Training Tuesday: Suddenly 8 Months Pregnant

April 26, 2016April 26, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 2 Comments

I kind of feel like I suddenly became super pregnant. Like overnight. I know – it didn’t happen overnight …. I’ve been pregnant for several months. But it feels like I am suddenly super pregnant and not only looking it, but feeling it. Especially when running.

I’m going to be straight with you – my runs this week weren’t easy. Sunday’s felt good, but after that, I was sore for a few days. I can no longer do an “easy” 5 mile run – my body hurts for a few days, including my legs and feet. And half of my runs are very slow. BUT I’m trying to keep it up – less than one month until Cleveland Marathon race weekend!! On a positive note – I got in three outdoor runs this week! Running outside makes me SO much happier, even when I’m not feeling good.

Week of 4/17/16: 23.05 Miles

Sunday: 5.6 miles outside!

I had not run outside in FOREVER, and B was able to run with me, so we made our way to the local metroparks. I wasn’t planning on running more than 4ish miles but was feeling great. This was really the only run I felt great the entire week.

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Monday: 5 miles running

Another run outside! I’m not going to say that it was easy- these days if I run 4 or 5 miles, my legs are sore for a few days after and I was still sore from Sunday’s run. But I woke up thinking about those running the Boston Marathon, and saw the weather was pretty much perfect for a run, so I got outside and did it anyway.

see that bump!

not a great run, but look at that sunset!

not a great run, but look at that sunrise!

Tuesday: 1.25 miles and elliptical

Oneish miles on the treadmill and some time on the elliptical to loosen my legs from Sunday and Monday running.

Wednesday: 4.25 miles

Run & walk on the treadmill. Lots of walking but still managed to get in the 12 minute mile pace overall. Also had time for 25 minutes on the elliptical to continue to loosen up my legs. Yup, legs and feet are still sore!

Thursday: 1.25 mi walk jog

A little jog and 53 minutes on the elliptical.

Friday: 5.2 miles outside

I check the weather a head of time, and it was due to be 60 degrees when I woke up. I decided that no matter what, I would get outside and run. Luckily, B said that he would run with me the night before , so that helped motivate me. This run was not easy. My lower legs and feet hurt. I felt my bladder the entire time and had to mentally remind myself that I didn’t have to pee. We did a few hills and I stopped in the middle of one. We stopped to take a photo at another point. B did not want to be up early and runnng and made it clear. But- we finished. And I was definitely looking forward to an off day on Saturday!

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Saturday: 0 miles

Saturday B and I had our birthing class which was ALL day, and we had no time to get out and run. I had already planned on taking the day off after Friday’s early and somewhat painful run, so it worked out perfectly. Plus, I had 23+ miles, which was more than I’d had in quite a while.

SO B and I decided to take a walk during our class lunch break and then again after the class. It started out chilly but ended up bright and sunny in the afternoon!

post-class walk

Some questions for you:

Does the warmer weather make you more prone to running outside, too?
Do you stop and snap photos during your runs too? Or use photos as an excuse to stop?

PSA for the Marathon – They are in need of volunteers! No plans to run this year but want to be part of the experience? We need you! Sign up here!

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Race Entry Giveaway

March 29, 2016March 28, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 21 Comments

Guess what – it’s MY week! This week, I am the Ambassador of the Week for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Woop woop!

AND that means I’m hosting a race giveaway! I get to give away FREE entry into any of the race distances the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is offering during race weekend.

How to enter: Simply leave a comment below telling me what distance you would choose to run AND one fun fact about you. Want an extra entry? Follow me and the Cleveland Marathon on Instagram (@koskim and @clevemarathon) and/or Twitter (@koskim and @clevemarathon) and leave another comment saying you’ve done so! The giveaway runs through 12 p.m. ET, Friday, April 1 (no, not an April Fools trick!) and will be notified via email.

In the meantime … for those of you finding me for the first time, here’s a TINY bit about me:

I love running the Cleveland race. The past several years, I’ve run the half marathon. As much as I hate the shoreway portion (and don’t we all?), I love the race. The people, the sites, the cheering and of course running through this city!

my awkward race photo from the Cleveland half last year

I’m not from Cleveland. I’m originally from New York but have lived in Cleveland for 8 years now. Despite doing indoor track (unsuccessfully) in high school and going on a few runs in college, I didn’t really get into running until after college – and now I’m hooked!
I’m not running the marathon or half this year- because I’m 7 months pregnant. That’s right – but I’m still running! I’ve signed up for the 5k 10k challenge series and hope to be able to complete those two races while 9-ish months pregnant on race day.

