This update is actually only a few days late. Crazy considering how fast paced life is right now. Sometimes this faster pace makes productivity increase, but just as in running we eventually all need rest breaks to be our best in life, too. I’m looking forward to one on Sunday. Until then, it’s unrelenting forward progress.
Have a great week everyone!
Sarah
Happy Saturday, everyone!
I’m finally caught up…with my maternity photo journal! Despite having a million other things that I should be doing, I chose to do this first. I’m so glad I did. Those deadlines will be there, but you only get one first pregnancy.
Enjoy the weekend!
Sarah
I’m more than a little behind on these updates, but I am working hard to get caught up. Who would have thought taking a photo a week would be so hard to manage. BUT, we’ve persevered so far.
Weeks 26 and 27 to come hopefully in the next day or two.
Sarah
Some say better late than never. I suppose this is true for looking back on last year. I almost didn’t write a review as I felt like I had little running wise to share. Then I remembered I ran my butt off the first half of the year running a half marathon, three marathons and a 50k in a two and a half month time period. After finishing the year running 2 5k’s, 2 10k’s, 1 half marathon, 3 marathons and my first ultra marathon (50k), I’d say I ran plenty. Here’s a look back at a few running highlights from 2014 in top ten style!
#10-Running another Color Run
Always fun and a great way to take the seriousness out of your training and racing.
#9-Running solid miles all winter
Last winter was brutal for training in Wisconsin. We had school cancelled in my district four days because of the cold (windchills of -30 to -50 below). I still managed to run 100 miles during each of the coldest months of the year as I trained for my busy spring and summer racing schedule.
#8-Running a 10k at 15 weeks pregnant
Running pregnant has been a whole new world of unexpectedness. I’m embracing it as best I can, and I am super proud of this hilly 10k I ran at 15 weeks while still experiencing all day sickness, pressure on the bladder and tiredness.
#7-The Big Ten 10k
This was such a fun weekend and race for the husband and I to combine two of our loves-running and Wisco sports.
#6-Signing up and completing my first obstacle course 5k
Sometimes I’m scared to try new things, but this is one thing I’m so glad I followed through on. It was a blast and I can’t wait to run another.
#5-Running the Med City Half Marathon with friends
It’s not often I get to run with a group of people. Especially those who made this race so much fun. I hope someday they would like to run another half together or perhaps a Ragnar Relay.
#4-Cross Training and Overall Cardio
While I didn’t come close to meeting my running mileage goal for the year, I’m going to chalk that up to getting pregnant. Despite missing out on some miles on foot, I still managed to cardio my way to almost 1000 miles. I biked more this year than any other year. I hiked well over a hundred miles this year. I went to yoga more times than any other year before. I’m proud of my cross training efforts and nearly reaching 1000 cardio miles.
#3-Completing two more states in my journey to run a marathon in all 50 states.
Going West on a road trip was the perfect opportunity to complete two more states. Add to it that the races were nine days apart and you have an extra challenge. Even more crazy was I ran my first ultra marathon just a month before the first of my go west marathons.
#2-Completing my first ultra marathon (50k)
This was one of the scariest things I’ve done and never before have I doubted myself more. In the end it made the finish that much more rewarding. Having run a marathon and a half marathon the month before only made me stronger. Not sure when the next ultra will be, but I’m guessing it will happen.
#1-Running with my husband as he completed his first marathon.
As it would turn out, my favorite running memory of 2014 has little to do with my own races. Training and running 26.2 miles with the husband in his quest to complete his first marathon was more rewarding than I could have thought possible. I was so proud of him and excited for his accomplishment that it trumped any I could achieve. I still look back on this race with pride as he really didn’t ever want to run a marathon except to do it for me. Now he says he done forever, but the pride of finishing your first lasts FOREVER!
What 2015 holds exactly is a bit of a mystery. I’m sure there will be ups and downs, miles and missed runs, and new firsts abound. 2014 was a great running year, but I can’t wait to see what the next year holds.
