Activity:Running, Core/Stretching Routine
Time: 40:00, 20:00
Notes:
I ran at the gym today on the treadmill. 16 min running, 4 min walking, 16 min running, 4 min walking. I felt pretty good but tried to keep it conservative as I know I am always very tired after maternity miles.
I did the core workout at the gym and I am sure I was quite the sight. I noticed people looking at my big belly but no negative comments thankfully. Actually I received one positive comment from one of the trainers which was enough to lift my spirits.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Blog Shoutout: "Run With Me"
I plan to regularly mention running blogs that I find interesting and/or entertaining. My first selection is Run With Me.
The blogger behind RWM regularly writes about her training and racing. In particular, she does a lot of marathons and ultras and is a pace leader for various races from time to time. I always find her race reports to be thorough and well worth the time.
Also, I've always wondered about the people who become pace leaders so it's interesting to read about the strategies she employs and what it's like running a race to not do your best.
The blogger behind RWM regularly writes about her training and racing. In particular, she does a lot of marathons and ultras and is a pace leader for various races from time to time. I always find her race reports to be thorough and well worth the time.
Also, I've always wondered about the people who become pace leaders so it's interesting to read about the strategies she employs and what it's like running a race to not do your best.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Log: 2008.02.27
Activity: Cycling, Core/Stretching Work
Time: 30:00 (Cycling), 15:00 Core
Notes:
My knee only had a light twinge so that's a good thing. Perhaps I'll try running on it tomorrow. I'm still trying to get through Persuasion. My book club meets Friday and I still have about 10 agonizing chapters left. The book requires deep concentration which I really don't have much of due to the combination of being pregnant, fried from work and trying to workout at the same time as reading. However, it's just like being on the 5th rep of an 8 interval repeat workout. The end is near, a lot of work is already done and I have to dig in and keep going...
I've been slacking on the core work for several weeks. I'm doing only stuff approved from pregnancy books. However, in the few short weeks since I last did these exercises my belly has grown substantially. I used to laugh at how simple some of these exercises were - now they are down right difficult!
Time: 30:00 (Cycling), 15:00 Core
Notes:
My knee only had a light twinge so that's a good thing. Perhaps I'll try running on it tomorrow. I'm still trying to get through Persuasion. My book club meets Friday and I still have about 10 agonizing chapters left. The book requires deep concentration which I really don't have much of due to the combination of being pregnant, fried from work and trying to workout at the same time as reading. However, it's just like being on the 5th rep of an 8 interval repeat workout. The end is near, a lot of work is already done and I have to dig in and keep going...
I've been slacking on the core work for several weeks. I'm doing only stuff approved from pregnancy books. However, in the few short weeks since I last did these exercises my belly has grown substantially. I used to laugh at how simple some of these exercises were - now they are down right difficult!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Crazy Pregnancy Issues
I have been lucky in that I escaped morning sickness in both of my pregnancies. However, I seem to make up for it with random other issues.
The first time around I experienced the following issues due to pregnancy:
This time around I am have a lot of joint and muscle aches and pains. Today, my left knee began experiencing painful stabs intermittently. I tried running on it but the pain was excruciating. I could barely sleep because of it. (And of course you can't take any real pain meds when preggo)
I experienced this last month as well. My OB says that your muscles loosen up in preparation for childbirth. This isn't always a good thing as you do need some tightness and stability in places like your knees. She said that for some unknown reason things can get worse the second time around.
I've been relatively injury-free (knock on wood) my entire running career so it always freaks me out when something doesn't work like it should. However, everything I read says that things should return to normal after the baby is born.
Oh, the joys associating with bringing forward life...
The first time around I experienced the following issues due to pregnancy:
- Carpal Tunnel
- Gastric Reflux
- Itchy Skin
- Heartburn
This time around I am have a lot of joint and muscle aches and pains. Today, my left knee began experiencing painful stabs intermittently. I tried running on it but the pain was excruciating. I could barely sleep because of it. (And of course you can't take any real pain meds when preggo)
I experienced this last month as well. My OB says that your muscles loosen up in preparation for childbirth. This isn't always a good thing as you do need some tightness and stability in places like your knees. She said that for some unknown reason things can get worse the second time around.
