Training with Baby

Jaclyn writes:

I was fortunate to return to running so quickly after having Aspen.  There are a few things that were and still are vital to my success.  One was that I ran during my entire pregnancy.  My pace was really slow (about 12:30 min/mile), but I ran without excuse.  I stopped running at 38 weeks only to start up again at 41 weeks, as I thought it might help her out a bit.  Nonetheless, I was always active.  I would not recommend this for everyone.  I think every woman should be responsive and respectful to her own physical abilities and limitations.  I would recommend developing some activity plan, whether it be walking, water aerobics, etc.  Generally, I followed the guide that I could do whatever I was doing before the pregnancy.  I would highly recommend finding a certified prenatal yoga instructor and massage therapist.  I attended regular classes at Westside Yoga.  Not only was this great for my physical and mental health, but it also allowed a great outlet for bonding with other soon-to-be mommies.  As always, an expectant mommy should check with her health care provider for any physical activity.

Aspen and I completing my Level 2 instructor training at Shoshoni (36 weeks)

 I returned to physical activity soon after pregnancy, trusting how my body felt.  I began running and walking a week after my natural birth, again, not something I would recommend for everyone.  This was contrary to my doctor's "cookie cutter" instructions.  I ran my first half marathon 10 weeks after birth.  I feel my biggest challenge with my return has been finding a balance with work, activity, and baby time.  When the weather is nice, we can take Aspen on our runs.  I researched Bob Strollers to make this possible.  While most people recommend the traditional swivel wheel design, I felt that the Sport Utility was more our speed.  The tire diameter and width is bigger with more of an off-road style.  Duane has even taken it up the backside of Section 16.  We did end up with a flat within the second month of regular use caused by a thorn.  We've since reinforced the tire and put a goo inside of the tubes.  We've also added a lot of lights to the stroller for evening runs.  We mounted a bike spotlight to the handle of our car seat and rear red flashing light to the bottom.  (I would recommend the Bob infant attachment piece.)  We've also put bike spoke LED lights on each wheel.  The front tire on the Sport Utility stroller is fixed, but you aren't suppose to run without locking the swivel wheel on the traditional design, anyhow.

The other necessity for getting back into shape has been the support of family.  Because, on those really cold nights or long training runs, you need to leave the baby at home.  Having a solid support system, between my mom, father-in-law, and sister-in-law, has allowed me to get back into my running goals.  When no one is available, Duane and I alternate running days or times.  We've also quit 24 Hour Fitness to join our YMCA for a multitude of reasons.  The childwatch is great and they will take her this young.  The locations are better, closer to work and home.  The classes are at earlier hours, more regular, and spinning bikes are never full.  Finally, we're excited for their kid programs including infant swim that we will be starting in the spring.

I would not recommend this for most preggos!  (34 weeks)

 Overall, I've been really fortunate to return to running and fitness goals.  I've lost all of my baby weight and an additional 20 pounds that I had packed on before the baby.  Four months after birth, I'm in better shape than I've been in a long time (though, I still do qualify as an "Athena").  I attribute this to maintaining fitness goals before, during and after pregnancy, ignoring pregnancy myths around food and cravings, and breastfeeding.  Any woman, who takes the health of herself and her baby seriously, is capable of doing the same.  Let's start a revolution!

Winter Series 10K+ (6.8 mi)

Jaclyn writes:

The Hell's Hills race was fun and we had beautiful weather for it.  The temperature was in the upper 40s with blue skies and sun.  So, getting dressed for a "winter run" was not a goal this morning.  The race is an intense trail race, which is evident from the title "Hell's Hills" given by the directors.  The first race of the series was at Fox Run Regional Park until last year.  The change in venue was due to a number of canceled races because of icy conditions at Fox Run.  The new venue for Hell's Hills is at Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  Being relatively unfamiliar with the trail systems at the park makes running this race an extra challenge.  I feel pretty clueless about where I am on the course in relationship to the park itself.  But, wearing a Garmin really helped this year, especially because the rolling uphills for the first 3.7ish miles makes you feel like you've been running forever.  The following 3.1ish miles is a strong rolling downhill.  Each time I've run this race, I walk away thinking I should get out to these trails more often.  It's really a beautiful area that reminds me a lot of running the back side of Section 16 or being in Waldo Canyon.  I had forgotten how much of the race is short, intense uphill.  So, I use "rolling uphill" lightly, and there are a few long uphill sections, especially at the 10K+ loop.

