Training Week of Feb 23-March 1

This week saw the most mileage I have hit in a VERY long time!  75 miles on the week and looking forward to more next!  Tuesday and Thursday I did my first 2 doubles in about 3 years!! I am excited to really be back to training and, dare I say it, FEELING HEALTHY!  

Tuesday was a track workout of 3200, 1600, 2x800, 1600-  It started well 11:23 feeling super easy and even calmed it down the last 1000 to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. 1600- 5:40 awkwardly this felt much harder than the 3200, 800's were 2:46, and 2:47, then...1600 went out and struggled through in 90 seconds and that concluded the workout. - not a stellar workout, but better than what I could have handled a month ago.  

Friday was the longest tempo I have done since prior to getting pregnant!  9 miles with the goal of 6:18 pace.  56:32 -6:16 average. I reminded myself each mile that "I am smart, I am strong" and felt great after the first 2 miles.  I was really in a groove, and felt very fluid. 

Sunday- long run.  I had anticipated the weather, and planned to meet up with the gals at 8 and beat it. But when I woke up at 6 and took Pegasus out we had 4 inches of fresh snow, and it was coming down quick. Lizzie and I talked and decided the roads were too bad to drive to Chagrin. Turned out were were right, the roads were not good. So we hit up the treadmills...dunn, dunn, dunn 2:04 later I was 17 miles DONE and despite not enjoying being on the treadmill happy to have it in!  

The kids spend the weekend with Mimi, and gave Ry and I time to rest, and clean up around the house!  It was a nice relaxing weekend!  Thank you mom!  The kids are getting big quick and turned 8 months old!  

Last year I was 20 weeks pregnant and not running!

Now I am back to running and have these adorable little nuggets to love!

I have 9 weeks to USA 25k Championships, and 15 weeks until Grandma's Marathon!  So bring on the training!!

Ready, Set, Blog!

It has been a long time since I have had the chance to post!  Being a mommy of two wee babes is TIME CONSUMING!  The kids are growing well and healthy! I am working on getting back into shape after a 7 week lay off due to a back injury.  Things are coming along...slowly.  I raced this weekend running 5k in 17:43.  5 weeks ago following a workout one of my teammates guessed I would run 18:20 and I said F&*% you! I will run 17:40ish!  But in my heart I hoped I was wrong, I hoped that I was in 17:20 shape.  So I went out in 5:30 and wished in one hand...and came out with 17:43 in the other. My teammates ran 3 PR's so it was exciting none the less.  Kelsi won in 16:56, a 32 second PR!  Ellison was second in 16:58, not sure how much of a PR I think 6 seconds, and Beth was 3rd in 17:04 a 5 second PR!

As all things go, there was no time for dwelling. It was what it was, and now it is time to train for bigger, more important things!  I am getting ready for Shamrock Shuffle in Chicago, were I hope to run sub 28:30 (same pace as the 5k I ran this past weekend), and then it is off to USA 25k Championships in May, followed by Grandma's Marathon in June.  Grandma's is the main goal.  I am hoping to race under 2:43 and punch my ticket to the Olympic Trials in Los Angeles. I have a lot of work to do! 

So along with training a lot of dreaming is being done, and I am excited to go after my 3rd Olympic Trials!  My mantra going into the upcoming season is "I am strong, I am smart".  I have to race smart, but remember all the things that have lead to this point! Sadly much of my training is done via treadmill as the roads here have been impossible (4-6 inches of ice), and the kids make it hard to get my training in during daylight in the winter!

Just happy to have a place to get workouts in!

I plan to start updating my blog again at least once every other week, and keep every updated on how training/racing/motherhood is going. 

Nolan

Corra

These little ones are happy and enjoying life here at casa del Spellman! They are both growing quick!  Nolan can crawl and climb on EVERYTHING, and Corra is content to be picked up, but tries to crawl and just gets mad that she can't!  She planks A LOT in an attempt to crawl. 

Better at planks than mommy! 

Nolan is on the move! 

Keep posted for training update coming at the beginning of next week! Saturday marks 16 weeks to Grandma's Marathon.

2014 AkRUN 1/2 Recap

As the end of September nears every year, the running community of Akron starts to scurry a little quicker, and look a little fitter.  Anyone who runs, jogs, walks, or knows someone who does, feels the buzz of Christmas in September being just around the corner.  The Akron Marathon is one of my favorite races every year.  Our city lines up on a great course, with some of the finest spectators, while fantastic athletes take to the streets.  

