Mile Markers: Dog Days of Summer Running

Last week marked 30 weeks pregnant. I’m honestly surprised at how good running still feels. I’ll have a week where running feels harder and I do less (such as the week before), and then I seem to adapt and have a week where running feels great. Admittedly, the weather does play a huge role! I’m really fortunate that I don’t have any issues or pain. (Honestly, I attribute it to sheer luck of being tall at 5’9 with a long torso, not anything special that I did. Every woman carries differently!) 

The temperatures dropped, at least in the mornings. I’m admittedly spoiling Ollie with runs right now. I’m cautious about the heat and humidity (he doesn’t go out on a run if it’s above 70 or if it’s in the 60s and very humid). Dogs, especially with black coats, cannot regulate their body temperature during exercise like humans can. Since the weather was nicer this week, I took him with me on most of my runs.

Monday: 5 mile run

Ollie had not been able to run in almost two weeks due to the heat. When the temperatures dipped below 65 on Monday morning, I took him out for a five mile run. I kept the pace easy, especially since my hamstring were tight from weeding the garden on Sunday. Simple things will make me sore for days now! 

Tuesday: 5 mile run & 20 min Pilates

I took advantage of another mild morning by running Ollie. We ran along a local trail with a dog water fountain and stopped a couple times for him to have water. 65 degrees may feel cool to me, but it’s still warm for dogs (especially a black dog like Ollie) since they don’t sweat. We managed three sub-9 min miles on this run without pushing the effort!

It’s funny to me how I can run 15 miles over the span of one week and that feel like plenty, and then the next week run 15 miles in three consecutive days and feel great.

After the run, I did a prenatal Pilates workout. Unlike regular Pilates, most of these use a pillow to support the head for any supine movements and avoid engaging the rectus abdominis. Instead, most of the work focuses on the hips, glutes, pelvic floor, and transverse abdominis. 

Wednesday: 30 min strength training

I repeated a variation same strength workout from the past few weeks: band walks, banded single leg glute bridges, single leg deadlifts with rows, split squat with single arm press, deadbugs, and bird dogs. 

Thursday: 4 mile run

Another early morning run with Ollie. We kept this one comfortable and easy, with paces in the mid-9’s. 

Friday: 7 mile run

With mild temperatures again, I had the desire to run longer. I ran 7 miles for the first time in a few weeks at a comfortable pace. I felt so accomplished afterward and so happy with this run. 

Saturday: Rest

Rya and I drove down to central Indiana for a college friend’s wedding. The day would include plenty of time on my feet, so I opted not to run or do workout before we left. We had a fantastic time! 

Sunday: Rest

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Linking up with Weekly Rundown!

How was your week in running?
What has made you feel accomplished in your running lately?