What a funny transition I am now that my boys are older. What is even funnier is that a year ago, when we were living in California and I was homeschooling, every run was run with my boys. Now that they are older and all in school full time… running together is an experience that we are all not used to. It is an adjustment all over again.
The boys and I are on Christmas break, Mama needs to run more than ever. I need to lift weights. The boys need fresh air. We need to get our bodies moving and exert energy in exercise… not wrestling indoors. So… we hit the trails and try to remember how to run together. Running with the big kids.
I mentioned a few days ago, that I am going back to basics with my running. I took the past few months off running and training. With that my endurance and aerobic base has decreased considerably. I loaded a new training plan from MyAsics app (free on iTunes). It is pretty basic and relatively easy the first two months as I slowly work on my aerobic base.
Tuesday was my first day. My plan said that I was to run 2 miles. It gave me a suggested pace (that was my power walking speed). I wanted to challenge myself with running the entire 2 miles without stopping. Now. Before you laugh at me and how far my running has decreased from this time last year… I am still running, injury free, and loving to run.
It was a chilly morning run of 22 degrees. I wanted all the boys to ride their bikes… as my quick run would be a lot easier if they were on bikes. Nope. The two big boys decided that they would run with me. Sigh.
Now granted, my boys could run 2 miles much faster than me… but they didn’t. My oldest kept pace with me… my middle (7) walked and whined and cried and screamed and then in the end sprinted past me. Sigh. Deep Mama belly breaths.
It was not fun. I needed a run after this run because all it did was stress me out more than I was before.
Wednesday was a beautiful day and I decided to attempt a redo at the days previous run. Again the MyASICS training plan had me run an easy 2 miles. Simple enough, right?
This time I was smarter and made sure the boys all rode their bikes. They were told before hand that I was going to be running 2 miles out and then run/walking the 2ish miles back to the car.
The boys had a blast. They were laughing and having fun. They waited for me when they were unable to see me (because they were going much faster than I was running).
It was such a nice morning (mid 50’s) run. The sun was shining and the trail was perfect. The hills were challenging and we did our best to run up them and they ride up it. I ran my entire 2 miles (yay!) and on the return route we took the hilliest route possible. Lots of pushing bikes (them) and walking lunges for me.
This is one of my favorite spots on the trail. I love how the trail hugs the lake giving you glimpses between the trees.
I ran using my new Polar A360 wrist based heart rate monitor. I received it as a Polar Ambassador. I was super excited to give it a try. I love the accurate heart rate reading. I also love the vivid display. No GPS… but I used my phone to log the distance. It is totally going to be my everyday go-to watch to track my daily activity. Love it.
Another view of the overflow from the lake on the return route home. We have had a pretty mild winter here in Kansas City so far. I don’t mind it… honestly. It reminds me of the California winters we used to have. Ha! But… I know that snow is coming along with those bitter temperatures. Burr!
This was a perfect redemption run ! The boys did great. I felt strong. My heart rate was in the correct zone the entire run. My feet felt amazing (no plantar fasciitis pain) thanks to my ASICS #MetaRun shoes (review coming soon). AND my daily activity goal was met before noon! Yay!
Running with the big kids is a new adjustment our family is making. It isn’t as easy as strapping them in the double jogger and taking off. I now have to prepare them, bribe them, give them the facts of how long/far we are going. It isn’t as easy as when they were younger… but this new stage in our life can still be fun.
[…] I have been a runner all my life. As a young girl, I remember running laps around my house trying to beat my previous time. As a mom, I enjoyed training and racing for distance races with my friends. My running experience and adventures have afforded me many great opportunities and running memories. […]