Yet another race for baby bean. Yesterday was her 10th race and it surprising went better than I anticipated (10 miles for her 10th race it’s fitting). And there may have been some podium finishes…..
I haven’t been feeling the greatest on my runs with my sciatic nerve acting up; thus I was nervous going into race day.
I haven’t been sleeping much lately either, because of back pain and being so uncomfortable, and Saturday night I had some Braxton Hicks contractions. Race morning I had some Braxton Hicks as well, and so I didn’t think it was going to be a good morning.
I made sure to grab toilet paper for the run just in case I had to pee, because they didn’t mention having any port-a-potties along the route. I mean come on people, 10 miles and no port-a-potties?! If I wasn’t prego it probably wouldn’t be an issue, but when you’re pregnant the “John” is your best friend during races. SpokeFest was going on though, so there were 2 porta’s along the way, but I didn’t have to stop once.
Marc and I slowly stripped down to our race gear and ventured to the starting line.
The first two milers were tough for me and I thought it might be an ugly race. I settled into a groove after mile 2, and it was nearly smooth sailing after that.
I felt like we were going slow, and the run felt almost easy (besides the pressure and after mile 5 the groin pain with the back pain set in), but I finally looked at my watch at mile 5 and we were exactly at 37 minutes. We were managing over 7 minute miles. I was surprised.
Mile 1: 7:15 Mile 2: 7:20 Mile 3: 7:12 Mile 4: 7:29 Mile 5: 7:37
My hubby was great and took some photos of me on the run, while he was on the run too. I loved our blurry selfies (not the greatest photos for race on our our iPhones, but I still love them)
Oh and Marc’s great running selfie:
And I wanted to make sure we got some photos of the race course, because it is pretty. I love how it’s ran along the Spokane River through Riverside State Park. It really is a great run, even given all the rollers and the climb the last mile or so to the finish.
Mile 6: 7:33 Mile 7: 7:24 Mile 8: 7:24
Marc has done the run before, so he kept telling me about the long climb to the finish, and even though I am strong on the hills I wasn’t looking forward to it. Hills haven’t been fun while pregnant (although going up is better than going down). I kept asking when we were going to turn to make the climb back up.
We hit mile 8 and shortly after made the turn and went up our first gradual incline. I felt fine. It leveled off for a bit, and then up and up we went. It was a gradual climb and I didn’t walk once.
We actually passed a lot of people on the climb. It wasn’t as bad as I thought, and to be honest I impressed myself not having to stop and walk and actually feeling stronger than expected.
We had about 1/2 a mile to go once we reached the top of the hill. I didn’t really pick up the pace until we got closer though.
Mile 9: 7:45 Mile 10: 7:35
We came through the parking lot and the finish line was in sight.
Side note, it was really funny when whenever Marc and I ran passed a cheer squad they would immediately get quiet as they looked at my belly. They were cheering loud for everyone else, and then dead silent as we passed. It made us laugh every time. It was seriously like they had never seen a pregnant lady running before. Until we got to the finish, the cheer squads were actually cheering for us.
We finished strong to the finish, and for once (while prego anyways) I didn’t want the race to end. One, because I felt great and two, because I knew that once I stopped the aches and pain would set in. I don’t recover after races like I did before pregnancy.
Finishing Time: 1:14:42, Average Pace: 7:28 – Not to terribly bad for 33 weeks prego. I was 9th female overall and 2nd place in my age group. I had no idea, so we left the race and didn’t wait for awards. Baby girl earned yet another podium finish. We were 37th and 38th overall.
Again my hubby stayed behind to grab some pix for me. Love that man and love the great running partners I have.
We made sure to get our free ice cream. I couldn’t finish mine, but that’s why I have a hubby.
Race 10 in the books and it was one of the better runs for me. I think the prayers have helped make race day always a better day. I am excited for when I don’t have to run races pregnant though, because the discomfort isn’t fun.
I had many people come up to me after the race, telling me how impressed they were. The guys were a little peeved I cruised passed them on the hill and beat them. One women commented on how strong I was on the hill saying I had “serious hill power”, and even more amazed that I passed her while carrying a baby. Those comments always make my day.
All and all it was a great race with great race partners. Baby bean and Marc are great race besties.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
How was your weekend? Any races?
Great race!! I ran this one last year and that hill slowed me down soo much, I’m determined to go back next year and change that. I’m so impressed you can still run the long distances!! I didn’t get the ice cream last year because I don’t tolerate dairy well but that would be a tasty treat if they had coconut ice cream.
Kristie, they had dairy free this year, although it wasn’t coconut ice cream. Coconut bliss is the best!! Love that stuff!!