philly rock n roll half marathon

changing my mind again…

October 6, 2014 by Kristy 8 Comments

Two weeks ago I ran the Philly RnR Half Marathon for the 12th time. This was also my 4th postpartum race and I had some high hopes – not PR hopes but I was sure I would finish sub-1:50. Well, I didn’t. Not even close: 1:56:41. It was unexpectedly humid and yes, that counted for something but it wasn’t solely responsible for my utter demise on the course.

Let’s review the past year, shall we?

LOVE Run: 1:53:08 (11 weeks pp)
Broad Street: 1:23:41 (4 months pp)
ODDyssey HM: 1:57:42 (5 months pp) –> can’t count this one in the mix. There’s a definite reason for my poor performance – sheer exhaustion. Matt came back from a 2-week work trip the day before the race.
RnR Philly: 1:56:41 (8 months pp)

Notice a trend? I’m getting slower. I distinctly remember reading Dr. Clapp’s book Exercising Through Your Pregnancy and being excited about postpartum running and all the potential PRs I envisioned myself running. It made sense. Physiologically, all those adaptions that take place when you run during your pregnancy hang around for 6 months to 1 year postpartum. That’s why some women run their fastest times in that year postpartum. Right?! Right?! Wrong. At least in my case.

What gives? I’m working hard and getting slower? How is this possible? I have a few theories that came to mind while running the RnR.

#1 – Get some blood work done, maybe something is off. I have been feeling off lately – some non-specific symptoms that have been hanging around for a few months now. I’m getting the blood work done this week so hopefully I’ll know soon.

#2 – I need to re-wire my brain to accept discomfort when racing. You know…head to the pain cave, get comfortable with being uncomfortable, blah, blah, blah. Turns out my brain has completely forgotten how to do this.

It seems that all my slow running could be to blame for #2. When I say slow running I’m talking about no speed work and running all runs at a comfortable, conversational pace (think MAF training without the heart rate monitor). This is the same slow running that is responsible for all my Fall 2012 PRs (5K to marathon), an enjoyable 36 weeks of pregnant running, and my injury-free and endurance-building return to running postpartum. What?!

I did some hard thinking after the Philly RnR. While my body craves that slow running, my mind craves finish times that are within 10 minutes of those 2012 PRs. It’s time to bring back some speed work. Gulp. I’m talking 400m, 800m, and mile repeats. Gulp.

Because of my change in training, I’m not running the Monster Mash Marathon on Oct. 18th. I was able to defer until 2015. I want to put 100% of my efforts into training for the Philly Half Marathon in November. And maybe come within 10 minutes of 1:41 (my current PR)!

If you’re keeping track I’ve been changing my mind a lot about my race plans for 2014. From a 50M -> 50K -> marathon…to half marathon? I should have relinquished all decisions about racing this year to Matt. He isn’t under the influence of hormones.

There is some good news. I ran 400s yesterday that aren’t too far off from my times while training for Boston in 2012. And I still get to run easy on most days 🙂

I can’t end a post without unrelated pictures of Fiona!

Training Update {8 months out}

September 8, 2014 by Kristy 4 Comments

Fiona will be 8 months old tomorrow. Eight months?! I sound so cliche but time really does pass in the blink of an eye. I wish the same was true for training.

This is definitely my longest training cycle so far. By the time the marathon rolls around I will have racked up 20 weeks of training. Totally necessary but daunting at the same time.

Here’s a little look at what I’ve been doing…

The first 10 weeks (when I thought I was doing the 50K) included lots of slow miles, lots of hills, and some trail running. This is exactly what my body craved (it still does). I ran my first 50+ mile week when Fiona was 6 months old. A slow and steady comeback. Structurally I feel great – I’m still religiously doing pre-hab 3 times a week – but I’m exhausted most of the time. Which brings me to the topic of “total work”.

Pre-Fiona, when I was training, I would get solid sleep and sit on my ass for 8 hours a day at work. I recovered as hard as I worked. Now I get less sleep, run around all day, and carry 20 lbs on my hip (alternating hips, of course, to balance out the inevitable imbalances that will result). So my “total work” skyrocketed and 50+ mile weeks knock me on my ass. Too bad I can’t spend some time there and rest.

So this parenting thing is exhausting and coupled with marathon training, it’s really exhausting. Maybe I’ll adjust (has anyone adjusted?) but for now my weekly mileage will remain around 45 so I don’t fall asleep at dinner. And I realize that doesn’t sound like much of a decrease but it seems to be my sweet spot these days.

