What a month August turned out to be. Not only did I run 2 post pregnancy races (Clark Lake 12K and Run thru Hell 10 mile) I also had my highest mileage month ever!! I ran a total of 220.47 miles! My highest prior to this was July of 2011 topping out at 203 miles. I know I won't see this number for a while now that I am back to work and have to fit running in where I can. I've been tooting my own hron all weekend about this mileage. It's amazing what my body has been able to do after giving birth. Now to get my speed back.
Over the weekend I ran my longest distance/time run for 2012. We ran 20 miles on the Poto trail in Pinckney, MI in preperation for Dances with Dirt 50K. It took us 3 hours and 51 minutes to run 20.58 miles. That trail beat me up. I managed not to fall at all however, my legs are still sore 3 days later! I certainly hope I have it in me to meet our goal of sub-6 hours! I'll be hitting the trail again this Saturday to run another 20 miles. At least we are keeping it a little "easier" by running at Hudson Mills versus another 20 on Poto. We are also registered for the Oak Openings Stampede 25K trail race on the 16th. It will make a good taper run prior to the 50K.
I am trying to find a late November or early December marathon or 50K that wouldn't be too far to travel to. maybe a couple hour drive max. Any recommendations?? Here is what my race schedule looks like as of now.
9-16: 25K
9-22: 50K
9-30: half marathon
10-21: marathon
11-3: 5K
11-22: 10K
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
July Stats, August work outs, DWD and other ramblings
In one week from today I go back to work after being off for 12 weeks. I am so sad. I will miss my baby girl and I will miss being able to run whenever I want to, so to speak. I've been able to get in some high mileage weeks and I have this fear of not being able to balance work, running and family once I go back. I know it will be hard at first but eventually I'll get the hang of it.
I officially signed up for Dances with Dirt 50K. I am excited for this event. It was one of my favorite events from last year. So much different than your typical road race. I love being on the trails, challenging my body, running in the dark, running up stream, etc... Will I be ready? Well, I have no choice. I must admit though, I have not been on the trails in months!! That needs to chance ASAP! I plan to hit Poto over labor day weekend as well as a couple more training runs prior to DWD. I know I will finish, I just want to make sure I can keep up with my dad and our other 2 friends, Mike & Dave. We plan to stick together and these guys have been hitting the trails hard!!
July ended up being a decent running month considering I had just given birth in June. August is stacking up to be a great month as well. I ran 114 miles in July and have already put up 139 miles this month with still having 10 more days of running. I've had 1-50+ mile week and hope to hit 50+ this week. I really need to add in more core and strength though. I've been slacking in that area. I've been trying to make sure I do push ups daily, but even those I slack on. Push ups! They don't even take that long to do. I must start to make my strength and core a priority. I know it will help make me a stronger runner.
We leave for Higgins Lake tomorrow through Sunday and I fully intend on running everyday while we are there. Last year I was able to get in a 10 mile run just by looping around the camp ground. My goal is to get in an easy 3-5 mile run tomorrow when we arrive and then run 10 miles each day Thursday, Friday & Saturday with Sunday being my rest day.
Duty calls! As known as, my sweet Anna is starting to wake up. I must go feed her, grab something light to eat and head out for a run. I am running to the gym, lifting and doing core and will run home.
I officially signed up for Dances with Dirt 50K. I am excited for this event. It was one of my favorite events from last year. So much different than your typical road race. I love being on the trails, challenging my body, running in the dark, running up stream, etc... Will I be ready? Well, I have no choice. I must admit though, I have not been on the trails in months!! That needs to chance ASAP! I plan to hit Poto over labor day weekend as well as a couple more training runs prior to DWD. I know I will finish, I just want to make sure I can keep up with my dad and our other 2 friends, Mike & Dave. We plan to stick together and these guys have been hitting the trails hard!!
July ended up being a decent running month considering I had just given birth in June. August is stacking up to be a great month as well. I ran 114 miles in July and have already put up 139 miles this month with still having 10 more days of running. I've had 1-50+ mile week and hope to hit 50+ this week. I really need to add in more core and strength though. I've been slacking in that area. I've been trying to make sure I do push ups daily, but even those I slack on. Push ups! They don't even take that long to do. I must start to make my strength and core a priority. I know it will help make me a stronger runner.
We leave for Higgins Lake tomorrow through Sunday and I fully intend on running everyday while we are there. Last year I was able to get in a 10 mile run just by looping around the camp ground. My goal is to get in an easy 3-5 mile run tomorrow when we arrive and then run 10 miles each day Thursday, Friday & Saturday with Sunday being my rest day.
