My Uterus and I

I finally did it - I went out for a run. Not just a pretend jog across a bridge or fast paced walk dressed as a runner. I actually did a run!

I titled the blog post My Uterus and I, because we are separate entities now. With the easy birth of Billy came some internal trauma that I was not aware of. This has obviously affected my return to fitness and will result in me having a hysterectomy in the next two months. I'm okay with that so I thought I would blog it for anyone's future reference to return to running after such an operation.
Anyhow when I have attempted running in the past few weeks I have felt like I was a handbag with coins inside rattling around. I am glad the coins will be soon removed and I can just be an old bag again :)

This morning after the doctors approval I decided to turn up for the Brisbane Road Runners 5km. I planned on attempting to run 6min km. A big feat for someone who hasn't run for 6 months. Whilst I have returned to pre-pregnancy weight almost I am still "soft" and the habit of running has been forgotten by my lungs. It was an interesting experience.

Some things don't change and as soon as the gun went off....so did I. After 200m I slowed it down a bit. The body decided to do that for me anyhow. The first km couldn't come fast enough.....and what the hell was playing on my ipod? I think the kids must have been using it in my absence from running. I almost fell over from the lyrics I heard - and hoped no one else could hear - coming through the earpeices. Will have to find the culprit and put them on a music appreciation course.

Just before the 2km mark there was a water station and I stopped to walk and grab some water. I felt okay but I knew this was going to be real hard. I managed to get walking again - mainly because it was at the start/finish line and people were watching me ha ha. Soon enough the 3km mark came up and I was breathing very hard. A girl running beside me checked her watch and said "15:50" I was running faster than I had intended but was comfortable. Still, I decided to walk for a minute and get my breath back. People went past me and I vowed to try to catch up to them. When I started running on the home stretch I easily caught up to those who had gone past and overtook them. That made me feel good and I knew nothing was going to let me stop now. I started to wheel people in - I had a goal on a girl in pink 500m ahead of me. Secretly (can you keep secrets from yourself???) I knew I couldn't catch her but I thought it would be good spirits to attempt it. Before I knew it I had gone past the corner which signals to me the last 500m. I was out of breath and was hurting. I wanted to sit down and stop this foolishness....but I couldn't. Any second now Tesso would be coming to save me and I had to be at least standing when she did.
Seconds later Tesso and a group of runners came up over the hill on their cooldown to come and bring me home. I got the spirit to run a bit faster and finish the run off. At the top of the hill I could see the finish line and Tess and Liz were cheering me on. It felt awesome and I knew I was going to finish. I just hoped I didn't kill myself in the meantime. Running fast through the finish line just about did kill me! I had a chuck on the grass and alarmed myself at the red vomit...can you run so fast you bleed? Then I remembered the plums I had for breaky ha ha ha.
A glass of water later (thanks Tesso!!!) and I was raring to go again. Well not quite :)

Now I am sore, tired and exhausted - but you know what. Today I got the high I have been looking for the past 6 months. If nothing else that was what I wanted. I'm thrilled to be able to run 5km and just hope that soon it will be less of a task and without the pitstops.

A post baby PB of 26:38 for my uterus and I today for the 5km. Happy with that.

Back at PCRG

Might have only been a 4km walk....but it was a start. My first day back with Pat's group.


It was the first Tuesday of the month so it was Time Trial day. Hence I just walked to the start and then watched and then walked back again. Aside from a pitstop to feed Billy....it all went well. Can't wait to be back in the swing of things and for this to get easier! I was so jealous watching Tesso and others race in to the finish line.


My simple plan (I am a VIRGO so shortly there will be a more complex plan outlined...I just love plans!) is as follows:

Week Beginning:

3rd December - 30km walking
10th December - 30km walking
17th December - 25km walking 10km running
24th December - 25km walking 15km running
31st December - 30km walking 15km running
7th January - 20km walking 20km running
14th January - 30km running
21st January - 40km running
28th January - 20km running
4th February - 45km running - including first speed session
11th February - 50 -60km running
18th February - 50 - 60km running
25th February - 50 - 60km running

The idea is from January any walking that I do is just for fun/fitness and not something I will necessarily keep track of - unless it is intense or overly long.

February I have nominated as the date to start speed work. I had planned earlier but that is just silly and wishful thinking. Best to have a plan that will work without injury. A couple of weeks I have planned to drop back to give the body a rest and I will ensure the following up until March:
2 Rest days a week
1 Rest week a month
No timing aside from general interest in fitness improvement.
As I will be running with Billy in attendance for most of my runs (yet to work that out with hubby) I won't let any weather interruptions upset me. Can someone remind me of that if it rains for a week and I don't get outdoors and go beserk on you all again!!!!

Oh yes and new years resolution is - STICK TO THE PLAN