Remember all that Y2K stuff?
I found all my old pictures from that. Had to laugh--my Cleveland buddies all came down to visit me in Cincinnati and we went out to this bar in Mount Adams. I remember drinking green fruity drinks and seeing fireworks over the Ohio River and being 22. It was my first year teaching...I still had my OSU law school application stuff in my apartment because I really didn't think I'd make it through that first year of teaching. I was dating some random guy from Kentucky--should have known it would never work as he was a UK fan. (Ew.)
Remember all that "new century" hype? And how everyone thought the world might end at midnight because computer glitches might make our ATMs freeze up? Oh, the horror.
It turns out the real day the world changed forever would be a sunny Tuesday morning in September, a little over a year and a half away.
I forgot, almost completely, that this would be a new decade tomorrow. And let's be honest--2000-2009 hasn't been the greatest decade for my country. 9/11, two wars, the worst recession since the crash of 1929, Katrina. It's pretty depressing, actually. And even more so when you factor in the world. Darfur. The tsunami. Iran.
I'm gonna stop now, before I get sick to my stomach.
But despite that, I have to say that this has been a wonderful decade for me.
I finally let go of some things that had to be let go of, and should have years prior.
I spent two weeks in Germany as an Armonk Scholar and got to see things no punk kid who is 23 should ever be lucky enough to see.
I re-met my husband. I say "re-met," because we had known each other ever since he took me to Homecoming my sophomore year. But we met again, and this time at just the right time.
I became a James Madison Fellow, and it allowed me to earn another degree that I put lots of blood, sweat, and tears into. I earned those two letters, "M.A.," for sure.
I married my best friend.
I fell in love with my career, despite all the challenges it continually throws at me. And because of those challenges.
I became an Ironman.
I fell in love again with my little man in October of 2007, and more and more every day since.
This year will bring challenges, no doubt. A long and hard battle with cancer in our family is one that is ongoing.
But I am just about 6 weeks away from falling in love all over again. Two of my close friends are getting married this year, and I'm going to be a part of both of their big days. Several of my close friends are expecting. I get to race again. I still have a fantastic job that I enjoy going to.
I still can't help feeling like I'm 22 a bit--staring at the stars over the Ohio River, surrounded by my friends and wondering what the future will hold.
I still feel like I'm the luckiest girl on the face of the earth.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
52 and Raining
Just got finished watching the World Championships.
About 2 weeks ago, when I was driving my car home from work, the temperature registered as 52 degrees on my dashboard. It was raining pretty hard, and also pretty windy. Unseasonably warm for Cleveland in December, and the wind reminded me that it was in fact, a fluke. It wasn't supposed to be 52 and raining. It wouldn't be for long.
Whenever I see 52 and raining, it takes me back to that day. The day that was also, in essence, a fluke. I remember the months of training...deliberately waiting until 1pm in July when it was a good 84 degrees or so to start my long run. "So I can be ready," I thought. Because it's always, always hot and humid in Madison.
Except when it wasn't.
I remember the emotions of that day: the profound disappointment, extreme pain, gratitude for my friends and family and their support, love for my most loyal fan Matt, fear of the unknown and of 5:30pm and of cutoffs, belief in myself, and utter, sheer joy when I crossed that line.
I remember this:
For me, Ironman is not a one-time event. I just know I'll be back there someday. I don't know where, exactly. And I definitely don't know when. But I can say with 100% certainty that it will not be anytime soon. For me, I just respect the race too much to do that. I know what I, personally, would need to do to get there, and I have no--and I really mean this--NO desire to sacrifice what I'd need to sacrifice at this moment to get to that start line...let alone the finish line again. Some can get by on a lot less training than I could, and that rocks. But for me to do it the way I'd want to do it, it would take a lot of major, major sacrificing. And I really, truly believe that about 90% of completing an Ironman is wanting to complete an Ironman.
But just knowing that I will get to that finish line again someday is pretty exciting.
And it might not be 52 degrees and raining again. Maybe this time it will be 90 degrees and humid. Or 65 and cloudless. Or whatever. Who cares? Because that's not really the point.
Ironman is about learning who you are and what you are made of.
About 2 weeks ago, when I was driving my car home from work, the temperature registered as 52 degrees on my dashboard. It was raining pretty hard, and also pretty windy. Unseasonably warm for Cleveland in December, and the wind reminded me that it was in fact, a fluke. It wasn't supposed to be 52 and raining. It wouldn't be for long.
Whenever I see 52 and raining, it takes me back to that day. The day that was also, in essence, a fluke. I remember the months of training...deliberately waiting until 1pm in July when it was a good 84 degrees or so to start my long run. "So I can be ready," I thought. Because it's always, always hot and humid in Madison.
Except when it wasn't.
I remember the emotions of that day: the profound disappointment, extreme pain, gratitude for my friends and family and their support, love for my most loyal fan Matt, fear of the unknown and of 5:30pm and of cutoffs, belief in myself, and utter, sheer joy when I crossed that line.
I remember this:
For me, Ironman is not a one-time event. I just know I'll be back there someday. I don't know where, exactly. And I definitely don't know when. But I can say with 100% certainty that it will not be anytime soon. For me, I just respect the race too much to do that. I know what I, personally, would need to do to get there, and I have no--and I really mean this--NO desire to sacrifice what I'd need to sacrifice at this moment to get to that start line...let alone the finish line again. Some can get by on a lot less training than I could, and that rocks. But for me to do it the way I'd want to do it, it would take a lot of major, major sacrificing. And I really, truly believe that about 90% of completing an Ironman is wanting to complete an Ironman.
But just knowing that I will get to that finish line again someday is pretty exciting.
And it might not be 52 degrees and raining again. Maybe this time it will be 90 degrees and humid. Or 65 and cloudless. Or whatever. Who cares? Because that's not really the point.
Ironman is about learning who you are and what you are made of.
Friday, December 18, 2009
AVERAGE!
YAY!
Usually, I am not one to celebrate average-ness. But today at the ultrasound, I got word that my little bean is right around the 50th percentile in size. Approximately 4 pounds, 1 ounce, to be exact. And this is EXCELLENT news.
I am about 31.5 weeks. Jackson at 36 weeks was an estimated 8 pounds, 5 ounces.
So there's your frame of reference.
The doctor said he doesn't THINK I'll be looking at another 10 pounder here, but obviously anything can happen. I'll have one more ultrasound around 36/37 weeks just to be sure, but this was the best news we could have gotten today. So we're pretty pumped!
Plus, it's just fun to see the baby on the screen. I get to see the little person who has been BACKING THAT BUM UP against my belly, like, nonstop for about 3 days. And if I do say so myself, it's a cute little bum shaker.
One step closer in my goal of avoiding both an induction and a C-section. Of course, I know a lot could happen and it's not all up to me. But this was pretty good news!
Now, for a trail run tomorrow with JenC and B! Preggers, UNITE. Hopefully I can actually still run--I haven't tried since the 5K and have just been walking and doing yoga.
But, most assuredly, pancakes WILL be consumed at the end.
Oh yes. They will.
Usually, I am not one to celebrate average-ness. But today at the ultrasound, I got word that my little bean is right around the 50th percentile in size. Approximately 4 pounds, 1 ounce, to be exact. And this is EXCELLENT news.
I am about 31.5 weeks. Jackson at 36 weeks was an estimated 8 pounds, 5 ounces.
So there's your frame of reference.
