Week in Workouts (8/21-8/28)

Sunday 8/21/11
What I'm thinking: 8 mile trail run
What I actually did: 8.98 mile trail run (2 hours, 5 minutes)

After not working out all week and indulging in fast food and wedding buffet this weekend I was a little skeptical about completing my run today.  I also had lingering worries about returning va-jay-jay pain in the back of my mind.  Doubts or no doubts I was out there at 8:30am.  It felt cooler but I'm pretty sure it was already pushing 80 degrees.  My plan for today was to try out the ratio that I have devised so that I can survive the Virginia Beach Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon, which is two weeks from today.  I planned to run for 10 minutes/walk for two and repeat.  The only pain in the ass thing about that plan is that I have to stalk my watch since I don't have one of those fancy running watches that lets me set alarms for when I want to walk.
It was a tough warm-up phase.  My legs were burning from the weight that I'm now carrying up top.  Analiese thankfully let me borrow her maternity support belt so that my stomach weight was under a bit more control.  I was surprised at how much the 10min/2min ratio helped conserve my energy.  Could I have kept going and completed a half-marathon today?  I probably could have.  The only thing that would have stopped me would be that damn groin pain.  Yes, it came back.  This time I have figured out why I am getting pain in Ladytown.  Since I weigh almost 25lbs. more than I normally do, my body is compensating for that weight increase.  Instead of running with the focus on my quads and hamstrings, I am running by using my hip flexers to "push" my legs where I want them to go.  The result of hip flexer running?  Groin, butt, and hip pain.  I don't know if I can do it, but now that I'm aware of what is causing my discomfort I can make a conscious effort to force my legs to do more work.  Also, since I ran 9 miles today I have decided that I can complete the half-marathon and will not be running 10 miles next weekend.  Even if I had to walk the last four miles because of 'gina pain, I would still finish under the four hour time limit.  If today was the half-marathon I would have finished in just over 3 hours.

My usual pre-run breakfast of a banana and PB/honey toast still seems to tide me over until I finish up, but I know for sure that I'm going to have to bring some sort of snack with me on race day.  Other race day revelations:

• No one should be running with me.  Sorry Steph.  You can start with me but there is no way in hell that I'm going to allow you to have a 3+ hour half-marathon time.  No way.
• Every time I hit a 2 minute walking interval I'm going to have to drink 8 oz. of liquid, which means frequent fill ups at the water stations.
• Must have a gel.  At least one.
• Tylenol.  I'm going to have to suck it up and take some.
• Stretching, stretching, stretching.  Before, possibly during, and definitely after.
• Do not bring blue Gatorade on race day - it turned my whole mouth blue today.

Monday 8/22/11

*3 months until Harper's debut*

What I'm thinking: Rest day, Zumba, 35 min. cross-trainer, spin

What I actually did: Took a rest day.  I don't have many days left where I can be a worthless human being :)


Tuesday 8/23/11
What I'm thinking: Zumba
What I actually did: I did a 60 minute Zumba class.  Freakin' love it.  I'm terrible at it, but it's really fun.  Definitely got my "white girl" on this morning.  I wonder if anyone was disgusted by the pregnant lady doing pelvic thrusts and hip shakes...

Wednesday 8/24/11
What I'm thinking: RPM spin and maybe some strength training
What I actually did: