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Tiger Tail

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.

IMG_1638

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.

IMG_1637

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!

 

 

 

 

 

Tiger Tail vs. Foam Roller

March 9, 2011 by Kristy 2 Comments

About a month ago I bought a Tiger Tail.  It looks like this:

Why did I decide to buy a Tiger Tail over a foam roller?  Not sure, but you can say I was definitely clueless.  I had never used either before, nor had I ever held one (never had the need to).  I thought the Tiger Tail would be more portable and would “hit the spot” more than a foam roller.  I assumed the foam roller was soft (ever jump into a foam pit?).  I bought a foam roller yesterday and the word foam is definitely a misnomer.  There is nothing soft and comfy about this thing.  The foam roller HITS the spot.  Boy oh boy.  What prompted me to buy one?  I watched Jen’s video on foam rolling 101 and it looked pretty effective.  I used it yesterday on my glute/hamstring.  Let’s just say that my glute/hamstring felt fine pre-roll and hurt post-roll.  Not painful, but similar to the hurts-so-good pigeon pose.  I think my Tiger Tail may begin to gather dust…

Tomorrow begins the Monster Month before taper time.  Apparently I’m supposed to run 3 more 20-milers?!   We’ll see.  I always do 4 20-milers; I’m not sure how much benefit I’ll gain by adding a 5th.

I have 2 races coming up in April that I’m really excited about.  More on that in another post though!

PS – Check out Aron’s blog for a giveaway!

I Love Yoga and Week 7 Recap

February 20, 2011 by Kristy 6 Comments

This morning I went to the wonderful Candace’s vinyasa class at RYAH.  I feel amazing; like I never ran 20 miles yesterday.  I did lots of stretching and tiger tailing post-run and chugged some chocolate milk within a half hour of finishing.  I think the combination of those things plus yoga are responsible for me feeling so good.

Anyhow, here’s how week 7 of NJ Marathon training shaped up:

MON:  rest (flew back from SF)
TUE:  5 miles speed
WED:  7 miles tempo
THU:  rest
FRI:  6 miles easy
SAT:  20 miles
SUN:  75 min yoga and 3 miles easy (just to put me at 41 miles for the week!)

41 miles this week.  Finally.  Seems like it took me forever to get to 40 miles.  I’m generally happy with the FIRST training plan because I only do quality runs and my legs are fresher overall compared to previous training cycles.  I just can’t shake the low mileage thing.  I need to get over this.  I’m happy with where I am and should focus on that.  I feel stronger and faster than I did last training cycle.  I need to believe in the training, believe in the training…

Mm Hmm

January 28, 2011 by Kristy 11 Comments

1/28/11

60 min yoga

Snowstorm #86 brought a ton of snow.  All in all, I think we got around 15-16 inches.  I wanted to get some easy miles in today but decided to hold off on that until Sunday when I’ll have access to a plowed trail.  So instead I went to RYAH for a lunchtime vinyasa class.  The class was OK but the teacher kept saying “mm hmm” the whole time.  I noticed it early on and became fixated on it…then it began to drive me crazy.

“Downward facing dog to high plank, mm hmm”

“Breathe in, flat back, mm hmm”

“Hold it right there for 1 more breath, mm hmm”

Ahhh!  Make it stop!

Thankfully she refrained from “mm hmm” during savasana.

Moving on to running-related stuff…

I have a 20-miler tomorrow…yeah!  This is my first of 5 (yikes) 20-milers.  I usually do 4 during a training cycle so 5 should be interesting.

A few weeks ago I bought a Tiger Tail Rolling Muscle Massager to help with some of the tightness in my right hamstring (which, thanks to yoga, has all but went away).  I really like it.  I use it on my hamstrings after my runs and I find it more effective than stretching.

I took some pre-yoga pics today to show you how I use it (because it’s so difficult to figure out).

Mm Hmm
Can you spot the cornflake stuck in Hawk's mush?
Finished!

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