The doctor said he doesn't THINK I'll be looking at another 10 pounder here, but obviously anything can happen. I'll have one more ultrasound around 36/37 weeks just to be sure, but this was the best news we could have gotten today. So we're pretty pumped!
Plus, it's just fun to see the baby on the screen. I get to see the little person who has been BACKING THAT BUM UP against my belly, like, nonstop for about 3 days. And if I do say so myself, it's a cute little bum shaker.
One step closer in my goal of avoiding both an induction and a C-section. Of course, I know a lot could happen and it's not all up to me. But this was pretty good news!
Now, for a trail run tomorrow with JenC and B! Preggers, UNITE. Hopefully I can actually still run--I haven't tried since the 5K and have just been walking and doing yoga.
But, most assuredly, pancakes WILL be consumed at the end.
Oh yes. They will.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Baby Sasquatch?
So far...no.
I have taken the liberty to NOT LOOK at the doctor's every time I get weighed. Seriously. I close my eyes, announce I'm not looking, and don't look. It just messes with my head too much.
The last two times, my doc has said, "Can I tell you how much you've gained?"
My response has been "NO" both times. Very emphatically.
So today, she asked again..."Seriously...can I tell you?"
NO WAY.
"Well, is it okay...?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes. You're fine!"
Whew.
So, I definitely don't FEEL like I look like I did with Bug at 32 weeks, but that was the dead middle of a very humid Ohio August. And record breaking temps that September (in my non-air conditioned classroom. Which was AWESOME, by the way). I am still able to wear my rings, I don't really have cankles (yet), and I haven't blown up quite like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man like I did last time.
So here's hoping.
I will be having an ultrasound tomorrow to "see what we're working with" (my doctor's quote). Doc said last month and this month that I'm not measuring "particularly big," which is very good. And important. I'm hoping to avoid both A) an induction (because now I know what that means...and it is NOT FUN) and B) a C-section if at all possible. Obviously, I don't have a crystal ball, and I understand anything can happen in a delivery room. I'm just hoping that I'm on track for a nice, healthy baby who's hopefully not 6'4 and 22o. I don't ask for much.
At Bug's 36 week ultrasound, he was already measuring 8 pounds, 5 ounces. And that, my friends, is when I knew I was in BIG TROUBLE.
So, crossing fingers here...I've been able to be active still and am eating as clean as I can (except for my RIDICULOUS sweet tooth--that's clearly not very clean at all), so I know I'm doing everything in my power to bake a healthy bean. The rest, quite frankly, isn't up to me.
But I sure am excited to see the little one on that screen tomorrow morning. Two months from today is the approximate day I'll meet Bug's little bro or sis.
I'm gettin' pretty excited. :)
I have taken the liberty to NOT LOOK at the doctor's every time I get weighed. Seriously. I close my eyes, announce I'm not looking, and don't look. It just messes with my head too much.
The last two times, my doc has said, "Can I tell you how much you've gained?"
My response has been "NO" both times. Very emphatically.
So today, she asked again..."Seriously...can I tell you?"
NO WAY.
"Well, is it okay...?" I asked hesitantly.
"Yes. You're fine!"
Whew.
So, I definitely don't FEEL like I look like I did with Bug at 32 weeks, but that was the dead middle of a very humid Ohio August. And record breaking temps that September (in my non-air conditioned classroom. Which was AWESOME, by the way). I am still able to wear my rings, I don't really have cankles (yet), and I haven't blown up quite like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man like I did last time.
So here's hoping.
I will be having an ultrasound tomorrow to "see what we're working with" (my doctor's quote). Doc said last month and this month that I'm not measuring "particularly big," which is very good. And important. I'm hoping to avoid both A) an induction (because now I know what that means...and it is NOT FUN) and B) a C-section if at all possible. Obviously, I don't have a crystal ball, and I understand anything can happen in a delivery room. I'm just hoping that I'm on track for a nice, healthy baby who's hopefully not 6'4 and 22o. I don't ask for much.
At Bug's 36 week ultrasound, he was already measuring 8 pounds, 5 ounces. And that, my friends, is when I knew I was in BIG TROUBLE.
So, crossing fingers here...I've been able to be active still and am eating as clean as I can (except for my RIDICULOUS sweet tooth--that's clearly not very clean at all), so I know I'm doing everything in my power to bake a healthy bean. The rest, quite frankly, isn't up to me.
But I sure am excited to see the little one on that screen tomorrow morning. Two months from today is the approximate day I'll meet Bug's little bro or sis.
I'm gettin' pretty excited. :)
Saturday, December 05, 2009
A HUUUUUGGGGGGGGEEEEE PR!
Huge being ME, of course.
So I ran the Reindeer Run 5K FASTER today than I ran the Turkey Dash 5K 10 days ago! WOOT! Not sure how I pulled that off, as I thought I'd definitely need to do LOTS of walking. I think yoga is really helping with my back and strength, though! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
It was so fun to be at a race again--I wish there were a few more but the next local 5K isn't until the Chili Bowl which I'm pretty sure is, like, the week before I'm due. And going into labor on the course might not be the best idea.
Pretty darn proud of myself for running through 30 weeks. I'm going to keep on keepin' on here until it doesn't feel good and isn't fun anymore, and then I'll stick with walking, yoga, and swimming. Although I must admit, my choice of suit to replace my extremely low and borderline indecent 2 piece is...um...interesting. I'm too cheap to get an expensive maternity suit, so I ordered a cheap one piece in the biggest size I could find for $25 on clearance at Dick's. The only trouble is that they didn't have black. So I got my favorite color, red.
And now, folks, I look like the most horribly miscast actress on Baywatch EVER.
Basically, I look like this. EXCEPT NOT AT ALL.
But whatever. 2 more months, right? I can look ridiculous for 2 more months. I'm pretty sure I look ridiculous often, anyway, so no big whoop.
Here's a few pics from this morning...
All the crew at the Original House of Pancakes afterwards! ESpeed not only PRd today, but WON THE RACE! Yay! And, technically, there are 13 people in this picture... :)
There were actually 5 of us running who were pregnant! I am the farthest along, but JenC's not too far behind me!
Me and JenC
So I ran the Reindeer Run 5K FASTER today than I ran the Turkey Dash 5K 10 days ago! WOOT! Not sure how I pulled that off, as I thought I'd definitely need to do LOTS of walking. I think yoga is really helping with my back and strength, though! That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
It was so fun to be at a race again--I wish there were a few more but the next local 5K isn't until the Chili Bowl which I'm pretty sure is, like, the week before I'm due. And going into labor on the course might not be the best idea.
Pretty darn proud of myself for running through 30 weeks. I'm going to keep on keepin' on here until it doesn't feel good and isn't fun anymore, and then I'll stick with walking, yoga, and swimming. Although I must admit, my choice of suit to replace my extremely low and borderline indecent 2 piece is...um...interesting. I'm too cheap to get an expensive maternity suit, so I ordered a cheap one piece in the biggest size I could find for $25 on clearance at Dick's. The only trouble is that they didn't have black. So I got my favorite color, red.
And now, folks, I look like the most horribly miscast actress on Baywatch EVER.
Basically, I look like this. EXCEPT NOT AT ALL.
Here's a few pics from this morning...
All the crew at the Original House of Pancakes afterwards! ESpeed not only PRd today, but WON THE RACE! Yay! And, technically, there are 13 people in this picture... :)
There were actually 5 of us running who were pregnant! I am the farthest along, but JenC's not too far behind me!
