Daylight savings time has left little daylight in the morning (sunrise about 6:45 but I think there is some light around 6:15) which has left me feeling pretty discouraged about my morning workout routine since the desirable running route from my house is on trails and I just don’t feel comfortable running on them in the dark. My best option at this point is going to be to run on the paved sidewalks until the sun comes up and then head for the trails. And I need to figure out what time I’d need to wake up in order to do that. I’m guessing it’s going to be 5:15-5:30 depending on how far I plan to run. Although I was doing this before Siena was born and for a bit while we were doing P90X, it’s different now since I’m more sleep deprived and unlike maternity leave, I can’t take a nap (or at least convince myself that I can take a nap later when the alarm goes off even if I don’t end up doing it).

You have your priorities in the right order and you are doing great!! The fact you worry about it and want to balance it means you will. My boys are now 15 and 12 and there are still challenges getting in workouts , now have their own workouts/ practices they need to get to. I didn’t do nearly as many when they were little because I didn’t want to miss moments and they required more of me. That part didn’t last long which is both good and bad. You find ways to fit in what’s important, holding planks while teeth get brushed and push ups while they do homework become great ways to balance, and help me remain calm and sane. Enjoy your runs when you can get them. Don’t worry too much it all balances out while we aren’t looking. The races are there every year and some of your best moments are yet to come.
It sounds like a routine and schedule will come with time. As you transition back to full days at work, and as Siena settles into a sleep schedule (once she bounces back from her vacation schedule), it will fall into place over time. The most important thing is to be adaptable, which it sounds like you are. I totally understand not wanting to run outside (and on trails) in the dark. I have never been a fan of running in the dark and will run in the evening (which, I much prefer morning runs) to avoid anything that has to do with the dark. Do you get a lunch break and is it at all possible to run during your lunch hour?
Major props to you for getting up during those really early morning hours. I can’t do that yet – of course it is really cold and dark here at that time. I’m sure once the summer rolls around and it is lighter earlier, I will be changing my schedule so that I can take advantage of that time.
Yeah it’ll take time! I don’t feel like I could do a lunch workout since I’m already spending about an hour a day away from my desk to pump and we aren’t supposed to eat lunch at our desks which would mean a lunch run would probably make my lunch break almost 2 hours! Maybe once I’m not pumping I could swing it !
I am dreading the day I will go back to work after our baby is here, I am sure it will be so hard. Your plan sounds really good, I am sure it will be difficult but it’s nice to see mothers making it work =)
Below is a link to a facebook page of a friend of mine. She has run a lot of marathons and may have a training schedule to share. Check out her site and send her a message to see if she can help you.
Kerry
https://www.facebook.com/CarrieWoodwardBodyEvolution/?fref=ts
You are doing great! I’m a running coach, signed up for a half on May 15 and I only ran twice this weeks. I’m starting to get worried, but I’m just going to try to have fun & not run for time. I think buying a treadmill will really help. Meeting friends in the morning is what gets me out the door too.
It is so hard when you have an infant and are working to figure out how to work out. When my son was old enough to go the childcare at our gym, he would make it about 25 minutes and start screaming bloody murder. I would drop him off and run on the treadmill as fast as I could until he came to get me. It wasn’t what I wanted to do, but it kept me in shape. I suggest maybe modifying the FIRST program. They have a book and an app. It is essentially three runs a week and cross-training. You have a sprint, a tempo, and a long run. You could do the first two on your treadmill. Also, you can do easy running on your cross days (they tell you to bike or swim), your tony Horton videos, yoga, or whatever else. However, if you are sleep-deprived, you know you only need 3 quality workouts. Just an idea. Give yourself grace too. You are juggling a lot! Way to go!!
Hi Nicole,
I feel like you are on the right track with managing things. It really sucks though that you are having sleep issues. Do you drink/like tea? If so then I highly recommend having a cup of hot green tea (mint or chamomile) an hour or so before you sleep. Chamomile tea is also safe to consume while breastfeeding (I think but double check on this). Also make sure to get the loose kind. For me the bagged teas just don’t work the same as the loose leaf ones. Hopefully that will help 🙂
I love Hal Higdon’s plan – they’re simple and I don’t get injured when I use them. My maternity leave is over in a few weeks and I am going to be a total wreck leaving my daughter. You’re so lucky to have managed as much leave as you did! I run in the early morning (4am) so I can run and be back before my husband has to live for work. Right now, it’s not a set time, but if the baby wakes up between 3 and 5 or so to nurse, then I pump if I need to before just going for a run. I go to bed pretty early, too, but the early bed time is the main sacrifice. My body hates running in the afternoon. I use a headlamp and/or knuckle lights when I run in the dark. Trails would still be difficult in the dark, though. I’m looking forward to hearing how you work through the transition back to work! And your treadmill recommendations – a treadmill is next on my running wish list to help with consistent training and having a child. It’s like figuring out life all over again. 🙂
I had a similar plan like Aileen, where when I went back to work, I would go about 4:30-5 (depending on when the baby woke up to feed), pump after the feed before I left to run, and get in my miles then. I also use a headlamp and stick to paved sidewalks in my neighborhood. I go up and down the same few streets so I am close to home and feel safe. Early bedtimes are a must (my baby was in bed by 7 I had to come to grips with only running 3 days per week, though! http://www.okcrunning.org/resources/training/trainingschedules/halfmarathon3dayweekintermediate.pdf is a good plan for only running 3 days per week. You will figure out a system and may have to go into a race with poor sleep (I have done that before!) but it is all worth it to get your exercise time in and set a good example for your baby 🙂
I recently ran my second race pp, first half marathon since having my baby last August. Finding time and energy to train while breastfeeding and working full time was HARD, and I didn’t feel completely prepared for my race. (I’m also a lot slower than you!) It is very hard, but I can tell that working out makes you happy and feel good, so you will find time to do it if it’s important to you. My best tip (which I’m sure you already know) is to give yourself grace to skip a workout if you just can’t make it happen. Kids get sick, etc., and you can’t plan for that! I’m sure you’ll do awesome!
Thanks Amanda! Definitely good advice and something I have been better at than I thought. I think being pregnant taught me that slowing down and rest days are totally ok!