Running After Baby // Week 9

Here's a topic I've wanted to write more about on the blog for a long time: Running! It seems like years since I've engaged in any sort of formal training. Or since I've had any real running goals. I am beyond ready to dive in and get my legs back.

This run was a promising start.

A photo posted by A S H L E Y // neverhomemaker (@neverhomemaker) on Aug 15, 2016 at 5:24am PDT

Two of the five miles (miles 3 and 4) were run under 8-minute pace (7:55, 7:53). Boy did I feel it today! As the mornings get slightly cooler, I can see my paces getting faster. I really don't like running in the summer sun and humidity, so I am looking forward to more runs like this one once the fall weather sets in.

Goals:

I am currently following the Hal Higdon novice 1 half marathon plan with hopes of running a 10-miler in mid-November. I don't have a pace goal at this point. I'm just looking to start my journey by getting my endurance back.

A photo posted by A S H L E Y // neverhomemaker (@neverhomemaker) on Aug 1, 2016 at 5:35am PDT

If you've followed me a long while, you know that running full marathons isn't my thing. I have trained and gotten injured too many times to want to attempt that distance anytime soon (or ever) again. So, my ultimate training goal -- long term -- is to finish a half marathon in under 1:40. I tried a few years after Ada was born and go close with something in the 1:42 range.

But that's a long way off. Right now? I'm getting ready to lace up at the start of a 5K tomorrow night. I'd love to just run under 8:30s the whole time, but I am worried I may have spent my speedy legs too soon this week. We shall see what happens. I'm more interested in getting back into the running culture in our area. I used to do Sunday long runs every week with a great group of women, and I miss that time!

Other stuff:

I'm experimenting with becoming a morning runner. I much prefer running in the evening, but Stephen's cross country schedule will end up conflicting with that. I am finding if I wake up whenever Eloise eats around 5-6 AM, that I love getting out and starting the day by sweating. I usually have to pump a bit, but it's been nice to build a little breast milk stash that way.

I have set a goal this month to start doing core exercises. I have been totally cleared and all that jazz. I do some already through Barre, but I might ask Stephen to "train" me by encouraging me to do what he has this athletes do. I'll report back progress. I'd also like to get into the groove with doing push-ups again. It's been a really long time. I can do like 10 without whining, and I used to do 50 with no problem!

Last, we live a mile from a track, so I'm hoping -- like I did after I had Ada -- to do a timed mile soon. From there, I like to track my progress and see how that mile time gets faster as the months go on. I will probably do that starting next week and go from there. My fastest mile two months postpartum last time around was 7:45.

What's on your race calendar or goals list lately? 

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Santa Run 2015

My alternate title for this post is “My First and Only Race During This Pregnancy.” And it has nothing to do with the event itself. It was a fun race. Lots of great volunteer support. Great activities for the kids. Tons of community out cheering.

It’s just . . . I haven’t run in an event since the Laurel Festival 10K back in June. In fact, I haven’t run in more than a handful of races over the past year and a half. I used to love spending my weekends lining up at the start. Progressively, my interests have changed -- but I’ve kept up with the running regardless.

So, back to Sunday. It’s December . . . and it’s over 60 degrees. I can’t even believe it. I had toyed with doing this 5K, but didn’t give it much thought. Stephen was the one who urged me to participate because the weather was just so amazing. Sunny and gorgeous. We all hopped in the car early so Ada could do the kids’ race.

She and I both wore fun + festive costumes.

Ada did great, by the way! She’s only ever “raced” a couple kid runs. I hate to say it, but she has fallen at most of them. We never make her do them. But we told her she could try, and she got all excited.

She didn’t just want to run. She wanted to win! (She didn’t. But all the kids got a special prize at the end, so she thinks she did!)


The 5K started about an hour after the kids’ run. I spent the bulk of the time going to and from the bathroom because I was drinking all the water. I mean, it was really warm. I didn’t want to take any chances getting dehydrated. I took my last bathroom break with 10 minutes till the gun would go off and headed down to the start.

During those 10 minutes my bladder somehow filled up again -- to capacity. Ugh. I started the race uncomfortable and just wanted to stop. But I decided I’d forge on. I didn’t wear a watch because I didn’t want to know my time. Instead, I tried chatting with people near me and even talking to myself. If I could speak full sentences, I was golden. And I felt completely comfortable and strong the entire way.

Still, somewhere in the middle of the race, I got to thinking. Yeah. It was fun being out there running in an event. But I had basically paid $25 to do a 5K jog I could have done out my front door . . . sans needing to pee the whole time. I decided right then that I’ll save my money for baby stuff. This would be my first and last race during this pregnancy. Then, as I rounded the corner for the final straight away, I had to fight the urge to speed up.

That’s the other thing. Though I haven’t been racing in the last year or more, I still had been running pretty fast (for me). The competitive stuff doesn’t really go away when you’re in the moment. I struggled to remember during the race that I am pregnant. After all, I’m not really showing and I don’t have many aches and pains yet. Then I’d remember and be like “ugh! what’s my heart rate? I feel great but I don’t want to push it” -- it was a constant battle in my head.

I’m not trying to knock doing events while pregnant. I did several 5Ks and a half marathon with Ada. I think in my first pregnancy running was much more about proving to myself that my whole life wouldn’t change if I had a baby. Now that I know there is balance after birth, I don’t need reminders. At least not yet. And I also think the circumstances and challenges that led to this pregnancy have put me in a different mindset.


I crossed the finish in just under 30 minutes. My official chip time was 29:32, so 9:30/mile. That’s obviously not fast (in fact, it’s my slowest timed 5K to date), but it’s about minute per mile faster than I’ve been running at home. I could feel proud, but I -- instead -- was more freaked out that I pushed too hard compared to my new normal.

I’ll keep up with my slow 5K runs around the neighborhood. I’ll probably even look up a few fun events to run several months after giving birth. For now, I’m hanging up my “racing” shoes. At the same time, I am glad I ran. It was run dressing up and Ada certainly enjoyed all the costumes and activities! We’ll probably spectate while Stephen does a Christmas Cookie race next week.

PS: Christmas! No joke: We just started really shopping and making presents! Ahh. 

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Turkey Trotting

Happy Friday, friends. If you follow me on Instagram, I’m sure you saw my flurry of activity in the last few days. I am all or nothing with that thing -- yikes. Anyway, we ended up getting nearly a foot of snow on Wednesday, so my plans to run the Turkey Trot 5-miler seemed dashed when I woke up to this in my backyard.

Gorgeous, but slick!

