Wineglass Marathon Recap

It’s only taken me almost two months to write this recap and ironically I’m gearing up to train for my next races! I’ve been planning to write this recap for a while, but also wanted a good amount of time to process it all. I still can’t believe that I ran a sub 3:45 marathon at 9 months postpartum. It feels absolutely crazy to me, but when I ran it and finished it felt absolutely given. My race mentality was so strong and there was never a doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t attain my race goal/hit my race plan. My coaches (I joined the Chicago Marathon training group through Lift Run Perform) put together an amazing training program and I never felt like I was burnt-out leading into the race (and even during- which has happened often in previous training cycles).

I chose this race because it seemed easy to drive to with the littles (5ish hours), a hotel was within walking distance to both the finish/expo/start line buses, and it seemed like a well-executed race (spoiler: it’s my favorite race I’ve done thus far). We stayed at the Hilton, which was about a 1/2 mile from the finish and 1/4 mile from the race expo- which we walked to both. We also used my Hilton points, so ended up with a free nights stay!

The expo was at the Glass Museum which was so cool! It was smaller than I thought it would be, but the race swag that was included with our entry fee was amazing (a wine glass, champagne, & a 1/4 zip which is great quality).

We sadly didn’t do the tour of the museum (next year!), but we did wander around the gift shop and pick up some gifts for family. We also should have booked a suite at the hotel, but it was actually really relaxing because we got in so much nap time (thanks to the babies nap schedule). We got to the hotel on Friday night (I also started my 3-day carb load the day before- using Featherstone Nutrition’s carb load guide) and I packed most of the food I ate leading up to the race. Which happened to include lots of homemade pretzels!

The babies did so good on the drive there - we stopped around 3 hours to swap drivers and offer them bottles/diaper changes. They weren’t very interested in eating (too much excitement!), but they also lost interest in the drive around the 4 hour mark. We did room-service that night for dinner just to make things easy and we’re all in bed by 8:30pm!

Saturday was pretty uneventful- I did a short shakeout run around downtown that morning while the babies napped and then we walked over to the expo. My shakeout run was also the slowest pace I’ve ever done before a goal race! It was around 10:30 pace. We walked over to Wegman’s that afternoon to pick up a few groceries (it was right across the street which was convenient!) and a lot of Gatorade was consumed. We went to the pasta dinner and listened to Deena Kastor and Bart Yasso speak (they both didn’t speak much- which I was super disappointed about) and were in bed by 8:30pm.

I slept the best I’ve ever slept the night before a race! I think I got something like 9 hours of sleep. I really wasn’t nervous for this race because I was so confident in my training and race plan. I think this mindset helped me so much. I woke up around 5:45, pumped, and got ready for the race. I left the hotel around 6:30 and walked/short jogged to the start line buses (less than a mile away). There were so many amazing volunteers and runners around that I never felt alone going to the race!

Once I got to the start line, I did some dynamic stretches, used the bathroom, tried to do some self-release of the boobs (no luck- it’s pretty hard to do in a portapotty when you can literally hear people vomiting in the portapotties next to you… sorry if that’s TMI!). It was super windy at the start, so I hung on to my warmup clothes until 10 minutes before the final drop bags could be collected. Once I dropped my bag, I was able to find space in the warmed tent that they had at the start (so nice!) and just kept repeating my race plan in my head. My plan was: 8:45s through 10k, 8:35 through the half, 8:32-8:40 through 20 miles, 8:25-8:30 last 10k. Here’s what my race splits looked like:

Once I lined-up, I remember thinking how grateful I was to have 4 hours (by myself!) to just run ( LOL motherhood certainly brings about weird perspectives!). I also had the cheer tracker that the race offered, which turned out to be awesome. I highly recommend. It came across with each mile marker with my split and my expected finish time (which was really exciting to hear the ETA continue to decrease through the race). The weather was perfect- 50s and overcast. I kept my mittens (I threw those around halfway) and my buff as an ear warmer on for a good part of the race. I also took a Maurten gel (non-caffeinated since I was still breastfeeding) every 40 minutes and mentally- took the race one mile at a time. I also had scratch in my water bottle and took water at almost every aid station.

