I'm Back!

I know you missed me! I'm back to running officially. Have I technically been cleared to run after the birth of my son? No. My six week post-partum appointment is on Thursday, but the bleeding has stopped completely (meaning any hint of blood at all) and I'm taking the chance. They say to wait six weeks. I waited a 5 full weeks plus 2 days.

Yesterday I did 2.62 on foot, of which I ran at least 2 miles. Today I ran exactly 2 miles without stopping! Does it feel good? In so many ways, yes. In so many other ways, no.

• I need a new sports bra (or three or four) that supports these giant nursing breasts. They feel so heavy, and even the most supportive sports bra I own isn't enough...may have to wear two of my current bras at a time to support these ladies.
  
• I will have to run in my maternity bike shorts or my old running capris for some time until my legs are less flabby. I can fit into one pair of my old running shorts so far, but there is definitely some chafing action going on between the legs.
  
• Running with the baby is not something I can do right now - I have a BOB Ironman with infant car seat adapter, but you are not supposed to run/jog with the car seat because it is so top heavy. I have definitely been walking briskly with the baby in the BOB, but will not risk jogging with with him in the car seat. He won't be big enough to ride in the BOB without a car seat until 5-6 months if I am lucky. He needs good head support and simply needs to be bigger. So, what does that mean for me?? I have to run when someone is here to watch Brody. Chad is working long hours these days on a big project, so there aren't many hours in the day for Chad to be here and me not be here. The past two days I have been lucky and got to go out with Chad here at the house. My mom has volunteered to start watching him some in the morning if I want to run, and I have also gotten the same offer from my dad and Rose.
  
• Timing of the runs is tricky as well. Even if someone is here to stay with Brody, I still have to time the run around breastfeeding or Brody will be stuck without food (likely screaming and upset) until I get back. I do have some pumped milk available, but right now I'm only out for 30-45 minutes at a time, so it seems wasteful to thaw out the frozen milk. Plus, I really don't want Brody to have a bottle every single day this early (he technically only should have had his first bottle a week or so ago). It is still early in our breastfeeding days and I don't want to risk disruption to our really good start. Also, I still have to either feed him or pump immediately before a run, or I will have to run with even heavier breasts full of milk...ouch!
  
• For those of you curious about my post-pregnancy weight so far - When I became pregnant I weighed 145. On the day my water broke, I weighed 196 (51 pounds gained over the pregnancy - what I expected). In 5 weeks 3 days post-partum, I'm currently down 28 pounds, so I have 23 to go. I have not done anything to lose the 28 pounds except nurse and walk 2-3 times a week for 2-3 miles at a time. I can't diet to lose weight because I risk affecting my milk supply and/or quality. I try to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins and other starches, and I'm definitely not eliminating fats at all. It is kind of fun eating sensible choices for foods and not having to worry about counting calories. I'm looking forward to being back in the 150s, then again in the 140s someday. Running at 168 is definitely an effort.

Thanks to those of you out there that followed the pregnancy and supported me along the way. I hope to join you again soon, though it still may be many months before I can run stride in stride with you fasties. In the meantime, don't say anything about my overhanging belly, my new big boobies bouncing, or my super slow gait. I'm putting in whatever effort I can to running, and hoping to reap the rewards!

Oh, and as a reward for reading, here's a picture of the cutest baby around, Brody. :)

Playing with me a week or so ago.

Taking his bath for the first time without screaming!