The Mommy Miles

Feb race recap

2012-02-23T19:45:00.001-08:00

Okay, I don't have the heart to write this again. I wrote a big, long, recap and then I accidentally deleted it. I had to take a whole day to recover...maybe I take my blog posts too seriously?

Anyways, on Sunday I ran my February race. It was a huge PR for me. I did some research about how to run this race strategically, hoping to PR (I deleted the link to those articles when I deleted my post, I will try and see if I can retrace my history to share them because they were really great tools). 

When I woke up Sunday morning I felt sick. My girls have had a chest cold for the last two weeks and it looked as if I was next on the list. My husband gave me a great pep talk and convinced me to go out there and run the race like I had planned. 

It was a great start time (8:40am) and a flat course. My goal was to run the first two miles in a 9:45 pace, the middle two miles at a 9:55 pace, and the last two at 9:40 pace. This went along with some of the tips that were given in the articles I read. 

I made sure I had my Garmin on the correct setting and took off. I checked my pace at mile one and I was at 9:40 but I felt great so I stayed there. The middle two miles I started to feel emotional. I am not sure what it is about running, but I think because I all my energy is going to physical use, I am completely disarmed and can be brought to tears instantly. I don't mean that I am crying because the running is tough, I just get choked up at the thought of running, how happy and lucky I am to run, and maybe even a little proud. Does that happen to you?

Well, anyway, I was a bit misty eyed for the middle portion of the run. I felt good, I was running strong, and I knew I was going to PR in a big way. 

Justin had the girls and made his way around the course, cheering me on at two different spots. Nothing adds a kick like seeing your three year old clapping, waving, jumping and hollering for every runner that passes by. 

The last two miles I sped up. I wanted to cross the finish line tired, knowing I had run this race with all that I had. I started zeroing in on the runners ahead of me. I would pull up beside them, catch my breath a minute and then move onto the next one. I was at a 9:22 pace. I caught up to a gal with knee high socks that read bacon. I gasped out a laugh and turned the corner to cross the blue mats. My Garmin read that I had ran 6.23 miles with my average pace at 9:35. However, my official time according to the chip was 6.2 miles (obviously, it was a 10k) and 9:40 pace...hmmm, has that ever happened to you? Which do you think is more accurate?

Shamrock 15k....you're next! 

Post-Run Routine

2012-02-21T09:58:00.000-08:00

What is your post-run routine? I often find myself wondering this about other people. My post-run routine usually goes a little something like this:

Walk in the door, sweating and breathing heavily from my run.
My daughter runs over as if it's been weeks since she ast saw me and acknowledges the fact that "mama running" (very cute)
I then proceed with stretching while keeping an eye on the clock and calculating how much "me" time I have already used up.
My daughter tries to stretch with me or on me or right in the space I need.
I emphasize stretching my hamstring (my trouble area).
My stretching is over far too soon and I am upstairs in the shower.
Back downstairs I come, with wet hair, to resume mommy duty.

That routine probably lasts a total of 20 minutes (including shower). It is not my ideal routine, I would love to stretch at my leisure, move onto some abs, back to stretching out my entire body then take a nice, hot shower followed by actually applying some makeup and getting dressed in something other than sweat pants. But such is the life of a Mother Runner. I am just thrilled I was able to get out and run and stay on track with my weekly goals.

Runners -

What is your post-run routine? And what is your ideal post-run routine?

Katie

Week 3 Training

2012-02-20T08:24:00.000-08:00

Week Three for Jess
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 2 mile easy 
Wednesday: rest   
Thursday: 5 mile tempo (warm;3 miles @ 10:07;cool) 
Friday: rest     
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 7 miles long run 
total: 14 miles 

Week Two for Jess
Monday: rest
Tuesday: 2 mile easy  Done!
Wednesday: rest   
Thursday: 5 mile speed work (warm;2x1600 in 9:22w/800jogs;cool) Done!
Friday: rest     
Saturday: rest
Sunday: 6 miles long run(10K recap coming soon!)Done!
total: 13 miles 

Reflection on last week's running:

This last week went great. I have loved doing the speed work, this has been the first time that I have incorporated it consistantly and I can already see the difference. As I mentioned before, I chose to use the Runners World training program but I am still incorporating racing into a few of my long runs through out the next few months. I know I need to do some cross training but I am struggling to find the time.

Week Two for Katie:

I am going to keep it a bit simple and just lay out my running goals for the week, but I do plan to do a couple extras, too (ie workout video and some strength/abs). I plan to run a 3, a 3.5 and a 5 mile this week. I feel like 5 is pushing it for where I am at currently but I also feel like I need the challenge! As an added bonus, I would like to challenge myself to run 4 times this week, not just 3. Stay tuned! 