I've been relatively injury-free (knock on wood) my entire running career so it always freaks me out when something doesn't work like it should. However, everything I read says that things should return to normal after the baby is born.
Oh, the joys associating with bringing forward life...
Sunday, February 24, 2008
My running history: The middle school years
The summer before my 8th grade year my mom challenged me to run my little town's annual 4th of July 5 mile run. I had never run before and showed up in K-Swiss boat shoes and those scratchy wool/cotton shorts that everyone wore for sports back in the 80's. Not exactly performance wear. However, I must admit I was pretty stylish in the K-swiss :)
Well, out of the blue I ran a 42:39 (isn't in amazing how I still remember that time after all these years - half the time I can't remember my own name anymore!) and caught the attention of the cross-country coach who was also at the race. He convinced me to go out for the team and I did.
So I started cross-country in the August before my eighth grade year. Up until then I had the trifecta of dorkiness going for me: 1. I was shy. 2. I got good grades. 3. I liked sports. Not exactly the stuff that puts you at the cool kids table at lunchtime. Especially in a small town where everyone has known everyone for all their life and stereotypes once-set are permanent.
However, on the cross-country team I found a bunch of other misfits and quickly found a comfort zone insulated from the ugly, cruel world of junior high politics. My confidence grew as I found out I had a knack for this running thing.
My first cross-country race was at middle school the next town over. I had no idea about pacing, race strategy or any of that other stuff I study religiously now. I just went out and ran to run. Ah, the innocence of youth :)
This meet was actually an invitational but for some reason they ran the boys and girls together. To this day that's the only race I ran with a combined field (the exception, of course, being road races). Anyways, because of the mixture of sexes I had no idea how I was doing. I just ran and ran until they told me to stop. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was the top finisher among girls.
I received a tiny medal with no-engraving. I thought it was the best prize ever. I still have it. It looks pretty modest sitting next to trophies and marathon finishers medals but it probably still means the most out of all of them because it was the one that started it all...
Well, out of the blue I ran a 42:39 (isn't in amazing how I still remember that time after all these years - half the time I can't remember my own name anymore!) and caught the attention of the cross-country coach who was also at the race. He convinced me to go out for the team and I did.
So I started cross-country in the August before my eighth grade year. Up until then I had the trifecta of dorkiness going for me: 1. I was shy. 2. I got good grades. 3. I liked sports. Not exactly the stuff that puts you at the cool kids table at lunchtime. Especially in a small town where everyone has known everyone for all their life and stereotypes once-set are permanent.
However, on the cross-country team I found a bunch of other misfits and quickly found a comfort zone insulated from the ugly, cruel world of junior high politics. My confidence grew as I found out I had a knack for this running thing.
My first cross-country race was at middle school the next town over. I had no idea about pacing, race strategy or any of that other stuff I study religiously now. I just went out and ran to run. Ah, the innocence of youth :)
This meet was actually an invitational but for some reason they ran the boys and girls together. To this day that's the only race I ran with a combined field (the exception, of course, being road races). Anyways, because of the mixture of sexes I had no idea how I was doing. I just ran and ran until they told me to stop. Imagine my surprise when I found out that I was the top finisher among girls.
I received a tiny medal with no-engraving. I thought it was the best prize ever. I still have it. It looks pretty modest sitting next to trophies and marathon finishers medals but it probably still means the most out of all of them because it was the one that started it all...
Saturday, February 23, 2008
My running history
The byline of my blog title indicates that I hope to run a 3:15 marathon after I have this baby. I'll give you my running history leading up to this over a series of upcoming posts....
Friday, February 22, 2008
Log: 2008.02.22
Activity: Swimming
Time: 15:00
Notes: I am not sure if it was because I took the last two days off or because pregnancy turns you into a fish but I had a great swim today. I'm a pretty lousy swimmer so for me to say that says a lot. I felt very comfortable and effortless in the water.
Time: 15:00
Notes: I am not sure if it was because I took the last two days off or because pregnancy turns you into a fish but I had a great swim today. I'm a pretty lousy swimmer so for me to say that says a lot. I felt very comfortable and effortless in the water.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)