Sellwood Scamper 5k Race Report

Last weekend was a big racing weekend in our household. I started us off with a 5k fun-run in nearby Sellwood. It was a free event to promote the opening of a new Foot Traffic running store and I signed up a couple of weeks ago. I have been wanting to do some kind of little race- it's been so long and I just miss it! I miss writing race reports! I also wanted to run a couple races while pregnant, because that is just fun. (This wasn't my first race while pregnant- I ran/walked a 7 mile trail race at 7 weeks pregnant, but was only secretly pregnant and also very paranoid and it wasn't that fun at all.) So this was a perfect opportunity. It was a super casual event run around the neighborhood streets (the course wasn't closed, but little to no traffic to deal with), but with perks like a free pair of socks to all participants and even chip timing and professional photos.

The split the run into two waves: 8:00 am and 9:00 am to ease congestion. I was in the later wave, and being only about 4 miles from home made for a very relaxed morning! I got in line for the store's bathroom (the only bathroom) right away and that took about 20 minutes of waiting. Having to pee all the time is a big concern these days so I was glad to empty my bladder. Although I still felt like I had to pee the entire race. I'm pretty used to that feeling but it is not pleasant.

I had picked up my timing chip the day before so all I had to do was park and walk to the starting line. It was such a casual, family-friendly setting with only a few "serious" runners about. I was excited but not nervous at all, since I obviously wasn't trying to run fast or anything. To be completely honest, I had a moment of feeling somewhat embarrassed for myself (and by "somewhat" I mean I broke down sobbing for a couple minutes before I got out of the car). Like "this is what I've been reduced to" kind of feeling. With a dash of "do you know who I am?!" I've admitted before that I'm an egomaniac, so I'm not afraid to tell you this. I wonder if some of you would relate to this feeling. I know I'm pregnant, and it's great that I'm still running, but it still hard to accept this new level of fitness and lifestyle. Also, I'm clearly an emotional, hormonal wreck.

One thing that made me feel ok about doing this 5k fun run was wearing an adorable "Running for Two" shirt that Amy gave me! And my Ironman hat. Not that anyone noticed or cared, but it was important to me to blatantly announce that I was pregnant and also show my racing credentials. I would have incorporated some Boston gear in that outfit if it was possible. Shameless.   

The sun was shining and all the trees and flowers are starting to bloom. Sellwood is a really cute neighborhood so this was a lovely setting for a little race. Part of the race went along this bluff and you could see downtown across the river. Zach got some good photos (posted below) including a bald eagle in flight!

I took it easy and just enjoyed the run. I felt like I was running very slow and was being passed by a few people that started further back. My garmin showed I was around a 10:00 pace, which is actually fast for me these days, but I felt great! However about halfway through I started to feel my face getting hot, which was obviously a sign of exertion. So I backed off and walked up the last hill. I figured I would finish in 31-33 minutes or something, but as we got back toward the start they had us cut out about a block and head straight for the finish line, making the course about .2 miles short. Sub 30 finish here I come!

Mile 1: 10:02
Mile 2: 9:58
Last 0.91: 9:25 (10:19 pace)

Garmin showed: 2.91 miles in 29:25- 10:06 average pace

Official results: 29:24 (9:27 pace, HA!)
17/38  30-34 AG
83/201 Females
134/288 Overall

A decent time for 23 weeks pregnant!

I got some water and walked around a couple minutes to cool down. I stretched out and we headed back to the car. Done and done! Now that wasn't so bad, was it?

Pictures!

 

 

 

 

The next day, Zach ran a race that was 10 times that distance. The Gorge Waterfalls 50k. I went along with my friend Deana and we got to see him at several points of the race. He did so great! Every time I saw him he was super relaxed and friendly- not the "don't bother me" husband I used to see grinding it out in road races! It was such fun. He finished in 4:47 (9:15 pace), 24th out of 223 runners. That's about an hour faster than his first 50k last year. He's in fine form with only 8 weeks until his 50 mile race!

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Big Week

It was a big week of running and a big week baby-wise too. First, the running!

Tuesday- 4 miles, 10:35 average

I ran with Zach after going to the doctor for an ultrasound. (more on that below) We had a nice 4 mile run in Forest Park on the Leif Erickson trail. We started off really slow (darn uphill) but finished really fast- 8:51 last mile!! That’s got to be the first sub 9:00 mile in months. (yay downhill!)

