Does assembling my jogging stroller count as running? I still have more than 2 months to go til the baby comes, and probably another couple after than before I run again, but I'm getting ready! It was almost 90F yesterday when I woke up at 5 a.m.--too hot to even walk.

Need some advice from the moms out there. Does anybody know how long after you give birth before your foot size stabilizes again? My shoes are getting a little snug, and I don't want buy another running pair until I know it'll last more than a couple weeks.

You guys are doing so great--so inspiring. Shaila, congrats on day 2, what a great start. MrsD--sign up for that race. You'll be so proud of yourself.

Anne

ANNE !! :grouphug: I was just thinking of you this morning and wondering how you were! Sounds like you are doing just fine... If memory serves me right it took 15 years to get back down to my regular shoe size :lol3: ... NO, seriously I think it took a good 2-3months for the swelling to go down, but it may be different if you nurse your baby, as I didn't at the time.

I only had time to run 2 miles on the dreadmill but it felt good. I think it's ellen who gave the recommendation to SQUEEZE your butt and think of your core and abs when running, well it certainly did help a LOT. My right knee sounds like popcorn these dayse but after concentrating of my form this morning it went very well ...

Well gotta go take my dad to treatement TTFN:wave:

Thanks sugarbianca I will check that site and and way to go Sheila you are doing it girl! You'll be doing miles in no time at all :D

Hi anne "waving" great to see you doing well. My swelling in my feet went down a couple of days after I had my daughter and I've heard about the same from other women. You lose alot of water rentention after you have the baby.

Thanks for your encouragement guys, I think I am going to sign up :dance:

Oh yeah my workout duh :doh: I did 2.0 mile walk this morning. Weights later today then I am going on vacation all next week so I won't be posting but I will be running and in here in spirit with you girls. We're heading off to myrtle beach so please pray a hurricane doesn't hit the coast :o . I've never run on a beach before so hopefully I can try that one day I'm praying that it doesn't rain. Okay guys well I'll see ya in about 2 weeks "waving"

Anne, Good to see you! Assembling a stroller definitely counts as exercise! I was only changing the wheels on my double stroller this morning (we wore out the first pair) and that was enough of a challenge. My feet never really swelled while I was pregnant. But I did go up one size in my first pregnancy (5 to 6) and still wear a 6. Since my oldest is now 6 years old, I think the increased size is permanent for me. I had to replace all my shoes slowly.

Ilene, glad to hear you managed to squeeze in a run even with your busy weekday schedule.

MrsDawsondn, enjoy your vacation!

I went for a walk this morning to test out the wheels I replaced on the stroller. They didn't fall off and strand the girls and I a couple of miles from home, so I guess that's a success. No running until tomorrow am for me.

Mrs. D. Way to go on signing up for a race. I think you should get extra credit for vacation workouts:)

Ilene- I was really trying to pay attention to my posture on my run today as well. I noticed I have been slumping a lot lately and my stomach has been cramping up just sitting around (because I am slumping, or am I slumping because my stomach hurts?) Either way, I pulled my stomach in and straightened my shoulders and noticed a huge difference in my time!

Shaila- Keep up the good work! Make sure to rest and elevate between runs to keep the swelling down. At least until your body is used to it again.

SJ

Only Me- You wore through a pair of wheels? Impressive. I feel like I have accomplished a lot when I need new shoes.

Thanks. *hugs*

Anne: my shoe size stayed up by one permanently too. It'da been nice for them to go down, cause now I wear women's 11's and you can't FIND the darn things in half the stores. So don't count on them going down. Don't give up hope, but don't count on it.

MrsD, when would your race be again? Enjoy your vacation, you'll have a blast at the beach and we'll *pray* that you get no wet weather. :)

Ilene, I forgot about the squeeze your butt thing. I'll try next time. Now, can you go every day or are you supposed to go every other day like weight training?

Anne,
I'm with Shalia, my foot went up a half size and 20 months later they haven't returned to normal, my friends feet went up 2 sizes and 5 years later are still the same, hopfully for you they will return to normal size soon.

