Running - Mommy Style

If you know me, you know I love running. My freshman year of high school my mom convinced me to run cross country to get into shape for soccer and also because she ran when she was in high school. When the season first started I hated it! I remember we would have to run around the fields behind the school and when we got to a part where our coach couldn't see us we would walk.

As the season progressed I fell in love with it. I especially loved racing. Putting everything you have into training and then competing in a race is such an amazing feeling and not only are you racing against the other runners but your racing against yourself. I was constantly trying to beat my PR.

Even though I loved racing and running I was always one of those runners who was content with being in the middle of the pack - not super slow and not super fast. I trained hard but when I felt like being lazy I did. lol.

I continued running through college and up until I got pregnant, competing in 5ks here and there and I did my first half marathon last October. I had always thought I would be a pregnant runner but once I got pregnant it just didn't feel right to me. I know there's loads of research on the pros and cons but for me personally it didn't seem like the right choice so for a whole 9 months I didn't run. It was the longest I have gone without running since I was 14. Needless to say, I missed it .. a lot!

After my c-section the doctor cleared me to run at 4 weeks and I started out really slow with walk breaks. It always sucks to have to start running from scratch but I kept at it and built up my endurance. As of now at 12 weeks I pretty much feel back to normal with my endurance and pace. I'm running a 5k soon and then I'm going to be training for a half marathon starting in January.

Although most of the time I run by myself while my husband watches Connor, I still feel like running has changed for me. Being a mommy runner is much different! When I go out for a run most of the time I think about Connor at home. What is he doing? Is he hungry? Is he still sleeping? My husband is great with him so I know I don't have to worry but that's just what moms do!

I also can't just run for as long as I want or decide I want to run another mile mid- run because I know I have to be home to feed Connor since he still doesn't go very long between feedings. Even though these might seem like bad things they aren't at all! I love knowing that when I walk in the door after a great run my little man will be waiting for me! I love him so much! I also can't wait for him to get a little bigger so he can ride in the BOB running stroller without the car seat. I hope he likes it! That way we can  go on long runs together and of course when he can run, I hope he'll be running next to me!

I have read many forums about mommy runners who say they are in better shape and have more determination post baby than they did before and I think I could say the same for myself. I'm not in better shape quite yet but my determination is higher because I have something to work for. I'm working off the baby weight and working towards feeling strong again. My goal is to beat my PRs for a 5k and half eventually and when I do I know I can look forward to seeing my husband and my sweet baby boy waiting for me at the finish line!

Hope everyone is having a great week! If you're a mommy runner, how has it changed for you?

xoxo Jessenia

2 Months Post Bump

Hola! Has it really been 2 months 3 days since my little C was born? I can't believe it and yet it feels like he has been a part of our lives forever. A friend of mine is pregnant and she asked me how it was being a parent and I told her that sometimes I look at him and I just want to cry because I am so happy. (sometimes I do lol)

One week - 7 weeks

This past month has been full of changes and milestones for Connor. He is growing so fast and we are loving every single second with him. I wish I was writing down more of what he is doing and I am trying so that I can write it all in his baby book.

At around 7 weeks he started making so many new noises. I just love hearing his little voice! So many coos and grunts and everything in between. He has also mastered to art of whining.. wonder where he gets that from! haha I said in my one month post that he had my personality and it becoming more and more apparent daily. Even though he is hard sometimes I don't even mind because he is the sweetest most adorable baby I've ever seen (of course ;)).

At around 8 weeks he started to suck his thumb and is very interested in getting his hands in his mouth. He only gets his thumb in his mouth on occasion and is still exploring and trying to figure out his little hands and what there are. So cute.

I know all babies are gassy but this guy like I said before is a farting machine! It's so hilarious and gives Johnny and me lots and lots of laughs. I'm thinking it's because of my vegetarian diet. Any vegetarians out there experience this?

He is very active and doesn't sit still for a second unless he is sleeping. He is constantly kicking and turning his head to look at everything he can. He is very strong and already has pretty good control of his head. He loves to be held in a standing up position and can hold himself standing for a few seconds. I try to give him tummy time daily but he hates it! Hopefully he'll like it a little more soon.


He still is eating every hour unless he is sleeping and it is so tiring but I'm kind of getting used to it now. My mom was reading on Dr. Sears website that babies that are breastfed on demand vs. a schedule grow faster and have an easier time maintaining their weight when they get older because they control when they eat. Makes sense to me! I think he has to eat so much because he burns so many calories with all he crazy moving.















He smiles all the time and loves to look at his daddy. I love seeing them together and cannot wait to see what the future holds. The dad and son relationship is such a special one and I feel so blessed to have a husband who is such a great father.

Here's how I've been doing:

At two months postpartum I am feeling great! Occasionally my incision feels a little sore but its not painful at all. I have been running pretty consistently the past few weeks and I am training for a 5k in decemeber. I am following two plans picking and choosing workouts from both depending on how I am feeling. I can't say enough about how great it is to be back running again. It's such a big part of me. I am really thankful now for the ability to run after taking so much time off. There's just nothing like it!

I tried doing some leg workouts with squats and lunges a couple of times but my incision was starting to hurt so I am currently just running for now. Hopefully soon my incision will be able to handle a little more soon.

I am now about 5-6 lbs away from my pre pregnancy weight and I feel like the lbs are coming off so slowly but I think when you only have a few lbs left thats kind of how it goes. I know I'm putting in the work and it will come off eventually. I do feel my body changing though. My legs are slowly changing shape, feeling stronger and getting muscle definition back and my belly is going down. It's so amazing to me that we have the ability to literally change our bodies just by what we eat and how we exercise. Pretty cool when you really think about it.

2 months                                                                                 5 weeks

Overall, right now I'm focused on being the best mom to my little C as possible but I'm also taking care of myself and I'm focused on running my first 5k back to the best of my ability. I can't wait to cross that finish line and see Connor and Johnny waiting for me! First race with a baby - So exciting!

That's all for now! I'm hoping to write a post on cloth diapers soon so keep on the lookout for that. :)

(P.S. If you think C looks different, it's because we buzzed all his hair off because he was starting to look like an old man! It accidentally got a little too short and I had an emotional breakdown about it lol but now it's growing in all even and fuzzy so it's all good!)

xoxo Jessenia