Happy Monday!

It’s the last week of Best Body Bootcamp. I can’t wait to share with you my thoughts about the whole program next week after the full 8 weeks are over. I’ve had so much fun and I’m so glad I decided to join in and participate. I know I’ve said it before but it was the best $25.00 I’ve spent in months.

A couple of weeks ago I received the Saucony Virratas in the mail to review. You know I love to run and I’m loving doing different types of treadmill workouts. I haven’t gotten outside to run since September because I stopped running around 36 weeks pregnant and then it just hasn’t happened since Olivia came along. The only time I really could run outside is on the weekends and it just hasn’t happened.

I’m really in a groove of doing HIIT workouts up to 4.75 miles on the treadmill. I haven’t had any desire to run any further, mostly because I’m trying to keep my workouts to an hour or less. When I got the virratas I was psyched to add them into my workouts, but I wanted to do it in a smart way. I have on and off tightness in my IT band, so I knew I couldn’t just jump into them and go for a 3-4 mile run.

The reason I didn’t want to do that is because these are a “zero drop” shoe.

From the Saucony website:

The Virrata is our lightest and most flexible training shoe and allows your foot to move naturally. We removed everything that isn’t helping your run improve. What remains is a feather-light, ultra flexible shoe with advanced cushioning that promotes a powerful stride and allows your foot to move the way it was meant to. Built on a 0mm offset, this shoe lets your feet do the work while providing plenty of protection from the road. The breathable mesh upper makes the shoe incredible lightweight and quick-drying to run in wet weather conditions. Weight: 6.0oz.

Zero drop sneakers are known to have less cushioning, but that is not the case with these. I had never tried zero drop or minimalist shoes before, because I always look for a more cushioned and supportive shoe. I also didn’t want to injure myself by wearing a shoe that I didn’t think was meant for my foot or would give me further IT band issues. That is NOT the case for the virratas at all.

So far I have worn them for:

• HIIT workouts up to 25 minutes
• 1.5 mile run (I switched from my Brooks to the virratas and ran in them for the last 1.5 miles)
• Weight workouts/power moves like high knees, mountain climbers, squat jumps)
• Walking

I absolutely love them. I love how light weight they are combined with the cushioning. They aren’t the MOST cushioned shoe, but it certainly is enough to be very comfortable. I’m going to keep building up distance in these on longer (for me) runs. I certainly will continue to use them to do HIIT workouts and to wear them for plyometric workouts.

You’ll definitly be seeing me in these on instagram. They are supportive, comfortable and I LOVE the look of them (which is certainly one of the most important things I look for in a shoe.)

Disclaimer: I was sent these as part of the FitFluential Ambassador program. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Morning!

I disappeared on you yesterday for good reason. I’m so excited that yesterday Pure Bliss started to be a part of the Whole Foods farmer’s market at Lake Grove.  Every other Wednesday they have different vendors come in from 12-6 and be a part of their store. It’s basically a way to get our foot in the door to be on shelves. Super exciting. We had a great day there and got to introduce many new people to our products.

As great as yesterday was, it was long for me and I came home and my whole body hurt. I sat a lot so I’m not totally sure why, but I usually alternate between sitting, standing, sitting back and laying down and yesterday was just mostly sitting. I think that’s why. I think I forget I’m almost 36 weeks pregnant (and one month from my due date TODAY!!)

I wanted to catch you all up on my third trimester running while pregnant. It’s been an amazing journey and I’m happy to report I’m still getting out there. Running however has totally and completely changed.

If you’ve missed my other running while pregnant posts check them out:

Tips on Running While Pregnant (OMG I thought I looked pregnant here!)

Recap on First and Second Trimester Running

Pregnant Interval Run

As of 28 weeks I was still running 12 minute intervals. I’m not really sure when that dropped off, but I know I gradually decreased my intervals, first to 10 minutes, then to 8, and now I vary my intervals with the most being 6 minutes. I’m still getting out there 3 times a week, but I do different things on every run to keep myself from getting bored.

What Has Helped Me Continue Running

Slow down. I literally probably am running 13-14 minute mile pace sometimes. I don’t care. Sometimes I’m going as “fast” as 11 minute/per mile pace (that’s RARE!!!). I don’t pay any attention to pace.

If I feel ANY discomfort during a running interval I stop and walk. I’ll try again after a couple of minutes and it usually has gone away. (It’s usually either baby moves into an uncomfortable position or it’s round ligament pain.)

Belly band. This helps a lot, but for next baby I’ll be getting a huge full belly one for these later weeks. After week 30 I’d say I wish I had a full belly band.

Stretching. I take a good 10 minutes after my run and stretch. It just helps.

Switching up run/walk intervals. I always start with a good 4-5 minute walking warm up and then always run for 2 minutes, walk for 1.5 minutes and repeated for a total of 3 times. Then I’ll do one of the following intervals, depending on how I feel.

Pregnancy Run/Walk Intervals (3 different versions)

• Warm up (4-5 minutes walking and 2 minutes running, 1.5 minutes walking x 3)
• 5 minutes run, 2 minutes walk, repeat for as long as I want
• Cool down, walk 7-10 minutes

• Warm up (4-5 minutes walking and 2 minutes running, 1.5 minutes walking x 3)
• run 5 minutes, walk 2 minutes, run 2 minutes walk 1.5 minutes, repeat for as long as I want
• Cool down, walk 7-10 minutes

• Warm up (4-5 minutes walking and 2 minutes running, 1.5 minutes walking x 3)
• run 2 minutes, walk 1.5 minutes, run 3 minutes walk 1.5 minutes, run 4 minutes, walk 1.5 minutes, run 5 minutes, walk 2 minutes, repeat 1-2 times.
• Cool down, walk 7-10 minutes

My ultimate goal was to make it until 36 weeks running and I have 1 more run to make it there. I don’t really plan on stopping at 36 weeks, but I’m going to see how it goes. I want to run as close to my delivery date as possible, but there is no pressure. I’ve had my good runs and my not so good runs. Everyday is different. Some days I think I’m done and then I’ll have a great run the next time. I’m trying to take each run/walk as it comes.

