Detroit Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving morning was my 4th year running the Detroit Turkey Trot.  The event offers three distances; 1 mile aka Mashed Potato Mile, 5K aka Stuffing Strut and 10K aka Turkey Trot.  I have ran the 10K each of the 4 years I've registered. 

I wasn't feeling this race at all that morning.  I was cold, I knew I would be slow and had kind of wish I had just stayed in bed.  This is unlike me.  I love races.  Lately my pace has been so slow that it has really done a number on my confidence with running.  I had registered to start in the first wave but opted to go with the 2nd.  Big mistake.  Every year I am weaving in and out of people, dodging walkers and this was no different!  I kept reminding myself that I didn't care about my time, but my legs felt fresh and strong. 

Around 3 miles in I caught up to one of my running buddies from the YMCA.  We ran the last half together.  At the end, my Garmin read 6.37 miles, 48:27 with a 7:37 pace.  Not my fastest 10K but definitely one of the fastest runs I have had since being pregnant.  Maybe those slow weekly runs are what I need to get a fast race in!

Jeff (one of my running friends) & I after the 10K, sporting our other friends running team shirts.

Official Results:
Finish Time: 48:23
Pace: 7:47 (my Garmin read 6.37 miles with a 7:37 pace)
AG Place: 27/563

Missing in Action?

It has been a month since my last update.  A lot has been going on since the Detroit marathon.  I have not ran any races but I am staying consistant with running about 30 miles per week, including a long run of 10 miles on the weekends.  I've also added a day of full body strength training that kicks my butt.  I Spend 2 + hours with the weights on Sundays and have now made Mondays my rest days.  I am so sore. 

I've also gained 4 pounds since the marathon. I've got a good excuse though.

I found out 5 days after the Detroit marathon that I am pregnant.  Not only was I pregnant for the Detroit marathon but I was pregnant for Dance with Dirt 50K! 

As of today, I am 11 weeks & 2 days with a due date of June 9, 2012.  This definitely affects my future race plans but I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life.  I've only told my parents so far.   Everyone else will find out around Christmas time and I am keeping it off facebook as long as I can!  I have quite a few family and friends I want to tell personally before they go reading it on a social networking site!  Who would have thought that my son would turning 14 in January and having a new baby sister or brother a few short months later. 

Recently I have noticed that my pace has slowed.  It's ok though. I am running for two.  I am going to continue with my race plans and continue to train for Boston.  My training will just be altered to fit the slower paces and to make sure I do not harm the baby.  I've done a lot of research on women who run marathons pregnant, specifically Boston.  In 2002, April Nolan was 46 years old and 32 weeks pregnant.  She finished the Boston marathon in 6:46.  not an official Boston finishing time, but she did receive 2 medals when she crossed the finish line; one for her and one for her baby.  If I can complete the course 32 weeks pregnant in 6 hours, it will require me to maitain an average pace of 13:45.  I think that is totally doable.  So far my doctor is supportive of my running.  I will continue to talk to him about it at each appointment.   My dad is very supportive and frequently reminds me that I need to listen to my doctor and my body.  If I can't run Boston, it won't be the end of the world.  I'll work hard to BQ again.  Ask me today though and I think I can do it.  But we will see how I feel come April 16, 2012.