The Postpartum Journey: Mistakes, Successes and My Team [Athlete Story]

Guest Blog Post by Lexi Miller of Lifelong Endurance.

Lexi is running coach & community manager and new mom. She specializes in the long distances: trail running, ultra running, fastest known times and marathons, as well as mental performance and adventure racing. In addition to coaching runners, Lexi is an ultra runner, herself, who also enjoys adventure racing, skimo racing and nordic skiing, to name a few.

I had a great opportunity to chat with Lexi for her podcast, Defining Endurance. We talked training, running, pregnancy and new motherhood. Thanks Lexi, for sharing your story!

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The Return: More Difficult Than Exercising while Pregnant

Personally, I found the return to training much more challenging than exercising while pregnant. Sleep deprivation, low energy, excess weight, and wanting to spend all of my free time snuggling with my new little creature caused me to struggle to get out the door and return to the sport I love: running. There were mistakes that I made, obstacles I successfully overcame, and a support system that was unbeatable. 

3 of My Mistakes

Returning too early

As a lifetime athlete, I had not gone many days without working out in my life. As I entered the postpartum world, stressed from my new role as “mom” I went for a run at my first opportunity: ten days postpartum. This was extremely dumb. What was even more ridiculous was the ab workout I engaged in a day after that. I so desperately wanted to return to my old body that I was ready to hop right back in the saddle of workout out. Thankfully, my body rebelled and I was forced into a longer recovery.

Cutting back on calories

Again, I was so stuck on the fact that I would return to the person I was immediately postpartum, that I did not prioritize my own health. Breastfeeding was already a struggle for me, and cutting back on the snacks did not help. I initially had to gain back some of the weight I lost after giving birth so I could be healthy enough to feed my baby.

Scheduling

Prior to having a baby, I could really run whenever I wanted. I spoiled myself by going for leisurely runs when I felt like it, following up with some recovery and a nice meal. My first week back to training after having a baby was challenging-I had to set a time to workout and actually go at that moment. There was no doddeling or procrastination, if I wanted to exercise, I had to hold myself accountable.

Wins: What Worked Well

 

Setting realistic goals

My first race postpartum, I set the goal to run negative splits; something that has eluded me in the past. My pace was conservative and I really focused on listening to my body. Finishing successful in this goal gave me a similar rush to having had a PR. I drafted up a training plan, one that was attainable to my situation and continued to derive feelings of accomplishment as I tick off the days where I followed the workouts and paces mindfully.

Prioritizing my health

It is so easy for a new parent to prioritize everything above themself. But, it is impossible to fill other cups if your own is empty. Exercising, signing up for races, and taking time to be alone has been crucial to my mental wellness and the happiness of my family

Making it happen

As I stated above, my first week back to really training was a lesson in scheduling. Even when it seems foolproof, babies can rearrange a schedule in a blink of an eye. It is easy to make excuses and not get out the door-and realistically, poor sleep and stress do not make for the best hard workouts, but flexibility and determination are crucial in staying consistent. I have moved workouts to the stationary bike when there is no to get outside that day. I have bundled up the little guy and pushed the jogger for a long run, strapped him for my chest for a steep hike, and made the most of any free moment. It was not always pretty or a good workout on paper, but it got done in the time I had.

My Unbeatable Team

Babies bring communities together, and I have been beyond fortunate with the support I have around me:

My Husband

It worked best in our household that I do full child care at nights and about 75% during the day. However, my husband has been clutch in providing me with naps after long nights and making sure I have everything I need to be successful (such as a clean house and an assortment of frozen dinners when cooking is just not happening.) When the stress, frustration, and exhaustion are rising; we have a system of ensuring I can go for a run or rest. We communicate about what days we want to get in a particular workout, and what we will need from one another.

 

Family

Living close to family is unparalleled. We are fortunate to not have to pay for babysitters, and my athletic parents are happy to provide childcare for a time so I can play outside. While it is not realistic in our situation to have this more than once or twice a week, I am able to arrange my workouts to when I know there will be someone around (cutting back on the number of days I am trying to run a speed workout with a jogger.)

A Good PT

My body felt wrecked after having a baby, and my labor and pregnancy were particularly easy. Getting set up with a good physical therapist, who specialized in pelvic health AND running made such a big difference in my recovery.

Supportive Employers

Working for a small company has pros and cons-I could only take four weeks of leave, but I am able to work around caring for my baby. This frees up my schedule and bank account to focus on my health.

Flexible Friends

My former adventure and workout buddies have also been extremely helpful in getting me out the door and exercising. From not giving me up when I am running late, helping carry the additional baby equipment, holding the dog leash, and just providing adult conversations, having supportive friends has brought joy in the return to fitness.

Run Club

Having the consistency of a run club, a reason to get myself out the door and be social was huge in my motivation to return to training and sign up for another race.

Fellow Moms

Motherhood is a wonderful club of supportive women who just want to see you succeed. I have loved reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones with the commonality of having a child. When breastfeeding was not going well, I had a community to turn to. When I wanted other moms to adventure with, they were easy to find. It has helped me feel less isolated and worried about failure, normalizing the idiosyncrasies of raising a tiny human.

Thanks Lexi!

Find more information about Lexi here:

• Instagram @coach_lexi_lifelongendurance

• Lifelong Endurance Coaching

• The Defining Endurance Podcast