Peachtree Training: Week 8/12 (31w pregnant)

Week-beginning Thoughts:
Blergh. Work is back this week.

Monday

Did: rest
Poolside chil-laxing with the fam = excellent day.

Tuesday

Did: 6.29mi @ 10:36/mi avg, calf stretches

Today was hot and gross... at 4:50am. I had some struggles getting comfortable for the first two miles (constantly stopping to adjust the bump support band), but settled in for the third mile and was incredibly comfortable running until just after the 5mi mark. After a quick walk break to accommodate a little ligament soreness, I finished up the rest of the run feeling good around a 10:00/mi pace. 

Wednesday

Did: rest

Considered running, but got home last from chorus last night (YAY, CHORUS) and took a rest day instead.

Thursday

Did: 1mi WU + 3mi tempo + 1mi CD = 5.44mi @ 9:47/mi avg, Big 2
Non-pregnant, I probably would have cringed at the thought of 3mi of tempo on the track. Pregnant, it sounded like bliss-- especially considering that I had zero pace goals. Woot.

Warm-up hill was touuuuuugh, as usual. I swear I was around a 14min/mi for part of it, and felt like I was just TRUDGING. 

As I started my tempo, I was hoping to be able to maintain a 10 or 10:30. I didn't look at my watch at all through the first mile, and was pleasantly surprised when my first split was a 9:51 mile. 

It only got better from there. I just focused on enjoying the run, counting down my laps, and appreciating the cool breeze as I took one step after another. 

Miles splits: 9:51, 9:46, and 9:00 (whaaaat) all felt incredibly comfortable

...and then I finished out the 5K because I was curious: 29:40. 

Awww, yeah. 

This was a great run, and one that definitely helped me feel really confident about where I'm at. Even if my paces had been nearer to a 12:00, I'd still be so happy with this run just for how GOOD I felt throughout. So grateful to still be so comfortable running at 31 weeks. 

Friday

Did: rest
Decided I would run if I woke up sans alarm before 5am. Woke up at 5:28. Therefore, rest day.

Saturday

Did: 9.14mi + 2.6mi w/stroller + 1.51mi w/stroller = 13.25mi @ 11:00/mi avg
Another Saturday, another pregnant half marathon, complete with logistical "challenges" to overcome. Today's challenges included:

1) Earliest alarm = 4:00am

2) Must be home and capable of parenting  by 6am so Jerry can leave for ITFP

3) Adhere to ATC's timeline for parking, packet pick-up, etc. for kids' race

4) Any running between 6am-11am must be done with stroller on stroller-safe paths

5) All running will be solo 

Plan:

4:15am-6am run from my house, however far I can get (hoping for 8)

6am-6:30am change clothes, get munchkin 

6:30-7:00am drive to location of kids' race (7am recommended arrival for parking)

7:00ish-7:30am stroller run around hilly terrain

7:30-7:45am return to car, dump stroller, walk kid back to start line and attempt bathroom break

7:45-8:20am queue and do kids' 50m dash

8:20-9:00am return to car, drive back towards home

9:00am-?:?? finish out mileage with stroller on greenway

Tired just reading that? Yeah, I kind of was too. I was beyond grateful that one of my teammates (who's not even running much these days) volunteered to get up and meet me for a 4:15am start, just for accountability, I don't know that I would have gotten my butt out of bed without her. Despite not having someone running stride for stride with me, I didn't feel alone for any of my 9.11 solo miles (that's right-- I got in more than the 8 I'd hoped for).  The run itself felt great, though I had to stop almost every mile to pee, and had a short walk break for about 2min around the 7mi mark to get through some round ligament pain.

I came back, DudeWiped myself off, changed shirts, made a smoothie, and then hopped into the car to head off for round 2. The stroller running around the race site was a bit of a struggle due to hills and lots of people, but we got in a little over 2.5mi, leaving only about 1.5 to go post-kids' race. 

Today's run left me wondering if today was my last pregnant half marathon. I don't know whether it's just the crazy logistics or the actual distance, but my Saturday runs have started to feel like chores, where I'm "having" to get the miles in, instead of just enjoying a run. Couple that with feeling like I have to pee every mile, and there's definitely a bit of a damper on my long run Saturdays. We'll see how things continue next week... 

Sunday

Did: 3.02mi @ 11:00/mi, 2.66mi walk
This was one of those mornings where I legitimately considered not running, but did so because: 1) I wanted the miles in my weekly total, and 2) I know I'm going to struggle to run solo due to work travel later this week. I took it super easy pace-wise, didn't struggle nearly as much with having to pee, felt more-or-less comfortable, and was glad I got out... but still feel like maybe my body is pretty stoked for a rest day tomorrow. 

Met up with another teammate for a 45min stroller walk with the kiddos, then crashed HARD. 

Total Weekly Mileage: 28mi run (30.66mi if you count Sunday's stroll)

Week-ending Thoughts:

• 141mi for the month of May. Not bad for 7mo pregnant. ;)
• I'm definitely feeling like pregnancy is catching up to me, though, and don't expect much for the next two months. I lost my 30+ mpw streak this week, and think I've reached the point where, while I can still do the mileage, the main motivator is hitting a number... and that's not a good reason to run.
• I'm not sure how I want to adjust my running plans, but think I'll experiment next week with reducing mileage, time-based runs, and maybe even intervals to see what feels the most enjoyable/the least like a chore to be completed. Running is still very much something I'm getting pleasure out of-- just need to make a few mods to keep it that way.