12 Weeks...

It's been 12 weeks since my planned c-section... oh yeah, that little surgery where they basically cut you in half to remove your child. I chose it, after having an unplanned c-section with my first baby, and going through all those hours of labor, why not plan it the second time around? It really does make planning your week so much easier, Tuesday- mop the floor; Wednesday- finish the laundry and pack; Thursday- have the baby... but, boy... that whole major surgery thing really puts a damper on running. So here, I think I'll chronicle my attempt to break into running again.

So far, I've been on... maybe 7 1/2 runs. That 1/2 run was my first and only attempt to run 3 miles... needless to say, not a success. So, I've kept the rest to 2.5 or less... at this point a bit nervous to try to break out of this comfort zone. Maybe next week? We'll see.

The reason I run? Well, there are a few--
1. The quiet. When I started running I was in college, living with 11 other girls. Not only did I need to lose that freshman 15 (ok...25), but I needed to have time to actually think. To be out, by myself, listening to my feet hitting the street, soft and rhythmic. I don't run with music. No i-pod to get lost in, only my thoughts. Now, it's a different quiet I seek. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband, my kids, my home... but sometimes it just seems so chaotic. I need to get out, by myself, where it's quiet again, and I can think.
2. After I run, for the rest of the day I feel like I did something good, for me... and for my family. Even if it's not until the evening, a run makes the day complete. I did it, it's done, and I can go another 24, or even 48, hours and feel like I accomplished it. I've done something good for my body... and the better I feel about my body, the happier I feel, and therefore I'm a better wife and mom.
3. It's still, for me, the best way for me to get into (or back into) shape. I've tried so many things, from spin class to work out tapes, and running is tried and true. It just works for me and it's time for me to get back into it.

At this point it's not about the weight. I still do have 10 pounds to lose, but I don't miss my jeans being lose as much as I miss being able to go out and run 5 miles without getting out of breath, without feeling like my heart might pound out of my chest, without wanting to stop to walk half way through. So here I go, back out on the road. Sometimes it will be just me, back into the peace and quiet of running; sometimes it will be me and the stroller, doing something good for my peace of mind, my body... and my family.