Tuesday, April 20, 2010

After Preggo Race Plan & New Preggo Pic

Holy cannoli, all the Boston madness is killing me! As a result, I've been fantasizing about a time that I can once again be training to qualify. Obviously that won't happen until after the baby is born, but I can still read about training, dream about training, live vicariously through others who are training. Do you see a trend here?

Oh by the way, congratulations to all those who actually ran Boston (as opposed to fantasized about running)! I was stalking tracking about 10 people throughout the day, including a couple people from my high school, one of which ran a 2:40! Go Pat Benson! He finish in the top 250! Just nuts! I also tracked a person from work and approximately 8 blogger buddies. I'm totally impressed with everyone!

Turns out Boston 2012 is on my birthday! When I nonchalantly mentioned this to Nick a few days ago, he just shook his head and said "I guess I know what we're doing on that day." To which I replied, "I don't know...I need to qualify first. But if I did qualify, wouldn't that be the most AMAZING birthday ever!" He just sort gave me this look. Like maybe he didn't agree with my ideal birthday plans.

Then I started thinking about marathon training. I've been running for a long time, competing for a long time, but running a half-way decent marathon hasn't happened for me. Yet. And when I say half-way decent, I don't mean to say anything bad about those who have run slower, but according to my most recent (pre-pregnancy) 5K, 10 miler, and half marathon times I should be able to break 3:20. Yet, I'd be pretty happy just running a 3:40, and even that has eluded me. Shakes fists in futile frustration. I try to remind myself that I've only run two marathons. Nick reminds me that perhaps a fall marathon isn't the best idea for me. I always get sick in the fall, which is what happened in those first two marathons. In my mind though, a spring marathon doesn't sound all that appealing either. You never know what the weather is going to be like in the spring. It can be much warmer than ideal. I think I might try for both a spring and a fall marathon. Give myself two shots at qualifying. (Nick is reading this right now and I'm willing to bet he's shaking his head and has a queasy sensation in his stomach.)

Just a brief sidetrack...Nick, my hubby who claims to despise running, came home on Monday and starting telling me all about the history of the marathon. How historians don't all agree that the fabled Pheidippides ran 26 miles to give that famous victory message. But he did find that before the battle of Marathon, Pheidippides was said to have run 150 miles from Athens to Sparta in two days and then back again to request Spartan aid. More historians believe this run actually took place than the Marathon to Sparta run and that he didn't die. Wow. That's all I have to say. He went on to tell me that often when they want to break the world record for the marathon they have pacers that the leaders follow until around mile 18, where the pacer steps out and the group races the last 8 miles. Pointing out that running a marathon requires more strategy than I've used in the past. I asked if he wanted to be my coach. He's declined the offer. He said there would be a conflict of interest. His interest would be me running less, while my interest is running more. But I digress...

Back to post preggo plans. Devising a racing schedule post baby is tricky. For one, I'm going to be tired. And Nick is going to be tired. And racing will mean spending time away from the family. As a result, I've designed a post baby race schedule that only includes 6 races in the first year. All of which are local. The worst one will be the Providence Marathon in May. Providence is probably approximately 1 hour and 14 minutes away (according to Google). So that will mean maybe 1.5 hour drive there, arriving an hour early, running time, and driving home time. Realistically, it's probably an 8 or 9 hour day. My hope is to enlist the whole family for help. Maybe I can get my parents to drive me around, while Nick's parents can help him out with the kids. That's the downside to running marathons. If you have a family, you need to have a strong support system to help you. And you're really asking them to make sacrifices for you, which I hate doing. Maybe I should ask for that for my birthday. Katie marathon day. No presents required, just 9 hours of time devoted to my desire to qualify for Boston.
The other races aren't so bad. At worst, the Hampton Half and the BayState Marathon are half day affairs. I live 20 minutes from the BayState Marathon start line. It doesn't get much more convenient than that.