Duty calls! As known as, my sweet Anna is starting to wake up. I must go feed her, grab something light to eat and head out for a run. I am running to the gym, lifting and doing core and will run home.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Run thru Hell race results
Saturday was the annual Run thru Hell race. There are two events; 10 mile and 4.8 mile races. My uncle is the creator of this race and has been putting it on for 35 years. I ran the 10 mile along with Chris and a bunch of my running friends. I went into this race as a training run and came out with a 2nd place finish in my age group! I ran the 10 miler in 1:21:53. Slower than last years event but faster than I thought I would run being how tough this course is. Major, major hills!!!!
After the race, one of my running friends Dave and I headed back out to run another 5 miles. We ran out 2.5 miles and turned back. at about 3.5 miles, out of nowhere comes 2 big, black dogs that looked like a Pitt bull mix of some sort. The one charged at Dave, bearing teeth, barking and foaming at the mouth. Dave kicked and punched the dog while I jumped on the back windshield of a parked car. The dogs stood there barking at Dave when a homeowner (and owner of the car I am on) come out. He said they were the guy down the hills dog and told us to yell "go home". We did and the dogs took off towards their house. We grabbed a couple large rocks and slowly proceeded down the hill. The dog owner came out of his house and asked if we were attacked. He apologized stating he had no idea they got out. He called them in and we finished our run. Dave and I jinxed ourselves since we had just talked about how neither one of us grabbed our pepper spray and that we both carry it when running rural roads. When we returned to the race site, we then notice 2 large scratches on Dave's arm and leg. He thinks it was caused by the dogs studded collar. He cleaned it off and applied anti-bacterial ointment to the area. I've always had a fear of being chased and attacked by a stray dog ever since my dad was bitten by one. Now I am not so sure when I will run on rural roads again.
Official Race Results:
Time: 1:21:53
Pace: 8:12
Age Group Place: 2nd/18
Overall: 162/451
After the race, one of my running friends Dave and I headed back out to run another 5 miles. We ran out 2.5 miles and turned back. at about 3.5 miles, out of nowhere comes 2 big, black dogs that looked like a Pitt bull mix of some sort. The one charged at Dave, bearing teeth, barking and foaming at the mouth. Dave kicked and punched the dog while I jumped on the back windshield of a parked car. The dogs stood there barking at Dave when a homeowner (and owner of the car I am on) come out. He said they were the guy down the hills dog and told us to yell "go home". We did and the dogs took off towards their house. We grabbed a couple large rocks and slowly proceeded down the hill. The dog owner came out of his house and asked if we were attacked. He apologized stating he had no idea they got out. He called them in and we finished our run. Dave and I jinxed ourselves since we had just talked about how neither one of us grabbed our pepper spray and that we both carry it when running rural roads. When we returned to the race site, we then notice 2 large scratches on Dave's arm and leg. He thinks it was caused by the dogs studded collar. He cleaned it off and applied anti-bacterial ointment to the area. I've always had a fear of being chased and attacked by a stray dog ever since my dad was bitten by one. Now I am not so sure when I will run on rural roads again.
Official Race Results:
Time: 1:21:53
Pace: 8:12
Age Group Place: 2nd/18
Overall: 162/451
Monday, August 6, 2012
Run Clark Lake Results
Saturday was my first race since being pregnant and having Anna. Chris and I ran the Run Clark Lake 12K. I ran this race in 2010 as well. Needless to say, I forgot how hilly this course was! It was a hot, humid and sunny race. My only goal was to run hard and finish strong. I knew I would not come close to my 2010 finish time (56:05, 7:31 pace). I started out slow and continued to get faster through out the race. I crossed the finish line in 1:02:21, good for a 3rd place finish in my age group. That is the same place I finished in 2010 but with a much faster time. I am satisfied with my time being that I just gave birth 8 weeks ago. After the race, Chris and I headed out for an additional 1.5 miles to make it an even 9 miles for the day.
Official Results:
Time: 1:02:21
Pace: 8:21
Age group: 3rd / 10
Overall: 65 / 190
My 3rd place award. I love to get awards I can use!
Official Results:
Time: 1:02:21
Pace: 8:21
Age group: 3rd / 10
Overall: 65 / 190
My 3rd place award. I love to get awards I can use!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Postpartum Stats
It has been just over 4 weeks that I started running again and I have managed to put up 110 miles (11.55 of those walked), with last week being 45.25 miles! I also ran my longest run in months yesterday; 17 miles. My pace is still much slower than where I was at this time last year, but I am trying not to focus on my pace. My main concern is to build up endurance again so that I can maintain 50+ mile weeks now through my ultra and fall marathons. I've got a trail 50K in less than 8 weeks and a marathon in October. I just want to finish both strong, not looking to PR!!