My biggest piece of advice that I could possibly give anyone who wants to run while pregnant is to listen to your body. If it feels good, keep going. If it doesn’t stop. I would also say to not discredit the run/walk method. It’s what has kept me going for so long. Let go of all expectations and comparisons of pre-pregnancy running or what other people are doing and just ENJOY taking each step.

So that’s my pregnant running story. 4 weeks to go. Countdown is on!

(Just to note I am pretty excited to not run with an extra 20 pounds on me and with running clothes that cover the bottom of my stomach!)

If you are a runner, pregnant, or mom, what’s your biggest piece of advice to keep going?

And I certainly can’t forget, my biggest running while pregnant inspiration…

Congrats to Michele on the birth of her BEAUTIFUL new baby boy, yesterday September 19th! So happy for her and her family!

Hellooooo Friday!

Another hot day here, but I’m okay with it. After complaining it wasn’t warm enough I’m certainly not going to complain about the hot weather! Although I will say again…I could really use a pool.

I wanted to take time today and talk about running during pregnancy. I’ve had a good amount of questions about it and I figured I’d make it a fitness friday post.

So running while pregnant: I always thought I would do it and hoped I’d be able to keep it up throughout my pregnancy for as long as possible. It doesn’t always workout that way, but every time I come back for a run I’m grateful. I’m certainly no expert about pregnancy OR running so this is just my personal experience so far.

Things to note:

I have been running for years. Sometimes longer distances, sometimes shorter. Before I got pregnant I was running up to 6 miles at a time. I was physcially fit before getting pregnant, which is why I kept up exercising and running.

In January/Febuary, I noticed I was getting more tired on runs, but I didn’t think anything about it. I also noticed my pace was slower, but I just thought it was a couple of rough runs. Finally I found out I was pregnant and then a couple weeks later the nausea set in. The ONLY thing that would make me feel better for about 4-6 weeks was exercise. I never stopped running, which is why I think I’ve been able to keep it up.

Things that worked for me:

Getting out and exercising: In the first tri when I felt awful I would get up to workout and it was the only thing that made me feel better. I took it easy most days, but just getting the heart pumping and blood flowing really helped. If I ever had felt worse I would have stopped.

When I was in the first tri, I would do run/walk intervals. I think in weeks 7-8 I ran 5-7 minutes and walked a couple of minutes and repeated that. Eventually I got back into the groove and now walk 1-2x per run.

Allow yourself to walk whenever you want. As long as I’m getting out there, I could walk 1 time or 4, I don’t really care.

Don’t worry about pace. Some people (like Michelle) are still super fast. Before getting pregnant I ran about 9:30-10 minute miles when I was just out for a typical run. Now I’m running between 11-12 minute miles and celebrating every one.

Hydrate and go to the bathroom about 10 times before you run. I try to make sure I’m drinking enough water, but I don’t want to drink too much before I run because then I’ll have to go to the bathroom 5 minutes in.

Carry a cell phone and water if you think you’ll need it. I ALWAYS carry my cell phone while running. You never know if you just can’t finish the run, or if you need to picked up.

Listen to your body. If you feel pain or are very uncomfortable, stop.

Have fun! This isn’t a time to be super serious about your running. Enjoy the fact you are running!

Note: I spoke to my doctor about the fact that I run and he said that as long as I was doing it before, I was fine to continue. Speak to your doctor before you do anything! 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

I’m off to get my workout in! Happy Friday!

Monday, Monday!

What a weekend! I spent the weekend with my amazing college friends to celebrate the wedding of our friends Katie and Steve. We left Friday night and went down to Asbury Park to stop in and say hi to everyone. Friday we stayed at Danny’s parents beach house about 20 minutes south of Asbury Park. We didn’t stay for long because it was late, I was tired and we were pretty sure we were going to do a 5k in the morning.

I wanted to do at least one 5k while I am pregnant. It had nothing to do with time or anything but just more the fun of it. Point Pleasant was having one and it’s super flat, so I thought it would be a great one. We got up around 7 and I ate my usually breakfast of eggs & toast and then went for a 10 minute walk to warm up my legs. Danny and I ran with his mom and aunt and just comfortably chatted the entire time.

I wasn’t sure if I’d need to walk at all (which I was obviously open to!) but I didn’t. We maintained around a 12 minute mile pace, sometimes closer to 11 minutes but it was perfect for me. I felt really good the entire time.  We finished in 35:50, which is almost 10 minutes slower than my usualy 5k time, but you can bet I was celebrating and cheering for myself and Baby C.

After the race we went back to the house and chatted with Danny’s parents for awhile before picking up and heading to Asbury Park (not without stopping at Surf Taco for lunch!). We stayed at the Berkeley Hotel, which was really nice. The wedding reception was at Spring Lake Bath and Tennis, which was also gorgeous. There couldn’t have been better weather for this special day!

Katie and Steve planned everything perfectly…especially the band. They were incredible.

I am especially cherishing these friend filled weekends before baby. Trying to soak up every second I possibly can! P.S. My dress was Shoshanna. I got 1 size up from my normal size and it fit really well. 

Yesterday we also celebrated Father’s Day with my family. I’m so lucky to have so many special people in my life.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend! What was the highlight of yours?