pregnancy

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!

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?

Finally Here!

January 21, 2014 by Kristy 23 Comments

The last time I posted I was 37ish (?) weeks pregnant. Little did I know that I would go to 41 weeks and 1 day before giving birth. The wait was agonizing and there were frequent bouts of hysteria. In the end, just like everyone said, it was well worth the wait.

Fiona Catherine was born on 1/9/14 at 5:50AM. An early riser, just like her mom and dad.

She’s 12 days old today and I’m finally getting the chance to sit down, gather my thoughts, and write a post about it. It’s hard for me to adequately convey in words how life changing labor and delivery was (I seriously cannot stop thinking about it) and how blissfully happy I am getting pooped, peed, and spit up on. I have discovered there is nothing in the world better than baby snuggles, the smell of her head, and how her tiny hand grasps my finger. Matt and I are both smitten.

I feel obligated to share some of the birth story. But since this is a running blog, I’ll spare you the gory details and instead give you the cliff notes version.

Since I was late and my OB didn’t want me going too much past 41 weeks, I was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday night (1/7). The plan was to begin Cervidil overnight and then start Pitocin on Wednesday. I wasn’t thrilled with the plan but I knew Fiona was not coming out on her own. My big concern throughout pregnancy was the possibility of being induced, not progressing, and ending up with a C-section. I know a C-section is always a possibility even if you go into labor on your own, but I’ve seen far too many friends go down the induction-not-progressing-C-section road. I was terrified.

I was actually surprised to learn I was having “contractions” when I went to the hospital on Tuesday night. I say “contractions” because I felt no pain whatsoever. I remember the nurse saying she didn’t consider them contractions if I didn’t feel any pain. I agreed with her although the doctor felt differently (note: this OB was NOT from my practice). The OB felt that since my “contractions” were 1-2 minutes apart, Cervidil would send me into abrupt labor and put the baby in distress. It was best just to monitor me overnight and maybe I would progress on my own and we could start Pitocin on Wednesday morning. I was still not dilated at all but Matt and I were hopeful with this news. Even though my gut was telling me otherwise.

On Wednesday morning I met with an OB from my practice. She was on call for the next 24 hours, thank god. After hearing that my cervix was still thick, hard, and uninducible (her words), I pretty much lost it. This was the exact opposite of what the doctor told me on Tuesday night. She also said Cervidil would not be effective enough for me and suggested we start Cytotec instead. Matt and I knew a little bit about Cytotec and had reservations – it’s a nasty drug – but talked with the doctor and decided we really had no other choice. My cervix needed to be prepped for Pitocin and my OB felt that Cytotec would do the job. I was still not dilated.

The next 12 hours were pretty much uneventful. I was still having “contractions” but felt no pain and was still not dilated. I was beginning to think the baby would never come out without a C-section. In fact, around 6PM on Wednesday night, my OB came in to check on me and I was all prepared with an argument for a C-section. I didn’t want another dose of Cytotec. I had been at the hospital for 12 hours at this point and was still at square one. During the check I had dilated to 1/2 a centimeter and my OB went ahead and broke my water. There was no mention of breaking my water, she just went ahead and did it. She also told me to give her 12 hours and she would have the baby out. I never got my chance to argue for the C-section.

After that my “contractions” were no longer painless. My pain level was about a 5 but I could still walk around and talk with Matt. The contractions were still 1-2 minutes apart. Around 9PM they started the Pitocin. I was terrified of the impending pain since my contractions were so close, I hardly got a break from the pain. Let’s just say that Pitocin is no joke. Before I knew it, my pain level was a 10 and I was shaking and nauseous. I have never experienced any pain like this before. I would oscillate between sitting on a medicine ball and standing. All I could do was look forward to the brief, pain-free moments between contractions.

I immediately asked for the epidural. I was only 1 cm dilated at this point (typically too soon for an epidural) but my OB agreed to it since my contractions were so close and my pain level was so high. Ahh, the epidural! How can I convey in words how wonderful it was?! I was a completely different person afterward and it allowed us to get some sleep and let the Pitocin do its job.

Around 3AM I started to get nauseous, shake, and vomit. I repeated a cycle of shake-vomit-sleep about 6 times. I think it was due to the epidural but the nurse said it was due to pain (even though I felt no pain). But the good news was I was progressing fast and furious! I was about 8 cm dilated. This was the best news I could have ever heard.

Around 4:40AM I began pushing. This is the part that was life changing. It was like an out of body experience – like the last 6.2 miles of a marathon. Your mind is sharp but your body is tired. I was exhausted and kept falling asleep between pushes. I felt no pain, just some pressure. I kept thinking give 110% every time you push and it’ll go faster. Kinda like the faster you run, the faster you get done. Even though Matt and the nurse were right there with me, encouraging me every step, I felt like it was just me in that room…on a mission.

One hour and 10 minutes later, I pushed 4 last times and the baby came out with a small cry. The feeling of her exiting my body is something I will never forget. I heard my OB say it’s a girl which confirmed what Matt and I instinctively knew for the past 10 months. And my OB made good on her promise – Fiona was born just shy of 12 hours after my water was broken. She was perfect – 10 fingers and 10 toes – and all ours…finally!