Here is how my work outs have stacked up since I started running on June 30th.
June 30th: 4 miles, 50:59, 12:45 pace (run/walk- first postpartum run)
July1st: 5 miles. 54:52, 10:58 pace w/ hills (couple walk breaks)
Total miles: 9
Week of July 2nd-July 8th
Monday: 4.54 mile walk w/ Anna 1:20:30, 17:43 pace (hills)
Tuesday: 4.03 mile walk 1:05:03, 16:09 pace (w/ hills)
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 3.57 mile run 41:57, 11:45 pace (run/walk w/ hills)
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 5.15 mile run 57:16, 10:07 pace
Total miles: 17.29 miles
Week of July 9th-July 15th
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4.01 mile run 40:39, 10:08 pace
Wednesday: 2.98 mile walk w/ Anna, push ups, lifted biceps, squats
Thursday: 6 mile run 55:34, 9:15 pace
Friday: 4 mile run 35:56, 8:59 pace
Saturday: 5 mile run - treadmill 48:30, 9:42 pace, lifted shoulders, chest & triceps
Sunday: 4 miles total: 2 mile run to the gym 18:16, 9:08 pace, lifted biceps, back, planks, 2 mile run home from gym 17:47, 8:54 pace
Total miles: 23.01 miles
Week of July 16th-July 22nd
Monday-Friday: rest (had a scare and decided to wait to run until I saw my doctor on Thursday. received the green light!)
Saturday: 10.45 mile trail run (3 loops); loop 1: 2.94 miles 26:53, 9:08 pace Loop 2: 3.26 miles 28:56, 8:52 pace Loop 3: 4.25 miles 38:09, 8:59 pace
Sunday: 5 mile run - treadmill 47:00, 9:24 pace, lifted biceps & shoulders
Total miles: 15.45
Week of July 23rd-July29th
Monday: 5 mile run - treadmill 47:22, 9:26 pace, lifted back
Tuesday: 8 mile run 1:12:44, 9:05 pace (first run with my 5am running group since Anna's birth)
Wednesday: 7 mile run 1:03:25, 9:04 pace w/ hill work, push ups 6x10
Thursday: rest
Friday: 8.25 mile run 1:10:30, 8:33 pace (ran on the Illinois prairie path, fastest run since Anna's birth!)
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 17 mile run 2:43:47, 9:38 pace (ran on the Illinois prairie path, longest run since Anna's birth)
Total miles: 45.25 miles
Here is how my work outs have stacked up since I started running on June 30th.
June 30th: 4 miles, 50:59, 12:45 pace (run/walk- first postpartum run)
July1st: 5 miles. 54:52, 10:58 pace w/ hills (couple walk breaks)
Total miles: 9
Week of July 2nd-July 8th
Monday: 4.54 mile walk w/ Anna 1:20:30, 17:43 pace (hills)
Tuesday: 4.03 mile walk 1:05:03, 16:09 pace (w/ hills)
Wednesday: rest
Thursday: 3.57 mile run 41:57, 11:45 pace (run/walk w/ hills)
Friday: rest
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 5.15 mile run 57:16, 10:07 pace
Total miles: 17.29 miles
Week of July 9th-July 15th
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4.01 mile run 40:39, 10:08 pace
Wednesday: 2.98 mile walk w/ Anna, push ups, lifted biceps, squats
Thursday: 6 mile run 55:34, 9:15 pace
Friday: 4 mile run 35:56, 8:59 pace
Saturday: 5 mile run - treadmill 48:30, 9:42 pace, lifted shoulders, chest & triceps
Sunday: 4 miles total: 2 mile run to the gym 18:16, 9:08 pace, lifted biceps, back, planks, 2 mile run home from gym 17:47, 8:54 pace
Total miles: 23.01 miles
Week of July 16th-July 22nd
Monday-Friday: rest (had a scare and decided to wait to run until I saw my doctor on Thursday. received the green light!)