I just have to say I look up to you all! I am amazed at how much a lot of you run! I just started running this week and I am having some problems (blisters) but I managed to run 2 miles today! (1 mile, then a little break, then another mile).

Just lovely - it is 5:30am, already 77 and 96% humidity and I am off to do 14 miles. I love DC in the summer! (How crazy am I?) I promise to check in later. We are having a little "parking lot party" after the run to celebrate for those folks who are doing the half marathon - made the distance with 3 months left of training (most of my group is looking to Marine Corps last weekend of Oct).

Hey, Mrs.D, you rock!

Shaila and SJ - squeeze that butt, push off from the big toe - it is amzing how much longer and further you can go. I would not have believed it if I hadn't tried it. Keep up the good work.

Sugarbianca - why wait? Start the program now - it is designed to help you get from jogging to running. You CAN do it. Wish I had some advice for the blisters ...

Anne, Ilene, SJ - I do admire you for running through and after pregnancy - wow.

TTURedRaider, try a different pair of socks. Thin or thick, different textures and wicking materials. It should be pretty cheap to try a couple pairs and see if it helps. Also, some vaseline or Body Glide on the trouble spots can help. My blister problem went away when I found the right shoes--extra wide for me.

Ellen, have fun on that 14 miler. Keep hydrated.

Anne

5k for me this morning, I'm hoping to do a longer run tomorrow so didn't want to go too far today in case it wore me out. Fingers crossed the plan works when I get up tomorrow!

Shalia - I usually run every second day... Sometimes I run every day but I find it hard on the knees ... Most training programs run only every second day...

Today we are going in the coolness of a museum and walking around in there... Tomorrow it will be a super early morning jog if I want to beat the heat...

Ellen -- I wasn't a runner during my pregnancy 17 years ago... but I did exercise and weight train till the very end and was back at it 4 weeks after delivery...

I'll say it again - wow.

Just got back from my 14 - I finished in 3:30. That means I will be able to finish the Disney Half in 3:30 (course limit) so I am going to sign up. Just between us, I think I have an addiction. Is there a 12 step program available for runners (12 steps - is that all? I can do that, it's nothing after 14 miles in the heat and humidity :lol: )

Just got back from this morning's half. Dh, who has run 5k once in the last 12 years (and that was Friday night) ran the 5k in 24:50. (He does bike and walk a lot though). My 3 and 6 year olds ran(well, mostly walked for the 3 year old) the kids 1k race and received ribbons for their efforts.

Now my race. The weather was hot and humid, the course ran along country roads with no shade whatsoever, and the half didn't start until after 9:30, when the 5k was finished. Anyway, before we started I'd down graded my time hopes from sub-2:00, to around 2:05. By 10k I'd down graded that to faster than my 2:12ish May 1/2. By 15k I'd downgraded it to finishing without collapsing or walking most of the last 3k. I finished in about 2:12 again. But, it was a better experience than the last time. My pace was more consistent. I walked through water stations after the turnaround, and for about a minute afterwards, but that was it. I even finished by picking up the pace for the last couple of km and overtaking two men. Hey, I didn't finish last!

Lessons learned. 1. No more mid summer long distances for me. I don't do heat well. By about 8km I wasn't sweating much at all and I had goosebumps on my arms. It was a weird feeling; I was incredibly hot yet slightly chilly at the same time. I then started sweating buckets as soon as I stopped running. 2. Chaffing hurts. I've worn the same sports bra before on long runs, but I was dumping water over my head at water stations, and I guess my skin and the wet bra did not get along. I didn't notice until I got back and took a bath. Better than finding out in a shower I guess. (Dh got to experience chaffed nipples, which took him by suprise. I told him that he now knows why so many of the men were running topless.)

Ellen, congrats on your 14 miler!

Shalia, it's generally considered better to run every other day when you're starting out. It puts a lot of new stresses on the muscles, bones, tendons and ligaments.