{Remembering Jesse Parker Race Report-5 Mile}

Posted in Race Reports, Running Pregnant by sneaksandstilettos

Saturday I ran the Remembering Jesse Parker 5 Mile Race. Because of the races proximity to one of my favorite holidays, the Fourth of July, I just had to take the opportunity to dress in Merica related attire (Tank-For Two Fitness, Shorts-Oiselle, Socks-Procompression, Headband-Bic Bands). If you follow me on Instagram @sneaksandstilettos or on Facebook, then you know I did not wake up feeling like I wanted to run this race…at all.

Running this race though was such a powerful reminder to myself that sometimes we don’t even know what is best for ourselves. I wanted to run the race, but didn’t feel like it that morning. Had I given in to those negative thoughts, I know I’d be regretting it now. Instead I got myself ready, out the door and to the start line despite not wanting to.

Once that gun fired I was surprised by how good it felt to be out there amongst others running. The race atmosphere is so inspiring and uplifting. Seeing other runners go for it also makes me love running races. Everything just clicked Saturday morning, and I felt strong and great the entire race. I was able to maintain a slightly faster pace than what I likely would have running on my own. Just another benefit of racing!

While running pregnant I never focus on my pace too much. Lately though I have been liking using my Garmin more than my Runkeeper app so I can keep a close eye on my pace. This helps me make sure I’m not going too hard when that uplifting song comes pumping through the headphones. Going too fast just makes the rest of the run harder these days, and I try to maintain a conversation pace a majority of the time when running.

Saturday the miles felt easy and my pace reflected that. Despite one bathroom stop just before mile 3 being included in my time, I managed a 9:57 pace overall according to my Garmin. Some days I run this pace, some days a bit faster and other days slower for sure. Each day is different when pregnant running. At 24 weeks pregnant I will definitely take it! Going by feel is the best advice I’d give to women looking to run while pregnant. Use the watch as a reference not an expectation and you’ll be much less disappointed or frustrated as your pregnancy progresses.

I kept having to tell myself to not get caught up in the race and slow down. I had the whole race to go!! Racing (or running) pregnant is all about listening to your body, running appropriate paces and accepting that your performance will not be what it would be if you were not pregnant. Race times will slower, your place higher and your pace not what you are used to. So why race when pregnant? Racing is a great way to keep elements of the sport you love and can be incredibly motivating to keep running as the weeks creep towards 40!

My mile splits are included below as this is a race report, but is only for my reference.

Mile 1-9:21

Mile 2-10:02

Mile 3-10:58 (Bathroom break)

Mile 4-9:55

Mile 5-9:28

Overall I’m feeling really good while running and am so excited that running 5 miles still feels great and fairly easy on most days. Again each day is different, but I was already getting very uncomfortable on most of my runs at this point in my first pregnancy. Here’s to hoping this feeling good continues. I’m attributing a lot of how I’m feeling to the consistency of my running with completing the Runner’s World Run Streak from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July. Stay tuned for a post on my #rwrunstreak this week!

Here’s to more pregnant miles!

Remembering Jesse Parker 5 Mile Race
Time-49:50
Pace-9:58
Overall-47/58
Gender-18/25
Age Group-7/11

Sarah

27Apr2014

{Wisconsin Marathon Training-Week 17}

Posted in Wisconsin Marathon Training by sneaksandstilettos

In hindsight making this the week to start giving up your biggest vice may not have been smart. Diet Mountain Dew and I have a long history. If asked my favorite food I would say Diet Mountain Dew. Favorite way to start my day-Diet Mountain Dew. Favorite pick me up-Diet Mountain Dew. My favorite treat, you guessed it, Diet Mountain Dew!

Except what we have turned into much more than a treat. The obsession turned into a strong dependency to the point I packed it with me everywhere I went. This week after feeling it suddenly tasted off, I decided to end the dependency I have on Diet Dew.

I try to eat healthy most of the time and I buy products with reduced chemicals or more natural options, yet I ingest chemicals horrible for my body 12 ounces at a time, three times a day. It was time to make a change. Plus I don’t want to have to pack cases of pop to take on our vacation out West this summer or be confused with a momma grizzly if I’m short on Dew.

Tuesday I had a can and a half of the vice. Wednesday and Thursday I had no diet soda. Friday I had one fountain diet soda with my late night dinner that I did not finish. I drank tons of water over these days and felt ok. The first few days were easier than I’d anticipated they would be.

Then this weekend came. I’ve felt like a zombie! All I want to do is sleep. Today I had no coffee in the morning either which left me with the worst pounding headache I’ve experienced. I’m hoping this is the worst of it. I don’t plan to give up coffee or start drinking more of it. My only intentions were to give up the sauce (dt. Dew)! I’m curious to see how I feel in a week. Will my training see improvement or not with less soda and more water? Will I feel better or recover faster? We will see! Anyone have any suggestions?

With one more week before the Wisconsin Marathon here’s how our past week of training looked.

