I’m back! Sort of.
I wasn’t sure when I’d be ready for my “comeback race.” Ellie was born 4 weeks and 6 days ago, and my first run in about 4 months was just over 2 weeks ago. But my runs last week felt so fantastic, I decided I was ready for a 5K.
This one is not particularly friendly. It’s an out and back that goes over a huge hill (twice…obviously).
Last year I ran it in 22:31. This year I was a WHOLE lot slower.
My only goal was to finish and feel good. Mike wasn’t sure why I insisted on wearing a Garmin if I didn’t care about my pace, but of course I kind of sort of DID care about my pace. Not enough to be sad that it was really slow, but enough to be extremely curious based on the events of the past few months.
I started out feeling pretty comfortable (I was determined not to go out too fast), but the huge hill was definitely brutal. My legs felt fine the entire time but my lungs are clearly not what they used to be. I didn’t love watching everyone take off up the hill as I huffed and puffed like an overweight smoker, but I didn’t beat myself up over it.
After the initial hill, the rest of the race was fun. I glanced at my mile splits and was pretty happy to see them under 9. I finished strong, and am excited to get out and train more!
Welcome back – I love that you raced yesterday too! It was so great to see you and Mike again and the highlight of my day was meeting Baby Ellie!
Your time is great for your first race back – and you obviously look fabulous. But it’s making me antsy to get back out there!
Congratulations, crazy girl
You’ll be putting Kara Goucher’s post pregnancy runs to shame in no time, I’m sure!
Yay, congrats! Must be so awesome to race again!
You’re a rockstar!! Congrats on the fantastic feat!
You should be so proud of yourself–that is AWESOME!
congratulations on your first race post-baby, cate! you look great and your pace wasn’t too shabby either!
Um, that is fricking amazing. CONGRATS and welcome back!
Sounds pretty fast to me! Especially on a hilly course!
Umm, that’s like as fast as I run currently, and I have not yet had a child. You are awesome!! Look at those rockin’ quads.
Congrats on a great race! You look great!
congrats cate! you look awesome and i’m happy with that time on a 5K.
can we PLEASE run together soon?
Cate, you look so amazing! And what an incredible race time so soon after baby. You give me so much hope!
Great job! Your little one should be so proud of her mamma
Holy heck you are amazing! Welcome back to racing!
way to go!!