The Life of a Running Momma: One Month Postpartum

Thursday, May 7, 2015

One Month Postpartum

I wrote this post right at a month on April 21st, but am just now getting around to publishing it. So although we are creeping up on 2 months postpartum, this post reflects solely the first month

After Carter was born I was a little bit scared to get back into running. I was afraid Carter would wake up hungry while we were out or I would tear my stitches out or I would leak milk all over. Knowing those things didn't happen and having a better idea of Elise's schedule, I was excited to get back into an exercise routine this time and didn't worry about it. I started off walking the first week after she was born and continued to walk the second week, getting my walk up to 3 miles. With Carter I got up to a 3 mile walk before adding in running segments so I wanted to do the same thing this time. I planned to start off with minute run/minute walk segments but I felt so good I ended up doing quarter mile running segments. By the end of that week I was up to a mile running. Week 4 was spent building on the distance. I hoped to be up to 3 miles running so I could run a 5k that weekend. I increased my mileage faster than I normally would have simply because I wanted to run the race. I figured since I wasn't too sore I could just take it easy the week after the 5k and all would be well. My plan worked out perfectly! When I was recovering from Carter's birth I wanted to see what other people had done immediately following birth so I am going to share what I did each of the weeks following Elise's birth for that reason and for myself so I can remember, just in case this wasn't my last rodeo. All runs and walks were done with the double stroller unless otherwise noted.

Saturday, March 21st- Elise is born

Week 1:

Sunday- Home from hospital
Monday- Rest
Tuesday- 0.5 mile walk
Wednesday- Rest
Thursday- 0.75 mile walk
Friday- Rest
Saturday- 1 mile walk with Elise in baby carrier

Weekly Total- 2.25 miles walking

Headed out for our second walk after Elise's birth.

Week 2:

Sunday- Rest
Monday- 1.5 mile walk
Tuesday- 2 mile walk
Wednesday- 0.5 mile walk
Thursday- 2.5 mile walk with Elise in baby carrier
Friday- 1 mile walk with Elise in baby carrier
Saturday- 3 mile walk with Ty, no babies

Weekly Total- 10.5 miles walking

Week 3:

Sunday- Rest
Monday- 2 mile run/walk 0.5 mile walk warm up, 4 sets of 0.25 run with 0.1 walk between (ranged from 9-10 minute mile pace), 0.2 mile walk cool down
Tuesday- 3 mile run/walk
0.25 mile walk warm up, 3 sets of 0.25 run with 0.1 walk between (10 minute per mile pace), 3 sets of 0.5 with 0.1 walk between (9:20 minute per mile pace)
Wednesday- 1 mile walk
Thursday- 4 mile run/walk
0.25 mile walk warm up, 3 sets of 0.5 run with 0.1 walk between (ranged 9-10 minute per mile pace), 0.75 run with 0.1 walk after (9:20 pace), 2 sets of 0.5 run with 0.1 walk between (10 minute per mile pace)
Friday- 1 mile run in 10:34
Saturday- 2 miles without the stroller 0.25 walk warm up, 1.5 miles at 9:40 pace, 0.25 walk cool down

Weekly Total- 13 miles run/walking