I would have never imagined that it will take motherhood for me to realize how enjoyable a run can be. When I started running 8 years ago I did it as something that will make me feel good after wards but not something I will enjoy or look forward to. I did it because I knew it was good for me, I felt great after a run and awful when I didn't do it. I kept signing up for races to keep myself motivated but only on very few occasions I was able to reach that runners high experienced runners usually talk about. I was always running against time trying to beat my pace per mile and stressing out way too much the days that my body just wanted to go slow; and I think that is why I was not being able to find true enjoyment on a run.
Once I became pregnant and afraid that motherhood will keep me away from exercising the first item I put on my registry was a jogging stroller; I wanted to make sure I had the tools to keep training the same way as before the baby; little did I know that my whole perspective on training and running will shift once I had my little one in my arms.
I started walking a few weeks after having Corina and slowly got myself into running again. It was hard since I didn't run while pregnant but slowly after a few weeks I was up to 3 to 4 miles at a time. At that point I still felt that I was running because it was healthy and good for me but not because I was enjoying or having a lot of fun while doing it. I will wake up early after nursing the baby and run out before she woke up for another nursing session. Once she was old enough to ride on the jogging stroller I started taking her out on the runs with me and the sole act of running became a lot more difficult but a lot more fun too.
I signed up for a local 5K and I really loved not being worried about beating my previous time and trying to PR I just ran with Corina on the stroller. I enjoyed every step of the way, every bump of the road and every cheer that came along the way from the few runners I was able to to pass. We even got 3th place among Key Biscayne residents.
Today we went for a 4th mile run along the beach and it was then when I realized how enjoyable a run with my little one on the stroller could be. I was not about beating my pace anymore, I did not even took a watch with me, but it was about enjoying a time with my daughter. I even stopped, took a break, to show her the beautiful things we saw on the way: the ocean, the beach, the sea gulls, the sun rising on top of the water.... maybe she will never remember this but I will never forget these precious moments I am sharing with her when it is just the 2 of us listening to the pounding of my feet in the ground.
I do not see my runs as something that has to be done anymore but as something I want to do. I look forward for the next run maybe the sunrise will be even brighter............
