Well, I've been pretty down on myself lately, running-wise. I had a 10k on the books last weekend and I had to bail out at mile 3.75. I was completely bummed because I've absolutely never quite mid-race before! I never even walk if I get tired, let along completely bail!
I pulled into the race location (Krug Park) last Friday night really nervous about the run. Not so much the distance, but the course. It was going to be 5 loops around the park which has a steep hill about the first quarter mile. Not too bad if you're doing it once or maybe even twice, but five times would be brutal. I freaked when I heard we were going to have to loop five times! So, mentally, I was already in a bad place. Anyway, when I pulled into the park, I saw a teenage couple making out in the middle of the road. So, my last two races (and within one week of each other) I see kids making out! Strange! At least they weren't 11 years old this time...LOL.
When we lined up for the race, there were only 14 of us doing the 10k. And, by looking at the runners you could tell these were SERIOUS runners! So, I didn't exactly fit in. I made up my mind to start of slow and just keep that pace the entire run. Well, I started off slow in my head (my first mile was a pace of 7:47!), which was basically just comparing myself to the other runners since I was already in last place! At that point, though, I didn't care. I was just doing it for the exercise and to finish.
The first loop was OK, but once I got to the uphill portion, it was really tough. But, I made it to the top and realized I had to do it 4 more times?! Second loop was slower (pace: 9:28) and again, I struggled up the hill. Seriously, I could hardly breathe once I made it to the top. I joked that I could feel my baby gasping for amniotic fluid, even! LOL. By the third loop, I had to walk up the hill and was still completely exhausted. I decided that since I was so out of breath and I knew my heart rate had to be pretty high (higher than I should have had it in my condition, probably) that it was in my best interest to stop.
I was so disappointed in myself, mostly and even went to the car to call Coach and started crying. Of course, he was praising me for even attempting to do it at all and he was still proud of me, but I still felt like a loser. I got over it soon enough to cheer on my friend Kerry near the finish line. She came in first in her age group (I would have come in second...out of two people:) and last in the race. All racers ran a sub-ten minute mile. Actually, I'm pretty sure Kerry even ran a sub-9:30 mile, so in my opinion, those racers were amazing!
So, needless to say, I've definitely been in a running slump lately and wondering if it's time for me to turn in my sneakers for the remainder of my pregnancy or if I should continue to try to do 5ks or even flat 10ks. I haven't decided, but am definitely in need of some words of encouragement right now....anyone?
Oh, and, it probably goes without saying that the half marathon on my schedule for Sunday morning, is now off the schedule :(
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
official 5k results are in
Just checked online today and the official results are posted from the Apple Blossom 5k.
Total Time: 27:33
Average Pace: 8:52
I'm very proud of myself as this would be a good pace for me without being pregnant. So, the fact that I am, makes me even more happy! Yippee!
Total Time: 27:33
Average Pace: 8:52
I'm very proud of myself as this would be a good pace for me without being pregnant. So, the fact that I am, makes me even more happy! Yippee!
Monday, May 3, 2010
apple blossom 5k and other misc items
Saturday morning was our annual Apple Blossom parade and 5k. The 5k follows the parade route right before the parade starts. So, basically, the entire town was there to watch me run....yes, I'm a local celebrity:)
The race started at 9:15 and the weather was perfect for short sleeves and shorts/capris. I opted to wear a pair of running capris which I normally love b/c they're not too tight around the waist (and that is really crucial to me right now). However, the only other runs I've worm them on were longer runs where I had my fuel belt on me. Little did I know that the fuel belt was really good at holding these capris up. Because I literally pulled those pants up somewhere around 50 times throughout the 5k! Annoying! But, glad I figured that out while doing a short run.
Anywho, the first 1/2 mile of the race was uphill...during which I thought I was going to hyperventilate and die (not kidding). My mental devil was in my head telling me that I should just quit at the top of the hill (that is where my family would be standing for the race/parade)....that I've run the first three and a half months of my pregnancy and I can no longer do it. But, I got to the top of the hill and saw my family all waving at me. Then, most importantly, I saw my 4 year old nephew Jackson waving at me (he's never seen me running before, but we talk a lot about it) and, I know it's silly, but he just had this proud look on his face and that gave me the push I needed to continue. That, and the fact that I new the rest of the race was downhill helped my mental state at that point.