Me and JenCHooray for running buddies, and especially hooray for my preggers running buddies who paced me to a blazing fast PR today! :) You guys rock!
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Because it's SUPER FUN TO TORTURE YOURSELF
\So what do I decide to pull out last night?
The book I bought when I was first preggers with Bug.
Core Performance: Endurance.
Why? Why anything about CORE right now?
My core is seriously obliterated. Sigh.
All kidding aside, the book outlines some great stuff about strength and nutrition. I am happy to say I've been pretty good on the nutrition front (minus the Pumpkin French Toast I had with JenC last Saturday...but come on, could you pass that up?!) lately. I still have a sweet tooth like nobody's business, but I've been really trying to focus on whole grains and clean food.
I guess I'm just trying to research as much as I can about strength training: preferably in short bursts where you still get a lot of output. Because if I want to do everything I am planning on next season, I will need to get my strength back. I'm not really a spring chicken anymore, right? After two pregnancies, if I'm not good about strength and core, I'm a bit worried about the "I" word.
You know, the thing I never really have had too much trouble with.
That makes you miss races and stuff.
That rhymes with "Schminjury."
That hurts.
That I won't mention right here, for fear I jinx it.
Okay, enough about that. I have been making the tastiest oatmeal this week and have to share. I made gingerbread waffles Sunday morning for Bug and Matt (they really aren't too unhealthy--I swear) and had some leftover pumpkin puree. So I've been using it to make Pumpkin Oatmeal! Super quick and easy, and literally is holding off my appetite until my 4th period lunch, which I wasn't sure anyone or anything could do. Here's how I make it:
1 cup water
1/2 cup of oatmeal
Nuke for 1:45.
Then, mix in:
2 T pumpkin puree
a handful of craisins
a dash of nutmeg
a few sprinkles of cinnamon
just a teensy bit of brown sugar to sweeten a bit
MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. If you're a pumpkin fan, you MUST try this.
Stay tuned for the last installment of "Pregnant chicks running 5ks" this weekend! I'm making some signs for our backs...any funny sayings I should put on them? I threw the gauntlet up on my facebook account and got some great responses!
The book I bought when I was first preggers with Bug.
Core Performance: Endurance.
Why? Why anything about CORE right now?
My core is seriously obliterated. Sigh.
All kidding aside, the book outlines some great stuff about strength and nutrition. I am happy to say I've been pretty good on the nutrition front (minus the Pumpkin French Toast I had with JenC last Saturday...but come on, could you pass that up?!) lately. I still have a sweet tooth like nobody's business, but I've been really trying to focus on whole grains and clean food.
I guess I'm just trying to research as much as I can about strength training: preferably in short bursts where you still get a lot of output. Because if I want to do everything I am planning on next season, I will need to get my strength back. I'm not really a spring chicken anymore, right? After two pregnancies, if I'm not good about strength and core, I'm a bit worried about the "I" word.
You know, the thing I never really have had too much trouble with.
That makes you miss races and stuff.
That rhymes with "Schminjury."
That hurts.
That I won't mention right here, for fear I jinx it.
Okay, enough about that. I have been making the tastiest oatmeal this week and have to share. I made gingerbread waffles Sunday morning for Bug and Matt (they really aren't too unhealthy--I swear) and had some leftover pumpkin puree. So I've been using it to make Pumpkin Oatmeal! Super quick and easy, and literally is holding off my appetite until my 4th period lunch, which I wasn't sure anyone or anything could do. Here's how I make it:
1 cup water
1/2 cup of oatmeal
Nuke for 1:45.
Then, mix in:
2 T pumpkin puree
a handful of craisins
a dash of nutmeg
a few sprinkles of cinnamon
just a teensy bit of brown sugar to sweeten a bit
MMMMMMMMMMMMMM. If you're a pumpkin fan, you MUST try this.
Stay tuned for the last installment of "Pregnant chicks running 5ks" this weekend! I'm making some signs for our backs...any funny sayings I should put on them? I threw the gauntlet up on my facebook account and got some great responses!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
LOL for the week
Okay, this is too funny and I had to share...
Last night, while picking up a few things at the store, I decided to get some beer for my buddies who were coming over to watch Bruno with me.
(By the way--quite possibly the most DISTURBING MOVIE EVER. My retinas are still burning. But I laughed. I must admit, that sadly, I laughed. And laughed often.)
So I get to the checkout line, and here I am, all 7 months pregnant in a big puffy vest, and...
I GET CARDED.
I started laughing. As if it wasn't funny enough for me to be buying beer at 7 months pregnant...now I get carded for the first time in a while?!?! I told her she just made my night. She claimed she didn't even realize I was pregnant! I was like, SERSLY? Do you SEE this watermelon I'm smuggling under here?!?! I guess the puffy vest did a good job of hiding The Bump.
So the moral of the story is, that just when you think you're done getting carded because you are 32, you really can appear to others as a 20 year old who is massively knocked up and buying beer.
In running news, I had a FABULOUS run with my fellow preggers friend, JenC, yesterday! We did 3 miles on the muddy trails and it just flew by! Then, we hit First Watch for some Pumpkin French Toast. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM it was tasteeeeeeeeeeeeee. JenC's even going to join me tomorrow night for prenatal yoga! WOO HOO!
Next week, tune in as I do my final 5K of the pregnant season at the Reindeer Run with quite a pregnant crew! It should be a blast--and followed by pancakes of course!
Stay classy, and be sure to carry your IDs at all times...
Last night, while picking up a few things at the store, I decided to get some beer for my buddies who were coming over to watch Bruno with me.
(By the way--quite possibly the most DISTURBING MOVIE EVER. My retinas are still burning. But I laughed. I must admit, that sadly, I laughed. And laughed often.)
So I get to the checkout line, and here I am, all 7 months pregnant in a big puffy vest, and...
I GET CARDED.
I started laughing. As if it wasn't funny enough for me to be buying beer at 7 months pregnant...now I get carded for the first time in a while?!?! I told her she just made my night. She claimed she didn't even realize I was pregnant! I was like, SERSLY? Do you SEE this watermelon I'm smuggling under here?!?! I guess the puffy vest did a good job of hiding The Bump.
So the moral of the story is, that just when you think you're done getting carded because you are 32, you really can appear to others as a 20 year old who is massively knocked up and buying beer.
In running news, I had a FABULOUS run with my fellow preggers friend, JenC, yesterday! We did 3 miles on the muddy trails and it just flew by! Then, we hit First Watch for some Pumpkin French Toast. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM it was tasteeeeeeeeeeeeee. JenC's even going to join me tomorrow night for prenatal yoga! WOO HOO!
Next week, tune in as I do my final 5K of the pregnant season at the Reindeer Run with quite a pregnant crew! It should be a blast--and followed by pancakes of course!
Stay classy, and be sure to carry your IDs at all times...
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Race Report: Turkey Dash 5K
I know, I know...it's been since May around here that I've had a race report! This one was definitely a different kind of race, fo' sho'. It was kinda funny to get ready for a race knowing it would be your slowest ever. I did do a 5K when I was about 18 weeks pregnant last time around and it was slow, but I was pretty confident that this one would include many walk breaks, so I'd be lucky to finish in 45 minutes or so.
Went to the doc's yesterday for my appointment, and there was good news. All is well with baby, and so far I'm not measuring particularly big for 28 weeks. This is very good, as from what I hear and what doc says, second babies tend to be bigger. And given that Bug would have been over 10 pounds had I gone to my due date, this is troublesome.
