Sisters Share It All: My Greatest 2012 Accomplishment
I loved Landen’s topic for this round – it’s a nice feeling in the midst of all the holiday preparations to think about something you’ve already done and felt great about.
This year, deciding on my greatest accomplishment was easy.
After nearly a decade of struggling with running, I can now run several miles consistently, without wishing to die. And not only can I do it, I DO do it. For me, this is huge.
Early in the year, two of my neighbors invited me to start running with them. I knew I was out of shape, but I told them as much and just committed to go and do as much as I could. In the beginning, we ran some and walked some. But within a couple of weeks, we were running the entire 2.5 mile stretch, in pretty good time.
And for the first time in my life, I didn’t dread it. In fact, if neither of them showed up on a given day, I would STILL go on my own, rather than seeing it as an excuse to jump back into bed. I’ve missed a few days here and there, but overall, I’ve been very consistent.
What’s more, I’ve kept it up throughout my pregnancy, all the way through full-term. I’ve been surprised by how easy it’s been to keep it up as my baby got bigger and by how good I feel when I run. (It also means that when someone recommends taking a walk to jump-start labor, I can internally roll my eyes, since I’m firmly convinced you cannot PUT yourself into labor).
I don’t know exactly how running will work after this baby is born – how long it will take me to feel strong enough to run again, how the timing will work with sleep schedules and nursing, or how the weather will affect my willingness to walk out of my cozy home – but I’m looking forward to getting back to it.
I don’t want 2012 to be my one-hit wonder year in the running department.
And I love seeing what Merrick and Landen are proud of this year – check out their greatest accomplishments!
You should take a second and write a post too, bragging about yourself. Share something great you’ve done this year, whether it’s a huge, public accomplishment, or something small.
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Congratulations on your running accomplishment! That is huge! We recently got an elliptical and I used to get on it every other day after work. Sadly, I've stopped doing it but I will get back into it!
I have started to enjoy running too and it feels so nice not to dread it! Tell me – do you take Ella with you or do you leave her behind? Will you get a double jogging stroller now that you will have two little monkeys??
That is super impressive – good job! I've slacked off ever since it got colder outside (in other words, I am a wimp) but would love to get myself to a point where I can run a few miles straight. It's a great accomplishment!
good for you! especially for still going on your own! if i don't have to train for a race or a friend isn't expecting me to run with her, i struggle with running consistently. i've learned that i just always need to be signed up for a race.
Go Janssen! I ran through my entire pregnancy with Andy and loved it. Glad I'm not the only one. 🙂
wow. ah. so impressed and SO jealous. my doc gave the strict axe to no running last week …. I'm slowly going more insane than normal.
I hope you write about running postpartum … it is always so … jiggly (initially) for me. I feel like Bambi.
Mine was running-related, too. Not while I was pregnant, but after. Great job–I'm impressed!
I kind of hate stories like this because I still hold firmly to the belief that I will always hate running, but it seems that your story is typical and that if I still with it for any length of time I will start to love it. But…bleh. I'd rather be dancing 😉
Wow!! I have to say I'm impressed, too. Way to go, mama!!!
That's just crazy to me that you can run through your whole pregnancy. Maybe with my first, but not my second, third, or fourth, no way. Good job, woman!
And I am one of those people who kept labor going by walking around the block (not necessarily inducing it). I was three weeks early but really wanted to have that baby, and every time I stopped walking the labor would stop, so I just kept on walking harder and labor progressed nicely until I had that baby.
Congrats on learning to like running! Like Kristi above, I don't think I will EVER like running, so I'm impressed that you do.
Good for you for this major accomplishment! I know you will get back to it as soon as you feel ready after giving birth.
My husband is a runner and he gets a little cranky if he misses his runs too many days in a row.
actually, pre-pregnancy I was an avid runner (20-25+ miles per week) but have been totally unable to run since I was just a few weeks along because of a threatened miscarriage, intense BH contractions, and measuring too small. I think it's different for everyone. I certainly miss running (like- A LOT) but my body just doesn't seem to be able to handle it right now, which I've learned to be okay with. it's awesome you were able to run through your whole pregnancy, but just remember that everyone's circumstances are different and everyone's bodies are different as well. cheers!