Race Report-San Jose Half Marathon (10-06-2013)

When I found I was pregnant in April I vowed to keep on running. This was tough the first trimester because I was always so tired to run after working. I had planned to run the SF Half Marathon back in June for a PR but was in no shape or mood to do so. Instead I volunteered at the Run 365 hospitality tent to support all of my running friends. As my energy improved beginning the 2nd trimester, I decided to register for a race in an effort to stay focused on training runs and mapped out a plan.

For the past few years I've preferred running trail races. In fact-my last race was the Mt. Diablo Half Marathon when I was just 6 1/2 weeks pregnant. Due to my history of falls on the trails, I stopped running them during the 1st trimester. When choosing a race I was solely looking at timing and support-this is how I decided on the San Jose Rock & Roll Marathon that was last weekend.

I would be around 7 1/2 months pregnant by the time the race came around. This gave me enough time to gradually increase my distance. The Rock & Roll race series are large races (San Jose had 12,500 participants) and are well staffed/supported (translation-bathrooms galore along the course!). The San Jose Half Marathon also boasts a flat course and it's only about an hour drive from home.

My next challenge was finding someone to run San Jose with me. After Lisa saw the adorable California bear (pictured above) dressed in sunglasses and running shoes-she convinced herself that this was going to be the race shirt of all race shirts and happily registered.

After training about 10 weeks of semi-following my training plan that consisted of increasingly slow runs, water aerobics, and prenatal yoga, race day finally came. Luckily I was able to sleep solid for 8 hours before picking up a slightly hungover Lisa and heading to San Jose. After parking and walking to the start area I saw my dream running scenario-row after row of porta-potties. From past posts on Daily Mile you can probably tell that the urgency to pee while running has been one of my biggest running challenges during my pregnancy.

Here I am struggling where to attach my race bib. I contemplated pinning it over my belly but this too awkward so I settled for my skirt.

I insisted on starting in wave 20 that was even further back than the wave I was registered for because I was worried about my pace blocking faster runners. When I saw a registrant in blue jeans-I realized that this was totally unnecessary. While the race started at 8am-we didn't cross the start line until after 8:30am. Luckily the weather was great and neither of us were chilled but I did start out running with an unnecessarily sore back.

My goal was to maintain a pace between 12:30-13:00 and run the entire course. Lisa happily obliged and we updated each other on our lives over the next few hours. I had been worried about breathing as it has felt strained during my most recent long runs but amazingly-this never happened on race day. I also assumed that every time I saw a porta-potty on the course I would want to stop but this didn't happen either. After skipping the first opportunity to go due to the lines-I decided to stop at about mile 3.5 to use the restroom and there was a short line. You would think that one of the runners would seen my state of being with child and allow me to cut to the front of the line but no such luck. I checked my skirt for trailing toilet paper after I finished and we were off!

I decided to wear my Hydrapak for the race since the forecast predicted sun (when we finished it was 72 degrees out). Luckily a portion of the course had some shade but I think the heat actually helped my muscles loosen up so it really didn't phase me. About every 30 minutes or so I took a shot blok or two to maintain my energy. Surprisingly at mile 8 I had to refill my Hydrapak because I had already gone through a liter of water. I took this opportunity to stretch my back as it was getting a little sore but other than that-my legs felt amazing and I was having no trouble breathing.

I kept an incredibly consistent pace throughout this race and only stopped to use the restroom a total of three times.The last mile and half was the most difficult. With the sun shining, visions of Freebirds burritos on my mind, and a sore lower back-I was ready to be done. Lisa gave me the motivation I needed by insisting that we pass a guy running in a tartan kilt with matching do-rag on his head. I agreed and we picked up the pace and flew by him. Shortly after that, we crossed the finish line and I knew deep down that this race ended my running for 2013. More importantly-I was totally fine with it. I had accomplished what I had set out for back in April and had a blast doing it.

Official time-03:04:25 (30-week belly shot)

This also marks the third race that Lisa and I have run side by side-Skirt & Dirt in 2012 and the Mt. Diablo Half Marathon-two of my favorite races. During the Olympics last year there was a calculator where you could plug in your height & weight to find out what kind of Olympian you would be. Lisa turned out to be an Eritrean marathoner and I believe that I was an American judo fighter. I can't imagine another potential Eritrean I would have rather run San Jose with-it would not have been the same without her.

Flowers from GK to go with my last medal of 2013.

Looking back I ask myself-what would I have done differently? I did not get in all the runs and workouts that I had planned. Between work and just needing to sleep 8-10 hours some nights, I was only running on average 2-3 times per week. I incorporated some water aerobics and a few yoga sessions too but not as much as I had hoped. I decided not to stress too much about it because I knew that I had a strong baseline to start with and I was able to get in my long runs on the weekends with my longest being just over 11 miles.

I would have also purchased the right gear much earlier during training (see my past post about the Fit Mama Running Skirt). About three days before the race I woke up twice in the middle of the night with cramping calf muscles-dramatically screaming out for help even though they subsided pretty quickly. One recovered immediately but my right calf was still tight on Saturday. What better excuse than to blow $55 on a pair of compression socks at the Expo? After putting them on race morning-within ten minutes my legs felt great. I plan to wear these things were I go into labor.