Saturday: 10.45 mile trail run (3 loops); loop 1: 2.94 miles 26:53, 9:08 pace Loop 2: 3.26 miles 28:56, 8:52 pace Loop 3: 4.25 miles 38:09, 8:59 pace
Sunday: 5 mile run - treadmill 47:00, 9:24 pace, lifted biceps & shoulders
Total miles: 15.45
Week of July 23rd-July29th
Monday: 5 mile run - treadmill 47:22, 9:26 pace, lifted back
Tuesday: 8 mile run 1:12:44, 9:05 pace (first run with my 5am running group since Anna's birth)
Wednesday: 7 mile run 1:03:25, 9:04 pace w/ hill work, push ups 6x10
Thursday: rest
Friday: 8.25 mile run 1:10:30, 8:33 pace (ran on the Illinois prairie path, fastest run since Anna's birth!)
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 17 mile run 2:43:47, 9:38 pace (ran on the Illinois prairie path, longest run since Anna's birth)
Total miles: 45.25 miles
Monday, July 23, 2012
Double digit runs, ultra training and a marathon decision to make
I ran my first post-pregnancy double digit run on Saturday! not only did I run 10.5 miles with my dad but it was ran on trails!! It was a tough work out but felt great. It was just what I needed to prove I still have some fitness level. Of course, I am not nearly as fast as prior to my pregnancy, but I still was able to knock out the 10.5 miles at a 9:00 pace. I'll take that! I followed it up with another 5 miles on Sunday along with some strength training for biceps & shoulders. My legs are sore today but hoping to get an easy 3 miles in prior to lifting for back and my ab work.
I am running another ultra on September 22nd. I have just under 9 weeks to be ready for DWD Hell 50K. I need to put together some sort of training plan. I loaned my 2011 training log to a fellow runner so I am unable to look back at last years 50K training. The good thing about DWD is that there are no expectations when it comes to my time. The trails are ridiculously hard so my only goal it to finish! There are also some hard core aide stations that we tend to stop at and rest for 5-10 minutes while refueling. So that helps as well. Totally different than a marathon where I want to run hard and fast.
We also are torn between the fall marathon. Originally we were going to run Grand Rapids marathon on October 21st. Now my dad has mentioned possibly running the Red, White & Blue 26.2 in Findlay, OH on October 7th. Although the GR course would be much nicer (we've heard the Findlay course is boring), the Findlay, OH marathon wouldn't require us to stay the night prior to the race. It would also allow me to leave Anna home versus bringing her with us to Grand Rapids. We need to decide prior to the price increase!
I am running another ultra on September 22nd. I have just under 9 weeks to be ready for DWD Hell 50K. I need to put together some sort of training plan. I loaned my 2011 training log to a fellow runner so I am unable to look back at last years 50K training. The good thing about DWD is that there are no expectations when it comes to my time. The trails are ridiculously hard so my only goal it to finish! There are also some hard core aide stations that we tend to stop at and rest for 5-10 minutes while refueling. So that helps as well. Totally different than a marathon where I want to run hard and fast.
We also are torn between the fall marathon. Originally we were going to run Grand Rapids marathon on October 21st. Now my dad has mentioned possibly running the Red, White & Blue 26.2 in Findlay, OH on October 7th. Although the GR course would be much nicer (we've heard the Findlay course is boring), the Findlay, OH marathon wouldn't require us to stay the night prior to the race. It would also allow me to leave Anna home versus bringing her with us to Grand Rapids. We need to decide prior to the price increase!
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
It's been a long time!
I can't believe it has been so long since I last posted anything in my blog!! Anna is now 1 month and 3 days old. She smiled today for the first time too! I thought being home with Anna would be so relaxing but its really not. I am constantly doing something around the house or taking care of her. I go to the doctors on the 18th and I hope he gives the green light to start running because....
I started running on June 30th. I've been feeling so good that I just couldn't help myself. I've been going slow and taking walk breaks. Between June 30th and today, I have run 5 times (just got back from a slow 4 miler) for a total of 21.75 miles. Do you know how good it feels to run? I am stil extremely slow, but faster than I ran at the end of my pregnancy.
I know some people may think I am nuts to take it upon myself and start running prior to seeing my doctor at my 6 week check up, but I've done a ton of reading on postpartum running and, although I am not a doctor, I feel I can handle it. Again, I am running slow and taking walk breaks. I listen to my body and check for signs of it telling me to back off. If I had not run through out my entire pregnancy including a 3.1 mile run and 5.5 mile walk just the day before I delivered, then this would not be a smart move on my part. But since I have put in high miles with lots of long runs I think I am ok. Plus, I had such an easy pregnancy and smooth delivery. All being free of complications.
I can't wait to start running hard, long and fast again. I am sop eager to sign up for races too! I actually filled out my first race registration this morning. Run Clark Lake 12K on August 4th. I may not be "racing" it, but it will be fun to just get out there with others who share the love of running.
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