marathonmummy

We have a guest, and she’s on a mission.

The lovely Karin from CafeBebe is here to tell us how she has been lured into the wonderful world of running.

I Don’t Run Unless I’m Chased!

In the past, when people asked me if I ran I said “I don’t run unless I’m chased!” I’m still struggling with the whole concept and excruciating pain joy of running. However, I’ve never been so heavy in all of my life and something must be done! I read the blog of my host Rachael who is a self-confessed exercise avoider and thought, “If lovely Rachael can do it, why can’t I?” Then I watched Eddie Izzard’s series on BBC3, “Marathon Man”. A man who had only trained for 5 weeks prior to completing 43 marathons in 51 days for Sport Relief is most definitely an inspiration. I didn’t think I could be inspired to run but now I am!

I was a gymnast growing up and even managed to graduate from University in the US with a DEGREE IN FITNESS of all things. I worked for 2 years out of uni at a Health Club in Chicago. I was FIT! And about 3 stone lighter. When I moved to the UK in 2005 I found fish & chips, Yorkshire pudding and hubby-sized portions too difficult to resist. I put on at least 2 stone during the first 2 years here. Then when I found out I was pregnant, I decided that I was justified in eating all of the pies and muffins and extra helpings that were available. I was growing a baby…and boy did I eat. During my pregnancy I THINK I put on about 3-4 stone. Think, because I stopped weighing myself at some point late in the pregnancy.

After my daughter was born by c-section in June of 2008 some of the weight came off but most of it stayed. In addition to the weight I ended up with an umbilical hernia and diastasis recti and a real lack of motivation to do anything about it. When someone asked me when my baby was due (I’m not pregnant!) in January of 2010, I knew that something had to change. Rachael’s inspirational story, Eddie Izzard’s phenomenal feat and a desire to challenge myself to do something I never thought I could do are some of the factors driving me now. That and a desire to have my mummy tummy go away so that I no longer look 5 months pregnant.

When I went out running for the first time 3 weeks ago, I realised that I didn’t know how to run, my trousers were rubbish and I have the tiniest ear canals ever. I sorted out the shoes with proper, pukka gait analysis, I have acquired a new pair of running leggings but still need to invent braces to keep them up and I still have the tiniest ear canals ever. But I have continued to run and improve my running and lengthen my running time. I’m so darn competitive with myself so I find it hard to not beat myself up or push myself too hard.

In addition to the running, I’ve really been watching what I eat while not really subscribing to a “diet”. I don’t do diets. Deprivation equals consternation in my body. But I have resisted the Chip Shop and have stopped eating biscuits and only indulge in a Coca-Cola every so often. I’ve also tried to supplement my run/walk programme with a sturdy walk pushing my 21 month old Little Miss in the pushchair on the off days. I know I need to dust off the Wii Fitness and EA Sports Active Personal Training programmes but I’m having a hard time remembering to do that with all of my mummy responsibilities and blogging/freelance writing ventures.

This is the struggle that REAL mummies have! And I only have one gorgeous girl. Rachael has 4 children! Another Mum/Blogging friend has had 4 children in 4 years and is pregnant with her 5th! I have no excuses really. It is a bit difficult to find the time to squeeze in a workout though and I find that the later that I wait in the day, the more excuses I manage to come up with. Hubby doesn’t come home until between 6:30 and 7:30pm which is a definite issue. If it’s closer to 6:30, no worries. If it’s closer to 7:30, it’s unlikely that I’ll be running! I have come to the shocking, unfortunate stark reality that if I want to guarantee that I get a run in, I’m going to HAVE to get up in the morning and go before hubby goes to work. This is the goal this week. I’ll have to report back on my success.

I can report, however, that after three weeks of exercise, eating better and doing my “mummy tummy begone” exercises, I have lost 3 pounds and see a visible difference in my mummy tummy. And hubby’s noticed as well. He told me that my bum is cheekier! That really helps in the old incentive department. My goals are simple, really. By June, 2010 I aim to: 1) To lose some of my mummy tummy so no one asks me when my baby’s due. 2) To be able to run at least 20 minutes straight and not have to have gas & air or an ambulance tending to me afterwards. 3) To feel better about myself and how I look. 4) To inspire a few mums to do the same!

I’d like to thank Rachael for allowing me to guest blog on her lovely site. I’ve been blogging at Cafe Bebe for nearly a year now. Initially the blogging was to have a personal outlet and to use my brain for good rather than just for nappies and pureeing. Now it’s led to a mini-career in freelance writing and the blog has become just a little bit popular. I’m married to a wonderful Englishman called Mark and my daughter, Little Miss, is fast approaching her 2nd birthday. We live in the East Midlands and have a pretty darn good life except for a distinct lack of millions of pounds on which to live. I happen to be an American Expat and while I miss my family in the US, my life could not be better here in the UK.