It's Not About the Miles

Week 34- September 21-27

Sunday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:40 pace

Monday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:33 pace

          P.M. 3.1 miles with Ian at 9:37 pace

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

          P.M. 4 miles at 9:45 pace

Wednesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:36 pace

          P.M. 5 miles at 9:33 pace

Thursday- 5 miles at 9:21 pace

Friday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at about 10 minute pace

          P.M. 2.5 miles with Ian at about 10 minute pace

Saturday- Marlborough Madness 5k

          11 minute warm up, 15 minute cool down

          5k in 23:42 (average 7:38 pace)

Total miles: 35

Comments: Before I forget, I wanted to mention that Girls on the Run didn’t end up happening in Peterborough this season. :( There weren’t enough coaches and girls signed up. A lot ended up being last minute, so I really think we can get it up running for the spring season. I’m disappointed, though it is nice to come home after work and be able to take a nap.

My cold was still affecting me on Sunday, therefore I only ran the two miles with Lucy, and took it easy for much of the week. It’s tough to start off the week with only a two mile run, but what I have to remind myself is it’s not about the miles. I can’t worry about how many miles I run. When I wasn’t pregnant, I could run through being sick to get in a long run to keep my mileage up.  But now, I run with a different purpose, and that is to stay healthy and make baby and me feel well.

Ian and I ran the Marlborough Madness 5k on Saturday. This year, the race was tiny- only 34 runners. It’s a friendly race, which I hope can bounce back next year. I ended up getting first place with a time of 23:42 (and won $100 bucks!). My first mile was 8:32, and that included a short steep downhill, then longer uphill. I was in second place for females at this point, and didn’t even consider that I would catch the first place female. I thought it would be nice to average 8/8:30 pace for the race. However, in the second mile, I was getting closer to her. My second mile split was 7:21, and I was feeling strong, and making sure to maintain steady, relaxed breathing. I thought to myself that it would be nice not to finish too far behind her.In the last mile, I continued to make progress and passed her, with a third mile split of 7:11. I was pleased with the race, and also happy I wore a tank top and not a t.shirt as it was warm in the sun. Ian and I celebrated with lunch and ice cream at Kimball’s Farm. Then, after we got home and did some housecleaning, I parked it on the couch and napped for an hour and a half!

A Baby Boy!

Week 33- September 14-20

Sunday- 5 miles with Ian at 9:12 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:33 pace

          Then 6 miles at 9:27 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 8:58 pace

          P.M. 5 miles with Ian at 9:41 pace

Wednesday- 4 miles at about 9:45/10 minute pace

Thursday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:58 pace

Friday- 5 miles at 9:15 pace

Saturday- 4 miles at 9:45 pace

Total miles: 35

Week 32-September 7-13

Sunday- 9 miles at 9:26 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:43 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:24 pace

          P.M. 5 miles with Ian at 9:08 pace

Wednesday- 5.25 miles at about 9:45/10 minute pace

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:30 pace

          P.M. 5 miles with Ian at 9:47 pace

Friday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:14 pace

          P.M. 4.25 miles at about 9:45/10 minute pace

Saturday- 0

Total miles: 36.5

Comments: Cooler temperatures has made running a lot more enjoyable this week, and some of my paces were lower than they have been the past few weeks because of it. My mileage, however, has dropped, mainly because of going back to work, getting a bad cold (likely from those kiddoes at work), and getting some joint pain in my right foot. I think I am done with doing track workouts. I haven’t felt the motivation to do one, so I’m letting myself just enjoy running easy, the joy of running while pregnant.

These past two weeks have been pretty eventful in preparing for baby, and have included getting certified in Adult/Pediatric CPR and First Aid, taking a Birthing Class at the hospital, and having my baby shower that my sisters and mom hosted. These three happenings have helped Ian and me to feel more ready for baby, especially all the support I felt at the baby shower. This baby is already so loved by many. Oh, and we finally revealed the sex of the baby. It’s a boy! I couldn’t be happier.

Hot and Humid

Week 31- August 31-September 6

Sunday- 9 miles at 9:33 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:54 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:56 pace

          P.M. 5 miles with Ian at 9:30 pace

Wednesday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:44 pace

          Then 4 miles at 9:36 pace

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:58 pace

          P.M. 5 miles at 9:41 pace

Friday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:53 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:34 pace

Saturday- 2 miles with Lucy at 10:04 pace

          Then 2.5 miles with Ian at 9:53 pace

Total miles: 41

Comments: The weather was not fun this week! I had really been lucky this summer with decent weather, but this week took a toll on me. I felt a bit sluggish on my runs and didn’t attempt a workout. I also started getting a rash all over my belly and back that really looked icky after my runs. I went to the doctor on Thursday just to be sure it wasn’t anything to worry about, and she thinks it’s just due to the heat and increased blood flow. The poison ivy continues as well. I tried Zanfel, which is a pricey tube of body scrub, but it didn’t work. So I’ve just been lathering myself in Ivarest.

On a good note, I was back at work this week. I will just sub until baby comes, as this gives me flexibility which I’m grateful for, especially these last couple months. It was so wonderful to see the students and staff at the elementary school and can’t wait to go back next week.   

Poison Ivy, a Little Cavity, and Furniture Shopping

Week 30- August 24-30

Sunday- 3 miles at about 9:45/10 minute pace along Marginal Way with Ian

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

          P.M. 7 miles at 9:24 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:52 pace

          P.M. 5 miles at 9:27 pace

Wednesday- 5 miles at about 9:45/10 minute pace, half with Lucy

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:57 pace

          P.M. 10x400 m with 2 minute recovery (5 minute recovery after 5^th 400m)

          18 minute warm up, 9 minute cool down

          Times: 1:46, 1:42, 1:44, 1:43, 1:43, 1:46, 1:46, 1:45, 1:45, 1:45 (average 1:45)

Friday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:44 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:37 pace

Saturday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

          Then 3.5 miles at 9:34 pace

Total miles- 42

Comments: I had only had poison ivy once in my life that I remember until this week made it twice. Luckily my doctor is allowing me to use Ivarest, but still, poison ivy is no fun. Oh, the joy of not living in the city. Here’s to hoping it doesn’t get much worse. I had a dentist appointment on Tuesday and was petrified I may need a filling. I was chewing a Tums last week and suddenly my tooth felt very sensitive. The dentist said it was only a small spot, and could wait until after I had baby. I was sent off with prescription toothpaste to help, and feelings of gratitude that I wouldn’t have to endure a filling without Novacaine.

Ian and I finally went out furniture shopping on Saturday, and purchased the only nursery set that was Greenguard and JPMA certified. (Hopefully there will be more demand for these certifications!). The dresser, crib and hutch will be delivered, at the earliest, November 8. Remember now, baby is due November 9. This should be interesting. We did get a bookshelf that we took home, so at least baby's books will be organized.

And onto the running. It’s been slow! I felt especially heavy when beginning my track work out on Thursday. After a couple 400’s, I started to feel loosened up and more coordinated which I was grateful for. I did cut my speed work down to 2.5 miles, which was quite enough this week.