So the other morning I went for my first proper, intentional run since having my last baby, Jake. I mean that I put on running shoes with the intention of running, not doing the lawns (secretly I’m trying to trash my running shoes by wearing them to mow lawns so I can get new ones.. also I only have one pair of shoes so I wear them to mow the lawns), and I left the house fully equipped with ipod and stretched muscles with the intention of running. I have run since having Jake, but it’s been run to the car from the supermarket cos I’m in a hurry, or bursts of running on a walk with friends… (I did run for quite a bit of the round the bridges race last month but I entered with the intention of running/walking.) I hadn't yet gone out deliberately to run which I was so needing to do. The reason I think it’s taken so long is that I was afraid of the feeling I would get when realization struck that I wasn’t as fit as I hoped. Same as having to go back to square one with my strength training and no longer being able to crack out 50 full press ups, I was worried about not making it to the end of the street.

As I will write about in another article, another time, running is not something I find comes easy to me, so the idea of having to relearn the skill and build up my ability again is a bit daunting.

That being said, I ran 2.6km (yes, you running nuts out there, that’s not very far, please remember… first time run after a year off!) and I was happy with how I went. No stopping, and did it in 14 minutes. I was happy with my breathing which is where I normally struggle, when it comes to cardio it’s always my lungs that fail me not my muscles.

So when Dave’s workmate Les (who is an exercise nut) gave him a brochure for a half marathon in March, I thought “might as well do the quarter marathon myself”. I’m going to follow the training schedule that they set as it seems very achievable for me and will allow for me to carry on with my other training… I don’t like running to be my only focus.

So, I’m going to post the training regime here and if you’re keen you can join me! You can compete if you like in Rotorua, March 4^th, or you can just train with me for the fun of it! ;)

The last event I did before I stopped running was the SBS 10km which was when I was early pregnancy, and I did that in 1 hour 10… I’m hoping to beat that in March.

Weeks to go   Week beginning        Monday          Wednesday    Saturday

                                                            (Easy flat)      (Hills)             (Slow)

10                   26 December             10 mins          10 mins          15 mins         

9                      2 January                   12 mins          12 mins          17 mins         

8                      9 January                   15 mins          15 mins          20 mins

7                      16 January                 17 mins          17 mins          23 mins

6                      23 January                 20 mins          20 mins          25 mins         

5                      30 January                 23 mins          23 mins          30 mins         

4                      6 February                 23 mins          23 mins          37 mins         

3                      13 February              25 mins          25mins           45 mins         

2                      20 February              25 mins          30m mins       45 mins

1                      27 February              25 mins          25 mins          Event Day

This is for the 10km event, for the half marathon, double the training times. This may not seem like much training but remember I’ll be doing this on top of my usual routine!

And yes, I will be running on boxing day.. what better time to start?!

Also a few things to note.. make sure you warm up completely before any run. You don't want to throw the whole thing out for yourself by missing this one step. Stretch lightly after as well.

For this schedule I’ll be running on grass or off road as much as poss as it is an off road event.

I’m also training alongside a friend who is doing it as well, so Renee and I will be egging each other on to make sure we train each time… wont we Renee?!

Finally, don’t forget your water! Especially while its so hot!