(And by that I mean that this kid MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE ME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL kind of troublesome.)
I'm once again hoping to avoid a C-section if possible, and a baby of a bit less-gargantuan size (but just as healthy, please!) would help me out there. Doc's ordered an ultrasound on December 18th and one again when I'm 37-38 weeks to "see what we're working with." Then, we can make some decisions from there, regarding inductions (boo--now I know what that means, and it's no fun) and C-sections (which I hope to avoid like the plague. Or at the very least the swine flu).
So I was happy to hear all was well and that so far baby isn't a sasquatch. But I am pretty big, and I knew this would still be a slow race.
All picture credits to TriSaraDad!
Karen Nakon lost her battle with breast cancer on her 38th birthday. She wanted to start a foundation to raise money to help support families that are going through breast cancer, since the Komen foundation does such a great job at research. And that's how her foundation began. Karen was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant with her 3rd child, Madison. My mom taught Madison in pre-school while Karen was fighting the disease. From what my Mom says, Karen was just the kindest, most caring parent around and a wonderful person. It's always our favorite race to do every year in her memory, and we are so happy to see how this race has grown over the past few years! With my cousin Judy being a breast cancer survivor, it is especially meaningful for me to give to such a wonderful cause.
Got all decked out in my black yoga pants, one of Matt's long-sleeve tech tees, and of course my favorite pregnant running shirt, and got ready to start with TriSaraMom.
Caption on my shirt reads, "Does this baby make me look fat?"
My BIGGEST fear this race? That I would have to pee within 8 minutes of starting and be forced to grovel, beg, and plead to some random homeowners to use their bathrooms. Or bushes. Or whatever I could find. Lately my runs have been up to the library, peeing, and then back home. So I wasn't sure if Baby would let me actually go for 3.1 miles without making me pee my pantalones. Sometimes when I run it's fine, but other times, Baby decides to use my bladder as a trampoline. I crossed my fingers and headed to the start...after 3 potty breaks in the 20 minutes leading up to the race.
TriSaraMom pins my number on The Bump while I'm waiting for my 2nd potty break BEFORE the race
I got to see a few buddies at the start, including my friend Peter, and my awesome running/tri buddies TriEric and his wife, Aimee, with our running friend DS Racer. TriEric suggested I should change my shirt to say, "Does this baby make me look FAST?" Too funny! And DS Racer said, "You know...you really should stick to Bud LIGHT." Made me laugh!
DS Racer telling me to stick to Bud Light! Buddy, I wish I could have a nice cold ANYTHING right now...!
TriEric, Me and The Bump, DS Racer, and Aimee before the start
It was a nice 45-50 degrees or so which was PERFECT for me as I tend to overheat anyway. I settled into a little shuffle pace and my Mom was nice enough to run with me despite my protests. I didn't want to hold her back!
My iPod made me laugh several times (yes, I wore an iPod for a 5K...I was afraid it would be a long, lonely run, okay?) by playing SexyBack by Justin Timberlake and Bigger Than My Body by John Mayer. First of all, I am most definitely NOT bringing sexy back right now. So that made me actually laugh out loud. Second of all, if "I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for," than I am THE SIZE OF GREENLAND.
That's me on the far left. As if you couldn't tell which one of these runners was not like the other ones....
I kept waiting to either pee my pants or have to walk, but neither one seemed to be happening! Score! My pace must have been just about right.
We got to the two mile marker and the volunteer said, "25:40." And that also made me laugh, because of every 5K I've ever run in my life, be it at the end of a sprint tri or a standalone race, that was slower than ALL BUT TWO. My first 5K ever, when I was a chubby and very much out of shape senior in college, and the one I ran 18 weeks preggers with Bug. Hee hee! I was gonna do this up in slow style, alright. Instead of trying to pick off runners in front of me or glancing at everyone's calves to see what age group they're in, I found myself trying to pick off panting golden retrievers or people pushing jogging strollers with multiple children in them. Hey, whatever works, right?
But the funny thing is that there were plenty of people around me. I thought I might literally be last, but that was so far from the truth. Lots of people were running with their kids, run/walking, or just running slow like me. So my fears of being alone never came true, which was nice. We were all out there, supporting a great cause, and enjoying the sunny Thanksgiving morning.
I thought of how many people sacrifice this Thanksgiving, like all our men and women serving overseas. I thought of people who didn't have their health to even be able to walk a 5K, let alone run one 28 weeks pregnant. And I thought of my mother-in-law, who will be starting chemotherapy next week to battle Stage 4 cancer. All of that made every single step seem easy.
TriSaraMom and I running to the finish line...I was so excited that I didn't have to walk at all! Victory!
Before I knew it, we were at the end! The clock said somewhere around 39ish minutes. I was very happy with that! A far cry from my PR of 23:33, but as far as I know, I was First Overall Female in the 28 week-pregnant division.
I patted my belly and gave my Mom a high-five. We all did it!
And for once, at the end of a 5K, neither one of us felt like puking. Bonus!
Thanks, Baby, for letting mama have a great race! You will be rewarded with massive amounts of carbs and pumpkin pie today. Feel free to kick away. You've earned it.
Went to the doc's yesterday for my appointment, and there was good news. All is well with baby, and so far I'm not measuring particularly big for 28 weeks. This is very good, as from what I hear and what doc says, second babies tend to be bigger. And given that Bug would have been over 10 pounds had I gone to my due date, this is troublesome.
(And by that I mean that this kid MIGHT BE ABLE TO DRIVE ME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL kind of troublesome.)
I'm once again hoping to avoid a C-section if possible, and a baby of a bit less-gargantuan size (but just as healthy, please!) would help me out there. Doc's ordered an ultrasound on December 18th and one again when I'm 37-38 weeks to "see what we're working with." Then, we can make some decisions from there, regarding inductions (boo--now I know what that means, and it's no fun) and C-sections (which I hope to avoid like the plague. Or at the very least the swine flu).
So I was happy to hear all was well and that so far baby isn't a sasquatch. But I am pretty big, and I knew this would still be a slow race.
All picture credits to TriSaraDad!
Got all decked out in my black yoga pants, one of Matt's long-sleeve tech tees, and of course my favorite pregnant running shirt, and got ready to start with TriSaraMom.
Caption on my shirt reads, "Does this baby make me look fat?"
TriSaraMom pins my number on The Bump while I'm waiting for my 2nd potty break BEFORE the race
DS Racer telling me to stick to Bud Light! Buddy, I wish I could have a nice cold ANYTHING right now...!
TriEric, Me and The Bump, DS Racer, and Aimee before the start
My iPod made me laugh several times (yes, I wore an iPod for a 5K...I was afraid it would be a long, lonely run, okay?) by playing SexyBack by Justin Timberlake and Bigger Than My Body by John Mayer. First of all, I am most definitely NOT bringing sexy back right now. So that made me actually laugh out loud. Second of all, if "I'm bigger than my body gives me credit for," than I am THE SIZE OF GREENLAND.
That's me on the far left. As if you couldn't tell which one of these runners was not like the other ones....
We got to the two mile marker and the volunteer said, "25:40." And that also made me laugh, because of every 5K I've ever run in my life, be it at the end of a sprint tri or a standalone race, that was slower than ALL BUT TWO. My first 5K ever, when I was a chubby and very much out of shape senior in college, and the one I ran 18 weeks preggers with Bug. Hee hee! I was gonna do this up in slow style, alright. Instead of trying to pick off runners in front of me or glancing at everyone's calves to see what age group they're in, I found myself trying to pick off panting golden retrievers or people pushing jogging strollers with multiple children in them. Hey, whatever works, right?
