A Dad’s Diary
September 23, 2007 by Wilfong
If you’ve been following my running diary over the past few weeks, you may be thinking my first post on the subject turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy. No new posts for a week means Eric the Runner has yet again faded from glory. Well, you’d be wrong because I’m now Eric the Daddy!
My first child, a son, was born September 17 at 10:16am. He weighed 9 lbs, 5 oz, and measured 21 inches long. I’m 6′4″, but my poor wife is only 5′5″ on a good day and weighed about 123 lbs pre-pregnancy. Still, she managed to avoid a C-section, for which we’re both very grateful.
I’m still a bit overwhelmed by this past week’s experiences, so I’ll hold off a bit on any storytelling. Maybe overwhelmed just means “tired” at this point.
As for running, how can it compare to having a new baby at home? Regardless, I knew I’d regret it later if I didn’t maintain some small level of commitment this past week. And besides, better health has most assuredly contributed to a better overall sense of well-being, and that’s a good thing with a newborn at home.
I last ran on Saturday, the day before my wife was to be induced. Still sticking to the weekly long run plan, I set out to do seven miles, running one mile, then walking a minute or two. The plan worked great, and I completed 7.2 miles in 1:12. Not bad as I had previously run six miles in about 1:10.
But after this new success, a baby. Well, that’s okay. We’ll find normalcy again, and for the first time in our eight years of marriage, we have a little one with us to enjoy the process of finding it. So, weary and still a bit unsteady, I finally got out Friday and trudged through about 3 3/4 miles. My legs felt like lead after 30 minutes, and the whole process took me about 45 minutes.
Up for today was an eight-mile run, a new personal best. I had been so excited, but reality kicked my butt. I’m still just too tired to run really well, but I tried anyway. To sum up: hot, tired, eight miles in 1:35.
I’ll redo the run next week, I hope with better results. I also hope to get out a few times this week.
On another note, I registered for my first race today, a 5K scheduled for Nov. 11.
Congrats on your new bundle of joy! It takes some juggling to find the time to run, but it will all settle down soon enough. In the meantime, enjoy the time you have with him, before he is grown up on you - you’ll treasure the time you have with him far more than the time spent running, trust me.
Hey! Congratulations!
He’s going to be a tall boy like you, isn’t he?
Oh, I cannot wait to see you all!!
Give lots of hugs and kisses for your precious son and
your wife!
BTW I was wondering for myself whether I should try 5K race or not. I have been running on treadmill and I enjoy it. I know a real race, running outside on the road is different
but someday I’d like to try! So I’m looking forward for your report about the first race!
WOW. I am impressed. I’m jogging again, but not 7 miles!