Those of you from St. Joe will appreciate my observations on the race course down Frederick (from Leblond to the YMCA).
1. Dodged about 20 potholes and roadkill
2. The majority of the race/parade spectators were missing at least three teeth
3. Saw two 11 year-olds making out in front of their parents (I almost lost it when
I saw this!)
4. The entire race course, I was breathing in fresh cigarette smoke (second-hand,
of course)
5. Emmitt was dancing at the finish line...ok, this one isn't true...LOL.
I finished the race sometime between 27:30 and 27:59. I'm not sure yet as the race results haven't been posted, I wasn't wearing my Garmin, and because someone was standing right in front of the time board blocking the seconds! I'm pretty certain it was over 27:30 though. But, I'm pretty sure my average pace was UNDER 9 minute miles, which is good for me even not pregnant! So, I was thrilled!
As for the most recent pregnancy news....we got to have a sonogram last Monday. A friend of mine is a nurse practitioner and works at a local non-profit where abortion minded girls go for counseling regarding options they have other than abortion. Well, this friend offered me a free sonogram at that clinic! I was of course really excited and of course emailed her (and texted her!) to set up an appt. So, we went last Monday when I was 13 weeks, 3 days. We heard the heartbeat again (172 bpm), saw the spine and femur bones, saw the baby's hands...the baby was really moving around a lot which is so surreal to see b/c you can't feel a thing! Crazy! She measured the head and it measured at 13 weeks, 5 days (to which I responded "oh, our baby's already advanced!"..again, those of you who know me will know that I WOULD say something like that, jokingly.) It was too early to tell the sex, but she said I could come back at 15 weeks or anytime, and she could tell us the sex. I'm a little torn about what to do b/c I don't want to have our sonogram with the doctor at 20 weeks and not be excited about hearing the sex for the first time. She'd probably think I was a freak if I was like, "oh, I already knew that. I've already had two sonograms!". Coach, being the patient one of the two of us, thinks we should just wait until 20 weeks with the doctor. So, we'll see......
The race started at 9:15 and the weather was perfect for short sleeves and shorts/capris. I opted to wear a pair of running capris which I normally love b/c they're not too tight around the waist (and that is really crucial to me right now). However, the only other runs I've worm them on were longer runs where I had my fuel belt on me. Little did I know that the fuel belt was really good at holding these capris up. Because I literally pulled those pants up somewhere around 50 times throughout the 5k! Annoying! But, glad I figured that out while doing a short run.
Anywho, the first 1/2 mile of the race was uphill...during which I thought I was going to hyperventilate and die (not kidding). My mental devil was in my head telling me that I should just quit at the top of the hill (that is where my family would be standing for the race/parade)....that I've run the first three and a half months of my pregnancy and I can no longer do it. But, I got to the top of the hill and saw my family all waving at me. Then, most importantly, I saw my 4 year old nephew Jackson waving at me (he's never seen me running before, but we talk a lot about it) and, I know it's silly, but he just had this proud look on his face and that gave me the push I needed to continue. That, and the fact that I new the rest of the race was downhill helped my mental state at that point.
Those of you from St. Joe will appreciate my observations on the race course down Frederick (from Leblond to the YMCA).
1. Dodged about 20 potholes and roadkill
2. The majority of the race/parade spectators were missing at least three teeth
3. Saw two 11 year-olds making out in front of their parents (I almost lost it when
I saw this!)
4. The entire race course, I was breathing in fresh cigarette smoke (second-hand,
of course)
5. Emmitt was dancing at the finish line...ok, this one isn't true...LOL.
I finished the race sometime between 27:30 and 27:59. I'm not sure yet as the race results haven't been posted, I wasn't wearing my Garmin, and because someone was standing right in front of the time board blocking the seconds! I'm pretty certain it was over 27:30 though. But, I'm pretty sure my average pace was UNDER 9 minute miles, which is good for me even not pregnant! So, I was thrilled!
