Twinkies

Dustin and I have ran many races together so consequently we have thousands (approximate lol) of the same shirts. MANY times we will get ready for a run and see that we have either set out, or put on, the same shirt, many times the same outfit (ie with black shorts). We always feel like idiots running around like twinkies. This morning the same thing happened. Dustin got dressed while I was with Basil. Then I got dressed while he was putting in his contacts. We both came out with the same St. Patrick ’s Day tech tee. We were running in separate places, so it really didn’t matter but it was really funny. It’s like, “Really? Out of ALL our running clothes and race shirts we choose the same one?”

This even translates to when we go out. Sometimes we have to “call” a color combination so the other won’t put on the same color. Whoever put out or had the outfit on first gets to wear it. The worst was one Saturday in Springfield when we wanted to work out and shower at the gym so we could stay in town to run some errands, go to the mall, get dinner, etc. We walked out of the locker room and realized that we had both packed the EXACT same shirt. To make it even better we both choose jeans to wear with it. All day we walked around looking like those families that are so cute that they wear the same Christmas sweater for photos. Geez. 

If next time you see us out and we are wearing the same thing, please know that we didn’t plan it. We, too, find it very strange and will understand if you feel the need to yell out, “twinkies!!”

~AW

The "rest" difference

Friday I took the day off running, opting to swim instead. On Saturday I started out to run the 2-2.5 miles I’ve been doing this week in an attempt to build a base. I was feeling pretty good, so I decided to run a little further. Surprisingly, my lungs were the only thing that bothered me. My shoulder felt fine and my legs felt much stronger than they had the previous few days. I zoned out, and before I knew it I was finished. I ended up running 4.5 miles! It’s not much, but it was a lot for me right now. It just goes to show how important rest days are. Sometimes it feels as if you take the day off then you will lose all your strength and endurance when you really need to give your muscles a break to help them heal as they get stronger. It’s easier said than done!

Running Post-Partum: What happened to all the Power?

Today was my first run after Basil was born. It’s been 12 ½ weeks since my last run at 35 weeks pregnant.  I last raced without having to go easy about 11 months ago. Today I had a nice run, but it wasn’t easy. I ended up jogging about 2 miles.  The overall feeling was that I have lost power, especially in my legs. They felt like wet noodles and I’m sure they will be sore tomorrow :P. It is daunting to think of all the hard work lost that I will have to work hard to get back. This means time both on the road and in the weight room. Here’s the catch- I no longer have the time with a baby! I now understand why moms don’t work out. It’s not because they don’t want to, it’s just that they don’t have the time and with a baby, it’s too difficult! I really hope we are able to work out a system so I can continue to at least keep my body healthy.  Luckily, we have already had some volunteers to help watch Basil so Dustin and I can run together at least a few days a week. It's really important to us and I’m really looking forward to those runs!

All things happen for a reason, right? Starting over is probably a good thing. I always try to encourage others to run and I understand how difficult it is to get started.  This gives me a fresh reminder for empathy.

Also…

So, I guess I lied earlier when I said this was my first run. 573 Magazine will prove me wrong next month if they choose to print the article on running because Dustin and I were in the group shots.  I guess in my post-baby exhaustion phase, I showed up for the photo shoot without thinking that he would be taking pictures of us actually running. DUH! It was nothing big, just a small stretch of path to jog on so he could get the shots (I skipped most of the pre-run, so I may look a bit fresher than the others, although it was really hot and humid outside).  Therefore, technically I ran last week. But I don’t think it counts because it was too fun to be a first run!! Dustin and I had a blast! I’m anxious to see how the article gets put together.

AW

New Runner in the Family

We have taken a little bit of a break from running and for good reason. Aimee and I welcomed Basil to the world on June 20th and our lives have been forever changed (for the better). Finding time to run over the past month has been challenging, but there is obviously good reason to be spending more time indoors. During the last several months I have been packing in as many runs, bikes, and swims as possible, usually bricking some combo of them together almost everyday; and at minimum, I had completed a marathon each month. Those days will take a break for a while, but I am learning new ways to train while doing my part to help raise our newborn. 

This past weekend I decided to keep my marathon a month streak going by running in the Psycho Psummer 50k Trail Race in Kansas City, Kansas. I chose this race because we were headed to Omaha for two weeks and it was on the way. I like trail races, but since my June 3rd Minneapolis Marathon I had not run over 9 miles or over 30 in a week and here I was going to do 31 in one day! So, on the Monday before the race I went out and ran 16 just to reassure myself that I could finish. Trail races are more physically demanding than road races, but I also think they are less demanding mentally. Having the opportunity to eat, fill water bottles, and just stop and walk when you want makes them totally different from a road race. Even though I am out there much longer, the mileage does not seem to matter as much.   

Everyone thinks Kansas = Flat, but I can honestly say this was the most difficult race I have completed. It is nowhere near flat and at almost any point on the course you are going up/downhill or you are on a slant which is very tough on the ankles. This trail is very narrow, rocky, root filled, and at times nothing but switchbacks. I would estimate 90% of the trail was shaded, which was nice since it was 97 degrees, and when you were not in the shade it felt like you were in an oven. With Chicago 12 weeks away, I would say this was a good start to my training. 