The last race I ran was back in early August. Since then (and a while before), we’ve been TTC and I haven’t been running seriously or fast or long or anything. Actually, I’m quite frustrated with running at the moment because I can’t figure out if I can just keep training like normal or if I’ll need to lay low until pregnancy happens. It all seems to be different depending on the person, and so far it doesn’t seem like running is helping or hindering either way. In other words, I’m in exercise purgatory.

Back to the race. I had to shovel myself out of the garage and drive on some slippery highways to get to the park to register. I wasn’t terribly nervous because the last time I ran fast was so long ago -- I knew it wouldn’t exactly be a fast day, especially combined with the weather.

The plan? Have fun and take in the Rave Run scenery!


To my surprise, a lot of trotters showed up. I got there early for registration and then had to wait in the cold for quite some time before the gun went off. I ran a warmup mile just to stay warm. Then I settled myself in the middle of the pack to start.

I’ve been running lately with the Nike app because it’s fun to hear cheers as you plod along, and this race was no exception. I got 8 different cheers along the way. I was also surprised to hear that I was averaging 7:35/ mile the entire way despite a clogged first quarter mile where I basically had to walk to get through all the people and the slush. Yeah, the slush and freezing puddles. My feet were soaked and freezing by the end, but I didn’t fall once!

My lack of training/stamina caught up with me a bit in the final mile, but I crossed the finish in 38:28 -- 7:40/mile. It’s actually a PR by a few seconds since my last 5-mile race back in 2006.


So, I’ll take it, and I’m extremely pleased with anything below 8:30, which is the fastest pace I’ve been running most days in the last several months. My body is totally unhappy with me today, though. Ouch. Still, I love racing on holidays! When I got home, Ada and Stephen had built a snowman and then we watched the Macy’s parade. And ate and ate and ate. But that’s a story for another day.

Did anyone else run a Thanksgiving race? Hope you’re enjoying your holiday!

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Running These Days

I know some of you are probably wondering if running will ever make much of a comeback on this site. The answer is yes . . . and no. When I started writing, I was in the thick of my craziest high-frequency racing phase. We would spend most weekends running local events and sign up for all sorts of bigger races up to the marathon distance. I probably used to do 20 some races a year, and I loved every minute of it. Because I had lots of minutes to spend.

After we had Ada, a lot of things changed both with circumstances and mindset. We aren’t able to travel as frequently, sleep is sometimes elusive, and money is tighter for extras. Stephen still kills it at lots of races near and far. And I, too, started out getting into running and racing again less than two months postpartum -- a 10K in 51:25. Stephen lapped me that day. Jerk.

I tried continuing my usual pace with racing for that whole first year, often pumping and dumping before the start, doing long runs during naps, and otherwise finding all the time I needed to get back out there. I did a solid job. But somewhere along the way it stopped being as important to me. And I don’t consider that defeat.

What’s funny is that nothing with my training frequency has really changed. I still run just as many miles as I used to, depending on the season. Granted, I’ve scaled back a bit recently while we’re TTC and plan to treat running much differently in pregnancy #2. But I had been running 30+ miles a week, which is pretty normal for me. I still keep up with a few key events and try to run at least two half marathon races a year to keep my motivation up. I’m still PRing most every time I lace up, but the act of racing itself holds little excitement for me anymore.

You could say my running is silent, but not stagnant.

And I sort of like it this way. Whereas I used to track my times and blurt it out for everyone to see, I’m hugely content heading out sans watch and not even tracking my mileage for any given week. I have a loose training diary online, but I keep forgetting to enter data into it. I know I’m keeping up, and that’s really all I need at this point. Running gives me something big . . . but it’s far different than it used to be. A healthy body, yes, some times to feel good about, too, but the mental and spiritual aspects are much more important these days.

So, if you’re like me and you run a blisteringly fast 10-miler but no one is there to see your time or plot your route, it’s just as important. It still happened. You’re just as much a runner if you’re not out there pounding the pavement every weekend and pinning countless race bibs onto your tech shirts. To me, running is all about me -- my journey apart from anyone else's. It gives me time to think. Time to celebrate myself and my physical accomplishments.

Yay, me!


I have this strong sense of security by now that I’ll have running with me for life, barring any physical ailments. I don’t know if I felt that way back when I was racing all the time. I want to keep a steady stride into the next several phases of my life, and I think evolving my way of thinking about the sport is all a part of that. Or maybe I’m just soft and have lost my competitive spirit.

Whatever the case, I’m extremely happy and moving my body. I feel good in my body -- head, heart, and bones. I’d say those far less tangible prizes are better than more race metals cluttering my closets! And who knows, maybe the tide will change and I’ll go crazy racer again. I’m up for anything so long as I’m still running.

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10 Seconds Too Many

The thing is . . . 5Ks are always (always!) the hardest for me. Speed isn't my forte, especially since I don't engage in much formal speed work. Rather, I do surges -- fartleks -- whenever the mood strikes. Some weeks that's often. Others, not so much. As you guys know, I've been training on lots of hills lately, so I had some high hopes for my finish time at last night's Women's Distance Festival 5K.

Namely, I wanted to (finally) break 22 minutes.

My best friend from home -- Erin -- started running in January. She's been doing all sorts of races lately, but since she lives in the endless, winding mountains of PA, they've all been far too steep or on tricky terrain (trails, etc.). So, she drove up to join me and see how she might do on a flat(ish), fast course. It was such a treat -- and we both turned 31 within a few days of one another, so I guess you'd call it our birthday celebration.

I think the reason 5Ks wreck my soul has something everything to do with the intensity of them. Since I'm relatively low-key with my training, having to immediately start at my gut-wrenching pace and maintain it as long as possible doesn't sit well with me or my psyche.

It's all just too much!
It's all too painful!
It's all too split-second!


I thought maybe I had 21:XX in my grasp last night when I hit the first mile at 6:50. All things holy! That amazed me. Though I don't race much anymore, I still train hard and run consistently (4-5 days each week) throughout the year. I've just reached this place with my running over the last several years where I don't need race medals and finish line photos to feel strong, steady, and confident in my abilities.

But hearing a fast mile time doesn't hurt every now and again.

I'll write more about the play-by-play on WalkJogRun for next week, but -- spoiler alert -- I didn't meet my goal. I finished in 22:09 or 7:08/mile. That's a PR by 9 seconds and only 10 seconds away from my goal, but certainly 10 seconds too many. So, of course, I really want to try again in the next couple weeks to see if I can tweak a few things to get my time.

We shall see.


Now, Ada doesn't come to a lot of our races. I run mostly half marathons, and that's just too long for her to sit still. Stephen did bring her to this one because it's all women + lots of other kids are there to play + celebrate the fine sport of women's running. OK. The kids have absolutely no idea what's going on beyond the race before them. They just know there's a sand box, lots of baked goods and candy, and that all the dads watching let them get away with a bit more when their moms are occupied with the race.

