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A Time to Every Purpose

A Time to Every Purpose

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I’m not much of a “numbers” gal, but sometimes I find that those numerals help make me more accountable or goal-oriented when it comes to the running realm of my life.  Typically, I like seeing elapsed time or mile or half-mile splits on my watch, and I always keep very specific records in my running log about my mileage for each pair of shoes I wear (so I know when to rotate them in or out) and my year-to-date mileage.  Keeping such numerically-focused records was what probably allowed me to quickly realize, back in the winter of 2008, when I was having IT band issues, that it generally wasn’t a good idea for me to run more than 50mpw because it was then that my ITB really began to pain me.  Had I not kept such quantitative records, I probably would have kept on injuring myself for a long time to come.

In 2009, as you might recall, I spent most of November-December in Kenya with my masters program, and I didn’t run a lick while I was there.  Once I returned, C and I were swiftly off to the Dominican Republic for some much-needed R&R, and I realized in between trips that I was really close to hitting the mileage that I had hit in 2008 (1,300), in 2009, minus about twenty miles.  Playing this numbers game with myself on vacation (“ok, to run ~20 miles in X days, I should run on average Y miles each day, or run one day extra long with Z miles,” etc.) helped me get back into “running mode” while on vacation, even if it meant running on a dreadmill in a super-hot-and-humid exercise room.  Having the feeling of accomplishment that I beat my 2008 mileage was pretty awesome, though, and I was pretty excited once I did it.

Fairly recently, I realized I was far ahead of schedule to beat my 2009 mileage (about 1,300 and change), barring prego-related catastrophe.  I knew that my post-marathon mileage would wind down considerably, in no small part related to the +1 status and to the fact that I wasn’t planning to run another marathon in until fall 2011, but I still wanted to keep running as long as I felt healthy.  Post-marathon, I haven’t gone more than 20mpw (and probably won’t go farther than 30mpw for the remaining 20 weeks), but, just like in 2009, it sure felt good to beat my previous year’s records.

Granted, 2010 isn’t going to beat 2009 by hundreds of miles—had I not acquired the +1 status, it probably would have—but that’s ok.  As I’ve written before, my miles these days are more about my connecting with my underlying passion and joy for running and much less so about being in “training” or PR or Boston mode.

The purpose to my new sense of time—whether it’s the number of minutes for each work-out, the mileage I’ll continue to build, or the budding relationship that’s growing between my body, my environment, and my little growing Yoda—has changed, goals or no goals.

To everything there is a season, indeed…

Ruminating on RWP… from the half-way point

Ruminating on RWP… from the half-way point

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C and I had our 20-week ultrasound today, and I’m thrilled to report that all is healthy and well with Yoda/Baby G. Yoda’s organs are developing as they should, my weight and blood pressure is where it should be, and Yoda’s current weight (15 oz., think large banana or small cantaloupe) puts the kiddo in the 56th or 57th percentile, which is great. Things have been progressing right along, as they should be, so hearing our midwife give us all this great news this morning has just been… well, great!

I think some people have deemed me an official freak show because I have still been running, and plan to, throughout the duration of my pregnancy (as long as my midwife gives her blessings). Don’t get me wrong, I’m not planning to do another marathon until postpartum, so I don’t feel the need to rack-up the double-digit long runs over the weekend, but running 3-5 times a week doesn’t seem to be out of the question for me.  (In fact, I’m flirting with the idea of doing a half marathon in March and an 8k in April, but I’ll cross those bridges later).

I haven’t done more than 30 miles (probably closer to 25) a week since the Chicago Marathon, in part because of my schedule and my initial fatigue, but also in part because I simply haven’t needed to. When I run, I’m usually out for about 45-60 minutes at a time, which is plenty, in terms of prenatal fitness as well as just general running-related fitness maintenance. I feel well when I run, I feel well afterward, I look forward to the times when I run, and I think it helps me make good choices about my nutrition, helps me sleep well at night, and so far, seems to be especially beneficial insomuch as I haven’t been experiencing some of the typical preg-related annoyances and inconveniences like nightly leg cramps. Hell, I think I’d be crazy if I gave up running altogether just because I have a little one growing in me (though of course, this is very specific to my own circumstances… I realize not everyone can continue her physical fitness goals throughout pregnancy due to other underlying issues.  I get that).

The other thing I’ve thought about often on my runs is that RWP has given me a different perspective on running that I haven’t had in quite some time; that is, it has given me numerous occasions to simply reflect on the pure joy of running. The feeling of running along the lakefront path, into or away from the wind, as our seasons have changed from pretty, temperate fall to an even prettier but blustery winter. The feeling of gratitude that my body is still allowing me to do something that I love so dearly. The joy of still seeing my running buddies and staying involved in our little group’s running-related affairs, though I won’t be joining them at Boston this year. So often I find myself just in “training” mode, or, as I was over the summer, in a quest to break a long-standing PR, that I sometimes lose sight of the fact that much of passion for running evolves from the sport’s simplicity. It’s just me, the ground, and my thoughts. That’s pretty joy-engendering, if anything ever was.

And, of course, there’s always the BA factor… the fact that I still race some and beat some people (who clearly aren’t pregnant!) or that I can keep up a good clip, though slower than my norm.  I know it’s just a vain pride thing, but sometimes it’s just an awesome feeling of motivation and sense of accomplishment.  A couple weeks ago, I did a 5k and was thrilled that my last mile was sub-8. Sub-8! At about 18 weeks pregnant! The new-found challenge (and subsequent joy) of wracking up PPRs, as I’ve taken to calling them, is like a whole new way for me to be “competitive” with myself (though not really) and allows me to remember the bigger picture… that any running that I do during these 40 weeks is an accomplishment, in and of itself, because of all the changes that my body has gone through and will continue to undertake.  I genuinely look forward to seeing what other PPRs I can pull off.

I have been super pleased with how my preg has progressed over the past 20 weeks, and I am super optimistic to see how these remaining 20 weeks will go. I hope to be able to run until the day I deliver—I have heard stories of women who have done this—and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that my lifestyle will reward me with a super do-able 10 minute labor 🙂  Hey, a girl can hope.

Until then, I’ll keep chugging along on the lakefront, abdominally rocking Yoda/Baby G to sleep.