ready

A week from tomorrow I will run my first race since my baby was born exactly 2 months ago.  It is the GW Parkway Classic 10 Miler and race day also happens to be my 35th birthday.  Last weekend I ran 7 miles at a 10 minute pace and felt really strong minus some stomach issues.  This week I did a few easy-paced treadmill runs (less than 3 miles each) and worked on the reformer at the Pilates studio twice.  Tomorrow morning I’m planning to run 8.5 miles with some of my favorite running buddies.

Baby G is already 2 months old!

I feel happy.  My journey back to fitness after having a baby has been full of ups and downs, both  emotional and physical.  I am learning to know, love, respect and appreciate my body in a whole new way.

Sometimes I simply can’t believe it.  That this is my life.

One year ago as I was getting ready to turn 34 I had no idea what this year would hold for me.  No clue that I would be celebrating my 35th birthday with a new baby in my arms.  I think I hoped for things – mainly growth and peace – but I never dreamed this would be my life.  That I would be given the gift of this child, this beautiful new soul, to nurture and to love.  Wow.

I can’t wait for next week’s race.  Not because of a PR (I’m not even planning to “race” – I just want to run) but because I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than with running.  I will run with a heart full of thanks for all the gifts in my life.