How Becoming a Mother Made Me A Better Runner

I'm running a spring half marathon and I did a 10 miler last weekend, so I've been ramping up my mileage since December. It's my second build-up post partum, and it just feels like everything is clicking. I feel physically the strongest I've ever been, but also like I've found this new mental strength. I truly think become a mother has made me a better runner.

I think there are a few reasons for this, one is that I am physically stronger than I was in the past. I go to the gym instead of running more often now, mostly because there is childcare. Running outside with Cooper isn't an option in the winter. But I've also (finally!) realized that strength training is good for me. I've come to like it and to like what it does to my body. I'm still a cardio junkie at heart, but I'm so much better about cross training and strength than I was in the past.




5 am and snowing? Oh well

I also think that going through a long, painful labor made me so much tougher. It was a pain like nothing else I have ever experienced and it made everything else seem not so bad in comparison. It was also the first time I had no control over what was happening to my body. Marathons hurt, but there was always the possibility that I could quit if I really wanted. In labor I just had to keep going for as long as it took. I was forced to learn to take it minute by minute and not worry about what was to come.

The biggest shift though is mental. I used to spend so much time worrying about my long runs. During my runs, I dwelled on how much further I had to run. Now, I don't have the time or mental energy to spend as much time worrying before I run. There is usually only time period during the week that works for my long run, so I can't obsess about finding the perfect conditions for my run. I have to run when I have the chance. Running used to be something to get done for me- I loved how I felt after my run, but not necessarily during. Now though, I appreciate having that time to myself so much more. I love the freedom of being outside, of being able to listen to a podcast without interruptions, of having time to think. Running has become a privilege instead of a chore.

Cape Elizabeth Mid-WInter 10 Mile Classic 2019

I ran a race! It’s a rare event these days, it deserves an exclamation point. I did the Mid Winter Classic, which is a challenging 10 mile course in Cape Elizabeth. It had been SOOOOO cold in the week leading up the race, but luckily the forecast was for warmer weather on race day. I tried something new on race morning- not drinking coffee and instead taking a caffeine pill before the race start. I was hoping this would help with not needing to the use the bathroom so much before and during the race. It did help, but I sure missed my hot cup of coffee when I first woke up!

 

Before the race I had a chance to meet a bunch of the Spandits ambassadors, which was so fun! We interact quite a bit on-line, but I’d never met any of them in person!

 

It was only 19 when I got to the race, so I decided to wear my thin jacket over an insulated shirt and tank, with thermal spandits on the bottom. By the time I walked out to the start 45 mins later, it felt like it had warmed up 30 degrees! This was fortunate because the race didn’t start on time. At 9:44 the race starter said “ready, set…. Hold on a minute.” He then said it would be 30 seconds. Several minutes later they said 2 more minutes. It turns out the generator wasn’t running so the timing system wasn’t on and ready to go. Around 9:50 we finally went.

 

Due to weather, and life in general, my longest training run was 9.25 miles. I knew I could finish, I just didn’t know how fast. My shorter training runs have been on the speedy side (for me), so I had hope that I could run a decent race. My A goal was sub 9 minute miles, and my B goal was sub 10 minute pace. The course starts off with about a mile of downhill and then some long, steep uphills. So I went out at a comfortably hard pace and tried to hold on. I set my watch for 6 minutes run, 30 seconds walk, but I used that very loosely, mostly only walking briefly on the steepest parts of the hills.

 

I was too warm almost immediately. My bib was pinned on my jacket, so I couldn’t get that off. I did ditch my mitten though and felt a lot better after that. I got into a good groove, listening to the Ali on the Run podcast and just continuing to push. I took a gel at mile 5 and sips of water at 3,6, and 9 miles. My only complaint about race organization was that the water stops were all on downhills. One, I don’t want to walk the downhill, and secondly all the spilled water around the water tables made it very slippery for a downhill.

 

This is very much an experienced runners’ race. It is a hard course and it is in the dead of winter, so it is usually cold. This means that the competition is stiff, so once I settled in, I didn’t really pass anyone. It was a little discouraging, but also worked to my advantage as I started to tire near the end because it motivated me to hang on to all the runner’s I’d been with the whole race. My cardiovascular endurance felt pretty strong the whole race (until I sprinted the finish), but my legs got really tired around mile 8. My right hamstring and quad in particular just locked up. Thankfully I was right with on the other Spandits Ambassadors, Gretchen, as we made the turn into the high school for the finish. I hate the finish of this race because you think you are at the end when you make the turn, but you still have quite a way to go as they make you loop all the way around the back of the school. I passed Gretchen heading down the hill, but then she passed me again on the last flat before the finish. My legs just had nothing left!!

 

I accomplished my A goal, finishing in 1:27:55, an 8:48 pace. I was 27^th in my age group, 178^th for all women, and 386^th overall. Given how competitive this field is, I feel great about this.

 

I didn’t stick around long after the race because I wanted to get home to relieve my friend Gillian, who watched Cooper for me. I swigged a chocolate milk and grabbed a couple pieces of Otto’s pizza (my favorite) to eat in the car. There was a super cool recovery station with all kinds of self massage tools that I wished I had time to try out.

 

Overall, it was a good day. The weather was amazing and given my training I did better than expected. But I was DONE afterward. Luckily I put Cooper down for a nap when I got home and then had 2 hours to shower, stretch, and rest before he was up again. I was so SORE for 2 days after the race. I guess that’s a sign that I ran all out?