Fitting Remarks: Just one more marathon...

So true.  At least for me. What about you? Are you surrounded by babies or pregnancies?

I'm 32 now. Dustin and I have been married for almost six years...and yes, all of a sudden, I swear everyone around me is having babies! It's not that I'm against kids. I love my nieces and nephews!

But yet I'm always saying, "just one more marathon."

I know that it's not that I won't be able to run marathons after having a baby. That's obviously not true. I mean, just read Amber's guest post HERE about running the London Marathon less than a year after having twins! Its definitely doable (and in fact, Amber is a stronger/faster runner than she was before having the twins!) Its just hard for me to picture what that my running would be like.

Would we bring the kid with us to races? 
Would we have to have a babysitter for every long run? 
Would we have to take turns training and running for races? 
Would I still be able to run with my girlfriends?
Will I still be able to do so many random races?

Even though its hard for me to imagine what "running with baby" will look like, I still think that when/if we take that step, we will adjust. We'll compromise, and we'll figure out a new way of running that works for both of us with our new life with baby. (But oh, what will our little lady Matilda think of all that??)

With that said, even though there is no baby in my near future ("Just one more marathon!") I may be sharing some future guest posts about running while pregnant, etc, as I learn from my newly pregnant friends' experiences.

For now, I thought I'd leave you with a few thoughts about how to get back into running after baby, based on what I have heard from my friends as well as from my oldest sister, who is an ob/gyn and a runner.

Get your doctor’s approval.

Your delivery experience will be different than everyone else’s, and your recovery will be too. Make sure your doctor (not your friend) tells you its okay to start running again.

Buy a really good sports bra.

You know that I love the Serena bra by Moving Comfort and the BittyBracer by lululemon. However, after having a baby, the boobs might be totally different, and I may need something completely new. I think a good sports bra will be vital for running post-baby, so make sure you are taking the time to invest in the right fit for you throughout  the different stages of the boobies post-baby.

Get a support system in place.

Your husband, your family, your friends, and perhaps even the hired assistance (i.e. a nanny/babysitter) will help make your transition back to running a success.

Invest in a jogging stroller.

I have heard wonderful things about the B.O.B.

Don’t expect to jump right back in to where you were before the baby.

Cut yourself some slack. Your body is different now, and it just went through a lot. Make sure you ease back into it, and slowly add mileage and intensity, the same as way that you would if you were coming back from an injury.

Follow a schedule.

Having a training schedule keeps you accountable, with or without a baby! But I'm guessing have one with baby would be a great way to make sure you stay motivated but don't increase your mileage or intensity too quickly.

Find a gym with childcare.

If your gym has childcare, the treadmill might become your new best friend, but hey- you’re running!

Focus on the benefits of running.

I have heard new moms talk about feeling a little guilt about taking time away from their new baby to run. But it’s important to remember that you're not only exercising for you and your health, but for your family. You’ll feel better about yourself, and your health, and you’ll probably be less stressed. Therefore running will make you a better mom!

Do you have any other tips to add? Please share in the comments!