But the funny thing is that there were plenty of people around me. I thought I might literally be last, but that was so far from the truth. Lots of people were running with their kids, run/walking, or just running slow like me. So my fears of being alone never came true, which was nice. We were all out there, supporting a great cause, and enjoying the sunny Thanksgiving morning.
I thought of how many people sacrifice this Thanksgiving, like all our men and women serving overseas. I thought of people who didn't have their health to even be able to walk a 5K, let alone run one 28 weeks pregnant. And I thought of my mother-in-law, who will be starting chemotherapy next week to battle Stage 4 cancer. All of that made every single step seem easy.
TriSaraMom and I running to the finish line...I was so excited that I didn't have to walk at all! Victory!
I patted my belly and gave my Mom a high-five. We all did it!
And for once, at the end of a 5K, neither one of us felt like puking. Bonus!
Thanks, Baby, for letting mama have a great race! You will be rewarded with massive amounts of carbs and pumpkin pie today. Feel free to kick away. You've earned it.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
And now, for your daily dose of SMILE
Do ya think if we start a petition they'd bring back The Muppet Show? Because seriously. Has there BEEN a better show on television?
EVER?
It's been a long 2 weeks over here. I'm looking forward to a nice Thanksgiving to celebrate with family. And that little ditty was just the thing to kick off my little vacation.
Hope you enjoyed it, too!
Back with more regularly scheduled stuff soon--including--wait for it--A RACE REPORT! Yes, I'll be doing a 5K at the Nakon Foundation Turkey Dash Thursday morning. Very fitting as I went to a memorial service today for my student's mother who passed away from a long battle with breast cancer at the young age of 48.
I have so much to be thankful for.
Smile, everybody...life is short. And life is so good.
EVER?
It's been a long 2 weeks over here. I'm looking forward to a nice Thanksgiving to celebrate with family. And that little ditty was just the thing to kick off my little vacation.
Hope you enjoyed it, too!
Back with more regularly scheduled stuff soon--including--wait for it--A RACE REPORT! Yes, I'll be doing a 5K at the Nakon Foundation Turkey Dash Thursday morning. Very fitting as I went to a memorial service today for my student's mother who passed away from a long battle with breast cancer at the young age of 48.
I have so much to be thankful for.
Smile, everybody...life is short. And life is so good.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
First swim in....uh....about 8 weeks
What, you got a problem with that?
Squeezing into my TYR 2 piece tankini kinda reminded me of a scene from the classic drama, Tommy Boy...
Except it's more like Big Girl in a Little Suit. And so far, it hasn't ripped. So that's good. But the top is definitely a little bit low for my liking. Anyone have any leads on some maternity suits--NOT just swimming suits, but more like competition style? I got this one out of the grab bag at SwimOutlet.com and I don't know if it will make it to January!
So I went a mile. In 200 yard increments. I forgot how swimming is hard if you take 2 months off! But the good news is that it felt FABULOUS! Way better than some dumb elliptical. I think I'll shoot for 2-3 times a week at the pool after the 5K, and supplement with some trainer rides and walk/jogs on the dreadmill if it's icy and outside if it's not.
So, that was definitely the slowest mile of my life. But on the bright side, I can jump in the pool 26 weeks pregnant after an 8 week pool hiatus and just whip off a mile. Not bad.
Was trying for 2000 yards but got a late start and still needed to hit the Nature's Bin before I headed up to Parent-Teacher Conferences from 1-8:30 tonight. Then I made some tasty couscous with black beans, scallions, and tomatoes and DEVOURED some. Swimming always makes me HUNGRY!
The weather is still nice around here, so I'm hoping to try for a run tomorrow or Saturday!
Squeezing into my TYR 2 piece tankini kinda reminded me of a scene from the classic drama, Tommy Boy...
Except it's more like Big Girl in a Little Suit. And so far, it hasn't ripped. So that's good. But the top is definitely a little bit low for my liking. Anyone have any leads on some maternity suits--NOT just swimming suits, but more like competition style? I got this one out of the grab bag at SwimOutlet.com and I don't know if it will make it to January!
So I went a mile. In 200 yard increments. I forgot how swimming is hard if you take 2 months off! But the good news is that it felt FABULOUS! Way better than some dumb elliptical. I think I'll shoot for 2-3 times a week at the pool after the 5K, and supplement with some trainer rides and walk/jogs on the dreadmill if it's icy and outside if it's not.
So, that was definitely the slowest mile of my life. But on the bright side, I can jump in the pool 26 weeks pregnant after an 8 week pool hiatus and just whip off a mile. Not bad.
Was trying for 2000 yards but got a late start and still needed to hit the Nature's Bin before I headed up to Parent-Teacher Conferences from 1-8:30 tonight. Then I made some tasty couscous with black beans, scallions, and tomatoes and DEVOURED some. Swimming always makes me HUNGRY!
The weather is still nice around here, so I'm hoping to try for a run tomorrow or Saturday!
Monday, November 09, 2009
Yippeeeyippeeeyahooooooooooooooooo
Reasons why today rocked:
1. I finished grading all my DBQs. In case you're wondering, the grand total was just shy of 8 hours. EIGHT. HOURS. Sheesh.
2. I won 3 nice Gap Maternity Sweaters and 2 cute tops for work on eBay in 2 separate bidding wars. Because I'm awesome like that. Got a super good deal on all of them. Sweet!
3. The little bean let me have the BEST! RUN! EVER! this afternoon. Well, best run while pregnant, we should say. Whereas I had to take lots of walk breaks yesterday, today I was just smokin' along at my blazing 12-13 minute pace! Yahooooooooooo! (Okay, it felt fast. Work with me.) I ran to the library, peed, took 3 sips of water in the drinking fountain, and ran home. It was FABULOUS!
4. Bug and I played a game of hide and seek today and he was laughing hysterically every time I jumped out and yelled "BOO!" It pretty much rocked. It was 70 degrees again here so we took full advantage.
4. Just got home from prenatal yoga and now I'm all relaxed and chill. Time for a shower and bed, after my required reading of What to Expect when You're Expected. I seriously laugh out loud when I'm reading it. Written by a writer on the Daily Show and Colbert Report. You're in for a treat, I promise.
I wish every day could be as rockin' as this Monday was!
1. I finished grading all my DBQs. In case you're wondering, the grand total was just shy of 8 hours. EIGHT. HOURS. Sheesh.
2. I won 3 nice Gap Maternity Sweaters and 2 cute tops for work on eBay in 2 separate bidding wars. Because I'm awesome like that. Got a super good deal on all of them. Sweet!
3. The little bean let me have the BEST! RUN! EVER! this afternoon. Well, best run while pregnant, we should say. Whereas I had to take lots of walk breaks yesterday, today I was just smokin' along at my blazing 12-13 minute pace! Yahooooooooooo! (Okay, it felt fast. Work with me.) I ran to the library, peed, took 3 sips of water in the drinking fountain, and ran home. It was FABULOUS!
4. Bug and I played a game of hide and seek today and he was laughing hysterically every time I jumped out and yelled "BOO!" It pretty much rocked. It was 70 degrees again here so we took full advantage.