As for the most recent pregnancy news....we got to have a sonogram last Monday. A friend of mine is a nurse practitioner and works at a local non-profit where abortion minded girls go for counseling regarding options they have other than abortion. Well, this friend offered me a free sonogram at that clinic! I was of course really excited and of course emailed her (and texted her!) to set up an appt. So, we went last Monday when I was 13 weeks, 3 days. We heard the heartbeat again (172 bpm), saw the spine and femur bones, saw the baby's hands...the baby was really moving around a lot which is so surreal to see b/c you can't feel a thing! Crazy! She measured the head and it measured at 13 weeks, 5 days (to which I responded "oh, our baby's already advanced!"..again, those of you who know me will know that I WOULD say something like that, jokingly.) It was too early to tell the sex, but she said I could come back at 15 weeks or anytime, and she could tell us the sex. I'm a little torn about what to do b/c I don't want to have our sonogram with the doctor at 20 weeks and not be excited about hearing the sex for the first time. She'd probably think I was a freak if I was like, "oh, I already knew that. I've already had two sonograms!". Coach, being the patient one of the two of us, thinks we should just wait until 20 weeks with the doctor. So, we'll see......
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
picking up momentum
Well, I'm trying to jam pack as many races in my schedule as humanly possible before it gets to hot and humid for this pregnant lady to run (and I promise that I won't milk the pregnant thing too much on this blog:). I'm HOPING I can make it through May and maybe some of June before it just gets too hot for me. And, considering I complained in STL when it was 55 degrees at the start of the race and probably almost 70 when it finished.....I'll be darn lucky to still be running in June..LOL.
Anyway, I just updated my race list (to the right) and added three new races. The first is a 10k here in my hometown around one of the city parks. What reeled me in was the fact that Olive Garden will have salad, breadsticks and spaghetti at the finish line...LOL. The second race is another half marathon on May 16th in Leavenworth, Kansas. I'm pretty sure Leavenworth is about 45 minutes away from my town, but I've never been there. So, I have no idea what the course is like. The website did have an elevation map and it looks like there are a couple big hills. But, hopefully nothing too horrible. The last race is a 15k. I've never run a 15 k, but I'm kind of excited for the fact that I know exactly what to expect. It's in my hometown and I've actually run the entire course before (though not all at once). The last 5+ miles of the 15k meets up with the half marathon course I did last Saturday. So, I know exactly where all the hills are...up and down.
I tried to upload a couple of photos from my race last weekend, but it wasn't working. I'll try to post those later.
Anyway, I just updated my race list (to the right) and added three new races. The first is a 10k here in my hometown around one of the city parks. What reeled me in was the fact that Olive Garden will have salad, breadsticks and spaghetti at the finish line...LOL. The second race is another half marathon on May 16th in Leavenworth, Kansas. I'm pretty sure Leavenworth is about 45 minutes away from my town, but I've never been there. So, I have no idea what the course is like. The website did have an elevation map and it looks like there are a couple big hills. But, hopefully nothing too horrible. The last race is a 15k. I've never run a 15 k, but I'm kind of excited for the fact that I know exactly what to expect. It's in my hometown and I've actually run the entire course before (though not all at once). The last 5+ miles of the 15k meets up with the half marathon course I did last Saturday. So, I know exactly where all the hills are...up and down.
I tried to upload a couple of photos from my race last weekend, but it wasn't working. I'll try to post those later.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
half marathon redemption
Yesterday, I ran my second half marathon of the week. I finished in 2:08:48...so I shaved off about three minutes since the STL half. I was pretty pleased b/c there were some KILLER hills...not as many hills, but they were steeper. I felt pretty good most of the race, but was pretty beat by the time I finished.
So, my news about why my training hasn't gone as well this time around????? I'M PREGNANT :) I'm 12 weeks now, so the cat's out of the bag! Needless to say, I get fatigued more easily and therefore can't run as fast as I used to. But, that's ok...I'm still getting exercise and it's kind of cool to be able to say I ran two half marathons while I was pregnant.
Last night we went to our friend's engagement party and spent the night in Kansas City and had a great time. We told all our friends about our news the afternoon before, so it was nice not to have to keep lying and act like I was drinking when I wasn't. A couple of them definitely suspected it since my lower belly is already pooching out a little...LOL!
Well, that's all the exciting news I have for now. Hope everyone had a great weekend!
So, my news about why my training hasn't gone as well this time around????? I'M PREGNANT :) I'm 12 weeks now, so the cat's out of the bag! Needless to say, I get fatigued more easily and therefore can't run as fast as I used to. But, that's ok...I'm still getting exercise and it's kind of cool to be able to say I ran two half marathons while I was pregnant.