My racing schedule has been planned such that I should be able to come up with a realistic marathon goal time. The first race will be a 5K taking place 2.5 months after the baby's birth. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea what to expect from that race. Expectations may vary widely depending on whether I have a natural birth versus a c-section. A c-section will require no running for 6 weeks, so you know...I might not be able to expect much if that happens. At least it will give me a starting point to work with though. Also, the race is 20 minutes from my house, so again, it's convenient.

Aside from just having a racing plan, I need a training plan too. I've started reading Advanced Marathoning and Racing Weight. I'll write about that later though. This is starting to get long, and I still want to tell you how last week went.

Okay, last week...was a good week. A solid 49 mile week. No aches or pains. I actually did one 8 mile run at an average pace of 7:52 per mile, which was a total shock. I ran outside and the weather was just perfect for running. I guess that's what happens when the weather is nice. I'm 5 months pregnant now, and below is a nice 5 month preggo picture for your viewing pleasure. My girth is still increasing. I've gained about 10 pounds now. Apparently all my running isn't preventing me from gaining weight, which is fine. According to all those pregnancy weight gain charts I'm right around normal, not a bad thing. Anyone brave enough to share their pregnancy weight gain?

Not sure why, but I look sort of hypnotized by the camera.

After Pregnancy Race Plan From November 2010 - October 2011 (My goals are WAGs and nothing more at this point.)
  1. Turkey Trot 5K, November (goal 21:45)
  2. Hampton Half Marathon, February (goal 1:40)
  3. Providence (COX) Marathon, May (goal 3:40)
  4. Chelmsford 4th of July 2 miler, July (goal: 12:40)
  5. Moose on the Loose 10 miler, August (goal: 1:12)
  6. BayState Marathon, October (goal: 3:30)

Training Journal 4/12 - 4/18
Total Miles Run: 49
Total Time Running: 7:02
Average Pace: 8:36
Total Stationary Bike Time: 1:47
Total Cardio Time: 8:49

20 comments:

Julie said...

Hi Katie,
You are seriously one of the most beautiful pregnant women ever:) Look at how cute you look in those jeans!! Your hubby is a lucky man!

I think that you have a great plan in play for the upcoming year. I don't think that you need to worry about a race two months after this little girl is born. You are training right now and could smoke my best times running preggers:) Boston next year will be so wonderful...Happy Birthday:)

You need to keep posting updated preggo pictures! You look great!

Julie said...

Hi Katie,
I run with my camera:) I know that sounds stupid but I like to take pictures so that I can document my runs. Maybe in the fall when I am trying really hard to PR I will not run with the camera:)

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Wow! You run much faster than me and your pregnant. The advanced marathoning book should be your ticket to Boston. The main thing to get to Boston is a STRONG, undying desire to do it. It took me 15 marathons. (really 10 focused on trying to qualify) I was either going to qualify, or kill myself trying. I like the Yasso 800s for speed, tempos are probably the most important,long runs. I personally have to get my mileage up too (many people can get away with lower mileage, but not me - I think the less natural talent a runner has the more mileage is required if the runner can handle high mileage. You have talent so you may not need the high mileage. Everyone is different for sure. You can do it for sure! What a birthday 2012!

Running and living said...

Katie, you look amazing. Where are those 10lbs? Probably all muscle and a little baby bump! You know how much I gained, a lot, but it does come out, so don't worry about it! I have no doubt that you are going to qualify for Boston. You have the speed, and all this running will help! And then we can train together for Boston 2012, your bday, how awesome!

AM! said...

So cute to see your prego picture. Congrats again!
and you have yourself one action packed post baby race/training plan. dang. that's impressive

Go Birthday Boston 2012! Looks like you'll def be there!

Anonymous said...

Dad and I will be more than happy to devote our time to any of your races. We have always enjoyed watching you make your goals/break physical and mental barriers. Being tough and strong is not passed on to us, it is earned. Being beautiful is natural. You are blessed with all of the above. 2012 it is!!!

Running and living said...

One more thing, how about New York instead of Baystate if you qualify for Boston in May 2011, since your parents are so amazing and are volunteering to help? I am planning on running it, and I know you are qualified as well! Just an idea:)

Tara said...