Since I decided to run the marathon instead of the 50K you would think I would begin to do some type of speed work. Nah, I’m too exhausted for that! In all seriousness, I just don’t want to do any type of organized speed work. I have picked up the pace on a few runs and I do coach a track workout on Tuesday nights, where I run with all different pace groups…well, the ones I can keep up with. My goal for the marathon is a “solid effort”. I’m not in PR shape – nor should I be at 8 months postpartum – so a PR would be an unrealistic goal. I just want to get out there, enjoy myself, get used to marathoning again, and see what I can do.

After the marathon I’m running the Philly Half Marathon in November. I definitely want to race it (and would love to PR) but I need to see how the marathon goes and how recovery goes.

But before all of that I’ll be running the Philly RnR in 2 weeks. That kinda snuck up on me. So I guess I’ll see where my speed is (or isn’t) very soon.

I guess what all of this means is that 2014 is my rebuilding year. Exactly what I intended it to be and exactly how I’m training. It may be a year without any PRs but my engine will be strong for 2015 – and ready for a PR.

postpartum running: the real deal

March 17, 2014 by Kristy 12 Comments

During my long run on Saturday I thought about everything my body has gone through in the past year. A 30-lb weight gain, a gait that changed (and back that ached) because of said weight gain, a wider pelvis, a squished sciatic nerve, feet that grew both in length and width, labor and delivery, and then weight loss.

So why am I surprised that running kinda sucks some days and I often feel like I’m running in someone else’s body? During pregnancy I had these visions of effortless runs where I was flying. I mean, I ran throughout my pregnancy – don’t I just hop right back in the saddle?! Not exactly.

how we spend most days

Structural Fitness
Cardiovascularly, I feel good. While marathon pace may feel like half marathon pace, I know that in time my speed will come back. I’m not overly concerned about that. My structural fitness (muscles, bones, tendons, etc.) has taken a hit. Again, I’m not sure why I am so surprised. My last substantial long run in 2013 was the Philly RnR Half in September. I was 6 months pregnant and knew my days of double digit runs were numbered. I ran 12 miles this Saturday and, structurally, it felt like 20. This system takes longer to adapt than the cardiovascular system so I just need to give it time.

Sleep
Sleep just ain’t what it used to be. While I shouldn’t complain – Fiona sleeps very well – I could definitely use more (couldn’t we all?) or more deep sleep (checking the monitor excessively doesn’t lend itself to sound sleeping). Less sleep = less repair.

Hormones
This surely has something to do with it, right?

one more because i couldn’t resist…

Taking all of this into consideration, I need to give myself a bit of a break. Maybe I’ll feel back to my old self in 6 months? Or maybe I’ll adapt to my new normal?

Just like it has in the past, consistency and hard work will pay off. I just have to be patient.

Any moms out there feel the same way about running postpartum?

Philly RnR Half Recap

September 17, 2013 by Kristy 10 Comments

I came, I waddled, I finished…in 2:18:12 (10:33 average pace). Only 2 minutes slower than my very first HM back in 2002!

Let me back up a bit first…

A small part of me wasn’t sure I would finish. I have never felt that way before. I was well trained (I had done numerous 8 to 12 milers in the past few months) but you just never know what you are going to get day-to-day. I was worried about the tension in my shins – would it be unbearable? Would I have to walk half the race? Would I get excessively tired? Would today be the day some new pregnancy symptom would appear?

my SIL and I at the start

At least I had the weather on my side. It was about 50 degrees at the start. Had it been anywhere near the humidity we had earlier in the week, I would have not run the race. My tolerance for humidity decreases each week I get bigger.

I knew it was going to be a good day during mile 1. I had no shin tension whatsoever (it generally appears ASAP). I was enjoying the crowds and laughing at my shadow. I looked ridiculous! I was moving slowly and was definitely doing more of a waddle than run.

I stopped to pee right before mile 3 (already?!) and then before mile 9. I lost 4 minutes total – mostly waiting in line at mile 3 – but what can you expect at 6 months?

Screen Shot 2013-09-17 at 11.59.16 AM

having fun

I saw my friend Sara at mile 10 and I was so happy for the company. I was getting a little bored and really wanted to chat with someone. I was feeling really good at this point…I wanted to go faster but I knew my body wouldn’t cooperate. Or I would pay for it dearly on Monday.

After mile 12.5, I picked up the pace. I weaved in and out of runners and raced to the finish line. I had the biggest smile crossing the finish line – I wish there was a picture to capture it. My 2nd HM while pregnant done! For comparison:

HM #1 (10 weeks): 1:59
HM #2 (24 weeks): 2:18

Screen Shot 2013-09-17 at 11.51.29 AM

thanks sara for letting me chat your ear off

Congrats to my SIL, Sara, Jimmy, and Jen who all had fantastic races!

pregnancy confessions

September 8, 2013 by Kristy 18 Comments

I’m just shy of the 6 month mark and time is moving fast but not fast enough, if that makes sense. Once I hit 20 weeks, time seemed to sloooow down. I’m hoping for a very fast Fall.