PS – To answer a burning question that I was always curious about: which is more painful – racing a marathon or labor? Labor, hands down. No comparison there!

Gobble Wobble 5K Recap

December 1, 2013 by Kristy 10 Comments

One month until D-day! Of course I have visions of going early and everything going seamlessly. Or…I’ll still be waddling along after the New Year. I have to think positive, right?

On Thanksgiving I ran my first Turkey Trot ever. Usually I use Thanksgiving as a rest day, sleep in “late”, and refuel with mashed potatoes. Since my mileage is scarce these days (see below), I figured it was worth trotting 3.1 miles before the mashed potato refuel. And who can turn down a race called the Gobble Wobble at 9 months pregnant?!

This 5K is extremely popular (I believe it was the 30th anniversary this year?) and well organized. It’s also a 5K you don’t want to race (see below). You are better off doing it as a fun run with family…which seemed to be what most folks were doing (at least in the back of the pack anyway).

I cringe over my finish time – 34:16 (11:00 average pace) – when, just 2 short weeks ago, I ran an 8K at 10:30 average pace. Maybe I missed my running buddy Sara? Or maybe it was this –

There was no way I was running up that hill. It was a gradual climb that never ended. I sucked it up and walked. Ouch…my pride hurt more than my shins did during that mile.

photographic proof of my wobbling (check out my shadow!)

35 weeks

My mileage continues to dwindle the bigger I get. Right now I’m averaging anywhere from 15-22 miles per week. And that includes 2 days of walking. I can only run 3 times a week and no more than 6 miles. My shins can’t handle the extra weight…and the last thing I want to do is risk a stress fracture. I space my runs out to allow ample rest time in between. For now, that works. In the wise words of Lauren Fleshman (whose pregnancy posts I love), “since I decided to opt out of any kind of heroic pregnancy training plan, it doesn’t bother me to only run 4-5 days a week, and take walk breaks now and then. Except for those times when it really bothers me.” I could not agree more with the last part.

2nd trimester running recap

September 29, 2013 by Kristy 8 Comments

Farewell, 2nd trimester! On Wednesday I’ll be 27 weeks and beginning my 3rd trimester, according to my Sprout app. Whether this happens at week 27 or 28 – I don’t know – but I like the sound of it so I’m sticking to it.

I know I sound like a broken record but I still feel pretty damn good. Aside from having a gut that won’t go away and grows after each meal, I still feel like “me”. Although I must admit, over the past 2 weeks, I get pretty cranky from 3-5PM. I’m exhausted from carrying around the excess weight and just want to lay down. After dinner I generally feel better so maybe I just need a snack? Why do I feel like a toddler?!

Running during the 2nd trimester was pretty consistent, with the exception of a few days of extreme humidity, where I just bagged the run all together. I decreased my overall mileage to 30-35 miles per week, compared to 35-40 miles per week in the 1st trimester. My long runs stayed in the 10-13 mile range. And I completed (pregnant) half marathon #2!

The 2nd trimester also brought some so-called “shin tension” while running. I really can’t describe it any other way. My compression sleeves helped a bit but my legs have to continually adapt to the increased weight. Even more so now that my weight gain will be more rapid (awesome!). I’m super vigilant about recognizing any shin tension, taking extra rest days, using the Tiger Tail, and icing.

Now that it’s cooler out my running wardrobe is limited. All my tanks and shorts fit fine but my race Ts are a bit snug. My weeks of wearing them (decently) are numbered.

Instead of buying new ones, I decided to take advantage of Matt’s Ts (some of which were originally mine but too big). Since Matt is “retired” from running, he shouldn’t miss them.

This morning I ran an impromptu 5K! Might as well leave the 2nd trimester on a high note. My goal was to give it a solid effort and beat my PW of 28:22 way (way) back when I was 25. That was my first 5K ever – on University of Maryland’s hilly campus. That race is probably why I still hate 5Ks to this day.

Anyway, I didn’t think it would be that hard to beat – it would be close – but feasible. What I didn’t expect was for my legs to feel like bricks after mile 1. I felt like I was at mile 24 of a marathon…where your brain and lungs are saying “go, go, go” and your legs are uncooperative. My breathing was fine, my stomach wasn’t “in the way” or bothering me but I just couldn’t move my legs any faster. I did run 6 miles on Friday and 8 on Saturday but I really think it was just all the added weight and increased “speed”.

I finished in 28:44 – 9:16 average pace. And now my legs are sore. Who knew 17 lbs (and counting) could cause such havoc?

26W5D

Looking ahead to the 3rd trimester, I think my motto is going to be “grateful for each day that I can run”. I will cut myself some slack on my miles per week mandate and just be happy running 25(ish) miles per week.

I decided (after MUCH debating back and forth) to drop out of the Philly Half Marathon and instead do the Rothman 8K in November. I’ll be 8 1/2 months by then and I need to be realistic. Even with using a run/walk approach, 13 miles is too far with all this added weight. Today’s race confirmed that!

(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?