Let’s Get Physical

A month or so ago, I realized that I’d hit my pre-pregnancy weight and did a little happy dance.   But the dance was short-lived as I watched myself in the mirror and thought, “Hm.   Weight same; body still looking like jelly.”   I tried on my favorite “I really look great in these jeans” jeans and they were baggy where they used to fit and tight where they used to hang straight.   Hm. Same weight… jelly belly…  bad jeans…

I’m a runner.   Or was one.   When Kenny turned six-weeks, I hit the pavement, and though I never got back to my pre-kid-five-mile-a-day running streak, I did  become a  pretty consistent jogger again.   Me, Dudley and Kenny in the jogging stroller became a fixture in our neighborhood and continued so until I found out that I was pregnant with Cooper.   But somehow when Cooper turned 6 weeks, running was about as far down on my To Do list as getting my legs waxed.   In fact, even going for a walk was a different ball game – with Kenny now 35 pounds and Cooper either in the front pack or in the double stroller wailing, my walks lost their zing and when the cold weather hit, I was more than happy to hang it up until Spring.

Until now.

A few weeks ago I went for a run with Dudley before Casey left for the day.   It was awesome.   I did it a few more times, and Casey jumped on my cheering squad, more than willing to see me sprint towards my honeymoon figure.   Then came Christmas, colds and really nasty weather and the next thing I knew, I found my running shoes frozen in a puddle on the side porch.   Take two.

I made up my mind last night that I would go for a run this morning.   So when Cooper woke up a six, I jumped up and headed down to the kitchen with him on my hip for some coffee.   We nursed and played in the living room and just as I was about to put him back to sleep and sneak outside before Casey and Kenny woke up, Kenny came downstairs.   I was not deterred.   “Kenny, Mommy’s going to put Cooper back down and go for a run…” and I was about to add, “Do you want to watch Curious Geroge while I’m gone?” when he piped in, “I want to come with you!”   It was dark.   It was cold.   I protested.   He whined.   Why not, I thought?   So I put Cooper back to bed, got dressed, bundled Kenny up and whispered to Casey, “I’m taking Dudley for a run.   Kenny’s with me.”

We got to the door.   Dudley had slunk back to bed.   I called Dudley, even rattling a box of crackers to bribe him.   He came warily down the stairs, then tried to bolt, but I caught him and hooked on his leash.   “Let’s go!”   I hooted.  “Can I have some crackers, too, Mama?”   “Sure.   Here.    Let’s go…”  “Mama?   There’s something in my eye!”   Ok.   Eye check.   Movin’ out.   “Mama?   It’s raining!”   Hm.   freezing rain = bad.   But I’m stubborn, so I said cheerily, “You’re so bundled up you won’t feel a thing!” and I quickly put one of my turtlenecks on Dudley to keep his nearly bald body  warm.   “Mama?   Why is Dudley wearing your shirt?”   “He looks good in grey!”  I chortled, and off we went down the street.

Mile .1 – Turtleneck arms too long; tripping dog.   Stop.   Roll up sleeves.   Start.

Mile .2 – Just realized that it really is raining and I have no gloves.   Hands cold.

Mile .3 – Sleeves dragging on Dudley’s paws again.   Stop.   Take turtleneck off relieved dog.   Start.

Mile .4 – “Mama?   This is fun!   Wheeeee!”

Mile .5 – Can’t feel hands.   Realize they are turning blue.   Too late to go back.

Mile .6 – Uphill.   Calculate that Kenny + stroller = over 50 pounds.   What was I thinking?

Mile .7 – See neighbor.   Banter and fend off questions regarding my sanity.

Mile .8 – Can no longer feel fingers.   Wondering if perhaps this was a really dumb idea.

Mile 1.5 – Pass the house, then turn back and go in.   Deposit Kenny with the now awake Casey.   Put on gloves.   Dudley and I escape before anyone can protest.

Mile 1.6 – 2.0 – I feel like I’m flying!   I feel free!

Mile 2.4 – It starts raining again.   Hard.   Look at faithful and now very wet Dudley.   Time to go home.

Mile 2.5 – Home.   Sweaty.   Feelin’ good.   Dudley looks at me as if to say, “That’s it?   You dragged my hide out of bed into the freezing ran for two and a half miles??”   Oh yeah.   And I’d do it again.

Kenny runs up and beams at me.   “Mommy!   Can you take me out again tomorrow??”   Sure.   Why not?   At this rate I’ll be back in shape before you can say, “Happy 2010!”