RUNapalooza 5K at 16 weeks

Last weekend I had a chance to participate in the inaugural 5K, RUNapalooza. This was put on by the local Feet Feet store. I set out around 8:30AM knowing the race was going to be at 9:30AM. Wanted to get there early and get settled in. I ate my usual breakfast of Banana and Toast with Peanut Butter as now Im not going for time and worrying about vomiting or the other end!
I walked out of the house and knew it was going to be a hot run. I loaded up on the water and half gatorade prior to the race because now I even sweat more than any man I know!
I got to the race with about a half hour to spare, looked around and saw many familiar faces from the Triathlon community as well as the running community.
The race was a 2 loop 1.55 mile or so course on closed roads, which I thought was great, no cars to contend with!
The race started on time and I took a seat right in the middle of the line. I started out running really well despite my slowness. The race was a flat, downhill, uphill, flat run x2. I felt great and was running smoothly. I looked down at my heartrate monitor and I was right on target with what I should be at while pregnant per doctors orders. The hill on the back side was gradual, not steep, but enough to make you hotter on a really hot morning.
I rounded the first lap and saw another pregnant woman, probably around 6-7 months running. I thought to myself, she isn't beating me! My only competition at this point! Ha ha! I did have to stop at all the water stops, pour water on me to cool me down.
I started feeling the heat and just wanted to be done, so I surged to the end, even having a 8:30 pace for a few min.

Total time 35:26

My thoughts on this race is I really didn't care for it. It is a 2 loop course so faster runners are coming up on your side and there was NO shade at all from the heat. Granted its only a 5K!

I also thought there was so much hype about this race with bands, vendors, post race party. I was a little disappointed with the turn out that was so hyped up. There was only a few vendors, 3 bands and a post race party consisting of beer only. If you wanted food, you had to pay for it. Not that Im complaining because the post race refreshments were great and plenty, but if you are going to hype up a race, it should reflect this on race day.

Needless to say, I crossed this off my 5K checklist. Done

Happy Training Everyone!!

Spectating a 70.3

Today I was a spectator to the Ironman Syracuse 70.3. Again, Its amazing to just watch the energy the athletes feed off when you cheer them on. Ok some were snobby and didn't care or acknowledge you were cheering them on which is total BS. Maybe they were just in there own box and couldn't come out to say thank you to all the cheering fans.

We got to the Event pretty early and got to see the Pros start on their bikes. What an amazing thing to watch. Its amazing that they too mess up at mounting their bikes!! See we aren't perfect! Our tri club set up an amazing tent right out of transition so we got to watch all the runners go by and come back in. Got some amazing pics of the pros and fast age groupers!! Pics to come!

I guess being a spectator isn't all that bad when you have to be sidelined for a good reason!!! I cannot wait to get back to triathlon racing!! I am still biking and swimming at least 2 days per week, Running 3. So its still there just alot slower than I want to be at this point!


25 weeks and counting!! :)

7.77 Miles at 13 weeks

Call me crazy but this is exactly what I did yesterday. I marked my milestone of getting to the second trimester by running the 7@7 endurance race held at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville, NY.  Its a challenging Trail run consisting of Trail, Gravel, grass. If I would've known the elevation profile of this race prior, I probably wouldn't have done it!

I was already signed up to do this race prior to me finding out I was pregnant. I was going back and forth in my head if I wanted to do it because the forecast said it was going to be hot, its a trail run, which is definately harder than road running. I woke up Race morning at 6 and debated, then finally made up my mind to do it and took off from the house at 6:30, getting there 5 min before the start of the race. I ate on the way there to the race, nothing big, just enough to settle my stomach, fruit and toast.

we started on the sandy beach, ran around the boat house and into the trails. From then on it was all about keeping my heart rate under control. It was harder than I thought it was going to be. For some strange reason my heart rate was all over the place, even though I was not panting and having a conversation with a girl that I ran most of the way with, only to have her leave me in the last quarter mile! Ha ha! thats ok, we stuck it out together and it was fun to talk with her.

There were some tough climbs, I had to walk them for fear I would slip or my heart rate would soar. Most of this was in a lonely field by the park. It was kind of boring and you really had to keep your mind active. There was nothing to see but fields, Black flies were all around you. Trail running is certainly way different than road running. I would have to say though, this course was well marked. I think there could've been some more water stops and maybe some offering gatorade/gels as it was hot and muggy out. I think there was only a total of 4 or 5 water stops. Thank goodness I brought my own!

I was tired by the end and ready to be done with the race. I had a huge blister starting on my Right heal as I wore my new trail shoes. I thought I had a twig or something caught in my shoe but when I stopped and looked it was actually a nice big blister forming.

