It has been two weeks since I last updated you on my Cleveland Marathon Event (I’m doing the 5k/10k challenge series) training and I have two thoughts and reasons for that:

Running is getting much harder. As I just reach 8 months of being pregnant (disclosure- there are 10 months of pregnancy), I’m feeling the struggles that I heard other runners share with me, especially, er, bladder issues (it always feels like have to pee!), breathing issues (it’s so much harder for me to catch my breath) and overall I’m just heavier and it’s harder on my body.

I’m still doing it! I didn’t have a good few weeks in terms of miles. I’m running fewer amd fewer days each week ane since the weather took a turn for the worse the first week with snow and ice, I was stuck on the treadmill, which is harder on me mentally to get in the miles. But did i ger some in? Yes. Did I walk more? Yes. But I’m still happy I’m keeping up with it.

SO, needless to say, I wasn’t motivated to share the week of April 3’s training at first. I got in fewer miles than I typically do AND I wasn’t feeling good. BUT we’re less than ONE MONTH AWAY from the Cleveland Marathon and I’m keeping it up and ready to share!

Week of April 3: 17.4 miles

Sunday: 5.75 miles.

I woke up to a slight dusting of snow on the ground and decided to play it safe and not head outside. I probably should’ve gone outside- later in the afternoon I noticed it really wasn’t as slippery as I thought it was, but I’m just overcautious about slipping while pregnant.

Anyway, instead I hit the treadmill. I got in 3.25 miles running, and then decided to walk/run the rest while watching Bosch. Have you seen that Amazon show?

Monday: 1 mile and 45 min elliptical

I somehow managed to sleep through my alarm! Still ended up getting to the gym with a little bit of time. Tried running, legs weren’t feeling it so I hit up the elliptical.

Tuesday: 3.1 miles and 33 mi elliptical

Today’s run brought to you by one word, ouch! My feet were definitely hurting during the rotten. Not sure what’s making them so, but it meant I walked and ran the 5K.

Wednesday: 5.55 m

Finally feeling better somewhat, which is ironic since last night gave me little to no sleep. I think I finally experienced that pregnancy heartburn and it kept me up most of the night. Managed to get out of bed and hit the treadmill for 55 min, which today gave me 5.55 miles, jogging 5.27 of them – the whole time. Finished with 23 min on the elliptical.

Thursday: 1 mile

Not feeling it – lack of sleep may be catching up on me. Managed to do 1 mile and then mostly the elliptical. Finished with some kettlebells.

Friday: 1.25 miles

I just couldn’t run. I got on the treadmill and my feet hurt. My legs hurt. My whole body was not having it. Thanks to insomnia? Maybe … so I got on the elliptical instead.

Saturday: true rest day! No elliptical or anything.

Weekly total- around 17-18. My lowest week yet!

I had so few pictures for this post and I was curious how I looked running now, so I took a selfie with the timer while I was on the treadmill. Not too bad – but pretty funny to see!

Week of April 10: 20.15 miles (yay for back in the 20s!!)

Sunday: 5.25 miles run and walk on the treadmill.
Unfortunately I really wasn’t feeling it today. Woke up to temperatures in the low 20’s and below, so I just decided to try the treadmill again. Lots of walking, but got it done. And there was snow on the ground and I was scared of slipping, etc. Pretty to look at, but not so fun to run in in APRIL.

Monday: 3.56 miles

Run/walk and then elliptical. Ran 2ish miles then walk/ran the rest.

Tuesday: 3.6 miles then elliptical

Another run/walk on the treadmill and then the elliptical. A little slower than yesterday and feet still a little sore. Added in some kettlebells too.

Wednesday: 0 miles- 1 hr on the elliptical instead

Thursday: 5 miles jog (very little walking) and 1.35 miles walk
5 miles running with a few short stops and walking. After another insomnia night, so grateful to be able to still hop on the treadmill and see where it takes me. I ran 3.25 miles, stopped and got some water, and then ran the rest without stopping again.

Friday: 1.26 miles, mostly walking

55 min elliptical and a short walk/jog.
Saturday: 0 miles running but a LOT of walking – 20k+ steps

My mom was in town, so we did a LOT of walking. The weather started out chilly and we walked about 4-5 miles around Ohio City and did some shopping. It warmed up and we got in a few more walks amidst what we were doing for the day, and I ended up with about 21,000 steps! My feet were a little sore even after not running.

Weekly total: Just over 20 miles!

Questions for you:

• How did your workouts go this week?
• How many steps do you get in a day on average?

The name of this blog post is definitely a tongue twister! Try saying that ten times fast – Training Tuesday Third Trimester Training. Ha! It’s probably easier for me to say that than actually running at this point 🙂 It’s getting harder and harder! But here we go – here was what last week looked like:

Week of 3/27: 22.23 miles running/walking

Sunday: 5.25 miles. OUTSIDE!