Aspen is ready to run!

 I did a few things differently today, which I'm happy I don't regret.  For one, I've been having some patella tracking problems.  I wore a strap below my kneecap, which I have never worn or run with before.  I was impressed with how much it helped, and I'll continue wearing it until I can better strengthen my inner quadriceps.  I was starting to worry that I wouldn't be able to complete our running goals with the pain I've been experiencing, but I'm now confident that I can go on training and racing.  I also wore a new running skirt from Skirtsports, the Gym Girl Ultra.  I've liked this skirt in the past, because it fits well and has shorts underneath.  I was nervous about the new design and that the skirt would ride up, but I didn't have to adjust myself once.  I was on a search for a good pair of shorts, but I think I'll stick with the skirt and probably purchase another.

I also decided to wear my screw shoes today.  I had heard the trail might be icy, and it was a little icy.  It was definitely snowy .  I prefer my screw shoes to Yak Trax because they feel less bulky.  I really don't notice them on any terrain, except when I hear them on paved surfaces.  We followed the directions on Matt Carpenter's website to make these.  Duane doesn't like wearing his, but it might be that the sole of his shoe isn't as good for it or he put screws to far forward and they poke through the shoe.

Screw Shoes

 I had an amazing race.  Last year, I ran this race in 1:23:13.  Now, the course was a little different to avoid an ugly bottleneck at the start, but I completed this race in 1:07:13.  Maybe the difference is a combination of extra weight, an early pregnancy and a different course, but I think it has a lot to do with our current training.  Regardless, I'm having a great start to the year.  I finished as the 31st female (out of 130) and am 7th in my age group.  I might be able to take a couple of places in the flat races, but I most likely won't move up in age group places unless people drop out.  That is the fun of the Winter Series.  You are likely to get an award simply if you are tough enough!  I'm the first runner in the Athena division, which isn't a great surprise.  I've always been pretty fast for my weight.  I need to check my weight, though, to be sure I still make the cut.  I don't really look like an Athena runner, but have always been surprisingly heavy.

Running the stairs at the finish line

Duane writes:

Last year I finished 19th in the race (52:09) and suffered quite a bit throughout the race. I wasn't ready for the hills. They're really aggressive and my conditioning wasn't right. I was nervous at the beginning. At first I had on Yak Traks but I took them off just before the race.

This year, I finished 6th with a time of 47:58. I'm nearly 2 1/2 minutes ahead of anyone else in my age group and if I can stay healthy, and if someone from the top 5 ahead of me either drops out or doesn't run longer distances well, then I could actually finish in the top 3 this year. That would be a first ever for me.

I started this race back in about 19th place and picked up a couple of spots the first mile. I made a couple more moves in the second mile and heading up the first major hill I counted 7 runners who were just ahead and set my sights on moving up all 7 spots.  By the time I finished the first hell hill, I had picked off 5 of the runners, including one guy who had been moving up with the same determination as myself.  The second hell hill is shorter. Really just a couple of switch backs. Right at the top of the second hell hill I took the 6th runner, but just barely.

I'm wearing blue. Far back between two guys, one in black and the other in green

The top of the second hell hill marks the far corner of the hell hill loop (technically the first hill climbs to a small clearing, which up leads the second hill which is a loop that returns to the clearing and then you sprint against the crowd back down the first hell hill) and that's where the real pain begins. The downhill flows smoothly, but in a race like this, you have to push even harder than the climb or you'll lose position quick.

My downhill started on the chase. There was just one runner ahead of me and he was only a few seconds away. He was young and didn't look tired, but i leaned into the chase in any case. Beside, the two guys that I passed on the last hill had to be close behind. I never looked back to check. At the meadow which closed the outer loop I was still tight behind, but I was losing energy. Running down the hell hill and into a flood of runners is probably the most dangerous part of the course. Most every runner knew to stay on their left as we screamed past on their right, but the slooshy snow made a few passings really close calls.  It was great when a number of runners would call behind them to warn about the downhillers.