The race course and support was awesome. The water station volunteers were so supportive and the course only had a few sections where there weren’t any spectators. I ran with a few people and hung with them for a few miles, which was so fun (I hung with one runner for about 5 miles and she really helped me during a tough stretch around mile 18)! I kept staying positive- even when it felt hard and never strayed from my race plan (mentally). I remember hitting mile 24ish and wow - did I start to get emotional! I thought of my Dad a lot and of the babies and of every hurdle I had to overcome to get to where I was right then. I thought of all the support I got from Alex, my Mom, my in-laws, and friends. I thought of all the PTSD that my birth experience was overshadowed by. I thought about the babies and their families that I cared for in the NICU. And I thought about all those training runs that sucked, that didn’t go as-planned, that went surprisingly well, and those that had to be skipped. I drew strength from all of these thoughts and honestly they carried me until mile 25.5ish. This is where I passed by our hotel, crossed over the bridge, and headed onto Main Street (where I knew Alex and the girls would be!). I honestly didn’t think I could run any faster at this point, but somehow found another gear. I ended up running a sub 7:00 minute pace for the last 0.2 to cross the finish line!

I crossed the finish line both in shock that I actually did it and not surprised at all because I knew I could do it. I believed in myself so strongly that I had no doubt that I could execute this race well. The finish line feeling was so exciting and I still get chills thinking of it. The race medal (all glass!) is also so beautiful.

Seeing the babies afterwards was just… everything. I wanted to show them that you can be a mom, go through a completely difficult year, and still keep chasing your dreams. Just because I added a new title to my name doesn’t mean I have to let-go of those other titles and goals. I’m already looking forward to Wineglass 2023 😏

Wineglass Marathon Training Recap

Good MORNING! First off- I ran a marathon! And somehow managed a 7-minute PR! I finished in 3:44:19 (8:34 min/mile pace). I’m working on a full race recap, but wanted to recap my training up until race weekend because I actually ran the lowest mileage before a marathon ever (even before my first marathon) and didn’t have a super consistent training block (so many days with sick babies), but still was able to run faster than I ever have. I think it’s important to be transparent in training, how things get done (or don’t get done), and just keeping it real over here.

Let’s run through just some stats over my training block:

• Peaked at 41.88 miles

• Total mileage ran 411.57 miles

• Race PRs: 3 (10k, sprint triathlon (first one), marathon)

• Runs missed/altered: 9

• Milk produced: Unknown, but- So. much. pumping!

• Average days a week ran: 4

• Average days strength training: 2

• Sicknesses: 2 for me and what seems like an infinite amount for the babies

• Peak long run: 20 miles

• Run coach: Yes! I joined the Lift Run Perform team program where most runners were training for the Chicago Marathon

This was the least I’ve ever ran/ trained for a marathon and I somehow managed a 6+ minute PR! I modified/skipped a lot of runs (but tried hard to stay diligent on my workout days and just modify easy runs if needed)- which is something I also never used to do. I did, however, really focus on my strength before starting this training block/signing up with my training group. I loved doing the Tread Bootcamps starting around 5 months postpartum and would use those days as my ‘speedwork’. I also did one half-marathon at 5 months postpartum (just for fun) and ran a 1:58 in very hot/humid conditions for early May (I think humidity was 85% at the start line and temperatures were already above 60?). I had some of the best training runs that I’ve ever had and was the least anxious surrounding my runs than ever before (I think having basically no other free time besides my ‘window’ to run really helped with this one! #motherhood). Some workouts that I’m really proud of included longer intervals like doing 30 minutes at 8:10 pace (goal was 8:33 pace), 4 x 1 mile at 7:45/ 7:46/ 7:53/ 7:53 (goal was 7:51), and a long run of 15 miles with 3 x 2 miles at 8:25/ 8:19/ 8:24 (goal was 8:33 pace).

I also had a lot more cross-training under my belt during this training cycle to help me prepare for my sprint triathlon the beginning of July and just as a way to slowly incorporate running back into my training postpartum. I worked with a Pelvic Floor PT starting at 3 weeks postpartum (I made the appointment on my own rather than waiting to talk with my doc at my 6 week postpartum visit, but I did make sure they were ok with me seeing a PT that early). I also worked with a Pelvic Floor PT mid-training cycle to help make sure I didn’t have Diastisis Recti (separation of the abdominal muscles- which is common after pregnancy) or any other issues (I wasn’t having any, but always good to make sure)! The PT that I worked with in September really just helped me work through a lot of scar tissue that I had around my c-section (and honestly I still have a lot- so if you know what helped you with your scar tissue LMK)!