Before Easter Mass, B and I got outside for a slow and hilly run. My legs were not feeling it and I did stop midway through one hill for a second, but we still managed to finish (at least according to my GPS) at just under 10 min/miles pace (B’s Garmin said something different – but I’m going with mine :)) I overdressed, but wasn’t too hot.

Monday: 2.65 miles

These treadmill miles were not as good and slow. Ended up only having about a half hour or so before an early doctor’s appointment / glucose test. But happy to get them in. AND even happier to have passed my test!

Tuesday: 1.5 mile walk and 55 min elliptical

Body and legs were tired today, so I opted to take the day off from running. Still got in some steps- my fitbit definitely motivates me!

Wednesday: 6.5 miles run and walk.

Wasn’t feeling too bad but still much walking. Indoors on the treadmill – mixed it up with walking and jogging while watching Bosch on Amazon.

Thursday: 2.5

2.5 slow miles on the treadmill and 45 min elliptical. Rainy morning, but probably should’ve just sucked it up and went outside- the gym was steamy!

Not feeling it again.

Friday: 5.36 miles OUTSIDE.

I had looked at the ten day forecast and saw that Friday a.m. was going to be in the 50s before work – unlike any other day in the forecast. So, I pulled myself out of bed and went for a run in the dark. I don’t know why, but during my pregnancy I’ve had such a hard time doing this, so this was a victory for me. AND my pace was much faster than I was expecting! I stopped a few times but overall it was a good run and BEAUTIFUL morning!

Saturday: No running miles, but about a 4 mile walk with B.

I wanted to rest my legs somewhat, but still get moving – so B and I walked to the West Side Market to get our shopping done and around the neighborhood and back. It was chilly and windy but gorgeous blue skies!

 

I’m happy to share that it was another 20+ mile week for me. Not quite as many miles as I’m used to getting at this time of the year (I’m usually at the peak of my training!), and definitely not easy, but STILL getting them in – and that’s a victory for me!

Questions for you:

• Any pregnant runners/mamas out there – how far along into your pregnancy did you run?
• Did you run outside this week?

What a great running week! Not really because of the runs (though I did have some pretty good ones) but because of the fun and social aspect of it. Woohoo! Wednesday was the Cleveland Rite Aid Ambassador Meetup and I got to meet some new ambassadors and catch up with some of the ones I know and love from past years. It was so great to see everyone – it was like one big happy family reunion!

The weather was great most of the week, too 🙂 I got in two outdoor runs BEFORE work!

Also, Saturday was the Malachi 5 miler. Another great weather day and a relatively fast run for me and the hilly course. 3 outdoor runs in 1 week? That’s a first all winter! Anyway, here I go. Let me get to the week.

Week of 3/6: 22.54 miles

Sunday: 5.14 miles: OUTSIDE @ 9:30 pace

I hadn’t run Friday or Saturday, and after two days off, I guess I was feeling alright! I was really surprised by my pace – I’ve been doing 5.8 mph on the treadmill (so close to 10:20 miles) and wasn’t sure I could do 5 miles but I kept it up and felt great toward the end. As usual, first two miles or so were the roughest but after that the bladder pain/pressure went away and I just took the next 3 pretty easy, stopping just a few times to take a photos, at lights, etc. Wanted to prove to my pregnant self that I could do 5 miles before next weekend’s race – and I did it!

Monday: 4 miles

Run/walk on the treadmill on some tired legs. Funny how only 5 miles can make me tired these days. Woof. No pace written down because it was a run/walk heavy on the SLOW run and walk.

Tuesday: 4.18 miles OUTSIDE @ 9:40 pace

It was my first pre-work run outside in who knows … months? It was warm enough for shorts and semi light out (before daylight savings time change) – I had to take advantage of it. Even got in a few hills and some stairs, ouch!

Look at how pretty the sky was!

Wednesday: 4.26 miles

I got in another outdoors pre-work outdoor run! So happy to have 60 degrees and beautiful weather. The legs were not feeling great, but emotionally I was happy to be outside. AND happy to be seeing my Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors that night!

Thursday and Friday: Long elliptical days. 1 hour and change on the machine and a little walking.

With the race on Saturday and legs still somewhat tired, I wanted to make sure I took a few days off from running.

Saturday: St. Malachi Church Run – 5 mile race

Woo! I had such a good time during this race. Was I as fast as last year? Hellllll no (I was 1:05 min/mile slower in case you were wondering). Was the weather gorgeous? Yes. Did I even enjoy the run? Most of the time, yes! I finished at 46:43 and am darn proud of it. B ran with me the entire time and kept me company AND I only felt like I had to pee part of the time.

See – what a good running week! I have a lot going on this week, so I’m not sure I can keep it up – but I’ll try to get in a few runs and maybe get outside for one. Who knows – maybe spring is REALLY on its way!

Some questions for you:

• Did you do a St. Patrick’s Day themed run?
• Does the warmer weather make you more prone to running outside, too?

PSA for the Marathon – They are in need of volunteers! Can’t run? Love the crowds? Love helping out? We need you! Sign up here!

