Dash to the Bash 5K

I hesitate to say Mira completed her first 5K because technically she has done a few - they were all just inside my belly.  I also hesitate because someday she will run her own first 5K (I hope).  So, I'm going to call this our first mother & daughter team 5K.  Not bad for not quite 12 weeks old.  ;-)
The course had some hills and the mom had some aches, but we still eeked out a 9:55 average pace for a 30:45 finish time.  Not what I had hoped, but not terrible either.
So now what will our next goal be??  That's what us runners do right?  We set goals.  Sometimes it's just to finish, sometimes it's a PR, for now I'm working on post-baby PRs and eventually I'll get back to just PRs.  Our next run is a 5 mile Pumpkin run on October 22 - I think my goal for that one is going to be to have fun!  But, our next 5K is planned for November 19 (as long as it ends up being stroller friendly).  That's the one I want to shoot for a time goal.  My thoughts are getting down to the 28 range, anywhere in the 28 range - like 28:59 is acceptable!  The man thinks I should be shooting for 26 - I think he's on something, but we shall see.  We're adding in those faster runs on Wednesdays, they might help.  But I think I should get a two minute handicap for pushing the stroller - don't they do something like that in golf??
Time will tell.
Till next time - run on!

Trying to hang

Note:  this post is from 9/22/11

Running is coming along.  Officially 11 weeks after the birth of Mira.  I'm able to run about 5 days of the week, usually 3-4 miles each.  My longest run was 6 miles last Saturday.  Not sure what my fastest run has been, I guess it's about time to start wearing a Garmin again and see where I actually am.  I do know I'm quicker when Brooke or Brady pushes the stroller!  ;-)
Last night I decided I would try to tag along with Brady and Robert for their run - which can be fast even when I'm in shape.  I hung with them for a little over a mile then opted to take the stroller and slow into a more comfortable pace for the final 2 miles.  They are planning to do these runs more often.  I'm planning to try to hang with them longer each time until I can run the whole distance WHILE pushing the stroller!  :-)
For now I'm happy to be back out on the roads.  Eventually I'll regain speed and possibly a more consistent running schedule (right now I try to run mornings, but when Mira doesn't cooperate we push it off till noon or even after work).
This weekend will be my first test - a 5K Saturday night.  It will be my first since the one I ran the day I went into labor.  My goal at this point is only to beat that time, especially since I'll be pushing an adorable baby in a rocking stroller.

I'm back...kind of

I have definitely let the blog go...so much has happened that I need to document, but time has just flown by.
I think I will start with just a short summary of things I would like to capture before they blur in my memory.

The List from oldest to newest:

1.  June 13 - floating Spring River while 35 weeks preggo
2.  June 15 - preggo pics taken
3.  June 18 - baby shower bbq hosted by the greatest friends
4.  July 4 - Boom Run 5K in the AM - went into labor with baby girl in PM
5.  July 5 - Mira Nyx born at 3:30AM!!!!!! via emergency C-section - healthy baby girl 5lbs 9oz 18" long - 2 weeks early
6.  July 17 - 1st bike ride post baby - 12 miles
7.  July 31 - hiking at Roaring river with Mira
8.  Aug 11 - 5 weeks post baby 2 mile run
9.  Aug 26 - Colorado with Mira (first flight) for USA Pro Cycling Challenge Stage 5 & 6
10.  Sept 4 - week total of 20 miles running, including a 5 miler in 5 fingers
11.  Sept 12 - Mira's first bike ride in the Burley trailer
11.  Sept 14 - back to work and missing my little girl  :-(

Stay tuned...

Also, thinking this blog may change up a bit and have more stuff (not just running).  Need to look at how to categorize things- any thoughts on that?

Starry Night 5K at 33 weeks pregnant

Last Monday I had a so, so 3.5 mile run.  Friday morning I had an OK 3.25 mile run, but it still required walking.  Pretty sure both were in 10:30 - 11min/mile pace.

So, Saturday came and I was feeling skeptical about whether I should attempt a 5K that night.  The fact that it was for a good cause won me over and we headed to Joplin.  Decided on a grilled cheese & cranberry limeaide from Sonic as the perfect pre-race dinner.  We got to race start around an hour early and registered then chatted up with friends until start time.  There seemed to be great attendance for a first annual event.  Everyone was stoked about doing a night run.  We were all outfitted with glow in the dark arm bands in either pink, purple, or yellow.  The course was lined with luminaries.  It was still humid, but tolerable by the 8:30pm race start.  After prayer and the National Anthem the 10K racers were started followed shortly by the 5K racers.  I picked a place near the back and fielded more questions on whether I planned to walk or run and how far along I was.  (My answer was "whatever my body feels like doing" & of course "33 weeks" - per the title).  We got going and I realized the hard packed gravel was treating my belly a little more gently than the pavement.  I felt good and proceeded to unintentionally 'pick-off' people.  I grabbed a swig of water at the 1ish mile mark to make sure I stayed hydrated.  As I left that water station I started seeing the top 5K runners on their way back.  I yelled 'good job' to them all & chatted with people I passed to make sure I was staying within my 'able to have a conversation' zone.  I made it to the 1-1/2 mile turn around, then grabbed another swig of water at the 2ish mile mark.  Heading back in was surreal - pitch dark on a tree lined trail with only luminaries on the sides and lots of swinging circles of glowing light (our glow in the dark arm bands) then into the lights of the finish line.  It was a pretty impressive finish line for a 5K, but at night it was even more awesome.  With the music and the announcer and the fans it felt more like finishing a marathon.  My time was 31:30 - the best pace and best run I've had in weeks.  I felt like I could keep going, but was also happy it was over so I could have a bathroom break!  I downed two bottles of water, an orange, and a snocone as we watched the rest of the 5K finishers and the 10K finishers come in (the winner of that race came in right behind me!).  

The highlights of the night were all of the positive words about continuing to run I received (sometimes people outside of the running community don't understand the desire to continue running into pregnancy) and seeing such a great event in Joplin so soon after all the destruction.  This race was the first of a 3 race night time series.  The next race is called A Midsummer Night's 5K & 10K run on July 9 then the Blue Moon 5K & 10K on August 13.  I think even if I have to walk it, I would like to get back out there on July 9 (baby permitting of course).  Time will tell.  :-)