We took a few fun trips during this training cycle- mostly to Maine and our first-time camping with the girls! I love how I was just much-more laid-back with this training. I had a goal to honestly just have fun with it and that took a lot of pressure off myself. I still rode my Peloton bike once a week until 3ish weeks out from the race and took strength training away around 3 weeks out as well (I had always strength trained up until the week of the marathon)! I also somehow PR’d the 10k, which I just used as a workout. That got me really excited to see what I could do in the 10k if I didn’t follow a race plan. I was also still breastfeeding/pumping during this entire training cycle (I planned to be weaned/done by the time of the race), but we are still doing it over here. If you ask me how I managed to get it all in- I’m not entirely sure, but the girls started going to daycare 2x a week in August and that gave me a lot more flexibility (and for that month I worked part-time). Alex was also so great about watching the girls either on my days off for me to get a run in or have the monitor during their nap time while I snuck-out for a quick run. I didn’t use our treadmill for basically the entire training cycle (because our treadmill belt was broken/needed to be fixed) which I also thinked helped with my mental toughness because I went out in all of the weather conditions.

I also started to become more body-confident and wore more crop tops, which I think helped boost my confidence. And we can’t forget about my Nike 2% Vaporflys (a Mothers Day gift)- not sure if these made a difference, but they certainly helped me feel fast. Now- I’m going to start working on my Marathon Weekend Recap next!

Half Marathon Tips

Let’s start with the most important thing that’s happening these days: the girls are three months old!

They’ve become super interested in everything around them, focusing on images and our faces, each other, and their giggles are the absolute cutest. It’s also really convenient that they have each other when I pop them on their play gym (bonus of having twins I suppose)! Both have officially doubled their weight and are growing out of clothes like crazy. I can’t wait to see how much they change and grow over the next few months. I also have one more month of maternity leave, so soaking it in the best I can.

Since racing season is upon us (and races are back!), I thought I’d put together some tips for running a half marathon. I’m BY NO MEANS an expert, so keep that in mind and am just sharing things that I’ve learned in the past (and drawing from many mistakes that I’ve made along the way):

Start slower than your ‘goal pace’. Maybe even a minute per mile slower than what you anticipate running the race at. Everyone goes faster at the beginning of races, so you’ll probably just be running your actual goal race pace if you start in a slower corral (if possible).

Have a few mantras and songs on your playlist that get you fired up. When the going gets tough (which it most likely will- normally miles 8 & 11 are the toughest for me), I like to draw upon positive mantras or pop a song on my playlist that makes me feel totally bada**. Macklemore or Eminem and my mantra of ‘attitude of gratitude’ normally do it for me.

Don’t forget to smile. Smiling relaxes your body and brings you happy endorphins. There’s nothing worse than doing something that you’re not enjoying. Try to enjoy the experience- even if it really is just a ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ sort of situation.

Do your training runs, but know it’s ok if bumps in the road happen. Be gentle on yourself if you have to skip a few runs, but stick to your training plan otherwise. Know that training runs build on each other, so skipping one isn’t a huge deal, but skipping several generally will lead to less-than-ideal situation. Also know that if your goal is to just finish and you’ve done 80-90% of your training runs, you’ll do great.

Don’t do anything new on race day. Yes, that includes new shoes, clothes, nutrition- any of these things can really hinder your race. Take it from someone who wore a sports bra that she hadn’t trained in before and finished the race with a terrible chafe that made showering in hot water nearly impossible.

Have fun and remember your WHY- Why’d you sign up for the race to begin with? Draw back on those initial feelings when it gets hard. Enjoy yourself and imagine how good it’s going to feel when you cross that finish line. Be your own cheerleader after each mile marker. And when it gets really tough, break down those miles into markers even smaller- maybe 1/2 mile or sometimes when it’s really challenging- I think about the next minute or tell myself to ‘just run through this song’ and then re-assess. It really is almost all mental when it comes to race day. It will go by so fast, so enjoying it and soaking in the experience really is the most important part.

-What tips do you have for someone running their first half marathon?