Reflection on last weeks training: 

"Week two is going to look pretty similar to week 1, actually.  I plan to run 3 miles once, 3.5 miles once and 4.5 miles once.  I get in my 45 mins of stretch/strength/abs during Biggest Loser on Tuesday and my Jillian video. Just picking up a little distance this week, slowly but surely. I really want to try and get to a local track in the next couple weeks to do a speed workout, I haven't done many of these! So we'll see (Jess-I need tips!)."

Okay, this week was a bit unexpected in a lot of ways. To start, I completely failed on my training goals, but I had to conclude that sometimes things happen and you're not always going to be able to meet your goals as expected. That was my week. For those who don't know, I am a birth doula, a wonderful, rewarding and challenging job. This week, I just so happened to have two mamas go into labor back-to-back. I was at a birth Tuesday night throughWednesday afternoon and again Thursday evening through very early Friday morning. Needless to say, I was exhausted and unable to get in my workouts as hoped. Not that I am complaining, I am wouldn't change it for the world! I didn't manage to get in my "long" run of 4.5 miles but I was able to get in the two other runs which I am happy about given the circumstances. I do, however, expect this week to be a lot better. 

Rock 'n' Roll

2012-02-17T19:34:00.000-08:00

We are officially registered for the Rock 'N' Roll Half!

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Watch our countdown in the sidebar as our training continues and we work towards a PR!
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Speedwork

2012-02-16T21:30:00.000-08:00

Addie Joy, bundled up and ready to roll

Thumbs up for a family run!

 On the menu for tonight...

1 mile warm up 

2 x 1600 repeats at 9:22 pace

2x 800 jog recovery

1 mile cool down

Here is how it really went...

1.25 miles warm up @ 10:00

1600 @ 9:08

800 @12:00

1600 @9:16

800 @ 10:55

800 cool down @ 10:55

Overall pace was 10:06

Things to think about:

I need to be better at staying on goal pace.
I love speed work. Plain and simple. It's fun.
I need to learn how to use the Garmin to analyze my data post run.
Running at the high school is nostalgic...minus the lacrosse team wondering what that crazy woman is doin' huffing and puffing her way around.

This was posted on the track. I don't get it.

Nice, right?

(Stuff) runners say

2012-02-14T18:08:00.000-08:00

The sky is a blanket of grey. The rain just started to fall. My three year old is glassy eyed and congested, her cough is draining all her normal sparkle. Valentine's day isn't the rosy pink day-o-love I had hoped.

So instead of a reflection on L-O-V-E how about a good ol' video?

Sh!t Runners Say:

Happy V-day Y'all!

Jess

Week 2 training

2012-02-13T08:24:00.000-08:00

Week Two for Jess

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 2 mile easy 

Wednesday: rest   

Thursday: 5 mile speed work (warm;2x1600 in 9:22w/800jogs;cool) 

Friday: rest     

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 6 miles long run 

total: 13 miles 

Reflection on last week's running:

I was happy with this last week's training. It was week one, and I was a bit nervous starting my training program running a 6 miler and a 5 miler, but I think this was the right choice! I did not do any cross training. I do want to implament cross training in my training but as long as I am getting my three runs in, the rest is just frosting.

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 2 mile easy done!

Wednesday: rest   *cross train*

Thursday: 5 mile tempo run done!(1 mile warm up, 3 miles at 9:56, 1 mile cool down)

Friday: rest      *cross train*

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 6 miles long run done!

total: 13 miles DONE!

Week Two for Katie:
Week two is going to look pretty similar to week 1, actually. I plan to run 3 miles once, 3.5 miles once and 4.5 miles once. I get in my 45 mins of stretch/strength/abs during Biggest Loser on Tuesday and my Jillian video. Just picking up a little distance this week, slowly but surely. I really want to try and get to a local track in the next couple weeks to do a speed workout, I haven't done many of these! So we'll see (Jess-I need tips!).

Reflection on last week's training:

"I plan to run 3 miles twice and 4 miles once, if I can work in a speed workout on another day, I will be pretty happy about it! I will do my Jillian Michaels workout video which includes strength training. I will use my Tuesday evening watching Biggest Loser and to do an abs/stretch/strengthen workout for a minimum of 45 minutes." - DONE!

