Around the world....

Not literally, well possibly literally.   Friday I returned to training with the Disney Royal Family 5k at Epcot Center (though I haven't officially been cleared by the doctors since it's only been 20 days.  It's hard to keep me down...did you read my last post about how stubborn I am?). 

Why yes, Baby K was born on February 1, and so I am back to training.  Today's story won't really include Baby K (he's a little young to actively participate as yet), but  not to worry, I'm sure I will have many stories to share of time on the roads with my newest running partner.

So my return to pounding the pavement brought mixed feelings - but we'll get to that - first the course.  I've run a few different Disney races and have experienced different courses.  Though only a 5k, it has to be my favorite Disney course yet. 

The start was out in the Epcot parking lot. It was a different group than I'm used to running a Disney race with.  More kids, more families.  A festive environment to be sure.  The first mile continued through the parking lot and access roads, though it was too dark to really see.  Then, with the beginning of mile 2, we entered the Epcot Center World Showcase and took a jaunt around the world.  Each of the countries in the showcase was well-represented by the Disney character from that country (or at least one dressed in traditional costume from that country).  It made me smile.  I like to smile while running.  The final mile was back through the front end of Epcot Center, around Spaceship Earth and the memorial plaza and back out into the parking lot.  A grand return to the race scene for sure.

The run felt awesome.  Muscle memory kicked in and everything worked the way it should.  No walking...the running felt just fine (though not particularly fast).  That said, it was sad to be at Princess Half weekend running something other than the half marathon (I've run it every year since 2011).  I went back and forth with regret for not pushing myself to run the bigger distances this weekend, but knew in my mind that I was already biting off more than I should.  I'll take the finish, though.  Definitely can't complain (and I even scored a pair of the New Balance Run Disney shoes in the Cinderella motif).

Saturday we were right back at Epcot Center for the kids races...Diva's turn on the course.  This was officially her second time in a Disney kids race.  The first one was for 100m, but she's a bigger girl now, and so was registered in the 200m.  It was also special because she got to run with one of her good friends.  I'm a very proud mama....last time she had to be carried but today she ran the whole thing herself (with me running right beside her of course).  Perhaps this girl is headed to a running career of her own.  She was smiling ear to ear when she finished.  And then of course we headed straight into the park so the Diva could meet some Disney princesses.

We rounded off the "return to running" weekend cheering for my good friend, Ann, in her Disney debut at the Princess Half Marathon.  The diva was so excited to hold up a sign for Ann that another lady asked the diva to hold her sign up so she could take a picture with the cute, enthusiastic kid.

All in all, I'd say that I couldn't have asked for a better way to get back in action.  I mean really, if this is just the beginning, then the rest of the year must bring great things.  Happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles: 3.16
Time:  37:59 (pace of 12:01 per mile)
Location:  Epcot Center, Walt Disney World
Feeling:  motivated to get back in the game

So ready...

...for the end of this pregnancy.  My due date is Monday (Jan 27), but here I am, two days before, still pounding out a few miles for endurance and sanity.  I can honestly say, it's getting rough to wog these days, but soon I will be back to the streets (well probably not as soon as my mind believes if the doctors have much to say about it...a woman can dream).

In the meantime, I'm happy to still be standing and moving.  I've discovered that many people believe pregnant ladies are all on the couch with their feet kicked up at 40 weeks (I think that's actually what you are supposed to do).  Have you seen anyone try to keep me down before?  Yeah, the answer is no because the folks who even considered it had second thoughts about butting heads with this bull-headed Taurus.

Here's to hoping the next post comes post-baby and I don't really hit 41 weeks and still running.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:
Miles:  3.5 last Saturday, 3.1 today
Time:
Location: Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  large and slow

It's Groundhog Day...

I have a feeling that, over the next couple weeks, my workouts will be nothing more than "same old, same old."  Deja vu.  Groundhog Day. 