I passed Jaclyn here. She was close to the top of the hill and I was so proud of her. She looked great. I saw that no one was near me and I was almost out of gas. I started falling further behind the runner in front. A few of the climbers had called out my position to me. They had me at 5th place. By the time I neared the bottom of the hill and turned into the final mile+ to the finish I had accepted that I couldn't catch the runner. But I would be happy with 5th. Then I started to become aware that someone was being encouraged behind me, close enough that I could hear the race supporters pretty clearly. There's a long straight way near the end that sort of circles a huge meadow. It offers about a 300 yard view of the course and a beautiful vista of Colorado Springs. Here I could see that the runner ahead of me was running way ahead now, more than 30 seconds ahead easily.

Worse, I could hear footsteps. At the end of straight away, we entered a winding course through scrub oaks. Multiple times I passed onlookers who were cheering "us" on. The guy behind was so close that the fans cheered us as a single unit. I was trying to find the strength to push him off. When you come into a final stretch like this and you push up on a competitor, if they fight you off, then often you give up and settle into position behind them. I hoped this would be the case, but his push was greater than mine. He zipped past. I had expected it to be the last guy I passed, but it was the second to last, the same guy who had also moved up his position on the first hill. And he was in a sprint. He took me by 4 seconds.

This is the toughest short (10k or less) trail race in the springs. With all do respect to the fall series, I really think this one beats them all. I credit Jaclyn's aggressive training ambition for my time. This is turning out to be the best race season I've ever had.

Tomorrow is a long distance flat run (12.8 miles) and next week a long trail run again. Two weeks until the El Pomar race which has always been my bane in the series. Time to think positive.

Rescue Run 10K

Today's Rescue Run (results) was a great time, as always, and a great way to bring in the new year.  Race entries benefit the local Search and Rescue, which plays a crucial role in a lot of the crazy events runners participate in year round, in addition to all of their other responsibilities.  Really, we are all in debt to these fine volunteers.  Another great thing about the Rescue Run is the beautiful scenery, Pikes Peak was astounding this morning under the fresh snow and sun.  I really enjoy running on the trails in Palmer Park, but this race involves more roadways and wider trails of the upper mesa, which is nicer this time of year.  The race is rolling hills for the entire course and includes a short out and back section.  It can be run as a 5K or a 10K.

We encountered our first pre-race baby challenge.  Between icy morning roads, our sitter and time we ran to the starting line with one minute to the start of the race (Aspen stayed home for this adventure).  It was a jumble, but I think this got our adrenaline pumping and improved our times, overall.  It was a cold run, starting around 12 degrees and ending at 17 degrees.  However, with no wind and a good amount of sun, I think I overdressed in a pretty heavy duty base layer.

I felt really strong throughout this 10K.  My time, last year, was 1:00:30 and I had been disappointed with this slow time.  I ran hard, but having put on some extra holiday pounds and being pregnant (though I was unaware) my time was unexpected.  I know being a couple of weeks pregnant shouldn't make a difference, and maybe it truly was the weight, but I seemed to have immediately slower times on races and training runs.  My time this year significantly improved (54:43).  I'm 20 pounds lighter than I was before the baby last year, which I attribute to a healthy lifestyle and breastfeeding.  I'm excited to see what difference this will play in my races throughout the year.  I'm also proud to be the 16th female finisher and 3rd in my age group.  Though, if you see the results, I'm nowhere near competing with the other ladies.  If I changed anything from today's race, it'd be carrying some water and dressing in my lighter base layer.  I know a 10K is short, but I seem to be struggling with staying hydrated for running and breastfeeding.  I don't know that I will find a balance with this issue.  On a separate note, I wore Yak Trax throughout the race, which might only give me an inflated sense of self confidence on ice, but I was able to keep a good pace and never slip.  I haven't worn these during a race in years, and forgot about some screw shoes I made.  I think I would've preferred them over the Yak Trax.

Duane had an amazingly strong race.  Last year, he had a strong finish at 42:21, 11th overall and 5th in his age group.  This year, he completed the race at 40:12, 6th overall and 2nd in his age group. He started about three rows deep next to Eric Peterson who has always been his closest pacer. A bunch of kids and women were in front. At the start he was about 30 people behind, but he shot up the side and almost tripped in the thick snow. By the time he hit the road he was about 12th overall and it was hard for him to really know who was who because the 5kers and the 10kers were packed together.