So happy to say I accomplished each of my goals this week. Secretly I was hoping I might be a bit of an overachiever and accomplish more than I set out to, but instead I completed each goal exactly as I intended. I guess if I want to achieve more, then I need to set my goals higher -- duh! I've never been much of an overachiever anyway. The week felt great, I was able to schedule in running times where my hubby with be with the toddler and it was nice to get out there and run in the fresh air alone. My 4 mile run was on Saturday with a friend and it was so nice to run with a pal, but it was not the easiest run. We both struggled a bit and for some reason, 4 miles was HARD! I think that's why I am making a slow jump up to just 4.5 as my "long" run this week. Just need to get more work in and we have plenty of time.

Okay, here we go week 2....

RUNderwear

2012-02-09T15:45:00.000-08:00

Okay ladies (and gents-feel free to chime in), let's get serious. I was reading Run Like A Mother the other night and came across the chapter about clothing and was interested to find that Another Mother Runners very own Dimity McDowell (@dimityontherun) prefers going without, and it got me thinking. I have actually always wondered what the "norm" is for runners. Do you wear underwear? If so, what kind and what cut? Or is it best to just skip that step altogether and go commando?

There are several arguments for and against wearing underwear while running, including health concerns, bacteria, and sanitary reasons. There are different types of underwear (thong, cotton, nylon), and again there is the commando option. Thongs can cause infection, cotton can bunch, nylon doesn't breath...and then there's the dilemma of panty-line. As women, I feel like we have a bit of a responsibility to care about panty-line at least a little bit, but maybe that rule only applies to when we are in "real" clothes and not running gear? I don't know!

Now, time for me to be candid. Personally, I have always worn underwear during any type of gym workout or running activity. Maybe it's a comfort thing, but I just cannot go without! Even in running shorts with the built-in undies, I still wear my own (don't judge!). My wear of choice are a full butt coverage (boy short style) nylon/spandex blend and I have never had any problems with them! No health concerns, no dreaded wedgie, no low riding, no bunching. They're great. It doesn't mean they're perfect or that I won't still be online researching other underwear options, but they do the trick for the time being. If I can successfully run a half marathon in those babies under my running tights, then I am sticking with my method for now (the boy short style also helps with the panty-line dilemma).

In my research, I came across two pretty great posts about this exact subject (I am sure there are millions of others). You will have to check them out as I found them very informative. The first is just some basics: Should Women Wear Underwear When Jogging? and the other was funny yet informative: The Great Fitness Underwear Debate: Do You or Don't You?

I came across these on Pinterest and had to share to the cuteness:

I don't know how practical these are, but aren't they adorable?!
Rundies

Okay runners, I have to know! What RUNderwear do you don, if any? What have been your personal experiences, good and bad?

TAKE THE POLL AND LET US KNOW!

the detox

2012-02-07T15:59:00.000-08:00

So if you remember, one of my "to-do" items on my 2012 list was to complete a 6 week detox. I promised to share about it...but first let's discuss this hot topic of cleanses, detoxes, juice fasts, and reboots. They are all the rage aren't they? Do you know someone who is currently or has recently completed (successfully or not) one of these? 

I have a little bit of advice about it...be careful. I think it is way too easy to go a little too far with these "healthful" cleanses. In the same breathe though, I think they can be very beneficial. In our body obsessed, fat hating society, it is just easy to forgo being healthy in our quest to be thin. 

Okay, got it off my chest. I will continue...

I participated in a 6 week detox using the Ultra Mind Solution. It is a book written by an MD who has researched the effects of what we eat on our brain and moods, and links many diseases and disorders to the food we are putting into our body. Which makes sense to me, good fuel, good health. Or as Mark Hyman puts it, "There is no junk food, only junk". The book gave extensive food lists, shopping lists, background information, and a complete breakdown in how and why to do this detox. The kicker...it was 6 weeks long! That seemed like forever, especially those first few days. The detox was centered around whole foods, mostly organic, and no sugar, refined or processed foods, alcohol, or caffeine. Like I said the first few days were really hard.

From the second week on, I understood the importance of doing this detox for 6 weeks. The first week was hard, I was grumpy, lethargic, and craving everything I couldn't eat. But after the second week, I started to see and feel the difference. My skin felt clearer and brighter. I was waking up earlier, which for me has always been so difficult (5 shot americano enter here). But surprisingly, without caffeine, I was alert and happy in the morning. Yes, I just used happy and morning together in the same sentence.

I also noticed that my energy didn't dip in the afternoon as it typically did. Unlike other diets I have done (believe me, I have done my fair share), I didn't have a constant feeling of hunger, of depravity, or feeling weak after my workouts. I think that is because this was NOT focused on fat or calorie intake. It was focused on eating whole, healthful, nutrient giving foods. It also schedules meals so that you are eating snacks in between meals.