Going into this years race there were a lot of questions in my mind.  In general I have a very realistic handle on my fitness.  I know within a few seconds over many miles what I am capable of, and can even throw in some variables and appropriately adjust the outcome. I occasionally surprise myself, and occasionally miss the mark.  But typically I am capable of a smidge more than my training has indicated.  So I start with the A goal in mind and know I am physically ready to push for it.  I remind myself of all the hard work I have done prior to racing and find comfort in knowing my preparations.  This year was different. Very different.  Going into this year I knew the following;  I felt comfortable at 6:30 pace for a 4 mile tempo run.  I had not run 13 miles since November of last year.  My weekly milage over the past 6 weeks had been the only mileage I had put in for 10 months. This was not reassuring knowledge as it usually is.  Because of this, I was nervous.  I had absolutely no idea what my fitness  level was.  I began to hope for the 6:30-6:40 pace which I managed for one 4 mile tempo, to be manageable for the duration of the race, and started to wrap my mind around that as my A goal.  As quickly as I would feel confident, I would start to think of my lack of training which lead to me wondering if I was making a huge mistake.  I began to push the negative thoughts out of my head and refuse to entertain them.  I just needed to get to the start line and get running! 

CED Gals before the start.  Katie, Barb, Kelsi, Morgan, Marisa, Aubrey, me, Ellie.  

Race day finally came on Saturday the 27th, and we met my family in the parking deck like we always do, and walked to the elite staging area. As my teammates and I nervously chatted on our warm up I began to feel my competitive self FINALLY showing up.  "I can and will do this. I know I am capable of more than I believe and I have to 'race up' today".  Finally preps were done, and we were on the line ready to go!  One last easy breath was taken and with my jittery finger on my watch the race began.  I tried to keep things under control and let the first mile happen.  It is a long 200 foot drop, so I didn't care about the time. 6:00.0 just what I had expected.  I found myself running in 5th place with Marissa.  We ran together until 2 miles and then I was on my own for quite awhile.  The splits were clicking by 2-6:21, 3-6:14, 4-6:25, 5-6:23.  Around 5 miles I began to wonder why I believed this was a good idea.  I found myself thinking "Why didn't I run a relay leg?", "1/2 marathon?  Why would you think you can do this?".  But the miles kept passing 7-6:50 (the most uphill mile on the course, 8&9- 13:04, my stomach began to grumble and I pleaded for it to go away. I was nervous since I had not yet run this far with any sort of effort behind it, that my stomach would rebel and threaten to ruin even the best played cards I had.  Shortly after 9 miles the race runs through campus and pops you back out downtown.  I could hear my friends and family cheering and suddenly I felt great again. mile 10-6:14.  As I began across the Y bridge for the final time I had to start working very hard to maintain 6:30-6:40 pace.  My legs were shot. 11-6:36, 12-6:37.  I fearfully pushed toward the finish line trying to will my dead legs to life.  I came into the stadium and heard Dave Hunter announce my arrival in 4th place. 1:24:27 read on the clock when I finished.  I was thrilled!  6:26 average for 13 miles was as good as today could have yielded! I quickly learned that Kelsi Nutter had won in a huge PR of 1:17:05, Ellie had a great debut for 2nd in 1:17:50, Katie Kay PR'ed in 1:21:53,  Meredith would finish in 1:25:41 for her debut, and Ryan had met his "secret goal" of not getting beat by any women in 1:16:15.  It was a great morning in Akron!

Mile 10
(Photo courtesy of Mark Godale)

 Almost 3 months after having Nolan and Corra I couldn't have imagined I would be back into 1:24 shape! 

I will be racing again on October 26th at the Youngstown Peace Race, and I look forward to seeing where my fitness is on that day!  Until then I will work on keeping the little ones growing and pounding away at the pavement! 

Off to the races!

Celebrate Westlake was my first post colligate race, so it seemed fitting to use it as my first postpartum race as well.  My teammates were racing and I wanted to join in on the fun.  My coach and I agreed that "racing" would be detrimental, and would put me in a position to create an injury, so we opted for a progression run rather than race! I was just happy to be part of the event, and I hoped to run 6:30-7:00 average.  I wanted to progress from 7:00 to 6:00 but all based on my preconceived notion of what these paces felt like.  6 months of no running leaves me clueless on paces.  It is going to take time to become a human metronome once again.  

