Weight Gain and Performance

Weight gain and performanceIt's only a brief article but it highlights something that I'd read before. When I was training for my half marathon last December my cycling team had a guest speaker come in and talk to us about racing strategy, training, and nutrition. One of the concepts I walked away with was that extra weight really effects performance, and not in 5 lb increments but truly down to every single pound. I thought about that often as I struggled to battle an extra 5 lbs and work on speed training to get down to a decent pace for my half. It seemed to work because I did pretty well. Keeping that philosophy in mind easily explains why running has grown to be the most difficult activity during the pregnancy. In addition to the 15lbs I'd gained after my miscarriage I've added 20lbs on during the pregnancy. Hence my new 15min/mile average pace. The effort it takes to lug my new curves forward leave me feeling winded and my legs feeling like they're made of lead. The other day while running and chatting with my running GF, MandiRuns , and questioning how it could be that I'd gotten so slow and lost so much fitness, this concept got back in my head like a flash of light and I said "Oh! That explains everything!".

Running Partners

Where would we be without them?

I have been so very blessed when it comes to having great running buddies. I can't begin to express how grateful I am to each and everyone of them for how much inspiration I get from them and how much joy (aka free therapy) I receive by getting in a few miles with them. Before I found my gang of chicks to run with I despised running, I considered it something I had to suffer through. Now I've learned to enjoy running even when I don't have the gals to chat and gossip with along the way. Gals, you know who you are. I heart you in the biggest way!


This weekend is unfortunately full of work for me but my gals the Cholla Chicks have a huge weekend of trail running. I'm sad I won't be out there to join them but I feel inspired just knowing they're doing it!

And meet my most loyal and cheerful running partner. She has never let me down or stood me up for an early morning run or an after work jog. She is ready to go whenever I lace up my sneaks. She may not look like much but she's good for about 8 miles before she starts to tucker out, which oddly enough is right about
perfect for me!