I did not drop a bunch of weight, a few pounds for sure, but my body felt different. I didn't feel bloated, or "puffy". People asked me or commented on it and I really didn't have an explanation other than my body had changed, the amount I weighed...not as much.

I am now in my sixth week. I stumbled a few times in the last few days (we were in Florida, had birthday parties, and baby showers) but the setbacks didn't come with a sense of guilt or a rush of pleasure either. I will incorporate some things back in to my diet, but many things I will continue to skip...simply because I feel better without them.

Katie and I will be doing a 48 hour cleanse together in the next few weeks and we will be sure to let you know how it goes and what cleanse we follow. Again, my only (non-medical of course) advice is to do your research and choose your detox carefully. Check that it is not a "diet", not about losing weight quickly (which usually means not safely). And of course, remember that your body needs nutrients in order to have any output...you need calories, you need fat, your body needs a variety of food to be healthy and operate at it's full potential. 

Let the Training Begin!

2012-02-06T06:00:00.000-08:00

Here we go! 

I have been counting down the days until we start training. Something about having a purpose or an end goal to it all makes me want to literally, go the extra mile. So Katie and I thought we'd share with you each Monday our goals/training plan for the week, and also reflect on the previous week. You can see more about my training plan here.

Week one:

Monday: rest

Tuesday: 2 mile easy 

Wednesday: rest   *cross train*

Thursday: 5 mile tempo run

Friday: rest      *cross train*

Saturday: rest

Sunday: 6 miles long run

total: 13 miles

I am having a hard time with how slow my easy runs are suppose to be. Even though I put in my recent paces for my 5k, it has me running an 11:30 minute mile. I know you are not suppose to "race" until race day. But it is really hard for me to trust that if I am slowing down that much for all my long runs and easy runs, that a 11:30 minute mile will be my new pace. Any experienced plan-followers out there have tips/encouragement/thoughts about the slow runs in your training schedule?

Jess

Well I am not nearly as organized or structured as Jess (I wish I was!), and due to my personal schedule it's not always possible for me to stick to a strict training routine. Therefore, I plan to set weekly goals for myself based on Hal Higdon's Intermediate Half Marathon Training Guide. I am feeling pretty good because this is a 12 week training program and we have 13 or 14 (depending on which half we do) weeks until race day! My goal is run at least 3 times a week, 4 if I can, but I will be happy with 3. In addition to running I will do a workout video once a week and some intentional focus on abs/stretching/strength once a week (probably while watching Biggest Loser on Tuesday nights...a perfect time to do these things and be entertained!). With that said, here are my goals for the week:

I plan to run 3 miles twice and 4 miles once, if I can work in a speed workout on another day, I will be pretty happy about it!
I will do my Jillian Michaels workout video which includes strength training.
I will use my Tuesday evening watching Biggest Loser and to do an abs/stretch/strengthen workout for a minimum of 45 minutes.

Check in next week to see how I did!

Katie

Tell me how to cross-train!

2012-02-03T21:13:00.000-08:00

Okay, I feel pretty embarrassed to be writing this and kind of ashamed to have my own running blog yet not really know how to cross-train. As I prepare to begin training for my second half-marathon, I notice that most of the training programs I've found include cross-training. I have always known it was important to train in other ways besides just running, but for someone like me who does not have a bike or a gym membership, I constantly feel at a loss of how to cross-train. While I know it's not absolutely necessary, I feel that I need to incorporate some cross-training to prevent injury. I have my hamstring injury that I am constantly battling, so cross-training just seems to make good sense. Help me!

So runners, please tell me what you do to cross-train or include non-running workouts in your race training. I would absolutely love your input and suggestions!

Bring on the Hills!!!

2012-02-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

A gal at work organized a team for Portland's Shamrock Run. I was thrilled to jump in because I had been eyeing this race for two years. TWO YEARS! What has kept me away you might ask??? The hills. 

The course is infamous for its killer climb from downtown to OHSU. I think I have an unnatural fear of running hills. It just hurts so bad. And it robs you of all your steam, leaving you tired with legs that feel like anvils. I know what you're thinking...at least I know what I am thinking...this girl needs some hill repeats. 

Even though I am registered this year, I am still scared. Another co-worker pal signed up to take it on with me. However, she is also a runner and a faster runner than I, so I am not sure if that makes me feel better??

Today after work I will be driving over to the course to conquer some hills. The very hills I will be running in a little over a month. And I know it will hurt. I know it will feel like punishment. But I also know there is no other remedy for a case of the "fear of hills".

Jess

What is your RUNderwear of choice?
	Cotton Undies
	Thong
	Nada! Commando!
	Depends on the bottoms I'm wearing
	None of your business!