Needing Some Encouragement

The only recurring dream I had while I was pregnant was "going for a run." The dream was generally the same. I would decide that I felt like running and just take off regardless of what I was wearing or where I was. It felt so wonderful to be running and not get out of breath but still feel like my body was doing some work. Then I would wake up and be sad because I would get a little winded trying to roll out of bed.

Well, last night I had the running dream again. This means one of two things: either I'm pregnant or I've been sedentary a tad too long.

I'm not pregnant.

I've been wanting to get back to running for a few months now. I've even started and stopped a couple of different times. I'm really having a hard time getting into a routine and now I'm concerned that with the Winter weather coming I'll never get started again. I also can't seem to find a comfortable way to do high impact exercise while being a nursing mama (suggestions Erica and Jaime?)

And of course, I'm always thinking about the "essential" things that I just don't have in order to be a successful runner. (Some of you may call these "excuses" and you're entitled to your opinion.) So, as is my passion, I've compiled a list of the three things I dream about in order to get me back on the pavement.



As you may know, shoes are a fairly crucial requirement when you want to run. Besides being worn out in general, my old running shoes seem to hurt my feet since having Z-cakes. My guess would be that my feet changed after having said baby. Oouhh...wouldn't it be lovely to have one of those professional shoe fittings that they do at the Runner's Roost? Then I could pretend to be a real runner in front of people who have actually run multiple races.

Oh B.O.B. stroller, how I covet thee. Why must you cost so blasted much? Since I'm not much of a morning person (severe understatement) I end up taking Z-cakes with me most of the time when I exercise. My current jogging stroller--which I got for free so I really shouldn't be complaining about--pulls slightly to the left and doesn't have a swiveling front wheel. I dream about being able to turn corners without popping a wheely or you know...running in a straight line. Of course this stroller would have to come with one of those covers because Denver can be one cold mother and Z-cakes shouldn't have to suffer because of my vanity.

Speaking of being cold, I don't have any good clothes for running in the cold. I get the whole layering thing, but if all you have to layer is T-shirts, then I think there would still be something lacking. This girl looks happy to be running in what she is wearing. I bet I would be happy wearing that too. And a better runner.

So that's it! All of the things that I neeeeeeed to get back in to running. Also, your words of encouragement would probably help...and would keep me from taking out a loan. I'll let you know if it actually works.

Photos via REI & Athleta