We all met before the race to circle up and head to the start line- and everyone was off. The guys running the half marathon were running their third half in four weeks. They are hooked. 

I was of course sticking to the 5K and my secret goal was to run sub 10 minute miles. Glenn ran with me and I told him my goal we crossed mile 1. At that time I asked him our pace and he said 10:10. I felt like I was running much fast than that. Par.

Mile 2 was a lot of up and down hills and I was feeling really great, it turned our our average pace for that mile was 8:47. I don’t know when the last time I ran a sub 9 minute mile was. We were also passing a lot of people the whole race, so that gave me a bit of confidence. I usually just run on the monon and pass no one while getting passed by everyone. No matter how fast or slow, how pregnant or not, it always feels good to pass people.

As we were heading into mile three– I started getting weird cramps in my belly and it kind of freaked me out. Naturally we slowed down and I kicked myself thinking why in the world did I push so much just because I wanted to break a 10 minute mile for a 5K? Not worth it. I guess I didn’t realize I had pushed that much until that moment though. I immediately started thinking about the extra heartbeat and the baby I am preparing to meet in 6 weeks and decided to not push that much again until I’m actually in labor.

So we slowed down for mile 3– but had banked enough time that we crossed the finish line in 29:38. 9:34 pace. I felt satisfied. I’m considering this race my 8 month pregnant PR. It’s only a good 9-10 minutes slower than my real 5K PR, but I’ll take it.

Under 30 Minutes. Yay!

Thanks for shuffling along with me.

Congrats to all who ran the race- I know there were many PRs in the 5K for our new Back on My Feet Residential Members.

As soon as the race was over, we hit the road to Crown Point for a little baby shower that Glenn’s mom had for us. When we arrived, I headed out for a pedicure and Glenn headed out for a 13 mile run. 

As for today- I just finished up a very slow, hot and humid three miles and he went out for a four hour bike ride at 6:30am. I’m expecting a very sweaty and very hungry husband to be arriving shortly.

Do you think we like to work out?

It was a high of 87 most days last week, so I knew running would be particularly challenging at 8 months pregnant. I had decent runs, but practically crawled up the hill on Washington (56th-57th st). This is a route I run often pregnant or not and the hill is always annoying, but it has recently become grueling. I was most definitely shuffling my butt up it.

Toward the end of the week I decided- monon it is, I didn’t want to face a bit of a hill in the heat. Monon means seeing a lot of people staring straight at my belly, thinking I’m kind of crazy for running in the heat with my big old belly. I think it’s funny.

I think the heat wore Cadence out more than me.

32 Weeks

32 Weeks

This week I have been a slacker. Yesterday was my first run since Sunday. Work has been extremely busy, so of course that’s my excuse. I did have a good run yesterday- good old 11 minute miles and had Glenn along with me for his “cool down shuffle” after his real run.

I’ll be happy to use these pictures as a motivator. If I’m willing to get out there and get my workout in while carrying this extra 20 lbs… and supporting an extra heart beat…..  I better be ready to get back out there once he’s here.

33 Weeks

33 Weeks

There are days when I feel so insanely heavy that I think it might be impossible to pick my legs up and actually run, but every time I do, it almost always works out just fine. It starts out with a shuffle, I pick it up at about 2 miles just in time to either finish strong or if I’m running a little farther, I slow down again and cool down with a shuffle. And for the record, I’m totally cool with my run becoming a shuffle when I need or want it to.

At the doctor on Thursday, I was surprised that I had only gained one pound since my last appointment, which was five weeks ago. The weight gain and growing during this time has apparently mostly been my stomach stretching out. For awhile I thought I was on track to be one of those pregnant women who gain 60 lbs, but now I’m thinking I will top out around 30 when it’s all said and done… at least I hope…

And this is happening to my body now. I’m legitimately freaked out about it. Have I also mentioned that I am terrified to actually give birth? I just keep repeating… everyone was born. People do it all the time.

We are heading to Boston tomorrow and I’m excited to enjoy the race as a spectator. I know there will be a bit of jealousy that I’m not running, but really no thanks!

Often times I think about the woman who ran the Chicago Marathon last year and gave birth the next day. More than anything I just wonder WHY? Why would she even want to do it. My energy has been stripped and as good as I’ve felt weeks 22-28, I’m still really tired a lot. And surely this woman didn’t have a job? I can’t image working all day and getting the training in… especially when your time is basically double because you have to slow down so much. Props to her for being motivated and getting it done, but I am completely uninterested in a pregnant marathon… and the one I ran at 6 weeks doesn’t count as a pregnant marathon. I only kind of knew I was pregnant that day. (Denial People)

I’ll be cheering for this handsome guy on Monday- the question is… will he choose to race or just chill? He says it’s going to be a race morning decision…. and then I’ll know based on my tracking updates. Looking forward to seeing him on Boylston either way.