This year was special, though. Ada "laced up" to the start of her very first race. She was so excited! I was so proud! This was to be such an amazing moment for the two of us to share. A passing of the torch! Proof that I'm rubbing off on her. That she's getting some athletic prowess from my amazingly inspiring abilities. And all that jazz.

Or not. The poor thing ran for around 15 seconds and then waved hello to a cute puppy. Puppies are her downfall. She loves them to pieces. And after she gave an enthusiastic greeting, BAM. Ada fell teeth-first into the pavement. Crying ensued. I felt . . . terrible. But it was no one's fault. She escaped physically unharmed and a cookie cheered her up quickly.

At least we got a great photo.

(We all know how photos don't tell the whole story!)


For both of us, there's always next year! And I want to give Erin a hearty congratulations. She SMASHED her 5K time by like two full minutes.

How do you feel about 5Ks? Do you have a race event nemesis? 

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Pregnant Running: What I'll Change

So, it's not secret that I'm having second thoughts about my marathon training. Blame in on the move (which is insane right now -- our sellers was $500 to use their garage for one day before closing!), blame it on the weather (so hot and humid -- can't imagine 20-milers in mid-August), or blame on it (crazy) baby fever . . . but I go back and forth. As of this moment, I am still all signed up and embarking on the whole plan as if I'm going to lace up in October and attack the course with gusto.

Still, the whole impending second pregnancy has me thinking a lot about how I want to approach running and exercise in my next with-child phase. I feel like the first time when I was pregnant, I felt I had something to prove to myself. How I didn't want to lose my identity and ability as a runner. At the time, I didn't feel much external pressure, but over the years it seems like the world and women expect much from their pregnant selves -- especially when it comes to staying fit and active.

I've written somewhat extensively about the irritable uterus issue I experienced with Ada's pregnancy. About how it's actually delayed our own child spacing out of fear I might be bed-bound the next time around and -- regardless -- faced with near-constant contractions from week 17 onward. Anyway, a comment I often got online and from family/friends concern running + irritable uterus and the possible link. My midwife didn't see much correlation since even when I would spend a week on the couch, I'd get the same issue with as much frequency and intensity.

This is all a (too) long introduction to how I plan to approach fitness in my next pregnancy. I read blogs and see women everyday who are kicking major butt, lifting gigantic weights, running marathons, and doing all sorts of impressive feats. Some of these women are supervised and going about it in a smart way. Others, honestly, not so much. But I've decided all I can do is take care of my body and my baby -- so I try to filter out what others are doing and just do me.

If I am straight with myself, I also know I was worried about gaining too much weight during pregnancy and holding onto it after pregnancy. Here's the cruel joke: I never lost all my baby weight despite all the exercise and healthy eating I did. Maybe I'm doing it wrong, but breastfeeding made me hold onto weight and with all my training, I am still up a good 7 pounds from where I started all those years ago.


With all this in mind, here's what I'll likely change the next time around:

#1: I won't race:

I didn't do lots of races while I was pregnant (a half marathon, a self-timed 15K, and a couple 5Ks), and I never actually pushed to get PRs. Still, in retrospect -- I don't see a point to participating in racing events if I can't go all out. I know some OBs and midwives say you can listen to your body and push to whatever feels comfortable, but "racing" is just that, and I don't see how it would benefit me the next go around. Also: All the crowds and adrenaline tend to trick my own body into going harder without realizing it. Even if my body is telling me something, it would likely be muffled by all that jazz.

#2: I won't wear a watch:

Yes. I still cared and fretted a bit about my pace in pregnancy. I didn't necessarily try to keep myself chugging along at a certain time . . . but if I could see myself slipping week by week, I would get frustrated. So, I refuse to wear a watch the next time around. Instead, I'll be sure to run naked. Well, at least with a naked wrist. Same goes for tracking distance, too. I'd rather keep a loose gauge on that and go with my energy levels on any given day. They can change so dramatically according to whatever is happening anyway!

#3: I won't just run:

I put way too much emphasis on running the last time I was pregnant. I was running at least 5 days a week for a long while and then slipped to 4, 3, 2, etc. I know I wanted to keep as much running up as long as possible so I could bounce back faster when Ada was born, but the next time around will be different for a number of factors. First of all, I don't run more than 4 days a week currently. I could see 3 days being a sweet spot punctuated with some at-home yoga, lots of walking, and maybe a day or two of my favorite prenatal workout DVD.

#4: I'll stop while I'm ahead:

Like I mention above, I ran a half marathon when I was around 13 weeks. I did the race slow and steady and felt fine afterward. But I was exhausted. I look back on that and think: WHY!?!? I know it was because I wanted to feel good about myself and my changing body, but I'd rather feel energized by exercise rather than have another bib to add to my collection. I don't think I'll run more than 6 miles at a time (probably around an hour) once a week. The other runs I'd like to keep between 2-4 miles in distance. If I have energy to spare -- awesome.

#5: I won't start again so soon:

After I gave birth to Ada I definitely started walk/running at like 3 weeks. I think I was slightly insane because -- though my midwife said to go with what felt good -- I certainly was exhausted and felt like the whole thing was draining me. I will likely wait until the 6 week mark to start jogging again and just walk a lot before that. I did bleed for a while after giving birth and I'm sure it's because I was doing too much. Looking back, I took SO much time off from running throughout pregnancy and postpartum . . . as well as at different times with injury, etc. -- and I'm still getting better race times each and every time I go out there.

+     +     +     +     +

I think a lot is at play here, and I'm sorry to seem somewhat rambling. Pregnancy or even the mere idea of it tends to dominate my brain because I'm a huge planner. After my first experience with pregnancy was less than ideal, I definitely have decided that I want to go easier on myself and my body. And -- just to be crystal clear -- I'm not passing judgement on the choices of other women. We all do what we feel is best for our individual cases. It's impossible to say that what one woman does is right or wrong. I am simply pointing out some things I feel I could benefit from changing.

I feel fortunate to have experienced pregnancy once already and to, as a result, feel more confident and secure in my abilities as both an athlete and mother. I look back on that whole first year. I read my words, my worries, etc., and I sometimes just roll my eyes and think: "Why on EARTH were you so up in arms about that stuff?" Life moves on, and it's really just a blip on the radar.


In closing (because this piece feels like it needs a proper conclusion!): I suppose this is a message to those of you out there thinking that pregnant women need to be these amazing beasts. Growing a fetus, eating perfectly, exercising to the max, etc. Thing is -- you could have an AWESOME pregnancy and feel incredibly fantastic. Go for it. But if you're like me . . . don't get caught up in the shame game. It's not worth it, and you will return to yourself and get back into your normal (or "new normal") activities before you know it.

