Backaches, Acid Reflux and a Mini Babymoon

Week 29- August 17-23

Sunday-10 miles at 9:32 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:29 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:40 pace

          P.M. 8x600m with 3 minute recovery

          15 minute warm up, 13:30 cool down

          Times: 2:31, 2:30, 2:31, 2:31, 2:32, 2:30, 2:32, 2:31 (average 2:31)

Wednesday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:53 pace

          Then 4 miles at 9:47 pace

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:39 pace

          P.M. 5 miles with Ian at 9:39 pace

Friday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:30 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:23 pace

Saturday- 3.75 miles at about 9:45/10 minute pace along Marginal Way with Ian

Total miles: 42.25

Comments: I felt fine while running this week. Sitting was a different story. My back aches! It feels best while running, walking at a decent clip, or laying on my side. I wonder if it’s partly due to running while holding Lucy’s leash. I had a doctor's appointment and the doctor was fine with me foam rolling my back, which I'm grateful for.

Ian took Friday off from work so we have a mini Babymoon. We headed up to Ogunquit on Friday. The car ride to and from was miserable for my back, but it was worth it for a long weekend at the coast. We stayed in a cute inn, Scotch Hill Inn (highly recommended), that didn’t allow children. It may be the last time in a while we can stay at those places. We enjoyed running and walking along Marginal Way, trips to the beach, shopping, and good food. Though, with the good food came a good amount of Tums. This acid reflux is ridiculous.

 

Welcome, Third Trimester

Week 28- August 10-16

Sunday- 10 miles at 9:33 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:49 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

          P.M. 6x800m with 3 minute recovery (4 minutes after 3^rd 800 to use bathroom)

          16 minute warm-up, 13 minute cool down

Times: 3:26, 3:29, 3:25, 3:28, 3:28, 3:28 (average 3:28)

Wednesday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:26 pace

Thursday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:15 pace

          Then 5 miles at 9:09 pace

Friday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:28 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:13 pace

Saturday- Hancock Run for the Honey

          11 minute warm-up, 9 minute cool down

          5k in 23:00, splits- 7:42, 7:34, 7:00

Total miles: 43

Comments: I decided to cut my long run down by a mile this week. Initially, I was thinking of running 9 miles, but felt fine. Again, I am not hesitant to take a 30 second to minute break while running if I need to regain my composure, calm my breathing a bit, or just because I feel like it. I make sure I am feeling fine and not feeling wiped. It also helps that I am running doubles a couple days a week, with just the two mile run in the morning. I used to not count a run if it was less than 3 miles, but am giving myself some slack for being pregnant. I dropped my mileage a couple miles this week, and it feels very manageable and comfortable. Well, I do complain sometimes before leaving for a run that I don’t want to run, but that’s normal.

I went slower on my track workout this week. It didn’t feel hard, but it didn’t feel easy either. I felt heavy while running.

I took it easy at Saturday’s 5k. When I was running up hills, I feel like I probably could have walked faster. I go very slowly. There were two decent hills during the race, and I felt as if a massive crew of runners were passing me on those hills. I would have felt too out of breath if I had gone any faster.

I had a training on Thursday evening to be a Girls on the Run coach. I am so excited there is a chapter opening in Peterborough this year. I have always wanted to coach for the program, and it’s almost perfect timing. I’m due November 9 and the 5k celebration is November 16. We’ll see what happens. I definitely will make every effort to be there!

How Many Are You Having?!?

Week 27- August 3-9

Sunday- 11 miles at 9:25 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:09 pace

          P.M 5 miles with Ian at 8:48 pace

Wednesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:28 pace

          P.M. 16 minute warm up, 13 minute cool down

          6x800 with 3 minute recovery (took 4:30 after 3^rd 800 to use bathroom)

          Time: 3:23, 3:22, 3:25, 3:23, 3:23, 3:19 (average 3:23)

Thursday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:34 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:29 pace

Friday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:27 pace

          Then 4 miles at 9:18 pace

Saturday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

          Then 3.5 miles with Ian at 9:21 pace

Total miles: 45

Comments: It happened. I was asked how many babies I was having. After visiting my Meme this week, a resident at the rehabilitation center asked how far along I was. When I answered I was about 6 months pregnant, she looked at my belly, then at me and in shock, asked “How many are you having?” Hmmm… I got a good laugh. I feel big, but I don’t feel that big. I’m up about 15 pounds, finishing up my last week of the second trimester, so I should be on track to reach a gain of at least 25 pounds. My doctor recommended 25-35 pounds.