Pics from after the run:

Wednesday I swam, and had a great/awful swim. I did 1000 yards total. The great part was I swam 500 yards without a break! The awful part was that the pool was crowded and a total cluster, I ended up just getting out for fear of getting kicked in the fetus.

Fetus:

Thursday- 4 miles, 12:33 average

Another awesome run! Thursday I did a portion of Alisa’s longer run with her. We ran around our neighborhood and even ran up the huge hill by my house! A few walk breaks but felt strong. The best part was that it was SUNNY! I exposed baby to sun (first time ever? Not joking).

Friday I rested. As in fell asleep as soon as I walked in the door after work. Kind of waste, since it was another lovely day. I finally went and sat outside and watched Zach work in the garden. It’s manlier than it sounds, just look:

The weekend was more running greatness. Ya, ya, Zach ran something like 43 miles between the two days. But I did stuff too!

Saturday- 4 miles, 10:37 average

Started the weekend off with an early pre-yoga run. I never run early Saturday mornings on the waterfront, so I was surprised to see all the marathon training groups out. Like, hundreds of runners! Which meant, statistically, with all those different people, I was going to pass someone. And I did! Several actually! I admit that was nice.

Sunday- 10 miles, 12:15 average

Another amazing run with Alisa. We drove out the Banks Vernonia trail and ran 10 gorgeous, challenging miles. We ran gradually for 5 miles and back downhill the second half- 1,000 feet total gain. It was cold (upper 30’s) and really rainy (sleety/snowy) at times, but not terrible overall. We are such great training buddies these days it’s just awesome to have her. She is easily the most dedicated athlete I know, and it feels good to be around that as often as I can.

10 miles at 21 weeks pregnant:

Total miles for the week: 22! Plus one swim and one yoga class. Good stuff!! I am so grateful to still be so active at this stage of my pregnancy. I hope it can continue for a long time.

 

Ok and finally, a quick baby update.

She’s the greatest. Look how cute!

We got that picture of her sweet little face at our 20 week ultrasound early this week. That’s when they do an extensive anatomy scan and measure and check all her bits and pieces. She’s measuring right on track and everything looked “textbook” perfect. What a relief, I was worried they might find something. But she’s great!! :)

The biggest news this week is that I am feeling so much movement in my belly! Like serious jabs and pokes from inside! It’s NUTS. I was feeling “maybe” fluttery type feelings for a few weeks but this week it’s off the charts. I can even see it if I happen to be looking at my stomach (which I admit I spend a great deal of time doing. What can I say, my job is boring!). It is so amazing and fascinating and weird. Zach hasn’t seen it or felt it, but it’s so sporadic it’s hard to catch. I know it’ll get super obvious soon enough so no worries.

Also, I’m getting big. Maybe I’ve said this in every single post but this time I mean it. I think I’m pretty obviously pregnant, although I haven’t had any strangers comment yet.

Compare how I looked at 3 months pregnant (13 weeks):

 

Here I am yesterday at about 5 months (21 weeks):

Definitely a bump. It’s fun. :)

Allright, I will wrap it up. Thanks for stopping by! Have a great week!

Running for Two Part II

I’m not sure that this will really become a “series,” but I thought it might be nice to keep the titles consistent in case I want, or a reader wants, to refer back to these posts someday.

Last time I updated (here) I was just finishing up my first trimester. It has been 6 weeks and I am now 20 weeks pregnant. This means I am halfway through my pregnancy already! Wow.

Weeks 15-20

I’m still running strong! In fact, I haven’t really slowed down any further and I’ve kept my long runs and weekly mileage at the same level as I was when we left off. Yay!

I never knew what to expect with this running during pregnancy business, I still don’t. Of course I would love to be one of those lucky people that can run up until they go into labor, but I know how unlikely that is. There are many factors that could pull me off the roads- ligament strain, pelvis strain, bladder discomfort, etc, etc,etc. My goal has always been just to run as long as I could. I am very grateful and excited to still be running strong at 20 weeks.