While it's certainly not an inspiring tale of superwoman trains for her latest marathon at 38 weeks pregnant, I am catching up on the "Mortal Instruments" series between reps and miles.  If you haven't read the series, its about shadowhunters, vampires, werewolves and warlocks.  Not usually workout material, but I've got to tell you, I'm becoming jealous of the speed and strength of these characters...particularly when you happen to have a little angel blood flowing through your mortal veins.

Anyway, I digress.  I'm still sweating and exercising my body, even if it is low miles, low weight and little variety.  I figure, if I can keep it up until D-day, I may be quicker to return to pavement pounding of old.  Give me another monthish, and I will be on the trail toward a return to the start line.

The gym workouts aren't nearly as meditative or cleansing as my favored 4-10 miles runs but I do still get a bit of a thrill out of the surprise people show when they find out I am still keeping at it this late in the game.  That's something to make Groundhog Day worth the effort.  Happy trails!!!

Stats:
Miles:  2.5 on Thursday, 3 on Saturday
Time:
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  the first mile is tough, but I'm feeling decent by the end

Feeling the drag...

More and more I'm feeling that downward pull that, nine months ago, I never would have considered to be a feeling I would gain an intimate knowledge of.  Tonight I was very aware of the fact that my middle section is making trips to the gym ever more difficult...yet not impossible.  That's a word I don't acknowledge.  (Here is where the voice of my former gymnastics coach, Keith, always rings in my ears..." Did you say can't?  We don't say can't here.  Give me 5 laps.") 

That said, I still managed to put in a couple miles and some strength training before I called it a night.  Let me be honest, it was not an impressive performance.  But I guess as the wind howled outside and the temperatures dropped precipitously, I could have taken the easy way out and just gone home to sit in front of a roaring fire rather than build up a little sweat.

On another note, the strange looks I receive from fellow gym goers as it becomes harder to keep my belly entirely concealed by my running shirts seem to be growing.  I've wondered this several times over the course of the last many months - doctors recommend that pregnant ladies maintain a level of fitness.  It's good for the lady, and its good for the baby.  So why, oh why, do the gyms seems devoid of pregnant ladies?   Where are the pregnant ladies working out?  I haven't seen them running on the road either...

Maybe the ladies are walking briskly through the park.  Perhaps this cold weather will break long enough that I can take my weekend workouts to Quiet Waters this weekend to see if I can find them there.  In the meantime, happy trails!!!

Stats -
Miles:  2.5
Time:  Not yet buddy
Location:  Greater Annapolis Y
Feeling:  Someone call in the heavy lifting tow truck

Welcome to wogging....

Don't know what wogging is?  Well, it's not quite walking, and it's not quite jogging.  It's that shuffle in between the two that appears to be my new pace, at least for the next couple weeks.  That's right, I'm now into wogging.

How did I learn about this new pace?  Let's just say the new year brings new revelations. 

Like many other Annapolitans, I lined up on City Dock at 9am yesterday to ring in the New Year with my running friends.  The annual resolution run is generally a four-mile course that winds through the parts of Annapolis that remind you why it's awesome to live here...up Main Street through historic shops, across College Avenue past state buildings and St. John College, out King George Street over ancient brick sidewalks in the shadows of the Naval Academy, across the Naval Academy bridge with views sweeping out to the Chesapeake Bay, then back.

True to form, all my diehards were out there and ready to just have fun, including my pal in all things running and most things life, Brie. 

After the New Year's pep talk and course reminder, we were off.  Umm, remember that reminder to run on the sidewalks since the streets weren't closed?  Yeah, basically ignored up to Church Circle like usual.

The first quarter mile felt normal.  Pretty normal pace, normal movement.  Then the wog started.  As the weight of my ever-expanded middle began to pull, my pace slowed.  I couldn't quite bring myself to walk, but nor could I maintain my jog.  So wogging it is. 

Though I was quickly passed by just about every runner out there, I enjoyed hitting the bridge where I got to see and chat with everyone on their way back to City Dock.  Rather than only chatting with my normal run crew, I got to greet people I've never met, say hello to old acquaintances, and high five the cheerleaders.

