Training Blog Aug 11-17

Man it has been a long time since my blog has been primarily about training!!

I had a solid week of training last week...for a gal that took over 6 months off and is working on raising 2 kids that are 6 weeks old.  I also hit 31 years old this week.

Monday -2 easy miles @8:40

Tuesday - 2 miles warm up, 1 mile@6:15, 2 min rest, 3x400@ 89, 30 sec rest, 1x800@6:15, 2 mins rest, 2x400@89 30 sec rest. My splits were 6:15, 89,87,88,3:07,87,81. Felt in control the entire time.

Wed- 4 miles easy@ 7:56. I was happy to report no soreness in my legs! My rib cage on the other hand was a sore mess!! Apparently not breathing hard for 6 months actually gets your chest out of shape!? Holy cow I have a long way to go!

Thursday- 4 miles easy @7:31 from sec sole. again feeling good.

Friday- 5 miles easy @8:12 with Connie around the neighborhood. Great day for a run!

Saturday- "long run" with Ryan! It was beautiful out and great to run in the valley. Ran mile 7 @1/2 effort and it was 6:53. Fingers crossed! 8 miles @7:41

Sunday 4 miles @8:08 pace easy with Ry again 

I am taking Monday off after 10 days of running. I plan to take a day off every 7-10 days for awhile to ensure I stay as healthy as possible during my...don't call it a comeback! I'm feeling good and ready to be racing mentally, but physically not quite there. I still have a belly on me despite not having much weight (still up 3 lbs).  I am doing core work to fix the diastasis recti I have acquired. But only time will tell if it can actually be fixed. Luckily Ryan still tells me I'm pretty. I know it's hideous, but those kids are so cute. Fair trade?!?

6 weeks to the Akron 1/2, I'm hopeful I can be in 1:28-1:30 shape. Glenn says "no time goals", but I can't run without thinking of numbers so numbers are what I think of...sorry Glenn! 

Quick Picture of the growing little ones!  Corra (top) and Nolan (bottom)

Running, Panic, and Great Friends

Things have continued to progress on all fronts here in the Spellman house!  The little ones are growing and so is my weekly mileage!  Getting out to run is a great stress relief.  Running has always been more of something I felt I had to do, and while I loved it, the more stressed I was, the less I wanted to run.  THAT HAS CHANGED!!  The more stressed the little amazing buggers around here make me, the more I enjoy every step and can't wait to start chasing after my goals! 

For now running is slow going, but it IS GOING!!  My running last week was 15 miles in 4 days of running. 

Monday-Brisk 1 mile walk with Pegasus

Tuesday-3 miles 8:43 pace (hilly)

Wednesday-3 miles 8:05 pace

Thursday- 4 miles 8:04 pace

Friday- off

Saturday- 5 miles LONG RUN!  Ran with Ryan while the kids were with his parents.  8:24 pace

Sunday-off

I have a lot of shoes to run though!

The kids are growing and are 8 lbs each!  They have had great nights, and some rough ones.  I was exhausted toward the end of the week and that lead to a lot of tears.  I struggled wondering how long I would feel tired, and how to get them to sleep well.  I feel like I have lost myself a lot.  I found myself really missing Ryan an my simple life prior to kids.  I hated the way that I felt. I love these kids, I absolutely adore them.  So why was I feeling this way?! This feeling only served to make me panic more, and worry about my ability to be a good mom. Poor Ryan did all he could to comfort me and make me feel loved and appreciated. Early this week Jeanine Booker, a friend, and fellow new mom (her little man is 7 months old), stopped by and gave me such peace of mind.  She was here for approximately 8 minutes and in that short of a time, I felt significantly better.  She asked how I was doing and I said "Ok, tired, but I am hanging in there".  She read through my bull, and simply said, "It does get easier Beck, I promise." She told me it is completely normal to feel sad, stressed, and tired.  That was all I needed.  Hearing it from someone who was so recently in my shoes, and who I love, trust and know they know me through and through was the most comforting feeling I can remember in the past month.  

Andrea was in town from Baton Rouge and helped me take some 1 month pic of the little Spelltwins. 

It was great to see friends, and I loved having the help!

Ferf and Annie with Nolie and Corra.

As this week is moving along I am feeling much better and handling my new position as a mom with a little less fear, and stress!  I went to the Dr. yesterday and got the 100% go ahead on running!  He gave me a bit of a glare when I told him I started running "lightly" 2 weeks ago.  But everything looks good and I am excited to continue to chase down my running dreams and work hard on being the mom my kids need and deserve!  A few less tears this week are a welcomed reprieve from last week!  Thank you so much Ferf, Annie, and Jeanine for helping me feel a little more like myself!  

We have 52 days until the Akron 1/2 Marathon and my goal of 7:00 pace seems like it may be realistic.  I can't wait to see how training goes!