My time was slow, I was the back of the packer, but hey I did it! 1:39:something

Me on the Left with Friends J and B

Entering into the trails~

The Heartbreak Hill

And another one I had to walk up

Beatutiful Scenery here in the park

The small Baby "bump"

Paiges Butterfly Run- #3 on Syrathon

Yesterday I finished #3 Syrathon race for that medal I was talking about, Paige's Butterfly Run. Fighting Pediatric Cancer, Funding Hope is the runs mission. You can read all about the run here : paigesbutterflyrun.org.

What I love about this race is it is very family oriented having a 5k, 3K run/walk and a Caterpillar crawl making it easy for you to bring your whole family to this race. Also, I love that the Taste of Syracuse is right after! The Taste of Syracuse is where you can taste test local restaurants, bakeries, etc. Have a drink (not me of course), smoothie, hear a band play. Its pretty neat. Like a little mini fair in downtown Syracuse.

I was involved with my work team this year for the Paige's Butterfly Run. Together our team raised $1800+ dollars going towards researching and funding Pediatric Cancer. There still is time to donate if you want to! Just click the link above! Any amount is appreciated and goes to fund something great.

I am now 12 weeks pregnant and there were no time goals just to finish the race and have fun doing it!!
It was a great day, the rain held off and there were 1531 racers, about half that in walkers and a bunch of kids enjoying themselves for the 40 meter dash!!

My friend and I did the run, then walked the 3K. I still managed a 33:36! I saw at the second mile my heart rate was getting a bit high so I needed to dial it down a notch. But, I still feel good and am going to keep going as long as my body cooperates with me!!

Hope you all are enjoying your training!! Next up Is Runapalooza in Syracuse on June 30th!!! :)

Season Goal- 11 weeks!

While my life and training has taken a 360, new goals had to be made. I am still swimming, biking and running but not like I was before of course. I am only working out 45- 1 hour per day, taking 1 day off a week.

I have made it a goal to accumulate 26.2 miles of running in races this summer so that I can receive my medal!!

Fleet Feet Syracuse, the Syracuse New Times, and Saucony, once again join the Parks Department to bring together established road races, based in the City of Syracuse, into this unique series called Syrathon. Syrathon races showcase Syracuse's terrific Parks system. Whether you are just beginning, or are a seasoned runner, the Series is designed to encourage healthful physical activity year-round, while promoting the sights and sounds of city life!


There are 8 Races in the series and so far I have done 2 of them. Tipp Hill 4 miler and Mountain Goat 10 miler!! 12.2 miles to go!!
 
I am feeling great at 11 weeks. I dont remember feeling this good in my last pregnancy. Im hardly even showing which makes me even more excited!! Although my pants are getting tighter and my chest is getting bigger, I know it will all be worth it in the end!!!
 

Surprise!

I have been a little lazy in the posting category lately, or maybe its called life has taken over. I did do the Mountain Goat run a few weeks ago and just stayed at a steady pace coming in around 1:45 for the 10 miles. Trying to keep your heartrate low for 10 hilly miles proved challenging.

The reason I have to keep my heartrate so low is because my honey and I wound up with a big surprise about a month ago! We are having a baby!

I am now 10 weeks and still enjoying swimming, biking and running but in my own way. I had to defer all my races until next summer but I am ok with this now!

So the focus on this blog for the time being is being accountable for working out most days of the week while being pregnant, staying healthy in the eating department when my ice cream cravings aren't there and just having fun while doing it!

Today I still managed 3 miles in the heat at 10 min miles, keeping my heartrate around 140. So nice to see I can still do this!

I have been trying to swim at least 2 days per week, bike 3, run 3 and if not, the precor comes into play when I am not having a good run day. Keeping active during this pregnancy is really important to me as my first one I did nothing!!

My daughter had her first gymnastics meet today. She was too cute! She was so nervous and anxious she forgot to wait until the judges called her name and lost some points for not waiting. All in all she managed all around 10th place which I am so proud of her. She just started a year ago and was moved up to the elite team 2 months ago so this has definately made her see what competition is like!

I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful Sunday Afternoon!! happy Training!

CHANGES

Life is about change. Sometimes it's painful, sometimes it's beautiful, but most of the time, it's both..

Alot of changes are coming up in the life of this triathlete!! But, for now, getting ready to Run the Mountain Goat this weekend! I love this race and have done it for the last 5 years. Its a race that really starts the summer racing here in Central New York.

Im running it with a friend who this will be her first long race at 10 miles!! I will pace her and try to keep her on track for her goal time. She has to finish by 2hours and 20 min and she is nervous she wont do it! With me pushing her she will definately make it!!!

Happy Training!