It’s 2:30am. As I hold my four week old baby in my arms, I can’t help but reflect on where these last few months have taken me. I’ve been working on my Master’s degree, raising two “bonus” teenagers, teaching 5th graders, celebrated six years of marriage, and gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Needless to say, life lately has been a blur (hence the reason why my last blog post was written in September).
First, I’d like to introduce you to Seraphina Kay. She was born on November 29th weighing in at 8 pounds 6 ounces measuring 21 inches long. The labor process did not go as planned. After 37.5 hours of labor, Seraphina was born via a c section due to “failure to progress”. From the moment I first laid eyes on her, I knew she was practically perfect in every way!
Since I had a c section, the doctor tells me that I’ll need a full eight weeks to recover before I can start running again. (I was hoping for six weeks.) I had planned on pacing the 15 minute mile for the Hot Chocolate 15k on January 13th, a little over six weeks after my c section. If I pace this race, it’d be my third year in a row. When I asked my doctor about pacing this race, she said absolutely not. I, however, still feel as though it may be a possibility, so I haven’t cancelled it yet.
Although I can’t run right now, I can walk. I first went out for a very short walk December 6th, just one week after having the c section.
My first time walking a mile was on December 17th. I felt so accomplished walking a whole mile while pushing my Bob Blaze!
Most recently, I did two miles. This, friends, was a big deal and made me SUPER stoked! (Can you tell from the pic?)
Today, therefore, I’m feeling like the Hot Chocolate 15k may be a possibility. I have a week until my next appointment with my doctor. I will see how far I get in this next week and see what she says at my next appointment (fingers crossed).
Any advice from moms who have returned to exercise after a c section? Tell me about it. I’d love to hear your story.
Until next time,
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First off, you’re a rock star! Giving birth, no matter which way (I had a c-section with my first, natural with my second) is so intense! It’s seriously like a workout you’ve never experienced before. Second, your baby is absolutely breathtaking. I love seeing pictures of her!
As for pacing, only you can know how you feel and if you’re up for it. Maybe you can participate but not as a pacer, that way you don’t have the pressure of getting others across the finish line?
Thank you Meredith for your kind words. I should have mentioned that one of the reasons why I want to pace the race is because it secures my position to pace the race in subsequent years. If I cancel my pacing gig this year, priority will be given to my replacement for next year’s race. Also, the cut off time for the race is 15 minutes per mile, so it really doesn’t matter if I pace or participate in the race… I’d still have to keep a 15 minute per mile pace. 😄
That totally makes sense – I can see why you want to get it done if you’re able to! I’ve never done a pacing gig before but I give you all so much credit. I have a friend who paces the HC run here in Philly and he actually paced me (unofficially) at the Philly 8k. It’s so impressive to me that you’re able to hit that pace consistently – it’s something I’d like to get better at!
It’s definitely a fine art and something I am still learning. I’ve had a few failed pacing gigs (coming in late) and a few where I’ve hit my pace spot on. Definitely the hardest races to pace are full marathons!
I can only imagine! How long have you been pacing?
My first pacing gig was in the spring of 2016.