4. Just got home from prenatal yoga and now I'm all relaxed and chill. Time for a shower and bed, after my required reading of What to Expect when You're Expected. I seriously laugh out loud when I'm reading it. Written by a writer on the Daily Show and Colbert Report. You're in for a treat, I promise.
I wish every day could be as rockin' as this Monday was!
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Operation Make It To Thanksgiving
Got my first run in almost a month in yesterday!
Sunny, almost 70 degrees. Awesome. I know there won't be too many more days like this in C-Town, so I knew I had to take full advantage.
Since getting smacked in the face and sucker punched by the Stupid Swine, I haven't been able to do much. I slowly eased back into things this week with some elliptical work, my awesome prenatal yoga class, and some walking. So I wasn't sure how this run would feel.
The answer: good. And not good.
For those minutes here and there that I don't feel pregnant, it's awesome. I don't wear a watch (that would be too depressing) so I just run by how I feel. I love how running reminds me of who I am.
The trouble is, I don't feel like that all the time. I ran the first half mile without stopping, and then Baby Z decided to let me know s/he was there. It's funny how much things change in a month. Probably because I'm significantly bigger than I was last month, but I can really feel the tightening in my belly that reminded me of why I stopped about this time with Jackson. But once I took a 3-5 house walk break or so, and started up again for a few more blocks, I'd always feel better.
When all was said and done, it was a very slow 2 miles. Normally, 2 miles is a warmup for a tempo run. Sigh. However, I have to remember that I'm about 26 weeks pregnant here. 2 miles is still more than a lot of people do every day. So, I'm hoping to hold steady at 2-3 miles of run/walking here and ease my way back up to the 5K mark. I doubt I'll be able to run the entire Turkey Dash 5K, and I'm fine with that. I'll just be happy to be at a race, and I'm kind of excited to just be out there and still able to run at all given that according to my pregnancy journal I stopped about 3 weeks ago when I was preggers with Bug.
I'm wondering if I can transition to some swimming after Thanksgiving? The trouble with swimming, as I've stated before, is that I do not have a 50 meter pool in my basement. Therefore, with Bug running around like crazy all the time, it's hard to fit the pool in. Hence why my swim times have remained stagnant since I had him, yet my cycling and running times dropped dramatically. I'm thinking if I can take him to the Kid's Cove gym babysitting and just do a half hour of laps, that might be worth it. I could do the elliptical, too, but I just hate that stupid thing. Swimming would definitely be more fun, albeit more of a hassle.
I already had a great walk with my 2 buddies and our collective 3 (going on 5!) kids this morning. I'm thinking I might need a run break to pull myself away from the massive amounts of DBQs I have to grade, and the weather is picture perfect again. Maybe I'll see if I can do my warm-up-I-mean-run this afternoon. We'll see how it goes!
Sunny, almost 70 degrees. Awesome. I know there won't be too many more days like this in C-Town, so I knew I had to take full advantage.
Since getting smacked in the face and sucker punched by the Stupid Swine, I haven't been able to do much. I slowly eased back into things this week with some elliptical work, my awesome prenatal yoga class, and some walking. So I wasn't sure how this run would feel.
The answer: good. And not good.
For those minutes here and there that I don't feel pregnant, it's awesome. I don't wear a watch (that would be too depressing) so I just run by how I feel. I love how running reminds me of who I am.
The trouble is, I don't feel like that all the time. I ran the first half mile without stopping, and then Baby Z decided to let me know s/he was there. It's funny how much things change in a month. Probably because I'm significantly bigger than I was last month, but I can really feel the tightening in my belly that reminded me of why I stopped about this time with Jackson. But once I took a 3-5 house walk break or so, and started up again for a few more blocks, I'd always feel better.
When all was said and done, it was a very slow 2 miles. Normally, 2 miles is a warmup for a tempo run. Sigh. However, I have to remember that I'm about 26 weeks pregnant here. 2 miles is still more than a lot of people do every day. So, I'm hoping to hold steady at 2-3 miles of run/walking here and ease my way back up to the 5K mark. I doubt I'll be able to run the entire Turkey Dash 5K, and I'm fine with that. I'll just be happy to be at a race, and I'm kind of excited to just be out there and still able to run at all given that according to my pregnancy journal I stopped about 3 weeks ago when I was preggers with Bug.
I'm wondering if I can transition to some swimming after Thanksgiving? The trouble with swimming, as I've stated before, is that I do not have a 50 meter pool in my basement. Therefore, with Bug running around like crazy all the time, it's hard to fit the pool in. Hence why my swim times have remained stagnant since I had him, yet my cycling and running times dropped dramatically. I'm thinking if I can take him to the Kid's Cove gym babysitting and just do a half hour of laps, that might be worth it. I could do the elliptical, too, but I just hate that stupid thing. Swimming would definitely be more fun, albeit more of a hassle.
I already had a great walk with my 2 buddies and our collective 3 (going on 5!) kids this morning. I'm thinking I might need a run break to pull myself away from the massive amounts of DBQs I have to grade, and the weather is picture perfect again. Maybe I'll see if I can do my warm-up-I-mean-run this afternoon. We'll see how it goes!
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
This Is Just To Say
I remember being 17, sitting in my AP English class, and loving this poem.
Sometimes you just have to say what's on your mind.
This is just to say
that cancer is scary and awful and
I am very afraid
And I'm trying as hard as I can
to stay positive
but I don't have a good track record
with cancer versus people that I love
And it's bringing up old feelings
of grief and fear
and remembering people that I've lost
and it's hard
Some days are harder than others
and today is one of those days
...and that is all.
Sometimes you just have to say what's on your mind.
This is just to say
that cancer is scary and awful and
I am very afraid
And I'm trying as hard as I can
to stay positive
but I don't have a good track record
with cancer versus people that I love
And it's bringing up old feelings
of grief and fear
and remembering people that I've lost
and it's hard
Some days are harder than others
and today is one of those days
...and that is all.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Taking Inventory
Stuff I really miss now that I'm pregnant:
1. A nice cold beer during a football game.
2. A nice cold beer during a bonfire.
3. A nice glass of wine with dinner.
4. Full-strength coffee.
5. Yummy cold cuts that are actually cold.
6. Not having to roll out of bed to get up in the morning.
7. A nice, hard, tempo run.
8. Going 20+ mph down the road on my bike.
9. My rear end being it's usual size.
10. Not having thunder thighs.
11. Having normal sized shirts.
12. Being able to paint my own toenails without any trouble.
13. Two words: ALLERGY MEDICINE.
Things that make it all worth it:
1. My healthy baby.
2. My Bug learning new words every day.
3. Kisses and hugs and thinking about having double of all of them.
4. Knowing with 100% certainty that I will be able to swim, bike, and run again, and probably faster.
5. All of this:
1. A nice cold beer during a football game.
2. A nice cold beer during a bonfire.
3. A nice glass of wine with dinner.
4. Full-strength coffee.
5. Yummy cold cuts that are actually cold.
6. Not having to roll out of bed to get up in the morning.
7. A nice, hard, tempo run.
8. Going 20+ mph down the road on my bike.
9. My rear end being it's usual size.
10. Not having thunder thighs.
11. Having normal sized shirts.
12. Being able to paint my own toenails without any trouble.
13. Two words: ALLERGY MEDICINE.
Things that make it all worth it:
1. My healthy baby.
2. My Bug learning new words every day.
3. Kisses and hugs and thinking about having double of all of them.
4. Knowing with 100% certainty that I will be able to swim, bike, and run again, and probably faster.
5. All of this:
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Puma Yoga and Pancakes
A few years ago, I met Puma as she was doing some yoga at our school for teachers. She pretty much rocks the house!