On Saturday, Ian and I took a trip to Brookline/Newton to do a bit of shopping and then we visited his cousin and her husband and their two cute, little kiddoes. After, we visited my former roommate and her boyfriend in their new apartment, and we went out for Thai food in Newton Center. It was actually the best Thai food I have eaten. So good, except that if I lived nearby, I might be on track to gain 35+ pounds.

There’s not too much to mention about my running this week, except that each week I’m getting a bit slower and slower which is reflected especially in my long run and track workout times. Every now and then during running, typically during 5+ mile runs, I will take a 30 or so second breather. I usually do this when running up hills, just to make sure my breathing doesn’t get labored, and it just gives me a little extra pep for my running.

Trouble Bending Over

Week 26- July 27 to August 2

Sunday- 11 miles at 9:18 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:25 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:11 pace

          P.M. 15 minute warm up, 13 minute cool down

          6x800 with 3 minute recovery

          Times: 3:16, 3:16, 3:16, 3:19, 3:17, 3:15 (average 3:17)

Wednesday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:20 pace

          Then 6 miles at 9:24 pace

Thursday- 4 miles at about 9:30 pace

Friday- A.M. 3 miles in about 9:40 pace

          P.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 8:45 pace

Saturday- Le Tour de Common Rindge 5k

          16 minute warm up, 22 minute cool down

          5k in 22:50

Total miles: 45

Comments: I am diabetes free! I survived the three hour glucose test. The first hour, I stayed in the office to do studying to renew my LCSW (social work license). However, after not being able to eat breakfast, then drinking a double dose of that sugar drink, and reading about opioid abuse, I was not feeling so well. The second hour I went to my car and tried to rest, the third hour I ran a couple errands, and finally I was able to go home after four blood draws. It is worth it to know I do not have gestational diabetes. Big sigh of relief.

I was lucky with cool weather on Tuesday, and had a decent track workout. I seemed to see coworkers all week (Monday while running, Tuesday at the doctor, Tuesday evening at my track workout, and Saturday at the race) which was great. You sure miss them when you’re on summer vacation.

I went to North Conway with my family from Wednesday to Friday. Ian didn’t come as he is saving his days off for a mini babymoon and for when baby arrives. I ended up hiking eight miles (planned to do five but got a bit lost) on Thursday with my brother around Diana’s Baths, Echo Lake and the White Horse Ledge Trail. That evening we went to the outlets shopping and I was trying on a pair of new sandals, except I couldn’t buckle them. I tried for about ten minutes. My belly was getting in the way of bending over. It is true what women say about not being able to tie their shoelaces. Anyway, I bought them and my mom buckled them for me and now I can just stretch them on and off.

Ian and I and his parents and brother all did the Rindge 5k on Saturday. Again, I was grateful for cool, overcast weather. That course is hilly! I knew my time was going to be slower than I had anticipated when my first mile split was around 7 minutes, and it had the majority of the downhill. I thought I’d run about 22 minutes, though I didn’t remember how hilly the course was. Last year, I ran the race in 19:48, so I’m about a minute slower per mile. I felt good during the run, though, minus tight calves, and I highly recommend racing while pregnant. There’s no pressure (except hoping you don’t have to pee too bad during the race). If I miss the start because I’m in line at the porta potty, that’s okay. If I run much slower than anticipated, that’s okay. If I don’t get a prize, who cares? I’ve already got my prize running along with me. It’s just great to be out there with other runners. And people are very supportive and kind which means a lot, too.