Happy 2015 everyone!
Sarah
A quick post to wish you and yours great joy this holiday season and always!
Sarah
No, I’m not in Hawaii, but a girl can dream and eat lots of fresh pineapple. Over the past few days I’ve been looking over everyone’s race reports and Instagram feeds about the Honolulu Marathon and their fun adventures before and after. All those photos got me reminiscing to when the husband and I went to Hawaii 5.5 years ago.
It was an amazing trip to say the least. We vowed to make it back one day. While that day is still far away, I look forward to it whenever I see or hear about the Aloha State while also cherishing the memories made there already.
When we traveled to Oahu and Maui in June 2009 I had not made my 50 in 50 goal yet so the fact that a marathon was happening while we were there really wasn’t something I was aware of. Now I plan for it to be my final race in my quest to race all 50 states before the end of my 50th year. So those thoughts of Hawaii and the big number 50 also got me thinking…what’s next.
It is also that time of year when you start reflecting on the past year and planning for the upcoming year. Let me tell you it is hard to make plans for races and states when you are pregnant. How do you know how you will respond to having a baby? You can’t predict how your body will bounce back, how breastfeeding will go, or how tired you will be, so how do you plan?? For some they simply wouldn’t. Except the type A personality in me just cannot let it go. I need a race on the calendar. Something to look forward to. To hold myself accountable for. A goal to get back in shape. Staying committed to running is so much easier for me when I have a race planned out. Without a date, I get lazy and start making excuses.
What better excuse is there than giving birth to a human? Perhaps none, but I still want a plan. I was big on not pressuring myself and letting things happen and to just see how things were going a month ago. Now as the latest Runner’s World previews next year’s races and the time to register for some races even a year out is coming, I just can’t stop thinking about my next race. When will it be? How soon is too soon? How will I balance it all?
After doing some race research (my favorite kind of reading) I talked to my husband about my fears about putting my first race on the calendar and the pressure I would put on myself. I talked to my husband about not putting a race on the calendar and the lack of motivation that saddles me with and my fear of not getting back on the miles after the baby is born and therefore losing my mind. He confidently said I think you should register. “You know you cope with stress and change by running and you are more motivated when you have a goal in mind.” Boy does he know me. Or he is just terrified of an emotional me losing my mind while having a newborn. Whichever the case, his confidence in what I was already thinking in my head gave me the mental ok to register for my first post-baby marathon.
When picking my first race back I wanted it to be a race that would work towards my state goal, that was close by, inexpensive (a baby costs a lot of money), and far enough out that I could enjoy the first couple of months as a new mom in whatever capacity I need. If I feel good and want to start running at six weeks great. If I have complications, am too tired, or too whatever I have given myself time for that. The only race (and I can’t believe there is one really) that meets all these criteria is the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 7th.
This race is roughly six hours from where I live, has a New Year’s Day Special Early Bird registration fee of $60 (most marathons are $80-100) and will allow us to stay one night in a hotel or two depending on where we are at with time, baby and finances. Plus, the husband will be on paternity leave still so we won’t both need to take a personal day for the Saturday race.
It feels so good to say I know when my next marathon is while also not having created extra pressure on myself to be back running in a tight timeline. Between birthday and race day is 7 months give or take a couple of weeks depending on when the boy decides to arrive. I have no BQ goals or time goals other than to just enjoy being back and get to the start line injury free and balanced. I’ve run marathons with very little training (were talking a few weeks and a long run of 13 miles-wasn’t pretty) and with training that topped out at 70 miles (this happened one week, but I’m still oh so proud of myself). I know I can make the time for something in between and be both a mom and a marathoner.
Am I scared? Yes! Am I nervous? Yes! Am I excited? Yes! Oh, you were thinking about the marathon. I was thinking about being a mom. But seriously, I like doing things that scare me. I like some pressure on myself because I operate best that way. So on January 1st here goes nothing. What are you going to do that scares you a little? What goals do you have for yourself that might be equal parts overwhelming and rewarding?