What are your thoughts on pregnancy and exercise? Second (third, etc.)-time moms: What did YOU change from pregnancy to pregnancy? And if you want to read about exercise in my first pregnancy, scroll down a bit on this page to find those posts.

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Run/Walk for the WIN

This weekend was lots of fun, and it all kicked off with the Laurel Festival 10K footrace. I anxiously walked to the start line with around 100 others after a half mile warmup knowing I hadn't run this course in four years. Stephen likes to attack it whenever we're in Wellsboro, while I stay far, far away. In my memory, the hills were impossible.

Here's the elevation map:

So, you can see how the whole start it basically up, up, and more up. What we had going for us this year was the weather, though. I've done this race in the pouring rain . . . as well as in 90+ humid heat. This year? Not a cloud in the sky, zero humidity, and temperatures in the 50s. Perfect!

That first long climb is difficult . . . OK very difficult, but somehow I didn't need to walk until the very end of the hill mountain. Surprisingly, it's that second, smaller climb around mile 3 that's always the hardest for me. And it's here where I decided to employ the walk/run method. I was right next to another guy chugging his whole way up and ended up beating him by running for a count of 30 and then following with an equally timed walk "break" -- just keep moving. I truly believe walk breaks can be an amazing way to conserve energy in these types of challenging courses.

When I got to the downhill portion -- and wow, is it a long downhill -- at the end, I just let it all fly. And imagine my surprise when I got to around mile 4.5 and kept hearing "Yeah! FIRST FEMALE!" I think I told someone to shut up. I wasn't wearing a watch and I had no idea what my time was. In fact, I wasn't expecting to do well on the course that day . . . but as I turned the corner into town, I heard again and again that I was indeed the first woman in the pack.

I crossed the line around 48:20, first female and 16th overall, certainly not a 10K PR for me, but a PR on this particular course by around 2 full minutes. In the past, other gals have finished in the low 40s, so I'm not claiming to be a beast or anything like that -- still, it was cool to come in first. Most of the other women I directly competed against were mothers in their 30s, so it feels like a level playing field in that respect!

I'll write up a more detailed race report for WalkJogRun, but just wanted to share my weekend victory with you all!


This race is probably the first and last time I'll place better than Stephen (he came in second overall for men). And of all the races to win in my life, I'm thrilled to have it be one in my hometown on such a mountainous course.

Did you race this weekend? How'd you do? And have you ever walked in a race and done particularly well?

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I Might Be Crazy

Call it a post-race high . . . or just insanity. But yesterday afternoon I registered (again) for the Wineglass FULL Marathon that's being held on October 5th this year in Corning, NY. I'm sure many of you remember how both of us registered last year for this race after writing a long, rambling post about if that 26.2 sticker ever expires.

Then we eventually switched over to the half. Then life got crazy and we skipped the race altogether.

// WHY?!?!?!

I don't know why I feel compelled to do another marathon. I have this love-hate relationship with the distance. Well, minus the love. I think a lot of my fascination has to do with my last attempt, where I earned my first DNF at a race ever. It was a horrible experience, and I suppose I've been waiting all these years for my redemption run.

What's different about my commitment this year is that Stephen has graciously offered not to race that weekend -- at all, which is rare. We do mostly the same races, and in the past I've worried that marathon training would push our family over the edge. I know lots of couples with kids who can train for mega-distance, but the whole idea puts my world order out of whack. Gives me anxiety and is, thus, counterproductive to my training. So, I am thankful we won't be juggling 20-milers while passing our toddler (preschooler?) back and forth between us.

And on race today, Ada will be with Stephen . . . so I don't need a second worry there either.

I also know for certain that after the race is crossed off my list, we'd like to go for baby number 2. So, this is a last hoorah race of sorts. I know myself, and I know after we have another baby, doing a full marathon won't be comfortable until another almost 3 years later. (If ever, honestly.) Half marathons aren't too much to muster with sleepless nights and breastfeeding and other mishaps, etc.

But fulls? Yikes. No thank you.


// GOALS

As for goals, I've made grand declarations in the past of busting through the 4-hour mark. (My PR is 4:10:40, and I've trained for three races, but only laced up to two and completed 1 due to injury.) A crazy calculator armed with my three latest race times said I could finish in 3:28, to which I nearly fell off my seat laughing.

Obviously I'd love to run a strong time, but I think this marathon business is more about the training and the process versus the race itself. This is something huge I'm doing just for me before my body and mind are again shared for months/years. It feels selfish knowing I'll need so many hours to train, but now's the time to do it.

// TRAINING

That being said, I want to train properly. I will likely follow some hybrid of Hal Higdon's Intermediate I plan with possibly a day of cross-training in place of one of the easy runs. The main mission is to avoid injury, and I'm already in better shape this year versus last in that regard. (At last year's half marathon race, I felt like my IT-band was going to snap at the finish line. This year? No pain.)

Last year I had tossed around the idea of trying one of those 3-day plans, but I'm no so sure about that. I'd love to hear more experiences with those programs, which are intended to lessen risk of injury and use lots of cross-trianing to keep up cardiovascular endurance.

Whatever I do, I'm running another MARATHON . . . and this time I have no excuse but to finish the darn thing. I woke up today feeling slightly insane and a lot unsure of myself. Oh, and $100 poorer. But I'm hoping to share bits and pieces along the way and hopefully gain some friends and build confidence through chatting with those of you in the same boat!

Anyone else registered for a fall full? Even Wineglass? Training begins in like a month!

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Half Marathon Report

Well that race certainly didn't go as I had imagined. Though I was already a little shaky on how I thought my experience might pan out -- I had no idea that digestive issues would be my biggest concern. Yesterday marked my very first mid-race porta-John break . . . for an entire minute.

Somehow I still PRed by 10 seconds with a time of 1:44:16. Don't ask me how.

I'll be posting a full race recap on WalkJogRun sometime soon. But in short: I started the first 6 or so miles firmly with the 1:42-ers. (I wasn't wearing a watch, but I asked around what our pace was, and I was totally surprised I felt so effortlessly comfortable there.) However, also early on -- my stomach was churning (long story, but I think it was related to some other women's issues -- eek! -- TMI), so I slowed down quite a bit after hitting the 10K mark and mentally decided it just wasn't my day.

Also: Holy wind! On all -- ALL! -- the uphills!

When I got to around mile 8, I knew if I didn't stop -- my race wouldn't be pretty. So, I made the tough decision and said goodbye to a PR, at least I thought. The only other time I used porta-Johns during a race was when I did this same half marathon when I was pregnant. (Here's more about training for distances races while pregnant.)