As I said, my pace hasn’t slowed down too much since that 14 week update. I still run most of my runs in the 10:30-11:30 ish range… some runs are slower (12:00+) and some are faster (10:00 ish, even one sub-10 4 miler!). I still take walk breaks somewhat often, especially on hill routes, and my pace reflects that.

My running distance and total weekly mileage is also still at the same level as the previous update. In fact, I ran 10 miles last weekend at 19 weeks pregnant! That ties with week 14 for my longest run during pregnancy. I’ve kept my weeknight runs at 3-4 miles usually, with a couple 5 or 6 mile runs thrown in. My long runs have ranged from about 7 to 10  miles. Here are those long run stats from the previous 6 weeks:

15 weeks pregnant: 8.0 miles at 11:50 pace (with Alisa)
16 weeks pregnant: 7.0 miles at 11:39 pace (with Alisa)
17 weeks pregnant: 9.15 miles at 12:34 pace (with Alisa)
18 weeks pregnant: 6.85 miles at 12:12 pace (solo, SICK, awful!)
19 weeks pregnant: 10.0 miles at 11:25 pace (solo)
20 weeks pregnant: 7.0 miles at 12:12 pace (with Alisa)

My total weekly mileage has been consistent at about 20 miles per week in 4 runs.

How I feel on a given run varies from day to day, just like before pregnancy. But even on a good run, I can’t “forget” that I am pregnant- my breathing is labored and my pace feels slow. Some days I feel tired and heavy, and need lots of walk breaks. Other days it feels relatively easy and I don’t walk at all. I take the good with the bad and try to just feel happy to be running!

One thing that has changed is that I feel the need to stop at the bathroom more often. Even on short runs I sometimes have to stop (or wish I could). On long runs I have to stop 2-4 times. I have altered my routes to make sure I pass by a couple bathroom options which makes me feel better, even if I don’t use them. It kind of sucks that I can’t just run wherever I want, but that’s ok. I can go back to those bathroom-less routes later after baby is born!

Running pictures:

Long, snowy run at 17 weeks:

 

10 miler at 19 weeks:

This weekend’s 7 miler- hello belly!

 

Body Changes

My belly is definitely growing. Not huge yet, but I think this last week it really “popped” out. I love it.

Before a run the other day:

 

I like this picture- My view!

It hasn’t affected my running yet, but I expect it will soon as it gets bigger. I have tried wearing a supportive belt thing but I can’t decide if I  like it. It definitely holds things in, but it kind of presses on my bladder. And I don’t need anything ELSE pressing on my bladder!

Cross-Training

I’ve been going to yoga 1-2 times a week consistently. I go to a weekly prenatal class that I love. Especially since two of my best friends are in there with me! It’s been so fun having Amy and Emily being knocked-up at the same time. I love sharing this with them.

I have also been swimming, although not super consistently. I have gone once a week most weeks, twice a week once, and I’ve missed a week or two. I was sick a couple weeks ago so that was my excuse that time. I do love it, it’s just hard to get motivated to go. Last night I went and had an amazing time- I swam 1500 yards which is my farthest distance in ages! It was slow and challenging but I loved it.

2-piece for 2:

There’s one surprising addition to this cross training section. I would have never thought I would be writing about cycling on my blog for a while, but today I went for a bike ride! Zach and I rode across town for breakfast, about 10 miles total. I rode my mountain bike which is much easier and not as scary as clipping in on my road bike. We took it so easy but it was pretty hilly and tough! We had a blast and it felt great. I was really comfortable and would totally do this again, especially as the weather gets nicer.

Mountain Man

On the “running for one” front, Zach ran a trail marathon yesterday near Olympia, Washington. He once again showed how talented he is at trail running. He finished in 4:30 which was good enough for 3rd place. OVERALL. Amazingly, a female finished 2nd place so he was actually the 2nd place male.

Pretty amazing. I am so proud of him. I wasn’t up there to watch the race- he kind of decided to run it at the last minute and I already had plans, but I wish I had been there. Such an exciting thing. I am so proud of him. So proud, so jealous, so amazed. I admire him and all his hard work, and I’m just so happy for him. I’m so glad he knocked me up. Our kid is going to be such a bad ass.

  

That’s it for now! I’ll try to update specifically on this running topic again in a few weeks. I should even have a race report in a few weeks… I signed up for a 5k in 3 weeks!! :)

Thanks for reading!