So that got a little long, but I threw in some pretty pictures of Hawaii to help!
Between you an me I have another marathon race up my sleeve soon after Indiana, but I do need to talk it over with the husband. He has never read this blog so I could just put it in this post, but when I put something down in writing I rarely don’t accomplish it so it just doesn’t seem right. Stay tuned!
Sarah
Today’s run was actually a good one. I felt only some sciatic nerve pain. I felt like I had to pee for only half of the four miles. With a mile walk break in the middle I was able to catch my breath and relieve the pressure from my pelvis and bladder. I enjoyed the brisk walking pace and the rockin’ holiday Pandora station, yet I couldn’t help but feel guilty for walking.
For runners there are all sorts of expectations we have for ourselves. Distance requirements for the run or miles to count. A pace we have to run to call it a run rather than a jog. Only a certain number of walk breaks to make it a “real” run. It’s funny in a way because when I hear others discuss their distances or paces from a recent run I always think good for them or way to go-never that doesn’t really count. When it comes to my own running I feel so different.
I’ll be the first to admit that running during pregnancy hasn’t been everything I thought it would. I envisioned a slower pace and a bigger bump to navigate, but really wasn’t prepared for the discomforts. Maybe part of this problem or unpreparedness was the fact that I so much wanted to love running while pregnant. I read blogs of runners who ran 30, 40 or more miles a week. I read about runners logging long runs on the weekends in the teens and completing half marathons. In truth, I read what I wanted to hear. I didn’t read any posts or articles about running not being enjoyable during pregnancy. Was that because there weren’t any or was I just not wanting to face the possibility? I don’t honestly know.
What I do know now is that each preggo run is different, but overall I wouldn’t describe the experience as fun, carefree or a time to forget your worries as it often was in the past. It most certainly is not a time to run the days stress into the ground and nail an awesome pace without perceiving much effort as it often was. Days of pushing yourself to see how hard you can go and feeling such satisfaction and pride that your night is awesome are not going to happen while carrying a growing baby.
So what does happen?
Running while pregnant is different every single day, but overall I feel slow and sluggish. Each run inevitably brings the feeling of I have to pee. That sensation varies between I think I have to go, to I’m almost positive I have to go, to I have to go but I can hold it, to I need to pee now, RIGHT NOW! Every run is different, but even with a support belt the baby is on the bladder. Luckily there hasn’t been a “Did I just pee?” experience yet. Stay tuned though. Lucky you!
Running pregnant brings a whole new set of worries with it. Perhaps it’s more the first time preggo runner, but I’m still constantly checking in with myself about how I feel. Do I feel too much pressure, too hot, too tired, are my legs tired sore (this happens easily for me when it almost never happened before), am I breathing too heavy? Between checking in with myself and thoughts of how much I have to pee, it is a rare day where I lose a mile anymore. I feel every mile!
In the past this would have been me. Today I know better! Walking is not cheating, but great exercise.
I share my experience thus far not to whine, complain or be negative. I share this not to gain sympathy or encouragement. I share my experience because I wish I had heard more from pregnant runners whose experiences weren’t always great. I wanted to put an honest post out there so others might know ahead of time that sometimes running while pregnant can be challenging. It often isn’t fun during, but the after is rewarding, healthy and can bring peace and consistency to a time in life that is often out of our control.
Since reading more on the topic I know I’m not alone. I’m doing my best to balance being healthy and active with not pushing too hard. I’ve read too many articles on pelvic floor weakness/damage and incontinence during running not to be cautious. You’ve been made aware!
The most important lesson to learn from all of this is to run for yourself whether pregnant or not. Run your own distances, paces and races. Run your own walk breaks or not. Run for you. Read about what others do to motivate and encourage yourself, but do not compare. Let other’s experiences be a guide, not a rule manuel. I’m finding more and more that if I run for myself I find more success and personal satisfaction…AND that is what running really should be about! Run for yourself!