When I returned to the course over sixty seconds later (I counted . . . in horror), I found myself next to this awesome woman my age and we struck up a conversation. We had tons in common (daughters, interests, pace, etc.) and she was holding strong and steady. She mentioned how we could still break 1:45 -- and I was absolutely thrilled. So, we ran together for the rest of the race. We also smiled and chatted the whole way to the finish, which actually puzzled a lot of other racers and spectators.

That's one of my favorite parts of events. I don't do many these days, but whenever I do, I encounter to the coolest people! So, I saw the clock in the distance and knew I could break my previous time if I gunned it to the finish. I crossed the line with energy to spare and I don't even feel sore today. Definitely frustrated that I didn't meet my full potential, but at the same time -- a PR is a PR!

Most of all, I'm impressed that my training plan improved my running strength so much, even though I wasn't able to stick 100% to it. Consistent running -- however it looks -- really does pay off. Getting in long runs -- at any pace -- really does improve confidence. Etc.

Last year I finished in this time (a PR by over 2 minutes) and was totally wiped out. This year? I'm already looking for another race to see if that bigger PR really is in me.

Last year versus this year:


Oh, and Stephen did pretty well, too. (Understatement of the year.) He came in third overall with a 1:13:40 finish. Congrats, Stephen!

There were tons of races this weekend. TONS! 

Did you run one? How'd you do? 

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Pre-Race Jitters

The running talk in this space has quieted considerably, but I'm still training away for my upcoming half marathon. Or should I say, I'm tapering since the race is Sunday! My original goal was to crush my 1:44:25 time at last year's race with a speedy 1:40:00, or as close as I can possibly manage. In the past, I haven't been one to make many excuses about my training, but this time around?

Yeah. Things didn't go as well.

I actually signed up to be part of a training program through our local running shop, and I started out strong with the pre-season training and even through the first half. Then we put our house on the market, my parents moved (meaning less childcare and help with boxes), and things started to go south. It wasn't that I stopped running entirely, but my usual exercise times got interrupted by mad-dash cleaning sessions, random house showings, and all that jazz.

Instead, I spent the last half of the cycle just trying to get in a few long runs, hill training sessions, and suitable base mileage.

I'm also going to be lame and say that it's because of the weather as well. But seriously -- I ran outdoors this entire winter, averaging around 25-30 miles a week in negative temps and on snow-covered roads. I don't even think I ran a single treadmill mile! When the temps and snow didn't improve much into the spring (our heat is still on!), I just HAD IT and needed to drop back for a mental break.

I ran a lot of 10-milers, a few 11-milers, and one 12-miler. In previous half plans, I'd do at least one 13+ mile run, but I'm thinking (hoping) it won't matter terribly much. The good news: I did PR at a couple races throughout the period of my training, including a 4-miler (29:09) and a hilly 15K (1:13:24). The PRs were minimal, but I'm wondering if I'll at least be able to maintain last year's time or even get slightly faster.

Anyway, instead of taxing my legs with another long slog over the weekend, I decided to challenge myself with one last fast dash before the taper.


I didn't really plan to go my 5K pace, and I even pulled back in the second mile. However, I feel strong knowing that on my own, I did a 7:20, 7:25, and 7:09 mile (with quarter mile cool down) on neighborhood streets. Had I really gunned it, I'm confident I could have averaged my current 5K pace of around 7:08/mile -- all somehow without organized speedwork. Hills, you guys. Even if you do them slowly, they give some major rewards.

My plan for the race is to take it as it comes. Right now, I do not think I'll be taking a watch with me to track my time. I don't want to force a certain pace knowing that I didn't practice it much and risk injury or totally bonking. I often run blind during races anyway and try to do everything by feel. Instead, I'm going to do the best I can to rest and rejuvenate over the next several days, to sleep well, and to hydrate + feed my body some good fuel.

The situation is what it is. I don't run as many races these days, so I am slightly disappointed in my shoddy training efforts because it's not like I have anything else on the calendar . . . but at the same time, I didn't completely fall off the wagon. I am totally ready to run a solid half marathon, just not the super speedy one of my dreams!

What do you do when a training cycle doesn't go as planned?


// MORE RUNNING STUFF

• Protein-Packed Pancakes
• Anatomy of a Good Training Diary Entry
• 3 More Allergy Relief Methods for Runners
• 5 Reasons You Might Feel Drained
• 6 Places to Walk This Spring

Also: WalkJogRun, which is this great running app + place where I have one of my writing gigs, has just released a NEW version of its app today with an awesome, real-time pace coaching feature. I don't get paid for clicks on my articles or any incentives to share this news with you on my blog. Just think it's a neat feature -- especially for those of you who use your phones as your fitness tracking devices.

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Weekend Warriors

It's been far too long since I've written about running! I'm doing lots of it, but usually share my posts over on WalkJogRun. This weekend, though, Stephen and I both ran a race -- St. Patrick's 4-miler -- and I love this particular event because it means spring is COMING. (Though we currently have a Winter Storm Watch for over 7 inches of snow.) 

I must admit, I get so annoyed that my race photos are always so unflattering -- hahah. But I'd rather look like a crazy mess and run fast times than have picture-perfect memories. Who's with me?

I didn't know what to expect for my finish time on Saturday. I took the majority of last week off from running because I needed a mental and physical break before my half marathon training kicks into higher gear. My legs felt a bit heavy because I didn't even walk around much. At the same time, I excited to see what sticking with outdoor running had done for me all winter.

This was the first year EVER when I didn't do a single treadmill run the entire season. I also incorporated spinning into my routine once a week, almost every week. Basically, if a winter was to test my strength and speed, this one was it.

In the end, I crossed the line in 29:09 (7:18/mile), taking nearly 40 seconds off my previous PR. Forty seconds is a HUGE PR at that distance, so I'm really proud and feel like training hard definitely pays off. I also definitely said to myself "who CARES about the extra 7 pounds?" when I realized I'm still in super good shape despite the added weight.

I think I was like 6th in the speedy 30-39 age group, and I must say that I always thought 20-29 was most competitive, but that's just not true. The 30s are the time when women seem to get super speedy!

And Stephen won the race with a new PR of 21:09 (5:18/mile) -- so a big congrats to him!


I've been meaning to mention more about fueling, which I'm trying to do a better job of these days on long runs. Last year at the half marathon, I felt like my tank was completely empty halfway through the race, but I didn't bring anything with me to replenish my stores. Thing is, I have always had trouble finding a fuel belt that works well for me.

Fitletic recently sent me their single neoprene belt to try out (no other compensation + my opinions are my own). I have tried a couple belts like it in the past, but they all bounced around a ton when I put anything in them beyond an ID and pair of keys. The pocket on the Fitletic is really roomy, but lays flat even when I put it to the test with a large energy bar, phone, keys, and ID. I ran an entire marathon before with a similar belt bobbing up and down and it was so, so, so distracting.