It's important to jump up and hit the balloon at the turn around point.  I don't know why, it just is.  Unable to garner the energy to jump the necessary two feet into the air, however, I pulled the balloon down to do my part to maintain the tradition.  Then I headed back to see who was still hanging out at Starbucks when the slow lady returned to City Dock (the slow lady being me....not a distinction I'm all that comfortable with or used to).

The first run of the year wasn't fast, it wasn't pretty, but by george it's in the books.  I'd like to think I'm a bad ass mother runner just for getting out there.  I refuse to give up on my fitness and my passion for running, regardless of the circumstances (unless of course my health is really at stake).  So for now, here's to wogging if that's what it takes!  Happy trails!

Stats:
Miles - 4.53
Time - let's just say I'm going to wait on this stat until I'm back to actual training because it's not pretty
Location - downtown Annapolis
Feeling - heavy around the middle


 

May the New Year bring...

...joy, challenge, good running and great memories!

While 2013 was a pretty great year, it ended much differently than it began.  I began the year focused on improving my running, reaching new fitness heights and spending quality time with my family.  I did all those simultaneously for a while, and then God stepped in a decided we were going to have a baby, which slowed things down a bit. 

January through May were banner months for my running.  I got faster, stronger and more courageous.  I ran PRs in the half marathon, 10K, 10 miler and the 1 mile.  I conquered a 50k course that had previously plagued me,  I served as a pacer in a half marathon for the first time.  I finished the Annapolis Striders year "Iron Man," completing all their champ series races for the year.  I trained with some new partners throughout the year.  I directed the Striders Anniversary Run for the fifth year, this time alongside one of my best friends Brie.  I continued racing, and completed a metric marathon 6 months pregnant.  I achieved a lot of what I set out to achieve, but still fell short on the higher goals I set for myself.  Let's recap my running/fitness goals for 2013:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2013...this is 200 more than 2012, and I believe well within my reach. - Baby had a different idea with this goal.  While I continued running throughout the year, I slowed down significantly as my lungs lost real estate and my weight skyrocketed the second half of the year.  I did still hit 1000, which isn't too bad for an overbusy pregnant woman with a family.
• I will reach new time goals for myself - 4:30:00 marathon, 1:50:00 half marathon, 1:22:00 ten miler, 39:30 five miler. - I blew out both my half marathon and ten miler goals.  I didn't get in a marathon or five miler before my running started to change due to the pregnancy, so I'll have to roll those goals over.
• I will pay more attention to strength training and aim to do more than 3600 push-ups, 3600 squats and 12,000 sit-ups in 2013. - This one was pie in the sky.  While I watched my strength training, tracking to this level of detail wasn't really in my dna.  Perhaps this year I can add some metrics using the FitLinxx system at the Y, but I won't be adding a goal like this again.
• I will try to unload one of my other properties in 2013. - Check! 
• I will become a RRCA certified running coach in 2013. - Check!
• As a family, we will seek out and try one new family-friendly activity for the diva in our area each month in 2013. - Check!  And lots of fun...I think as a family we got to add many new great memories to the books.
• As a family, we will learn about and incorporate at least one Chinese tradition into our family traditions in 2013. - Check!  We celebrated the Diva's 4th birthday in Chinese New Year style and hopefully got to share her heritage with some of her friends in the process.