Last night we went to our friend's engagement party and spent the night in Kansas City and had a great time. We told all our friends about our news the afternoon before, so it was nice not to have to keep lying and act like I was drinking when I wasn't. A couple of them definitely suspected it since my lower belly is already pooching out a little...LOL!
Well, that's all the exciting news I have for now. Hope everyone had a great weekend!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
another half
Last weekend was my STL half. It didn't go as well as I had hoped, but was somewhat expected. The hills, the heat...they both led to me running slower than my previous half in November in the upper 30s weather. I'd much rather run when it's 30 than when it's 70...weird, I know!
Anyway, I ran the half in 2:11:44. This is over 7 minutes slower than my last half = bummer :( This picture below pretty much sums up how was I feeling afterwards....defeated and tired.
A friend at work, Kerry, talked me into doing a half marathon here in my hometown with her on Saturday. So, this is two halves in back to back weekends. I'm hoping I'll be able to redeem myself a little this Saturday, but we'll see. The temps will be a little cooler than last weekend, but the course is still a little hilly. Not AS hilly, but still hilly. This will be Kerry's first half marathon....and I think, first race period. She runs about 4 miles a day and does the elliptical for 30 minutes a day...everyday. And, she's recently been throwing in longer runs on the weekends with me. So, she is in great shape. The most she's ever run at once is about 7.75 miles, though. I know she's a little nervous, but I know she can do it.
I'll post sometime soon (probably early next week) about why I think I ran slower in this past half and what was different in my training this go-around versus the half in November. I know you all can't wait for that!
Hope those of you running Boston have a great time and all get your PRs!
I'll post sometime soon (probably early next week) about why I think I ran slower in this past half and what was different in my training this go-around versus the half in November. I know you all can't wait for that!
Hope those of you running Boston have a great time and all get your PRs!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
three more days
I'm getting very excited for this weekend for not only my half marathon, but more importantly to hang out with my best college friends! Tomorrow night we're staying in KC and going to the George Strait/Reba McEntire/Leanne Womack concert and then heading to STL first thing Saturday morning. When we arrive, we'll head downtown to the expo to get our race packets and shop around a little (I'm sure). I'd also like to drive the race course to see what is in store for me. Then we're throwing our friend, Alison, a baby shower....she's expecting her first baby...a girl! Not sure what's in store for Saturday night, but I'm guessing whatever it is will be low key for those of us running in Sunday's race.
I just checked the weather and they're calling for a high of 78 and sunny. So, I'm seriously stressing out that I'm going to get too hot! Thank God the race starts at 7 AM, so I'm hoping it will be cool and cloudy for at least the first half. Not sure why I can't run when it's over about 65 if it's sunny, but I seriously get a headache and feel like I'm going to wet my pants every 10 minutes...weird, I know.
Tonight I'll be packing all of the race gear I could possibly ever need, just in case the weather forecast changes. I'm planning on running with my fuel belt so I don't have to get in the mess of people fighting for water/gu. I like to drink and fuel when I want to and not rely on the race volunteers anyway.
I've really been slacking in working out this week, meaning today is the first day I've done a darn thing! So, again, yet another thing to spaz out about. My last long run before the race was last Saturday and it was six miles. I was pleased with the pace (9:04) so hopefully I'll be able to do that for another 7.1 on Sunday!
Good luck on the races this weekend ladies!
I just checked the weather and they're calling for a high of 78 and sunny. So, I'm seriously stressing out that I'm going to get too hot! Thank God the race starts at 7 AM, so I'm hoping it will be cool and cloudy for at least the first half. Not sure why I can't run when it's over about 65 if it's sunny, but I seriously get a headache and feel like I'm going to wet my pants every 10 minutes...weird, I know.
Tonight I'll be packing all of the race gear I could possibly ever need, just in case the weather forecast changes. I'm planning on running with my fuel belt so I don't have to get in the mess of people fighting for water/gu. I like to drink and fuel when I want to and not rely on the race volunteers anyway.
I've really been slacking in working out this week, meaning today is the first day I've done a darn thing! So, again, yet another thing to spaz out about. My last long run before the race was last Saturday and it was six miles. I was pleased with the pace (9:04) so hopefully I'll be able to do that for another 7.1 on Sunday!
Good luck on the races this weekend ladies!
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