Monday-5.25 miles and 50 minutes of yoga (Sarah)

Monday was Boston Marathon Monday. I dream of running this race one day and hoped everything would go positively for those running today. To show my pride and support for those in Boston I dressed in my Boston Strong colors and Boston Strong Bic Band.

Tuesday-10 mile tempo run (Sarah)

I didn’t intend to make this a tempo run, but the legs wanted to go and the weather was perfect. I averaged 8:15 pace over my ten mile run. It felt great!

Wednesday-5 miles

Sunday-8 miles

Tip of the Week-if you’ve managed to make it through your training without losing a few toenails or gaining black ones-congrats! I struggled with black and painful toenails until my third or fourth marathon. Now my toe box of my current shoes fits better so there is less sliding for my toes to hit the ends of my shoes. I’ve also learned to never go for a long run without clipped toenails. Forgetting to trim your nails can lead to painful blisters and toes later on. Ryan has had no issues with this by taking my advice about clipping his toenails and purchasing shoes that fit his feet.

By this point you’ve also earned some calluses and rough parts to your feet. Once you’ve earned those I’d recommend keeping them. I’ve had only one pedicure since my wedding in 2007. Now that my feet are often sensitive I don’t want anyone coming at them. Plus I worked hard for those calluses and I don’t want to have to work to earn them back. Foot massages on the other hand-amazing! Paint your toes pretty ladies (and gents if you wish) and carry those funky feet proud. You earned them!

Total Weekly Miles-13 miles (Ryan) and 28 miles (Sarah)

Happy Training!

18Apr2014

{Friday Fab 5-Easter Baskets for Runners, Run This Town, NYC Marathon, Apple Cheddar Chicken, }

Posted in Friday Fab 5 by sneaksandstilettos

Today’s post is later than usual due to a relaxing pancake breakfast made by the husband followed by some a.m. reading in bed with coffee.

{#1-Apple Cheddar Chicken}

image from http://www.iowagirleat.com

Another great recipe from Iowa Girl Eats. I seriously love so many of her eats. From dinners to treats they are all delicious. Check her out if you haven’t!

{#2-Run This Town}

I have had the opportunity to run in some great cities over the past few years. When planning upcoming trips one of the first things I plan is the routes I hope to run. I often struggle to find information on running routes in specific cities in advance and usually wish there was a resource I could use when planning my next vacation. I’ve decided to create my own resource, found under the Run This Town tab, that will highlight favorite running routes in specific cities. The posts about each city will include descriptions about sights on the run, terrain of routes, distances, where to park, and of course photos. Hopefully this will benefit other runners the next time they have a chance to travel

{#3-New York City Marathon}
I’ve always dreamed of one day running the NYC Marathon. Don’t get too excited…I don’t have a surprise announcement about running this dream race. This past week while grading papers I found Run For Your Life was on Netflix streaming along with other great running movies like Spirit of the Marathon. Run For Your Life is a documentary about the NYC Marathon. The documentary follows the race’s director from its first year with hardly any runners to the grand race it has become. Of course watching the history and nostalgia of the race that runs through all five boroughs made me want to run it even more, so I decided to look up the race online and was really disappointed to see that they are changing how you can receive guaranteed entry.

The NYC Marathon is currently a lottery system unless you run for charity, qualify at specific local races, have run 15 consecutive NYC Marathons, or have applied for the lottery three years in a row and have not been accepted. I had been counting on the last option as the charities require you to raise signficant dollars that I’m just not sure I could. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to count on that option as this is the last year they are guaranteeing entry for runners who were denied entry after applying to the lottery for three consecutive years. Also ending next year is guaranteed entry for runners who have run the NYC Marathon the last 15 years or more in a row. I’m bummed for those people, too.

Now I’m curious about what future entry options will look like (qualifying times like Boston?), or if it will solely rely on lottery entry and if you don’t ever get in, then you don’t get in. The Houston Marathon has had a lottery system for a couple of years now, but also has a guaranteed option if you run a qualifying time that allows you to register before the lottery opens to other runners. Since this is bucket list race for me and the race I plan on running for my New York state race, I will definitely be keeping an eye on this. Some of you NY readers, do you know any other details?

{#4-My poor husband}

I do this to my husband ALL the time! Usually it goes something like I don’t want to pick where we eat, you pick. Well, I don’t really want to eat there. I’m not feeling there either. And so on!

{#5-Happy Easter}

Have a runner in your life? Want to send some Easter love their way? Make a runner basket for them! I filled this basket with some of my favorite running gear items. You could go big or choose just a few items to include in their runner basket. Starting from the top left items include-1. Runner’s World Magazine, 2. My Life On the Run by Bart Yasso, 3. Spirit of the Marathon DVD, 4. Bic Bands headband, 5. Body Glide, 6. Nuun, 7. GU, 8. Bearded Brothers bar, and 8. Pro Compression compression socks.

Happy weekend everyone!