In Training, She Was Running for Three
Nine and a half months after giving birth to my second child, I ran my first marathon this year. I am often approached by people who are amazed that I run every day with my children (I push them in a double jogging stroller). I tell them it’s fun for all of us--it’s the one thing I do every day for myself. My kids look forward to it--we talk, sing, observe, learn.
Before last year, I ran three to four miles a day, five to six days a week. My husband, Rick, and I have always enjoyed running together and participating in 5K and 10K races. In 1997, we joined Orange County Fit, a six-month training program / club that would prepare us to run the San Diego Marathon in 1998. Initially, our goal wasn’t to run a marathon, but to learn more about running. One week into the program, I found out I was pregnant, so I began walking instead of running.
Watching my husband train for and run his first marathon inspired me to also want to run a marathon. I didn’t want to take time away from my children, so I decided to wait a year or two. However, before I knew it, I was logging the necessary miles with my kids at my side. Seven weeks after my daughter was born last April, I began again running three to four miles a day. Sunday mornings became my time to run by myself, and I began to run longer distances of six, seven, eight miles. I set a goal to run the Orange County Half Marathon in November 1998. I told myself that when I finished the race and felt like turning around and running the course again, I would consider running the San Diego Marathon in January. I had a great time running the half marathon and finished in under two hours.
With my husband’s support and encouragement, I continued my training. During the week, I ran with the kids four to six miles a day, four to five days a week. On Sundays, I would run longer, usually between nine and 13 miles. I ran only two long runs in preparation for the marathon, of 16 and 20 miles. I felt great after both and was confident I could finish 26 miles.
On Jan. 17, I accomplished my goal when I finished the San Diego Marathon in 4:03. I give a lot of credit to the fact that I pushed a double baby jogger during most of my training. I believe that pushing 80 to 90 pounds built up my stamina and endurance.
Parents, I’d like to encourage you to make exercise a fun part of your daily routine with your kids. It takes discipline, but the benefits for all are immeasurable. True, the hardest part of my workout is getting the kids ready and out the door, but if I wasn’t doing it to go running, I’d be doing it to take them somewhere else.
In addition to keeping fit (I’m 20 pounds lighter than when I became pregnant), running or walking is a time to think, plan and sort through daily thoughts and challenges. Building a stronger body through running has also taught me a lot about nutrition and made me more capable, mentally and physically, to keep up with the boundless energy levels of my two children.
How Did You Do It?
Do you have a story about how you lost weight and kept the pounds off? Or a story about how you learned to mountain climb or in-line skate, trained for a half-marathon, or discovered a unique way of keeping fit, dealing with a nagging ailment or persevering with a fitness regimen despite some obstacles?
If so, we’d like to hear from you. Tell us your story in a 500-word essay listing what worked in terms of diet, exercise and encouragement, as well as any emotional and physical changes.
For weight-loss stories, send us full-body color photos of yourself, before and after. For other types of stories, send a color photo of yourself doing the activity you’re writing about.
Send essay and photos to How I Did It, Health, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Include daytime and evening phone numbers. Submissions cannot be returned. And, please, no phone calls.
In addition to publication, winners will receive a Los Angeles Times Health section gym bag.