Yup – there’s a baby in that belly (who is getting used to these runs!)

And I’m still running. Here’s a little recap of last week’s runs:

Week of 3/20: 21.12 miles

Sunday: 4.26 miles
I probably could/should’ve gone outside, but I wasn’t in the mood for another cold run after Saturday. So I opted for a run/walk on the treadmill while watching Bosch on my phone.

Monday: 0 miles!
Had to be at the dr office early so I decided to take the day off. I still managed to get my goal steps in, though- 12,000 is no easy feat when you aren’t working out!

Tuesday: 7 miles! Indoor walk and run.
Longest walk/run of the late! I probably got in about 5.5 or so running with a cool down and some walking along the way. I never used to count walking in my mileage but now when it’s part of my workout, I do!

Wednesday: elliptical day. 1.5 mile jog.
Legs feeling tired, opted to just shake them out in the elliptical.

Thursday: 5.1 m run/walk. Emphasis on the walk.
Legs still feeling a little heavy, so I opted to run/walk indoors. Planned on using the elliptical again, but the machines were in use when I wanted to go on and when they opened up again, I decided to just stay with the walk and run.

Friday: 0 miles running
Took it easy on the legs this morning and did the elliptical for 45 min and walked for 30. Didn’t want to quite take the day off but wanted to give the legs a little rest.

Saturday: 3.26 miles running OUTSIDE
I didn’t REALLY want to get outside, as it was 30 degrees and breezy, but I wanted to get in a few more miles to make sure I hit 20 for the week. I’m glad I did – I didn’t feel GREAT the whole time, but I averaged 9:26 min/mile for the run with the last mile being the fastest (maybe because the great feeling of having to pee went away around mile 2.25 … or maybe because I knew I was almost done).

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And that was it – 20+ miles and 5 days or runs. NTS!

No questions for you this week – just don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Leave a comment below telling me what distance you would choose to run AND one fun fact about you!
Want an extra entry? Follow me and the Cleveland Marathon on Instagram (@koskim and @clevemarathon) and/or Twitter (@koskim and @clevemarathon) and leave another comment saying you’ve done so! Giveaway runs through Friday at noon ET.

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Training Tuesday: Outside Again!

March 22, 2016March 20, 2016 / Melissa (I Crashed the Web) / 4 Comments

You GUYS – I ran outside 3.5 times last week!!! That is 3.5 more times than I’ve been running. And it makes me so happy!!!

ok this picture was from LAST week but it’s me at the Malachi run and another outside run!

Anyway, here’s a little recap of how last week’s runs went:

Week of 3/13: 21.59 miles running/walking

Sunday: 0 miles

Took the day off after the Malachi Church Run.

Monday: 6.17 miles total – run in the AM AND PM.

I wasn’t planning on running in the AM that day, but for some reason I couldn’t sleep. I woke up at 3 a.m. and was unable to get back to bed, so after cleaning my closet and semi cleaning the kitchen, I opted to head outside in the 50 degree (near perfect running temps) and get in about 2 miles before hitting the gym. And then that night was the Cleveland Marathon Fleet Feet Pub Run – an event I had already planned on attending – so there were another 3.8 miles run outside with tons of other runners, including B and Mary, for free beer! (I obviously didn’t partake in the beer)

pre-pub run with Mary. Look at all those people in the background!

Tuesday: no run, just elliptical. My feet were hurting and legs were tired.

Wednesday: 1.3 miles before the elliptical. Tired legs AGAIN.

Thursday: 4.62 miles. OUTSIDE before work!

It’s not often I get an outdoor run in, but I was happy to get in a run before St. Patrick’s Day. I was planning on running around downtown and seeing if people were out and about – and they already were!

Had to stop and take a picture of the Terminal Tower all green for the day! (and a great excuse to stop mid-run)

Friday: 5 miles walk and run.

I decided to run for time and not for distance today. It’s something I’m not good at doing and I wanted to walk/run on the treadmill. So I focused on just keeping up the workout and varied on my speeds.

Saturday: 4.5 miles OUTSIDE again!

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And that was it! Another so-so week of running – but a great week of pregnancy runs in my book for this Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ambassador. Woop woop!

Some questions for you:

What Amazon Prime videos or TV shows are you digging that I should watch while running?
Do you prefer running in the a.m. or p.m.? AM. Always. I hate and hardly ever run after work unless I have an event (like the pub run).