Sarah
Since this used to be a blog about running and a side of my life, I’ve decided to share my weekly photos and maternity journaling that I’ve been doing since week 9. I’ve posted some weekly chalkboard photos to Instagram, but these are more personal. I was really unsure about doing this. How much do you keep private? How much is too much to share? How much do you protect your child’s privacy? What am I willing to put out there? What if something happens? Being open and exposing emotions is not easy for me at times, but I’m growing and learning. Aren’t we all still evolving versions of ourselves?
Then I realized that family and friends who want to stay updated could. Plus, I love reading these types of things from others. Those not interested can simply mark this post as read. The original idea for this came a few years ago when a high school classmate of my husband’s did this photo journal during her pregnancy. The difference is she is a renowned and seriously amazing photographer. I’m an amateur without Photoshop trying to do my best with a basic DSLR camera. I want to give credit to her for the original idea that was so creative and so her. Check out her work at Lexia Frank Photography. And trust me, I’m not kidding about her photography. Her film photography is both stunning and breathtaking. She has been published in magazines and has traveled the world taking photographs.
Some weeks are missing in the photo journaling Life got busy. I felt tired. I felt sick. I felt like I wanted to do nothing, but lay on the couch. So goes the first trimester. Now that the fog has lifted (mostly), I’m embracing these changes in my life-including less running. While my weekly mileage is not what it used to be I’m thankful for each run and each week. Soon enough my life will be turned upside down. I’m sure running and miles will be there for me just like they always have-even if perhaps in a different way. I hope to look back at these weekly photos and remember this sweet, changing, challenging and unpredictable time of my life. Enjoy the journey with me if you like.
Next time I won’t wait so long to post, but I’m not promising anything each week.
Happy Weekend!
Sarah
Today I got up ate a pre-run breakfast, dressed in the warm layers I’d laid out the night before for my Turkey Trot race, packed hydration, made a new mini-playlist, and headed to the race. I was excited to wear my new Reebok Cold Weather Compression tights that I got a super good deal on at the new Dick’s Sporting Goods that just opened near me. Things were going smoothly. Except halfway through my 45 minute drive to packet pickup and the race I heard the local radio station talking about turkey trotters running past their window and how cold they looked. Say WHAT??!!
I promptly asked Siri what time the Turkey Trot started only to find that it started at 8:00 a.m. not 9:00 a.m. like this past weekends trot. I had it in my pregnant brain that both trots started at 9:00. After triple checking my error, I turned the car around full of disappointment. I might have even cried a few tears. I know… no use crying over my first missed race by mistake except this was more than just a race for me. It was likely my last race before a long winter of mostly indoor runs and not racing. It may have been my last race pre-baby.
While I’m super excited to have this little one here, they are not going to be here for a while. And that is a long while to not race. I miss having a race on the calendar to look forward to. I miss anticipating the miles of the race ahead and the sights of the course. I miss having a training plan to follow. I miss running FAST!! Not that I would have been going fast today, but it would have been a race regardless. In Wisconsin there are very few races between December and March and the few that take place may be too snowy and slippery for me to do so I can’t really count on those.
So I let the tears come and went on my own turkey trot around my neighborhood. It was a slow trot as it was snowy on the roads. I’ll admit I worry about people’s judgements about pregnant woman running outside in the winter, but I also know I’ve run in the winter outside for the past 14 years and I know a thing or two about winter running. I also would never run outside if I didn’t feel it was safe or that I’d be risking anything. A few miles later and I felt so much happier, calmer and ready to be thankful for everything I have and for this little one on the way. So grateful to be having a healthy pregancy and baby thus far.
Tomorrow we are halfway to their arrival. I know that halfway will feel long in terms of running and racing, but it seems so exciting and terrifying that in 20 weeks I will have a child. Crazy! I know all the runs inside and the fewer miles will be so worth the blessing on the way. Running always brings me perspective and calms the thoughts in my head.
Hopefully your Turkey Trots went as you planned and you were given the chance to find some perspective and gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sarah
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