Getting Back Into It

We had our babies! They came in a way no one expected, but all are now healthy and home. I’m not one to do the whole birth-story post (just not my thing and honestly- still processing the twins birth and entire hospital journey surrounding their arrival), but we’re so very thankful to be home. Having a babe in the NICU is so tough and it was more challenging than anything else I have ever done or gone through. Thankfully the girls are pretty cute because I think I’ve averaged something like 4.5 hours of sleep since they’ve arrived.

Getting back into running (& even FITNESS!) after a c-section has been super challenging and humbling. I continue to remind myself to take it slow and to take every milestone as a “win”. You better believe that I celebrated when I made it through my first Peloton strength class postpartum or held a side plank for 20 seconds. It’s the little things (that used to seem minuscule before babies) that have been propelling me forward. Also having the girls in our home gym while I workout as little cheerleaders also helps.

We ran/walked 6.2 miles today (had to jump off the treadmill just a few times to tend to babies) and that felt like a total win. While I completely miss the flexibility of going for a run outside at anytime of day (with no time limit), I also love knowing that I will forever be a role model for Isabelle & Charlotte.

Starting back at square one is intimidating in so many ways, but focusing on strength & seeing a pelvic floor PT have been my priorities the first 8 weeks postpartum. I added running back in after 6 weeks (with 3 x 1.5 mile walk/runs), but also focused on Peloton rides at 6 weeks which have helped my running (& running form) immensely! I’ve got some postpartum goals, but my number one goal is to focus on my babes and to return to fitness in a healthy manner.

I think it’s super easy to get caught-up in comparisons (especially with social media), but just like everyone’s labor & delivery is different-> your return to fitness & running will look different. And if you’re just not feeling like you’re ready to return to fitness, know that that is OK! There’s always tomorrow or next week/month/year.

So, tell me how your journey back to fitness has been and share a tip or two for how you got back into it.

Our Twin Nursery

I’ve always been a fan of seeing how others have put together their nursery (good to get ideas from) and definitely used Pinterest a lot when I was trying to figure out our nursery when I found out we were having twins.

I started by definitely knowing that I wanted to paint the nursery because it was an awful shade of purple. I’ve also always been one to shy away from the ‘trends’ and do my own thing, so I knew that I didn’t want to do a traditional gray or blue or green or pink room. I’ve always loved pale yellow (it reminds me of daisies and they make me happy), so decided to go with the color called Fritata from the Behr paint collection at Home Depot.

We also knew that the room was plenty big enough that the girls could share (they have already ‘shared’ the same room for the past 8 months) and identical twins (we’ve read) tend to like to be in the same room. I also knew that I wanted to blend together an outdoorsy/adventure theme with animals because those are things that Alex & I both love. I got two rugs from Ruggable and the tree peel and stick decal from Buy Buy Baby (same as the whale decal in the closet).

I painted our dollhouse-themed bookshelf (got it at a local Amish furniture outlet) and decided to go with an open theme for our changing table rather than on a dresser. The closet is stocked with clothes and diapers (I’ve got a whole spreadsheet where I’ve kept track of how many diapers we’ll generate need in each size and are now onto stocking size 2 diapers).

I also put together two ‘diaper caddies’ (if you have not heard of them, please go follow Karrie Locher, a postpartum RN on Instagram) which will have all of our changing & feeding supplies on both floors and it’s on wheels so it can be moved from room to room. We also have our bassinets set-up in our bedroom, as well as a set downstairs for naps too. The Mamaroos will be set-up downstairs as well once the girls arrive.

Because I’ll be breastfeeding two babies at once, a typical rocker just wasn’t going to be big enough. So, we ended up repurposing an extra large sofa chair we had and my giant breastfeeding pillow fits perfectly in it. Also wanted to do some sort of organizational system for the built-in shelves, so snagged fabric boxes from Target for $4 a piece. I also wanted a softer light over the chair because I envision a lot of nighttime readings with the girls in it.

The bear fabric box on the bottom is from a company called Sprouts and it’s actually a Toy Chest, but fit perfectly in the bottom two shelving spots. Currently both chests are filled with newborn diapers and wipes, but I also can’t wait until it’s filled with toys and dress-up clothes.

So, there is a peak into our nursery! If nothing else, it’s fun to share and remember all about our planning and designing process. If you have questions on specific things- feel free to comment below. I didn’t add in a lot of names of things mainly because I don’t find it helpful myself (unless I’m also looking to buy something similar ).