So far, I've taken this guy on 4 long runs so far without so much as a jiggle! I also like that this belt features some internal pockets versus just one big one to help secure cash and other items. In addition to not bouncing, the waistband is also more substantial and comfortable with its special ergonomic design. Definitely worth checking out if you're unhappy with your current belt!

Are you totally DONE with winter? 

Several members of our family are on their way today to Costa Rica to celebrate the wedding of some close family friends. To say we're jealous is an understatement (CONGRATS, GUYS!!!). However, we also saw Non-Stop this weekend, so I don't think I'll board a plane for quite some time.

Did you race this weekend? 

PS: Had some MAJOR Aldi shopping success (#unsponsored review, btw) this weekend and can't wait to share more about it. Hopefully I'll get up a post tomorrow about how we did the majority of our shopping for two weeks for just $70, including stocking up on some key ingredients.

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More Than a 5K

Running early in the morning gives me this whole new world of introspective thinking. It's dark, quiet, lonely and basically the perfect atmosphere for contemplation. I never set out to ruminate on any specific topic. It happens organically. Or perhaps is a trick my mind plays to make my body forget how much it hates working before dawn.

My most recent 5K was a proud moment for me. It was the first race I ran as a 30-year-old. In a new age group. Somehow this fact felt very significant to me as I pounded out those 3.1 miles. Overwhelmingly so. I am older, yes, but with regard to running, there's nothing I'd associate with being old or aging.

I felt strong, solid, and fast.
I PRed for the first time in over 6 years.
I'd love to do it all over again because I know I can get faster.
But it goes so much deeper than times and age group awards.

If you asked me 10 years ago, I would have guaranteed you that I'd be slower after having a baby. I mean, it was just an inevitable fact of life. Priorities shift and focus changes and running was to keep me skinny mostly anyway. I've never been much of a competitor, but by the time I was 30, I'd just be happy if I was still keeping fit in some way.

Except that now, running is so much more than exercise to me. I don't know when it happened exactly. It's just who I am. I'm much more dimensional, but the runner part of "Ashley" is a huge chunk that gives me confidence, growth, self understanding, patience, happiness, belonging, and -- yes -- some crazy muscular legs.


When I was 11 or 12, I'd gawk at YM and Seventeen magazines, imagining how cool + pretty high school girls felt like the ones on those glossy pages. When I turned 17, I felt no more grown up, really, than I had the year or two before. Yeah, I'd kissed a boy and started wearing makeup. Those girls in the magazines still seemed older somehow, more worldly, more knowing than I could ever be.

Basically, throughout the years, I've kept waiting for something to happen to me. For my job to somehow take over my identity and make me feel like a real person. For the place where I live to make me feel important or smart or some other adjective besides dull + boring. For it -- my life -- to make sense in some instant of clarity. 

As some of you pointed out, it seems our 30s are the time for switching the game around. It's all about empowerment. Taking charge. A refusal to wait and see if I'll somehow feel different the next time I'm "supposed" to, at the next big milestone. The 30s are about finding the meaning of life from within.

I'm done waiting. I'm already who I am meant to be and -- if I think hard -- who I want to be. Everything else is up to the work I put in it. The drive and passion and dedication I give to myself and those around me. Crossing the finish line with a new time to boast about is one thing. But carrying that feeling, that tenacity throughout everything I do is another.

That's why I run.

PS: If you'd like a more play-by-play 5K report, check out my recap on Walk, Jog, Run. It was the first time I raced with my GPS watch!

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Weekend Things

I ran the Women's Distance Festival 5K last night and PRed by 12 seconds (22:18) -- and it's the fastest I've completed the distance since 2007! Honestly, I didn't know I had it in me. I also haven't been engaged in any speedwork since May, so I'm hoping with some work I could break into 21 territory this year.

I'll post more about this race next week. Do you have a big race this weekend?

// Improve Your 5K //

A while back, I collected some great info + links on 5K training.

If you're a mom, you can even train with your stroller -- in 6 weeks!

// Smart Stuff //

Garage sale tips (we REALLY need to get on this)

SEO Basics for bloggers (been meaning to learn more, forever)

Chicken coop w/ a garden room (someday!)

// Tools of the Trade //

I'm already in fall cooking mode! Kitchen essentials:

Slow Cooker (for cooking pumpkin chili) + Dutch Oven (for sourdough bread)

Compost Pail (for all those CSA scraps) + Stone Baking Sheet (for all those chocolate chippers)

// Drool-Worthy //

Homemade Greek Yogurt "Goat Cheese"

Along those lines: Grilled Peach Salad

And for my BFF Lindsey -- Herb Parmedan Stuffed Brussels Sprouts

// Child's Play //

Check out these gigantically big books for little readers.

These adorably preppy clothes make me wish I had a boy!

New prints for sale at Baby Legs -- I want the fox ones (for myself!) 

// Regarding Caffeine //

Thanks for all of your thoughts about the "right" morning beverage.

Ultimately, I'm holding off on brew for now and

sipping this pineapple green tea instead. We'll see!

// In the News . . . //

What Does It Really Matter if Companies Are Tracking Us Online? via The Atlantic

Daily Calories Consumed by Gilmore Girl via Huffington Post

America's Obesity Challenge via The New Yorker

// This Time, Last Year(s) //

2012: Slow-Roasted Tomatoes + Running Comfort Zone

2011: Sweet Potato Brownies + Pace Workouts on Your PC

2010: Endurance Athletes: How/What to Eat? + Deep Dish Veggie Tart

And here's what you may have missed this week on Writing Chapter Three:

• Learning Words -- 5 ways we're fostering Ada's language development. Great reader question!
• A Good Day -- I've found what truly brings me to my center. It was pretty easy -- what will work for you?
• Why Mess Matters to Me -- It goes way beyond wanting things to be tidy. Mess is indicative of many other things.

Have a great weekend!

Psst: You can check out more Weekend Things here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here + here.

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Boilermaker Training Plans

It's been effing hot and I hate running in the heat. Last night's 4+-miler was in 87, sunny, and super muggy. With pollen basically choking me the entire way. It's everywhere. Ick. BUT I've started my training for the Boilermaker 15K that is in about 8 weeks. (Oh, crap -- we still haven't made hotel arrangements!)

I don't have a goal for this race except to beat my last time, which -- in 2010 -- was 1:13:45, 7:55 pace. I'm thinking it won't be terribly difficult since my recent half marathon was run at that exact pace. Rather, I RAN it at that pace, stupid passive voice! 

Possible secret weapon: 

I added a spinning workout to my routine last Wednesday. A way to get my legs moving fast without impact. And with the added resistance, I know it's helped in the past shave seconds, even minutes off race times.