I FINALLY signed up for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon! No, not the full marathon, but the challenge series. Since I’ll be about 35 weeks pregnant during the race, I have opted not to do the full or half, but instead I signed up for the 5k 10k program.

I’m so excited about the Challenge Series this year! They just shared the pretty sweet medal too – take a look. And don’t forget to sign up this week!

 

Last week’s training:

Week of 2/28: 20.7 miles

Sunday: 3.6 miles: OUTSIDE!

I convinced B to get in a few short miles outside. I’d been out of town, traveling for work and was tired BUT the weather was going to be in the 50s and I really wanted to get in a run before my niece’s first communion.

This was a super speedy run for me these days. I haven’t seen sub-10 minute miles on the treadmill lately, so being outside it was nice to get in some faster miles.

Monday: 4.6 miles.

I ran 2.25, walked some, then ran some again. Was tired!

Tuesday: 4 miles.

Another indoor run/walk on the treadmill before the elliptical.

Wednesday: 2 miles walk/run on the treadmill

Thursday: 6.5 miles

Finally felt pretty good on the treadmill. Ran slow for me (5.8 mph pace) but was able to keep it up and not walk except for about .5 miles of the entire workout. Woohoo!

Friday AND Saturday: 0 miles

I know, it’s not like me to take two days off, but my legs were SO tired. So I took two days off from running (meaning I did the elliptical or only went for a walk – don’t worry, I still got in 12,000+ steps and a workout) and hoped that Sunday I’d be able to run a little more (spoiler- I did!).

All in all, not a bad week. Fewer miles than usual, but still happy to be out there. Bump and all – as you can see, it’s out!

Anyway, if you haven’t signed up, don’t forget to do so soon AND enter to win my co-ambassador’s giveaway. This week Jamie is giving away a free entry via her blog!

 

Questions for you:

• Any locals running the Malachi 5 miler this weekend? I am – hopefully!
• Have you ever done a race with a Challenge Series – two days and two races?

 

It has been two weeks since I last updated you on my training and I have two thoughts to share:

Running is getting much harder. At 6 months pregnant, I’m feeling the pain that I heard other runners share with me, especially, er, bladder issues (it always feels like have to pee!) and breathing issues (it’s so much harder for me to catch my breath).

I’m still doing it! I had another good few weeks in terms of miles. Were they easy runs? No. Were they a lot slower than my usual runs? Yes. Did I walk some? Yes. But I’m still happy I’m keeping up with it.

Onto my weeks.

Week of 2/14: 24.55 miles running/walking

Sunday: 3.6 miles.

My parents were in town and I had about 30ish minutes to kill before seeing them, so B convinced me to hop on the treadmill for a quick run. This was my best feeling and fastest treadmill run in weeks!

Monday: 4 miles.

These treadmill miles were not as good and slow. But happy to get them in.

Tuesday: 6.2 miles run plus 1 mile walk

Another pretty good run day! I ran a little faster than I have been and after the first 2 rough miles, I felt relatively good and kept it up. I had no plan on how far to run and that helped – I kept telling myself to go a little further, a little further, etc. and then before I knew it I told myself I could do a 10k. And I did!

Wednesday: 2.25 miles walk/run

Wasn’t feeling it. Ended up doing the elliptical after giving up around 2.25 miles.

Thursday: 3.25 miles

Not feeling it again.

Friday: 0 miles.

I just couldn’t run. I got on the treadmill and my feet hurt. My legs hurt. My whole body was not able to run more than a few tenths of a mile – so I got on the elliptical instead.

Saturday: 4.25 miles OUTSIDE!

 

Week of 2/21: 28.6 miles

Sunday: 3.25 miles OUTSIDE! Plus a 2-3ish mile walk outside with B.

Monday: 2.1 miles

Run then elliptical.

Tuesday: 6.2 miles

10k on the treadmill! First 2 were the worst and then I kept it up and finished. No breaks except at 5.75 to tie my shoe quickly. Which is progress for today- 23 weeks.

Wednesday: 4 miles

Thursday: 0 miles

Had about 4 hours of sleep after driving to Philadelphia for work conference and not getting in until after 3 a.m. I had plans to run, but spent the whole day in a haze. Being pregnant makes me tired. Being pregnant and not getting any sleep makes me even more tired.

Friday: 5.5 miles run/walk

Testing out the hotel gym before my conference. Managed to get in 5.5 miles somehow.

Saturday: 4.5 miles run/walk

Another tired run and little sleep the night before. Up late at the conference, but managed to get the tired legs to move.

 

All in all, not a bad two weeks. If I can keep this up another 4 months, I’ll be happy!

Questions for you:

• How did your workouts go this week?
• Do you have any races coming up? I signed up for the St. Malachi Church Run. It’s a 5 miler, and I’m hoping I can do it!
  AND as an ambassador for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, I’d be remiss not to remind you to sign up for the race! Haven’t signed up yet? My co-ambassador Debi is giving away an entry this week- enter here!