Hi Katie! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
You are looking great in those jeans for being pregnant!

Those are some nice after preggo goals you have. I can't wait to follow you and watch you accomplish them!
Tara

Katie said...

Ana-Maria: You're so much trouble! I would love to do NY, but I think I'll probably wait until the tiny tykes are a bit bigger and we can make a mini family vacation out of it.

Completely unrelated, I also want to do the goofy challenge at some point. I ran the Disney half in 2005 (I think it was 2005), and the medals they give out are amazing! And running through all the parks is a lot of fun too.

Katie said...

Ginny: So interesting to hear about your marathoning experience. I ran cross-country in high school and college, so I have a long history with intervals anywhere from 400's to 2 miles. I've only run two marathons, the first I didn't really train for (my daughter was only a year old when I ran it). The second marathon I trained pretty hard for and killed myself with tempo runs. I was running a lot of 7-8 mile tempo runs at 6:55 to 7:15 pace. I think that's how I got injured. I also managed to run 4 20 milers ranging from 7:45 - 8:15 pace. In the end I was injured, but I also got sick. My mileage though, was only 30 - 35 miles a week. I'm starting to believe that I'm a runner who needs more miles to be a successful marathoner. The big question is how many?

How many miles a week were you running when you qualified for Boston? I was thinking of using a schedule that peaked at 55 miles for my next marathon.

Dr. J said...

Well, history is on your side. Many women runners come back faster and stronger after having a baby!

I once researched into the history of the first marathon. What Phillipidies did during his last week was truly incredible, much more than a 26 mile run. Not only the Sparta run, but fought a battle in full armor, and went on to run after that!

Colette said...

You look fantastic! Your post partum racing plan is great too....I think it's a huge motivator to keep active as long as possible while carrying that little running buddy :) I did a sprint distance triathlon 11 weeks after my little one was born and it was the most fun I have had in a race....it was so awesome. I think I didn't get all nerved up as much as usual because the element of setting a PR was off the table at that point and it was just plain fun. Keep up the good work! Your paces are killing mine....and my daughter is almost 10 months! haha. Boston 2012 will be amazing!

Jenn said...

You are quite the inspiration! I was a super lazy ass when I was prego!! Would be totally awesome to run Boston on your birthday! The ultimate gift!!! I will be back in 2012 as well. Love to see your goals-no doubt you will achieve them all. It will be SO fun to follow you! Running-the time commitment and kids is a lot of work but what a great example to set for your kids! Best of luck in all your endeavors. Can't wait to see what's in store for you. See you in 2012!

Unknown said...

You are such a cute preggo! I can't wait to hear about your training and qualifying for Boston...it WILL happen for you! Advanced Marathoning is a great book, our coach uses it and it helped us all out this year!

Lindsay said...

you are so driven - planning out the next year! i wish i was that organized :)

it is too convenient for boston to fall on your birthday... i think that's a definite sign ;-)

X-Country2 said...

You're such a cutie pregnant lady. :o) Awesome that you're running so much. Keep it up!!

kristen said...

I think Boston on your birthday really does sound like one of the greatest birthdays ever...
My husband qualified for Boston and ran a sub-3 hour Boston using the plans from Advanced Marathoning so the plans are excellent!

I'll definitely be following your quest to qualify!

Rad Runner said...

On your birthday!? to to to cool!

Danielle said...

I'll be brave enough ha ha ha, my pregnancy weight gain...no excercising other than nightly walks was 28 pounds. I ran my first 5K post-PG 9-weeks after Lillian was born...and somehow I managed to run the Broad Street 7 1/2 months after she was born. I'm down 7 pounds below my pre-PG weight right now and can say, probably for the first time in my life, that I'm 100% happy with where I am...weight and activity level...best shape I've ever been in! You inspire me!!! :D

NY Wolve said...

Thats is ambitious planning! I hope it all works out. I also like the pictures --including the new one on the right with the stroller.

I loved your comment by the way on my blog about running docs. Hit the nail right on the head, so a belated thanks.