As much as I'm dreading it (because it's so damned hard to get back into spinning after a 2-year hiatus), I'm going to give it another go tonight. Does anyone else have the Spinning Turn + Burn DVD? I swear the instructor must have been sleeping with half the class with all those swoon-eyes.

(My mind wanders to strange places when I physically challenge myself.)

15K PLAN:

To develop this plan, I used Smart Coach via Runner's World at Jen's suggestion.I likely won't run my easy miles at certain paces (I usually come in around 8:25/mile versus 9+ -- but with the heat, who knows?) However, the harder workouts are definitely something I'm sticking to. And the good news? They aren't all that far off what I did in my last training cycle.

I like that most weeks are just 4 days of running and those that are 5 have some pretty low mileage. I'll be fitting in a spinning workout + a yoga class each week, too.

I'm not so sure about the 1:10:50 magic number that the calculator came up with for my finish time. The course is hilly and hot, hot, hot. But at least doing the speedwork to try and achieve this goal will help with my longer-term 1:40 half marathon plans for the fall.

So, that's what's going on in my training. How about you?

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The Marathon Decision

After I crossed the finish line at the Bridge Half Marathon, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind. First: "Hell YES! A new PR!" but that was quickly overshadowed by: "Ouch. Why is my IT-band hurting after months of being completely fine?"

I spent the rest of the day frustrated, icing my knee on // off to get ahead of the inflammation. I stretched and rolled on some BioFreeze, too. Lots of you suggested massage via foam roller, which I do religiously, but never seems to help much.

Then I started to have flashbacks to 2010. The last time I dealt with this injury in acute-mode, except on my other leg. I took 11+ weeks off and had to resort to aqua jogging, rigorous physical therapy, and even cortisone therapy (not injection, but STILL!). Even when I felt "better" it was a long road back rife with walk breaks and all sorts of disappointing workouts.

When the pain continued into the next morning, I had pretty much decided that doing a cycle of marathon training -- even if I didn't get injured -- followed by a 26.2 race might be a recipe for disaster.

See me gritting my teeth here?


I guess for now I'm letting my marathon sticker expire.

I've reached a point in my running "career" where I'd rather be happy than hurting. If that means less aggressive or impressive goals, so be it. I'd rather not be the person constantly canceling out on training runs, making appointments to see specialists, or talking about the best KT taping methods.

And strangely enough, after I had clicked yes to submit my change of registration for Wineglass -- my IT band mysteriously got better. Coincidence is more likely than what I'm thinking was the whole pain-thing being some sort of divine sign. Still, I think half marathons are my sweet spot.

I haven't chosen a training plan, but I know the following worked for my last cycle.

• 4 days/week running schedule instead of 5 or 6
• Speedwork -- 800 repeats and mile repeats, mostly
• Tempo workouts -- running at or faster than race pace
• Strength training -- mostly kettlebells and squats
• YOGA -- less for the athletic aspect, more for the stretching

Here's where I think I can improve:

• More cross-training, I want one day in the pool/week, if possible
• More variety -- definitely adding at-home spinning to the routine, maybe every other week
• Longer tempo workouts -- increase from 5 to 8 being the longest
• Longer long runs -- I'd like to do a couple 15-16 mile runs in the next cycle
• More practice -- perhaps a test race is in order?
• More watch runs -- I hate it, but running occasionally w/ a watch helped me get faster

I'm starting a training log on this site soon. Once I pick my half plan (which will likely be similar to the last go-around, just longer than 8 weeks), probably. As you can see, my goal is 1:40 (7:37/mile) . . . how realistic that is, I'm not sure. But I'm going to do my best to try.

So, more about training soon! And tomorrow I'll write about some diet plans. Well, not actually dieting, you know the drill. Also, some of you asked what I do between training cycles -- I could write about it, but in short -- I just do some unstructured running. Get my legs moving and think about what's next.

Are you chasing any big goals for an upcoming race? How do you tweak your training from event to event?

Pssst: For a review of the Brooks Pure Flow (that I'm wearing in the race photos), just visit this post. Again -- totally not sponsored -- they held up great for my race. Very light + comfortable.

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Half Marathon Race Recap

Yesterday Stephen and I laced up to the start of our third Bridge Half Marathon. The weather was great -- not a cloud in the sky and temps in the low-50s. We had a bit of a rocky night, which I'll write more about on Writing Chapter Three, but overall I felt well-rested, well-trained, and well positioned to set a PR.

I decided against running with a watch at the last minute -- Stephen suggested I get a new battery for my old Timex so I could generally gauge my pace, but in the chaos of Ada's bedtime, I just plain forgot. I don't make many excuses as a mommy-runner, but, and this is no joke, anytime we have a race, there is (without fail, it seems) some major tantrum or sleep issue or SOMEthing. It's just part of being a parent, but it also means that lead-up to big events isn't always pretty or ideal.

So, there I was at the start. Wringing my hands, compulsively stretching my IT-band, and wondering if it was a mistake to go blind. I kept reminding myself to go out slow and steady. Conservative and then push the pace later on. I wanted to run negative splits and feel strong.

The gun went off + I started cruising. I settled into what felt like a comfortable pace at first, but when I quickly found myself at mile 2 with a neighboring runner, I learned I was running 7:30/mile! 15 minutes for 2 miles was way too fast for a race this long (I was hoping to maintain maybe 7:50 overall, so likely start in the low 8s), I immediately knew it and may have been heard saying "stupid, stupid, STUPID!" to myself.

Yeah. Definitely stupid.

I pulled back a bit and tried to collect myself. The sun was out and hot -- something we're not at all used to in these parts -- and it was zapping me. I decided at that point to divide the race into the water stations. 2 miles apart. Just make it to the 4-mile station. The 6. The 8. This strategy worked well in some ways, but in others . . . my aggressive starting pace was r.e.a.l.l.y hurting me + my time.

I got to mile 6 at which point the course crosses one of my favorite bridges in the area. I felt empty inside, probably because all I could choke down for breakfast was 1/4 of a bagel and a little applesauce. People were passing me. I was just in a tunnel, ignoring everything outside myself. But before I knew it, I was at mile 8. I knew my pace was slowing, but I had mentally chosen to just keep putting one foot in front of the other.


Ada and Stephen's mom were waiting by mile 9 with some coconut water and Honey Stingers. Oh, yeah. Mile 9 was after quite a hill . . . so when I go to the top and saw them, I was, well, a lot of things. First: Ada has never cheered us on at a race, so I was happy to see her. Second, I really needed that fuel. Third: My IT-band had started acting up and I wanted to stop. But I didn't want to stop. Wow, I really wanted to stop.