Now she has her own studio not too far from me, and I saw that she is offering a Prenatal Yoga Class. After a stressful, crazy, pile-of-paper filled Monday, I thought it would be a nice thing to check out. It was! The class was awesome and I felt so much better afterward. We did lots of stretches for the lower back (which has been starting to hurt a bit), shoulders, and hips. We also did some strengthening exercises to keep us in tip-top shape for labor. I think this will be a Monday evening tradition for me--I even recruited Simply Married, my fellow preggers pal, to come with me in 2 weeks! Yahoo!
I'm pumped this weekend as I'm going to meet a few buddies for a trail run followed by pancakes! Now, I'm not gonna lie--I'm kinda just excited to see my buddies and eat pancakes. I'm not so sure about the run thing. My doctor has told me I need to take it VERY easy as this stupid piggy virus takes a LOT out of you. I think I may have to do lots of walking instead of running. Hopefully they'll still let me hang out with them. ;) Bring on the fall foliage and good times with my buddies Training To Tri, ESpeed, Daisy Duc, Salty, and JenC! I'm sure we'll get some good pictures to share!
And on an unrelated note, I accidentally said "That's what she said" (referring to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, if you must know) in the middle of class today. Um, yeah. Chalk that up on the list of things that will make you lose control of your class for 90 seconds or so. It was pretty funny, though....
Hope training is going well out there in blogland! Enjoy this awesome weather! Here's some pictures my uber-talented Mom took from the Cleveland Metroparks last weekend. Be jealous. Be very jealous.
Cleveland Metro Parks in the Fall
Now she has her own studio not too far from me, and I saw that she is offering a Prenatal Yoga Class. After a stressful, crazy, pile-of-paper filled Monday, I thought it would be a nice thing to check out. It was! The class was awesome and I felt so much better afterward. We did lots of stretches for the lower back (which has been starting to hurt a bit), shoulders, and hips. We also did some strengthening exercises to keep us in tip-top shape for labor. I think this will be a Monday evening tradition for me--I even recruited Simply Married, my fellow preggers pal, to come with me in 2 weeks! Yahoo!
I'm pumped this weekend as I'm going to meet a few buddies for a trail run followed by pancakes! Now, I'm not gonna lie--I'm kinda just excited to see my buddies and eat pancakes. I'm not so sure about the run thing. My doctor has told me I need to take it VERY easy as this stupid piggy virus takes a LOT out of you. I think I may have to do lots of walking instead of running. Hopefully they'll still let me hang out with them. ;) Bring on the fall foliage and good times with my buddies Training To Tri, ESpeed, Daisy Duc, Salty, and JenC! I'm sure we'll get some good pictures to share!
And on an unrelated note, I accidentally said "That's what she said" (referring to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, if you must know) in the middle of class today. Um, yeah. Chalk that up on the list of things that will make you lose control of your class for 90 seconds or so. It was pretty funny, though....
Hope training is going well out there in blogland! Enjoy this awesome weather! Here's some pictures my uber-talented Mom took from the Cleveland Metroparks last weekend. Be jealous. Be very jealous.
Cleveland Metro Parks in the Fall
Monday, October 19, 2009
Back in the Saddle...Kinda
First and foremost, thanks for all the well-wishes on my last post! It was kind of scary last week. I'm not gonna lie. We dodged a HUGE bullet over here. My quarantine efforts paired with OCD levels of Lysol wipes and sprays seemed to have worked, as Bug and Matt are walking away with this unscathed say for a slight cold.
Whew.
Baby Z and I are doing well. I sure do have me a kicker in there. Baby's made it very clear that this diet of soup and grilled cheese is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. But, on the bright side, I doubt my OB will be upset at me about my weight gain this month! Boo ya. Silver lining, baby.
I just swallowed my last Tamiflu, but have been ordered by my OB to be out of school for ten days. TEN. FREAKING.DAYS. Do you know how hard it is to get sub plans for 10 days?! Ugh. I'm very lucky and have the best sub in the world, my mentor Barb, for 4 of the 8 days I'm missing. But the other ones I don't, and that's been rough because I can't expect a sub who doesn't even have a history background to be able to jump into AP History and be fine leading a discussion on the Jacksonian Era. So next week should be quite interesting.
This past weekend I totally had some 26.2 fever. It could be because I am seriously popping out like nobody's business--I mean, there ain't NO denying what's going on now. I'm getting huge. And last time I was 23 weeks pregnant it was early June and everyone was gearing up for their seasons, so it is very reassuring that this time, everyone's winding down. I definitely timed this one up better for many reasons, and that's one of them.
So I, like all of you, are looking ahead to next season. And I think I'm really going to go for it.
The theme of next season shall be, From Baby To Boston.
It means that I will have to make the Rev3 NOT my priority, though. It will be a fun race and one I'll enjoy, but I'm going to have to focus more on being the hostess with the mostess to my Team and use it as a long training day. And I'm okay with that. I actually swore that I wouldn't do any 70.3s next year, until the Rev3 had to go and be all in my backyard and stuff. Because I was really thinking that sprints and olys might fit into life better and also help me get into better shape (going harder for a shorter period of time really helps me drop weight). So, I'm making peace with letting go of the Rev3 as an A race.
My focus will be on Columbus. I think I really thrive off the crowds and races with good support. Chicago has perhaps too much crowd for me in a BQ attempt, and Columbus is only 2.5 hours away. I could easily sneak down there for 24 hours or so and be home afterwards to snuggle with my little guys/guy and girl.
(Yes, that's right. I don't know what I'm having. Well, I do...when people ask me, I reply "human." I like to be surprised. Plus, it gives me some motivation to get through the extremely uncomfortable final weeks--not to mention labor...)
Maybe it's because one year ago, I killed my PR there. Maybe it's because it's now a year away, and I'm stuck here with a big ol' butt and the swine flu, but whatever it is, I just think I'm going to do this.
Next year, at this time, I'm going to punch my ticket to Boston.
And that's the end of the discussion.
Whew.
Baby Z and I are doing well. I sure do have me a kicker in there. Baby's made it very clear that this diet of soup and grilled cheese is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. But, on the bright side, I doubt my OB will be upset at me about my weight gain this month! Boo ya. Silver lining, baby.
I just swallowed my last Tamiflu, but have been ordered by my OB to be out of school for ten days. TEN. FREAKING.DAYS. Do you know how hard it is to get sub plans for 10 days?! Ugh. I'm very lucky and have the best sub in the world, my mentor Barb, for 4 of the 8 days I'm missing. But the other ones I don't, and that's been rough because I can't expect a sub who doesn't even have a history background to be able to jump into AP History and be fine leading a discussion on the Jacksonian Era. So next week should be quite interesting.
This past weekend I totally had some 26.2 fever. It could be because I am seriously popping out like nobody's business--I mean, there ain't NO denying what's going on now. I'm getting huge. And last time I was 23 weeks pregnant it was early June and everyone was gearing up for their seasons, so it is very reassuring that this time, everyone's winding down. I definitely timed this one up better for many reasons, and that's one of them.
So I, like all of you, are looking ahead to next season. And I think I'm really going to go for it.
The theme of next season shall be, From Baby To Boston.
