Week-beginning Thoughts:
I continue to be grateful to be able to keep running throughout this pregnancy. My pace may have slowed a ton this past weekend, but I can still do what I love (and, more than that, NEED, with all the life stress).
Monday
Did: rest
Tuesday
Did: 1mi WU, 4mi PRO, 1mi CD + 0.3mi run/walk cooldown = 6.39mi @ 10:18/mi avg
With how slowly my weekend runs were and how bump-tastic I've felt the past few days, I really didn't think today was going to go terribly well. Fortunately, with the only assignment being "progression", I had zero goals for an absolute pace, and could call the run a success if I went 11:45, 11:44, 11:43, 11:42 on my splits. :P
The first mile felt slug-tastic to me, but wasn't too bad. Then we picked up the pace, but it was almost unintentional-- just talking and running. I never felt like I had to focus on my pace or push harder than I wanted to (mentally or physically), and that was such a great confidence booster--- especially after I saw my paces!
With how slowly my weekend runs were and how bump-tastic I've felt the past few days, I really didn't think today was going to go terribly well. Fortunately, with the only assignment being "progression", I had zero goals for an absolute pace, and could call the run a success if I went 11:45, 11:44, 11:43, 11:42 on my splits. :P
The first mile felt slug-tastic to me, but wasn't too bad. Then we picked up the pace, but it was almost unintentional-- just talking and running. I never felt like I had to focus on my pace or push harder than I wanted to (mentally or physically), and that was such a great confidence booster--- especially after I saw my paces!
Wooooooo!
Wednesday
Did: rest
Considered running, but got home last from chorus last night (YAY, CHORUS), and had to be out the door by 5:45. When my alarm went off, I decided to lay in bed instead of hopping up and getting out the door. The idea of solo running just wasn't appealing today.
Thursday
Did: 1mi WU, 12x400/200, 1mi CD = 6.91mi @ 9:23/mi avg, Big 2 (because I can't bend the right way for the other three anymore with this bump)
What a GREAT workout. I struggled up the warm-up hill, and the subsequent mini hills that lead to the track, but, once I got on the flat rubber, things improved dramatically. I had tentative hopes of making it through twelve 400s, but decided eight would be sufficient, if I was done at that point.
What a GREAT workout. I struggled up the warm-up hill, and the subsequent mini hills that lead to the track, but, once I got on the flat rubber, things improved dramatically. I had tentative hopes of making it through twelve 400s, but decided eight would be sufficient, if I was done at that point.
I felt so awesome throughout the workout. The 200m recoveries were definitely enough, and the shorter 400m distance felt great to push through. I've been feeling super bump-tastic and big all week, and it was so refreshing to feel fast, strong, and agile for a few fleeting moments.
Also, splits were awesome:
2:08
2:00
1:56
1:58
2:01
1:58
1:58
1:54
1:51
1:50
1:53
1:46 (wooooo)
Friday
Did: 4.15mi with stroller @ 10:48/mi avg, Big 2
Great early morning run with the riverside crew and my potato(es) this morning. Nice and easy... and there were donuts afterwards. ;)
Great early morning run with the riverside crew and my potato(es) this morning. Nice and easy... and there were donuts afterwards. ;)
Saturday
Did: 13.33mi with stroller @ 10:38/mi avg, Big 2 AND a 3.5mi walk around the zoo
I felt really good going into today's run. I had my teammates with me for the first part (first time in awhile I didn't have to do solo miles), and then my family went down to the river together to meet up with some more friends for part 2.
I felt good throughout the first part of the run (and didn't even have to pee-- yessss), though it was definitely humid. After a quick shirt change, some graham crackers, and a drive to the river, I embarked on the last 7.5mi of my weekly half marathon. It was nice to run with some people I don't normally run with (thanks to our pace differential), and on a new route too. I finished feeling good, strong, and, had it not been for the sun coming out, I could've also done another 5K+ comfortably. It's really nice to have runs like these where I'm so happy and comfortable when the bump is more and more intrusive on my daily life's "normal" activities.
I felt really good going into today's run. I had my teammates with me for the first part (first time in awhile I didn't have to do solo miles), and then my family went down to the river together to meet up with some more friends for part 2.
I felt good throughout the first part of the run (and didn't even have to pee-- yessss), though it was definitely humid. After a quick shirt change, some graham crackers, and a drive to the river, I embarked on the last 7.5mi of my weekly half marathon. It was nice to run with some people I don't normally run with (thanks to our pace differential), and on a new route too. I finished feeling good, strong, and, had it not been for the sun coming out, I could've also done another 5K+ comfortably. It's really nice to have runs like these where I'm so happy and comfortable when the bump is more and more intrusive on my daily life's "normal" activities.
 |
Fierce family photo
(I think we were being sharks here for some reason?)
|
Sunday
Did: 2.36mi with stroller @ 10:52/mi avg, Big 3, 2mi walk with stroller @ 17:something/mi average
While yesterday's run felt great during and immediately after, by the time evening rolled around, my bump was definitely "tired sore"-- just from having ligaments hold up a 15lb weight for 2+ hours of running. Even with the Gabrialla support band, that's a lot for my body to support for so long. I wasn't sure if I'd run today or rest, but I woke up feeling recovered (at least in that vein--- I slept like crap, so that wasn't ideal) and decided to take my munchkin for a short 2ish mi jaunt before meeting my other running mama friend for a stroller walk with the kiddos.
Potato and I had a bit of an adventure "mudding" through a section of trail that looked far better than it actually was once we got into it. So much for the thorough wash-down I gave the running stroller yesterday after my husband pushed (read: sweated ALL OVER) it. The tires were caked with mud, as were my shoes and legs, by the time we go through it. Of course, the potato laughed with glee and thought it was "great fun". lol.
While yesterday's run felt great during and immediately after, by the time evening rolled around, my bump was definitely "tired sore"-- just from having ligaments hold up a 15lb weight for 2+ hours of running. Even with the Gabrialla support band, that's a lot for my body to support for so long. I wasn't sure if I'd run today or rest, but I woke up feeling recovered (at least in that vein--- I slept like crap, so that wasn't ideal) and decided to take my munchkin for a short 2ish mi jaunt before meeting my other running mama friend for a stroller walk with the kiddos.
Potato and I had a bit of an adventure "mudding" through a section of trail that looked far better than it actually was once we got into it. So much for the thorough wash-down I gave the running stroller yesterday after my husband pushed (read: sweated ALL OVER) it. The tires were caked with mud, as were my shoes and legs, by the time we go through it. Of course, the potato laughed with glee and thought it was "great fun". lol.
Total Weekly Mileage: 33.14
Week-ending Thoughts:
- So happy that running is still so comfortable
- Bump is getting heavier, and it's definitely more difficult to manage both ambiently and during runs-- still not something that's a true deterrent, though, since I'm comfortable during runs
- Amazed that I haven't started wanting walk breaks yet (though I'm sure my overall pace might improve if I did)
- No calf cramps this week!
- Current worst part of running: having to do laundry multiple times during the week because I have 2-3 pairs of shorts/bras that fit comfortably :P
- Humidity and heat are definite factors, and I'm grateful for my teammates' desire to run before the sun comes up