 

Oh, the new addition to our family? She helped me cross the finish line in 23rd place. 

Marathon Maniacs Membership

Here is the email I sent to Marathon Maniacs this morning detailing my criteria to meet membership. Now I just wait to see if I am approved. I would again like to take this opportunity to thank my loving (currently prego) wife for allowing me to do these crazy things. *You may need to click on the picture to make it large enough to read. 

The Goofy: My Version

500 Club Medal, Mini 500 Finishers Medal, Pump and Run Bronze, Flying Pig Finishers Medal 

Have you ever heard of the Goofy Challenge? It's part of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend where you run a half on Saturday then the full on Sunday; finishing both races earns you a special "Goofy Medal". I know there are several other races that offer participants challenges like this, usually called "doublers". For example, Pikes Peak offers the ascent only on Saturday and the full on Sunday; the Post Oak does the same but with a 50k, then a marathon.

Well, earlier this month, I created my own Goofy or Doubler by running the Indianapolis Mini 500 on Saturday May 5th, and the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon on Sunday May 6th. The Mini 500 is the nations largest half marathon with 35,000 runners and a trip around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Other than the run through downtown and the 2 mile lap around the speedway, there is not much scenery at this race, but the speedway makes the race worth it.




35,000 at the Mini Start and The Indy Motor Speedway

Crossing the Bricks, then giving them a kiss. 




Cincinnati is a short 2 hour drive from Indianapolis and host one of the best marathons I have participated in. The Flying Pig has a great route that runs through two states (Ohio and Kentucky), downtown Cincinnati, spirited neighborhoods, offers awesome views of the river, and after a steady incline from miles 5-9 it is flat to downhill the rest of the way. In addition to the course, the expo gives away some of the best SWAG of any race: shirt, logo duffle bag, and event poster are included with registration.

Running out of Downtown Cincinnati and uphill the next 4 miles, Pump and Run at the Expo 

At the Flying Pig there is also a separate event called the pump and run. This event allow race participants to bench press a % of their body weight and deduct a the time form their overall finish time. There is a separate registration fee, and money raised goes to local charities. I was able to complete 16 reps, good for a 32 minutes deduction from my overall time. Without the deduction, I was third place for all those who signed up in the pump and run, but after everyone's deduction, I finished in 13 place.

The Goofy/Doubler weekend was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing another one sometime soon, but next time with my currently prego running partner.

One of several "Flying Pigs" placed around the course and possible my favorite shirt ever

Running While Preggo: 3rd Trimester

Finishing up the 2^nd trimester was great.  I was feeling really good and still enjoying running up to 5 miles, about 5 times a week. Once I hit about 7 months I got shin splints. It was strange because I have never had shin splints. After doing a little research I realized that it isn’t uncommon for pregnant runners to get them because of the quick increase in weight. That would make sense as I began to get bigger! So, I took some advice from livestrong.com (which is a great resource for athletes btw) and took a week off. After that I gradually got back to 3-5mi runs, but I had to start out really slow to warm up my legs. In April I did the Walker Johns 5K. My goal was to keep my mile times around or slower than 10min.  For the most part, I succeeded. It was nice to feel “back in the game”. Dustin kicked booty at that race. It was a 2 loop course and he took 1^st place overall in the 10K by a long shot!!! On his first loop, he ran by as the 2^nd runner overall in the 5K. People were trying to get him to go through the finishing shoot, but he had to tell them that he still had another lap!!!  Such a stud :)

The past few weeks (starting around pregnancy week 32) it has been tougher to get my calves and shins warmed up enough to where I can continually run. I still felt great overall, but my legs below the knee weren’t very interested.  It would take about 2 miles before I could run continually and hills seemed to aggravate it more so I substituted the HS track for my running group. I miss running with the girls, but I didn’t want to make them stop to walk. Dustin was sweet enough to still want to run with me, especially since he seems to frequently be either recovering or tapering from his Marathon Maniac quest.

This week I hit 35 weeks. As I went out to the track on Monday I realized my body felt tired. I just wasn’t in to it anymore.  I had to go up a notch on my baby belt so it felt a little loose. Finals were over and I was no longer in need of my trusty de-stressor. I thought, “Why am I doing this?” So, I decided to stop.

Since January I have been going with Dustin to the pool to swim laps with him on off days.  I enjoy swimming because it doesn’t seem like pregnancy has too much affect on it.  I just make sure to stop to rest and get a drink after every 12 lengths or so, since I have a difficult time being able to tell if I am tired or not. Now that I am not running I will alternate between swimming, walking, and resting. :)

I feel so blessed that I have been able to run for this long. I hope that other pregnant women realize this isn’t the norm and that other dads-to-be don’t expect their wives to continue running, even in the first trimester. Pregnancy is different for each woman and so is how much they can exercise. But if you CAN do it, I would highly suggest it! For me it helped ward off the typical pregnancy “symptoms” and I’ve been told it leads to an easier delivery (and a smarter, healthier baby)- which I would love to happen!

I’m sad to see my running end for now, but it will be nice to take some time off. If I would have had to quit during the school year, I think it would have been really tough. But, now it’s time to sit back, relax, and get ready for Basil’s arrival.  Less than 5 weeks til due date! Things are about to really change in our running world :) And, I think it involves a jogging stoller!