It's always fun and interesting to look back and realize you accomplished more and less than you set out to accomplish, but looking forward can be so much more fun and infinitely more interesting (setting new goals and investing in reaching them).  So let's get started:

• I will run 1245 miles in 2014.  Yep, resetting the clock on this one.  While my due date is late January, meaning I won't start laying down serious miles until late February, I still believe I can hit this one this year.
• I will reach new time goals for myself - 5:55:00 50k, hit a Boston qualifying time in the marathon(3:40:00), 1:45:00 half marathon, 1:20:00 ten miler, 37:30 five miler.
• I will more regularly blog about my running this year.  Got a bit sidelined last year, and realized the blogging helps me, personally, in keeping track of where I am and how I'm doing.
• I will unload my other spare house in 2014.
• As a family, we will continue to seek out at least one new family-friendly activitiy per month.  (Ought to be interesting with an infant.)
• We will continue to learn about Chinese tradition and incorporate one into our family traditions in 2014.
• We will get to know and enjoy having Baby K in the family beginning late January.

So let's get going...I'm out the door to start the year off with the annual resolution run at City Dock!

Giddy up...

I'm getting back on the horse, so to speak, and I'm back to blogging...mostly.  I don't imagine I will be blogging every run as I used to, but through the remainder of the year I will attempt to keep up weekly. 

It's been a few months since my last post, but that doesn't mean its been a few months since my last run.  In fact, I've had a very exciting several months.  I'll give you just a taste of what's been happening.  This will be a long one, but stick with me and you will be rewarded.

In March, when I last blogged, I was running for the sake of running - for myself, for my health, for my daughter - with minor aspirations at a Boston qualifying run at some point before December.  Early in April, the running world changed with a bomb that explode of the Boston Marathon.  That month, we ran in solidarity and rememberance for those affected by the bombing, and we ran for a sense of normalcy.

Later that month, I ran the Nike Women's Half Marathon and realized that I didn't have just minor aspirations, but I was capable of putting in a better than qualifying marathon by the end of the year, putting in a 1:48:19 half.  Granted, I had the added incentive of lining up at the start directly behind Shalane Flanagan...talk about motivation.  How can you turn in a bad performance when you are chasing the heels of the women who took 4th at Boston?

Other races, many PRs, and a myriad of runs later, I hit another milestone...the first race where I served as a pacer.  Bless my friend who believed I could lead a group of ladies to the finish line in the Zooma half marathon.  It was an amazing experience pacing the 2:00:00 group.  There is nothing more motivating on a soupy June day than knowing dozens of women are depending on seeing your pacing sign waving in the air so they know they will finish within their goals. Following that race, I received this message on my facebook page: "Hey Stacie, a woman who you were pacing came up to me afterward and started crying as she was sooo excited that she finished. She said she would NEVER have been able to finish let alone at that pace with out YOU! She said she was looking all over for you to tell you and thank you. You are a great pacer and coach!!!"

That weekend, I also learned I was running with a new partner.  In fact, I'd been running with a new partner for several weeks and would continue to run with that partner until next January...at least as a regular fixture on every run.  Figured it out?  My family discovered we would be a family of four. 

That didn't slow me down though...are you kidding?!?!?  That month I turned in a great 10k performance and then finished 2nd in my age group at my hometown 5K in support of children battling cancer. 

My days of speed racing (for this season at least) were coming to a close though.  No Boston qualifier for me this year at Steamtown.  Not even a whiff.  That doesn't mean my running will disappear this year.  Quite the opposite.  My doctor has cleared me to run every bit as much as I always have, and to even keep the Richmond Marathon on my schedule in November if I'm feeling well.  So running I will continue.

I will admit, though, to rougher mileage in July and August.  The heat and humidity made me nauseous, and the treadmill caused my old back injury to begin to flare up again, so I was relegated to running when everything would allow.  I still turned in a "decent" performance at the John Wall Mile in July, but have come to realize I'm in "happy to finish" mode from here on out.

I'll finish this super long post with a quick note about one of my favorite races of the year - the Annapolis 10-miler - which happened today.  I love this classic hometown race and the people it brings to Annapolis.  Today we had the most perfect weather in A-10 history, and I ran with the perfect crew.  Without my best running buddy, Brie, and also Danielle, Gloria, and Jen, it would not have been quite so perfect for baby Peaches and me.  Thanks ladies! 

Looking forward to the running adventures that continue to await me this year!  Happy trails!

Stats: