Heat, an obvious tip, and camp!

It's been hot here. In fact, yesterday was 85 degrees and that is pretty hot for upstate New York in April. Tuesday wasn't quite as hot but it was very humid.

I ran both days and loved it. There is something about running in the heat that I actually enjoy. Sure, by July I may be whining about the heat but right now I'll take it. My body warms up so much faster in the heat so I can get into my groove earlier in a run. Although the humidity knocked me around a bit on Tuesday, it felt good to have an easy run in a tank top and shorts. (Yes, I can still fit into my regular running clothes but I won't be able to for long!)

To adjust to the heat, I've been drinking more water during the day and making sure that I cool-down really well after the run. The cool-down is a relatively new development and I'm finding that it makes a big difference in my performance (such as it is these days). Since I'm running at about a 10/10:30-minute per mile pace these days (slower, obviously, when I run/walk with the running group), I've been cooling down with a 5 minute walk. Before the pregnancy, I would cool-down with a slow jog for a few minutes and then walk for one or two.

I guess the key to the cool-down is like everything in life: You do what works for you. Right now, walking works.

So that's the heat and the "tip."

Posting has been light and probably will continue to be. As I mentioned last week, I have a new project and seeing as it is something that actually pays, unlike many of my other pursuits, I need to make that a priority. Darn bills!

I did have a chance to write about a very cool sounding new running camp that will take place in Vermont this summer, however. If you've ever thought about getting some elite coaching for yourself and spending a week focusing on nothing other than improving your running, I'd urge you to check it out. The camp takes place in beautiful Jay Peak in the Green Mountain State and I'm sure it is a lovely place to run in the summer. I would totally be into it if I wasn't going to be 7 months pregnant at the time :-)

You'll find all the info on the camp here. Please let me know if you decide to attend! I want to hear all about it!

Have a nice day!

~ Felice

Again with the hills.

Last month, I mentioned that my formerly beloved hills were doing a number on me. They were making me slow down, huff and puff, and turning my stride into an embarrassing shuffle.

Well. Apparently, they were only playing with me. This weekend, they got serious. Serious. As in: They took me down. The hills beat me.

Sigh.

I knew the time would come when I would have to give in and walk the hills. I knew it. I just didn't think it would happen so soon. But, here I am. Walking the hills. Actually, I'm only walking up the two steepest and longest hills right now and I can still make it about half-way up before I slow to a walk. But still! They've won!

On Saturday, I headed out for a 5-miler in the glorious, warm sun. I conquered the first hill with (relative) ease. The second one was a different story. It's long and it starts out gradually but then the incline kicks in and it is pretty steep for about a quarter mile. I made my way through the gradual incline but slowed to a walk when the hill became steeper.

Then I took off again at the top of the hill, made my way through much of my loop, including some regular hills, and walked again when I hit another steep one.

Yup. Walking the hills. Next up? Walking all the hills. And after that? Waddling, I'm sure.

At least I'm still running, that's what I tell myself.

So happy Monday, everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend :-)

~ Felice

PS: Don't forget to VOTE FOR fellow running blogging mama AMANDA!!!!

And my Run Like a Mother giveaway ends tonight at 11:59EST. Go enter if you haven't!

Five Things Friday, ep. 18.

1. Yahoo for awesome weather! After a chilly start to the week, we're ending with beautiful, warm weather. Yesterday -- sunny and warm. Today -- sunny and warm. Tomorrow -- sunny and warm. Let's keep it up, April!

2. The life of a stay-at-home-mom who also happens to be a freelancer can get hairy at times. There were some weeks last year when I felt overwhelmed with work and there were periods that were equally stressful because I was worried that I would never find another project. Ever. For the rest of my life.

For the past three months, I've been feeling the latter. I finished up a project at the end of December and then . . . poof! Nothing. Nada. Three months of no work. Fortunately, the lack of work coincided with the early part of my pregnancy so I was a little preoccupied with that. But don't worry for me! This week I was contracted for a new book project! Big phew!

3. So about that running thing . . . although I have been walking a bit more, I am still enjoying my runs. Last evening's run is a prime example: Perfect weather, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt, nice pace, felt strong. That's the way a run should go. I am looking forward to more of the same this weekend. Is it wrong to get so excited for your runs?

4. Don't forget my Run Like a Mother giveaway!

5. Have a great weekend, everyone! Happy Easter to those who celebrate it :-)

~ Felice

Recaps of the running group and March miles sort.

After postponing for one day due to the cruddy weather, the running group got together last night and they all did great. Two women headed off to run together (yay Melissa and Darlene!) and I lead the other four in a run/walk.

I really pushed them last night. Not in a bad way (I don't think!) but I definitely asked them to push themselves a little harder than they had been. For starters, these new runners have been, for the most part, logging all of their miles on flat treadmills. Last night, we ran outdoors in a neighborhood that was deceptively hilly. They've been building up to 3 minutes of walking, alternated with 1 or 2 minutes of walking. Last night, I had them run a pyramid: They ran for 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1 minutes, with 1 minute of walking in between each running interval.

While there is a good chance they were cursing my name most of the time, in just shy of 40 minutes these mamas covered 2.85 miles. They did it. They ran. They pushed on through. They got it done. And they should feel very proud of themselves!

* * *

It's been a while since I posted a monthly update. In fact, my last was November. And if you're wondering, December, January and February were light. Done. March was a little better, although not much.

On to the stats . . .

March stats

Running (miles): 61.5
Cross-training (sessions): 3

Wow. Look at me go. But, you know what? My goal at the start of my pregnancy was to see if I could run about 15-20 miles a week and that's what my March miles work out to. So, I'm pleased about that. As long as I'm feeling good while I run I'm happy!

Happy April, everyone!

~ Felice

PS: Don't forget to enter my Run Like a Mother giveaway!