During my second year of university I took up jogging. I found it therapeutic as I stomped my way along the pavement while I nursed my first heart-break. I also enjoyed the comradery with other runners as I went along my route: the head nod, the smile and the hello. It was like you were in The Stone Cutters* or some other equally exclusive group. I rediscovered my love of running about 3 years ago, only this time on a treadmill with my ipod on and no excuses of rain being the reason why I could not run.
Running during pregnancy proved to be more difficult (month 1-2 ordered to modified bed rest, month 2-5 violent constant vomiting, month 6-9 enormous twin belly - could barely walk let alone run, followed by the mandatory 6 week post c-section exercise ban). Fast forward to today, the twins are 10 weeks old and my treadmill sits untouched. With two babies, the idea of going for a run while they are napping seems incredibly stressful to me. The idea of jumping on the treadmill with the monitor perched in front of me waiting for them to awaken seems like a recipe for disaster and many short, frustrating sessions.
This fall I made a vow to get outside with the dynamic duo as much as possible and to get rid of my post pregnancy cat belly (cats, particularly older cats, tend to have this loose skin that hangs down from their midsection, this loose skin is filled with a soft layer of fat). On the weekends that means walks in the park, neighbourhood and hikes with the babies strapped to us like dynamite, during the week it means heading out with my stroller, my ipod and the twins for about 30-45 minutes.
The walks have been great, our video rentals are returned a little faster (although still chronically late), letters get mailed and all three of us return fresh faced and feeling a lot better. Yesterday morning I went out at around 9:30 to beat the rain. When I rounded the corner for the last half km stretch I picked up my pace as I felt the first few drops. I passed by a young dad walking his 1 year old in a stroller, he smiled, nodded and said hello and I reciprocated. There was that comradery that I've been missing. I walked the rest of the way home happy. I declare stroller walking to be the new running.
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A friend of my parents growing up was a hardcore runner. I seem to recall her doing the Boston Marathon shortly after popping out a baby - it was crazy. I fondly recall her zipping around Ferndale with one of those baby jogger stroller things.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, random nostalgia you triggered. Way to go.