faster (which is great).
So with this blog I leave a message to all mothers out there. Having a child/children is very time consuming and a very selfless job, BUT it is very important to take time for yourself. Running for me has many benefits...the main is that it's exercise and keeps me healthy and promotes weight loss. The second is that it's "me" time and what mother can't use some of that??? Maybe you don't have the time or the money to join a gym, but running/walking doesn't cost anything. Take the time at least a couple times a week to go for a run or walk and if you have to, take the kids. Buy a jogging stroller (new or used) or use the one you have and enjoy the outdoors. It's possible!! and trust me, you will enjoy every minute of it.
Being a healthy mom makes you a better mom.
As Alicia Keys wonderfully put it, YOU ARE A SUPERWOMAN!!!
I went to a running specialty store yesterday to find out about what to do about blisters on my feet. It's the store that sponsors the races here in Jax. Immediately the guy started trying to sell me new sneakers telling me that my sneakers were old. I just got them right before thanksgiving. Anyway, the sneakers I tried on were great but I don't know if they would stop my blisters. What would you recommend coach?
ReplyDelete