I’m grateful to still be feeling fine – other than feeling large (I’ll get to that later). But I do have some confessions…

I’m not sad to see the summer go
So long to BBQs, shore trips, and (not) drinking on the deck. Do I sound a bit bitter? I am. I really missed drinking this summer. Before you peg me as a binge drinker, let me explain. There is nothing quite like an ice cold beer over the summer. On the deck and down the shore. After a long run. Especially after a long run. I had no idea how much I would miss it. I think a lot of it has to do with being pregnant over the summer. I probably would not have minded as much over the winter (uh, maybe). And thankfully I’m not into anything pumpkin so my bitterness will not extend into the Fall with the arrival of pumpkin-flavored beers.

I did not miss training for a marathon over the summer
This shocked me. I love long, sweaty 20-milers during the summer (see why the ice cold beer comes in handy?). Again, I thought it would be bitter city seeing everyone train for their Fall marathon. Not at all. Guess it shows how much of a mental break I needed from training. I’m so happy with where my running is right now; I’m perfectly happy with 10-13 mile long runs. And I know that, come 2014, I’ll be fresh and raring to go again.

The weight gain is tough
Obviously this is something you know is inevitable but it’s still mind blowing. When I walk by a store window, I don’t recognize myself. I’m up 14 lbs, which I assume is normal (reading about “normal” weight gain would drive me more insane…so I don’t). This is the most I have ever weighed and some days it’s hard. To grow so rapidly out of your pre-pregnancy clothes (seriously, one week they fit and the next they don’t) and to have T-shirts be snug?! T-shirts?!?! Thank god for maternity clothes (also thought I would never say that). I can’t believe I resisted them for so long.

23 weeks, 5 days…and feeling large.

I’ll be waddling my way through the Philly Rock n’ Roll Half next Sunday. I’m feeling pretty good about it. Excited too. This is always a balls-to-the-wall race for me so it’ll be nice to enjoy myself. I’m guaranteeing a PW (that would be anything over a 2:16 – my first HM finish time!). I plan on walking through the aid stations and running very slow. This may be my last distance race until after the baby is born. We’ll see 😉

Any of your own pregnancy confessions to share?
Running the Philly RnR Half?

(running) lessons learned at 21 weeks

August 25, 2013 by Kristy 8 Comments

Running is still going fairly well at almost 22 weeks. It’s not necessarily blog-worthy – lots of slow miles – but I feel like I’ve learned some lessons along the way.

You never know how you are going to feel day to day. I used to map out my mileage and workouts for the week every Sunday. During the 1st trimester I still did that but then discovered it’s rather pointless. Good days and bad days come and go like the wind. These days if I feel good, I add miles. If I feel bad, I cut the run short. 6 milers can turn into 8 milers or 4 milers…it all depends.

I hold myself accountable for weekly miles, not pace. This sound like a contradiction to what I just said above. During the 1st trimester I was running 35-40 miles per week. Now I’m holding steady at 30-35 miles per week. I really strive to hit that weekly mileage for 2 reasons: (1) it motivates me and (2) why the hell not? If I still feel good, go for it. Things could change drastically in the next month. But pace is the one thing I cut myself some slack on. I stopped wearing my Garmin a long time ago. I’m slow and I’m getting slower. But if I hit my weekly mileage goal, all is good!

Lungs are fine, legs are sore. Some days there is so much tension that builds up in my legs (mostly my shins) that I have to take a short walk break to shake them out. I attribute this to the increased weight (concentrated in one spot) and probably gait changes as my body figures out the best way to handle its changing shape. The plus side is that I’m rarely out of breath (but I also run like a turtle).

The more support the better. I’m talking shoes here. I usually rotate between my Brooks PureCadence and Brooks Ravenna. A few weeks ago I noticed the PureCadence were not cutting it anymore. I could feel everything and I felt like my feet were working overtime. Again this is probably due to increased weight in one specific area.

Sundays are rough. I generally do my long runs (these days that’s 10-13 miles) on Friday or Saturday and, come Sunday, I’m just not mentally up for a run. Rather than take a rest day or bog myself down with a “longer” run, I do 4 miles and allow myself to walk/run. It allows me to get in a shake out run but also not set myself up for failure.

Motivation. I always thought running without training for something specific would be hard. I am running the Philly Rock n’ Roll Half in a few weeks but don’t really consider myself training for it. Instead, the biggest motivator (besides hitting my weekly mileage), is knowing that I’m doing good for myself and the baby. Cheesy, right? While I’m at it, I love running “with” the baby. He/she is the best running partner and our runs together are our special bonding time. I’m becoming a softy with this pregnancy!

Any running/exercise pregnancy lessons you can share?