First Year and First Race as a Runnermama

I kicked off 2010 with my first outdoor run, which also happened to be my first race postpartum. It was a mere 5K, but having hung up my running shoes for about eight weeks - having a wee baby - the 5K distance felt more like 10K. I didn't plan on running the Running Room's Resolution Run until yesterday afternoon. I had no expectations and finished the run in roughly 28 minutes.

During the run, the winter wind whipped my face, but at least the snow held off until this afternoon. Still, by Canadian winter standards, the weather was rather mild. As I ran past the 2K mark, I smiled to myself and recalled how much I love feeling the wind on my face. I really missed it.

This morning, as I fed Baby Max, snow fell. Since the race started at noon, I still had a few hours to chicken out.

"Should I do it?" I asked Baby Max.

He continued to slurp away. So I asked him again - knowing that of course he wasn't about to answer me. However this time, he looked at me and smiled. So, I thought, Oh okay, this must be his way of telling me to go, pound some pavement and run the race.

I'm really glad I did.

It wasn't the easiest 5K, but it felt good. As I cooled down and stretched by my car, I realized that I have a ways to go to get back into the same shape I was nine months ago. One of my New Year's Resolutions for 2010 is to not have too many expectations and to try to live in the moment. I say the same thing every year. However, this year, more than year's past, I think sticking by this resolution will be very important.

Rome wasn't built in a day. And I can't expect my body to get back into shape overnight. Again, I will have to exercise patience...that, in itself, will be tough.