He passed one young racer who usually beats him and was gaining on Gerald Romero, one of the strongest and nicest local runners when he realized he was at the very front of the pack.  Before the top of the hill he was in front of Romero, but quickly lost the position as Romero sprinted down toward the mesa. For the next two miles he chased Romero, closer to him this far in a race then he had ever been before. Romero passed the fifth place guy before mile 3 and Duane took the same position before mile 4.

At the farthest water station Duane was encouraged by one of the aid workers, a guy named Paul who is a strong local runner who Duane met when they ran an Incline Club training together. Since then Paul's often beaten Duane in local races. Getting to know other racers and encouraging the ones who are often your closest competitors is one of the neatest outcomes from running local races.

Finally, still on Romero's heels, Duane reigned in a little on the last icy downhill, and Romero kept the lead. Far enough in front of the next racer to be safe, Duane still tried to kick the last 1/2 K to push up to Gerald, but deep snow and the drain from the fastest pace he had ever run a 10k in stole the kick away. At the final corner, Duane watched Romero disappear into the final lane, seconds before he would do the same himself. Romero was there of course, huge smile and warm handshake ready.

Overall, the Rescue Run was a fun way to bring in 2011.  After all, they say whatever you do today will really set the pace for the year to come.  Next weekend starts the Winter Series in Cheyenne Mountain State Park.  This is a beautiful and tough trail run.  The series has a short and long division.  Of course, we will be running the long series, which includes a 10K, 8mi, 10mi and 20K. 

Rock Canyon Half Marathon

To kick off our "Half Marathon-a-Month" we started with the Rock Canyon race, which we plan to end with in 2011.  We've run this race before, in addition to other races in the Pueblo area.  Our times are always better than expected, which some people attribute to the lower altitude.  I have a hard time believing that this little change makes such a difference...but, whatever, we were faster.

The race is pretty flat.  I think it's relatively uninteresting in terms of scenery, but I like that hills are few.  There's an intense short hill at the last 0.2 mile, where at my pace too many people push to the top.  However, if you walk the hill or find a slow, steady stride, you are more likely to finish strong.  You'll often see people that sprint this hill walking at the top.  There's a combination of sidewalk, asphalt and trail.  Duane thinks the sidewalk portion is just enough to really get a strong stride.  He also enjoys the scenery of the Arkansas River along the course.  He describes the toughest portion as being between mile 5 and 6, and on the return at 9 and 10.  It's an opened area where you can see a half mile ahead of you.  It's the most windswept and loneliest portion of the course.  

I finished with a strong 1:59:59, which definitely isn't a half marathon PR.  However, I ran this race 10 weeks after giving birth.  I was figuring I'd be somewhere between 2:10 and 2:30 based on my training runs.  I secretly hoped to be between 2:00 and 2:10, so I was pretty happy with my time.  I ran my entire pregnancy and started back to running earlier than my doctor recommended, but I went with what felt right for me.  I was overdressed for a relatively warm December day and I probably would've been more comfortable running with water.  But, other than these things the race went smoothly.

Duane finished with 1:21:24 in seventh place overall.  It was his half marathon PR, which is bittersweet at the start of our half marathon-a-month journey.  He was hoping for 1:24, but has been training harder and stronger than in past years.  His performance was better than expected, and he really wouldn't change anything.  Though, being that Pueblo is such a fast course, this won't be a race he uses for predict times in the future.

 At the finish, Duane received a metal for second in his age group.  I, also, had a "metal" waiting for me....

With a wet diaper...of course....

In January, we plan to run the Rescue Run 10K in Palmer Park and begin the Winter Series.  However, we are still looking for a half marathon.  Unfortunately, we've only found races that require traveling...and neither Aspen nor our pocketbook are ready for travel.  We may run our own half marathon at the end of January to make up for it.

The Next Race is in Pueblo

The First half marathon is in Pueblo, December 4. It's the Rock Canyon Half Marathon.

Why half-marathons

Because they hurt less and are more realistic to train for with a newborn.