All smiles! 

The day of the race came and Ry and I were up early feeding the kids and packing them into the car!  I was so pumped to have my coach and teammates meet them!  Warm up was same old same old 2 miles, drills and strides.  Then it was time to race!...I mean progression run!  The gun went off, and it was hard to keep things under control, so I inadvertently threw the plan out the window, coming through the mile in 6:08...Ooops!  I quickly regrouped and started running closer to the goal pace for mile 2- 6:41.  There was a man on a bike cheering for another lady in the race, and I have to admit I started to panic, and worry that I would be beat by someone I didn't want to get beat by.  But I talked myself off of the pride ledge and focused on the plan.  No one ever passed me, and I knew all of the ladies in front of me belonged there.  mile 3 was 6:32, mile 4 was 6:31, and mile 5 was 6:05!  I was very happy to run 32:11, and do so pretty comfortably! My legs were never tired from it and I was comfortable on my 10 mile "long" run the next day.  

The kids had a good time at the race, and were little angels! 

Nolan looking too cool in his shades! 

Grandpa and grandma hanging out with the little ones!

I was happy to have a week over 40 miles, and the kids continue to grow and get stronger!  Month 2 of having kids is coming to a close, and I look forward to more sleep, more miles, and faster times!

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! 

Being A New Mom/Ready To Run Again!

After 13 days in the NICU we were able to bring Nolan and Corra home!  I was apprehensive, and a bit nervous, but after a few days I felt confident that we could handle them, and that they would do just fine home, and no longer in the hospital.  Unlike most new parents we got 13 days of advice, and practice prior to bringing them home.  I was happy to have had the help.  The NICU nurses at Akron General are incredible.  They are so caring and gave us all the help they could not only for the kids, but also for my recovery.  We couldn't have had a better experience with a NICU.  I hope my kids never have to go back, but we were so thankful for the incredible staff during our stay. 

While living in the hospital allowed us to know our kids were being taken care of, it really took a toll on me.  I ended up getting PUPPP rash 3 days after having the kids, which is a result of the pregnancy and completely benign.  It itches like hell, and looks terrible. It covered my stomach, back,  butt, and then spread down my arms and legs.  It was/is terrible.  It is much better now, but still not gone. After a couple sleepless nights filled with itching, we got a little scare.  My face became paralyzed on one side. After spending 9p-12a in the ER we were relived to find out it was just Bell's Palsy, and I was hopeful it would go away soon.

Fast forward 3 weeks and I am making a pretty good and quick recovery from the Bell's Palsy!  I have most function back in my face, and unless you know me pretty well, you can hardly tell there is anything wrong! While the rash still itches, it is no longer raised nor red and it is slowly going way. 

Our kids are doing great! They are growing and well over 6 lbs now!  Pegasus seems to like them and spends every feed laying close and checking on them if they cry!

We have mastered bath time!  They LOVE getting their hair washed!  I will use this anytime they get super fussy! They instantly stop crying and close their eyes.  It is precious!  

Corra loves being close to Nolan and if you put them close, she will find a way to roll over to him and touch him.  This sends him into a crying fit!  He gets so annoyed.   It's pretty funny!

We are so happy that they are home and doing well.   It is tiring, and it is mentally exhausting to do the same thing every 3 hours around the clock, but I love them so much.  Not to say I haven't cried for absolutely no reason at all, and selfishly wished I was out running rather than feeding, but it is rewarding to care for them, and watching Ryan love on them makes my heart full. 

Im still 3 pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight, and have a belly.  It is NOTHING compared to the monster stomach I had!  Running is coming back slowly, and I got in 12 miles total last week!  

Mon: 2 miles 9 min pace

Tues: 2 miles 8:30 pace

Wed: off went for a walk

Thurs: 3 miles 8 min pace

Fri: 1 mile 8:15 pace

Sat: off

Sun: 4 miles long run 8:15 pace 

While it is going to be a long road back, I look forward to the challenge of staying healthy, and meeting my goal of qualifying to the Olympic Trials for a 3rd time. I am excited to share the experience of coming back from a twin pregnancy, dealing with the pressures of being a mom, and chasing down another dream with all of you!