But that's about all I would change. I had a few moments of-what did I get myself into? I need to finish sub-3 hours, but luckily these thoughts were short-lived and I was able to return to my original goal of staying in shape while doing something that I have loved over the past five years. And Lisa helped by reminding me that I was going to be the fastest woman running in their 3rd trimester on race day.

I couldn't have done this without the support and encouragement from others. My doctor (who is a Boston qualifier) supported my running from day one. All of my Run365 friends who took turns running an increasingly slow pace with me over the past four months so I wouldn't have to run solo. And, of course, GK who not only woke up with me several early mornings after working late to be my sag wagon while I ran my long runs on the streets of Berkeley and Oakland-but who offered countless foot/calf massages, back rubs, and creative protein packed meals during my training.

Bay Bridge Trail-September 8, 2013

Back in 1989 part of the Bay Bridge collapsed during the Loma Prieta earthquake. Clearly bridges are not supposed to fall apart and those of us in the East Bay have been more than deserving of a new bridge for quite some time. After multiple weekends of bridge closures over the past few years so that work could be completed on the new span and the temporary addition of the scary S-curve, the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge opened right after Labor Day complete with a pedestrian path!

I needed to get a long run in last weekend and missed my group run on Saturday so I planned to try out the new Bay Bridge Trail that starts near IKEA. I had received many warnings from friends NOT to park in IKEA's parking lot so we parked on Horton right off of 40th St. in Emeryville-just about a half mile from the trail head.

Here's GK basking in the beauty of the trail head across from IKEA-you can't miss it, it's right next to the crosswalk.

The first few miles out will take you underneath the MacArthur maze. Exciting primarily because it's all new. There's a marked bike path and then a hard packed trail next to it for runners/walkers. While dogs are allowed along the path (and on the new span), Elsie stayed home due to some recent self-cannibalistic behavior brought on by allergies.

The old span with some unknown male checking out his armpit (photo credit: GK).

A comparison of old v. new.

The run from the trail head to the new span is very flat and then you have a very slight, almost unnoticeable gradual uphill on the span. Again the path is wide enough to allow walkers, runners, and cyclists to exist together peacefully (nothing like the unpredictability while running on the Golden Gate Bridge). Here I'm feeling pretty good as I was able to use one of the porta-potties before starting the climb over the bay. However- 5+ miles without a bathroom break at a 12:45 pace proved to be incredibly challenging. Luckily-a potentially awkward/illegal situation was avoided.

Right now you can only run to the first tower as the expansion to Treasure Island cannot be completed until the old span is demolished. The part of the span that you can currently run on is about 2 miles total. I ran to the end for a much needed stretching break and we took pictures just like everyone else who reached the dead end. Quite striking.

GK just before the turn around on his bike. I may have promised to watch football later in the day in exchange for getting up early to be my sag wagon. He entertained himself with my new iPhone 5 and snapped a million pics of our trek.

Happily exceeded my goal of 9 miles! This run was definitely a confidence booster-much needed as the San Jose Half Marathon is only 4 weeks away. I now know that this race will not be a problem as long as there are available restrooms to use.

I highly recommend this trail for its accessibility, views, and very low level of difficulty. While I had GK guarding me, as long as I ran during light hours (span is actually closed at dusk), there are so many people utilzing the trail that I never felt unsafe. If you want a shorter distance, you can start from Maritime St. in West Oakland. Depending on your distance I would also recommend bringing your own water as there did not appear to be water fountains available on the trail yet.

Fit Mama Maternity Running Skirt

While I had been running in my regular running shorts and a tennis skirt for the past 6 months of my pregnancy, I'm not gonna lie-it was starting to get uncomfortable. Since I'm registered to run a half marathon when I'll be well into my third trimester, I decided it was time to purchase some proper gear. After a reasonable search on the internet I found the Fit Mama Maternity Running Skirt at www.runningskirts.com. While I was actually looking for a pair of shorts, I was immediately sold on the versatility of the skirt. You can adjust the band to fit your needs-double or single fold so the waistband sits just below the belly or as you get bigger, pull the band to cover your entire belly.

The skirt arrived just in time for my maiden voyage along the Bay Bridge Trail across the recently opened eastern span. I loved the thick, sturdy material and found that double folding it to sit about halfway up my belly to be the most comfortable way to wear it for now. Underneath the skirt are very comfortable compression-like shorts that help prevent chaffing. Depending on how you wear the skirt-the length of the waistband will allow you to continue wearing your regular shirts. While my shirt rode up a bit-I never flashed anyone.

What a difference the right gear makes. I should have made this purchase two months ago. I also recently wore the skirt on a moderate 6.7 mile hike and it passed with flying colors. Because of the durability of the fabric-I think this skirt will also work well post delivery.

 (September 8, 2013)

Almost 27 weeks and 9 miles later!

The Fit Mama Running Skirt was a reasonable $48.00 and with taxes & shipping I ended up paying a total of $60.00. Because I've obtained the majority of my maternity clothes second hand from friends-this purchase was an easy justification considering that I've been able to maintain a modest amount of activity during my pregnancy. I highly recommend this skirt-there are multiple fun designs to choose from and if you look just hard enough-a few sale items.