I ended up stopping for a good 30 seconds with them to get my sh*t together, because at that point, I was physically and mentally a mess. I hate when people say "oh, well, if I didn't do such-and-such, I could have run THIS much faster" . . . because in reality, no . . . no you couldn't have. I needed to stop and if I hadn't stopped, I'm pretty sure I would have had to walk some of the race.

I digress . . . 

I kept going. Mile 10 = another water station. I sipped and then splashed the rest of the water over my head. My IT-band ached but for some reason, stopping had given me more energy. I picked up the pace and continued to do so for the remainder of the race. Honestly, those last several miles were blurry. I was tired, I was running fast, and the sun was right at my face.

I went all out for the last mile and then when I got to the turn into the finishing area, I gunned it. I don't know about you, but whenever I'm at the end of a race, I get this overwhelming surge of adrenaline, so much that I can't feel my body. I also had this weird crying thing going on, which had nothing to do with a fuzzy sense of accomplishment. I was just happy it was OVER.

The clock in the distance . . . 1:44:25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30. I crossed the line and basically roared with YEAHHHHH! I did it. Somehow I managed to PR by just over 2 minutes (my previous was 1:46:27 at the Runners World Half in October) after an ugly, dumb-with-a-capital-D race.


My official time is 1:44:25, 7:55/mile, 17th out of 169 in the 20-29 female category, 192 out of 1076 overall.

(Stephen ran a 1:16:19 and placed 5th in male overall, which is fantastic, but not a PR for him. In fact, he even ran some 13.1 distance training runs at that pace. He says it just wasn't his day and he made a decision early on to pull back and enjoy. At mile 9, he got some gusto and passed three front-runners before crossing the finish.)

Happy + proud. I trained hard for this PR. Overshadowing all of that, some pain.


My IT-band was really warm and icky feeling and feels no different today, so I'm going to lay off it for the next week. In the final miles, I don't remember much, but I do remember bargaining with myself.

I know I shouldn't make any rash decisions, but there's a chance I might drop to the half marathon in the fall. Not because I'm wussing out . . . but because if I'm getting IT-band woes during the half, you KNOW I'll get those ten-fold during full marathon training.

I didn't have any inklings of it returning during my training this time around, so I thought I was over it. Anyway, I've been there and done that, twice, and I don't know if I'm ready or willing to deal with it again.

Not one of our better photos together. I just needed a shower :)


Did you race this weekend? I feel like there were 10,000,000 races. How did you do? Or have you signed up for anything recently? Tell me your running-related news!

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Brooks Pure Flow + Running Naked

A while back, I mentioned switching from my long-beloved Nike Frees to the Saucony Virratas.

There wasn't anything wrong with Nike. I just hadn't switched brands in years and wanted to try out another pair of minimal, yet still cushioned shoes on the market. Stephen recommended the Virrata -- so I had high hopes. Unfortunately, after a couple test runs, I couldn't get the sizing right, which I read is a common issue.

Either too tight or too loose. So, I took them back.

I considered buying another pair of Frees (which would have been my 6th!), but ultimately decided I'd like to get something with a bit more cushioning for my upcoming marathon training.

On a whim -- and because they felt amazing when I tried them on -- I purchased the Brooks Pure Flows.

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I suppose I should mention that unlike most reviews I've read, this is not sponsored. I bought the shoes myself and have no affiliation with Brooks. Also: I like to run in my shoes for at least a month or so -- long runs, speed workouts, all different sorts of things -- before giving an honest, informed opinion.

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What struck me most was how comfortable the Pure Flows felt on my feet from the moment I put them on. I am used to running with a low drop -- so there wasn't much of a difference as far as how my foot was hitting the ground. The main change was in the cushioning. Nike is more stripped down in this regard, which has been fine and even helpful in strengthening my feet all these years.

But with all the miles I plan to log over the summer and into the fall, I thought it might be nice to add just a bit more shock absorption. The cushioning on the Flows is really lightweight, though, so I didn't feel like I added extra weight or bulk for a cushy ride.

Here are some features straight from the website:

• The lightweight construction and lush cushioning of the PureFlow 2 are a perfect match.
• Comfort features engineered in a lean way like a shaped BioMoGo DNA midsole that gives your feet a cushy feel without added materials.
• Neutral to Guidance runners can experience a run for the senses without losing the comfort of dynamic cushioning.
• With a wider Nav Band coming up the lateral side and grabbing the midsole, the foot receives arch support without the bulkiness of underfoot materials.
• A center strike pod provides guidance in finding the natural landing zone.

These shoes have been very comfortable on long runs (I've done up to 13.1 miles in them) and supportive during some of my more difficult workouts like mile repeats. This is my first experience running in Brooks, but so far it's been a good one.

I suppose my only issue is when I run over 10 miles, I do get some rub marks on my arches. I have really high arches and don't wear socks, so I don't know if that's part of my issue. I also didn't know if I'd like the asymmetrical lacing system -- some wearers say it gives them pain in the arch -- but I've had no issues.

Overall, I'd give the shoe good marks. I'll continue wearing them and probably invest in another pair when it's time. They are even feeling good for what I think is the beginning of a bunion of my right foot. But that's an unfortunate story for another day.


TRAINING UPDATE:

The half marathon is just 4 days away! I have a yoga class tonight and then 6 x 400s at 5K pace tomorrow and then two rest days. I would be lying if I told you I feel confident at this point, more like freaked out.

Here's last week's workouts:

M: 13.1 mile long run in 1:50:00 -- 8:23/mile
T: 3 mile recovery run
W: 1 hour hatha yoga at gym
R: OFF
F: 5 mile pace run: 7:50, 7:42, 7:43, 7:40, 7:33, + 1 mile 8:20 (cooldown)
S: 3 mile recovery run
S: OFF

I've never been a fan of wearing a watch while training. I have, however, grown to appreciate knowing some of my stats to help push my training. Wearing a watch during a race? I just don't know what to do. I actually think I am going to run naked -- sans watch -- because I don't want to push the pace too hard and bonk in the middle of my race.

Or should I?
No. I shouldn't.
Maybe?

The danger with that is running blind and possibly missing my goal. Strangely enough, to get under 1:45 -- I only have to take like 6 seconds off my miles from my steady 1:46 finish (I've done three recent half marathons steady in the 1:46 range).

What should I do?! Stephen says I should wear the watch and not look at it until the middle of the run . . . but c'mon! I can't just ignore that it's there! Lots of exclamation points. This is definitely an emotional issue.

Whatever I choose, the race is going to come and go, and I will just run the best I can. I haven't actually raced a race to PR in a long, long time. I guess I'll feel cheated if somehow I don't reach my goal. I've put in the work. I've matched the paces. We shall see what happens.

Who else is racing this weekend?
Or do you run in the Pure Flows?
Any last-minute racing advice for me, please?!

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