It means that I will have to make the Rev3 NOT my priority, though. It will be a fun race and one I'll enjoy, but I'm going to have to focus more on being the hostess with the mostess to my Team and use it as a long training day. And I'm okay with that. I actually swore that I wouldn't do any 70.3s next year, until the Rev3 had to go and be all in my backyard and stuff. Because I was really thinking that sprints and olys might fit into life better and also help me get into better shape (going harder for a shorter period of time really helps me drop weight). So, I'm making peace with letting go of the Rev3 as an A race.
My focus will be on Columbus. I think I really thrive off the crowds and races with good support. Chicago has perhaps too much crowd for me in a BQ attempt, and Columbus is only 2.5 hours away. I could easily sneak down there for 24 hours or so and be home afterwards to snuggle with my little guys/guy and girl.
(Yes, that's right. I don't know what I'm having. Well, I do...when people ask me, I reply "human." I like to be surprised. Plus, it gives me some motivation to get through the extremely uncomfortable final weeks--not to mention labor...)
Maybe it's because one year ago, I killed my PR there. Maybe it's because it's now a year away, and I'm stuck here with a big ol' butt and the swine flu, but whatever it is, I just think I'm going to do this.
Next year, at this time, I'm going to punch my ticket to Boston.
And that's the end of the discussion.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Buzzkill
Yeah.
Um, so much for feeling good and stuff.
Got off the phone with various docs, and it turns out that I have Influenza Type A and most likely H1N1.
(trying not to freak out)
I sort of knew this would happen. All the Lysol and Purell in the world really can't help you with a building full of coughing, sneezy kids. I did the best I could, but it just wasn't good enough I guess.
The good news is that I have caught it early and will be fine. Baby Z will be fine. My fever has broken and hopefully will stay down.
The bad news is that I still can't help being scared. Bad things happen to pregnant women with swine flu. How could I not worry?
I've basically be quarantined to a room upstairs and unable to see my Bug for more than 30 seconds at a time. That's been the worst. I hear him giggling with his Daddy or saying "Mama?" by my room, and it makes me cry. But I can't let him get this, so I have to hide.
Which is hard, 'cuz look at this face:
Um, so much for feeling good and stuff.
Got off the phone with various docs, and it turns out that I have Influenza Type A and most likely H1N1.
(trying not to freak out)
I sort of knew this would happen. All the Lysol and Purell in the world really can't help you with a building full of coughing, sneezy kids. I did the best I could, but it just wasn't good enough I guess.
The good news is that I have caught it early and will be fine. Baby Z will be fine. My fever has broken and hopefully will stay down.
The bad news is that I still can't help being scared. Bad things happen to pregnant women with swine flu. How could I not worry?
I've basically be quarantined to a room upstairs and unable to see my Bug for more than 30 seconds at a time. That's been the worst. I hear him giggling with his Daddy or saying "Mama?" by my room, and it makes me cry. But I can't let him get this, so I have to hide.
Which is hard, 'cuz look at this face:
Saturday, October 10, 2009
22 weeks (almost) and still running...woot!
Whew. So, I've been a full-time working chick before. And then a full-time pregnant working chick. And finally, a full-time working mommy.
But I've never been a full-time working pregnant mommy before. And let me just say it is kickin' ma BUTT. I'm working on figuring out a few shortcuts here and there, but I must admit I'm a little worried about how I'll be able to keep up this pace for the next 4 months.
Gulp.
Bad news is, my 5K was canceled for next weekend. BOO! I might try to find another one because I'd really like to do a race here just for the sake of being at a race. Plus, next weekend marks the anniversary of my awesome day at Columbus last year. Which just makes me happy. So I'd like to at least run 2.62 miles somewhere, and hopefully a bit more if I can.
In other news, I had to see my weight this past week. Because Bug was FLIPPING. OUT. at the pediatrician's for really no reason at all (he didn't even get any shots or anything!), so the only way we could weigh him was for me to hold him and then subtract my weight.
Ew. Once again, I already outweigh most of Rocky River High School's football team. Sigh.
I think my body is just bound and determined to grow large children. Healthy, which is good, but LARGE. Really hoping this one's not another 10 pounder, but so far it looks like I'm on that track.
In other news, I really wish I could wear pants with a zipper again.
However, I just hit the jackpot of all JACKPOTS at the Westlake kids resale today....I found a tall teacher who was due LAST February and looking to move most of her nice, professional-looking tops from her maternity wardrobe! SCORE! Most of it looks barely worn at all and I got some major steals. So, if me has to wear these big ol' clothes, at least I got a good deal on them.
More money to throw in the bank for race entries for next year. :)
Thinking about everyone racing Kona today...so excited for my boy Tacky! Hope he and everyone else out there has fantabulous days.
The clock's about to strike 22 weeks here...Baby Z is quite the karate-master in there, and I'm hoping to continue running as long as I can. Perhaps I will actually be able to jog the Turkey Dash on Thanksgiving...? I figured I'd be walking by then but today felt so good that maybe I won't have to! Only time will tell!
But I've never been a full-time working pregnant mommy before. And let me just say it is kickin' ma BUTT. I'm working on figuring out a few shortcuts here and there, but I must admit I'm a little worried about how I'll be able to keep up this pace for the next 4 months.
Gulp.
Good news is: I ran 3 miles today and felt fabulous. When I run, it reminds me that this large, puffy, wheezing state is not forever. And when I see my little Bug, then I remember why this is all worth it.
Bug enjoying a delicious dinosaur cookie during his 2nd birthday party.
Bad news is, my 5K was canceled for next weekend. BOO! I might try to find another one because I'd really like to do a race here just for the sake of being at a race. Plus, next weekend marks the anniversary of my awesome day at Columbus last year. Which just makes me happy. So I'd like to at least run 2.62 miles somewhere, and hopefully a bit more if I can.
In other news, I had to see my weight this past week. Because Bug was FLIPPING. OUT. at the pediatrician's for really no reason at all (he didn't even get any shots or anything!), so the only way we could weigh him was for me to hold him and then subtract my weight.
Ew. Once again, I already outweigh most of Rocky River High School's football team. Sigh.
I think my body is just bound and determined to grow large children. Healthy, which is good, but LARGE. Really hoping this one's not another 10 pounder, but so far it looks like I'm on that track.
In other news, I really wish I could wear pants with a zipper again.
However, I just hit the jackpot of all JACKPOTS at the Westlake kids resale today....I found a tall teacher who was due LAST February and looking to move most of her nice, professional-looking tops from her maternity wardrobe! SCORE! Most of it looks barely worn at all and I got some major steals. So, if me has to wear these big ol' clothes, at least I got a good deal on them.
More money to throw in the bank for race entries for next year. :)
Thinking about everyone racing Kona today...so excited for my boy Tacky! Hope he and everyone else out there has fantabulous days.
The clock's about to strike 22 weeks here...Baby Z is quite the karate-master in there, and I'm hoping to continue running as long as I can. Perhaps I will actually be able to jog the Turkey Dash on Thanksgiving...? I figured I'd be walking by then but today felt so good that maybe I won't have to! Only time will tell!
Friday, September 25, 2009
iloveyoufall.
Fall is here, and it's my favorite season BY FAR!
I love the nice cool nights, am SO done with hot weather (and hot for me is 80 degrees...I know...I would never last a day in the south, fo' sho'). Football games and bonfires and pumpkin stuff. Although this year I must admit I'm missing the beer. Especially a nice pumpkin ale. During a football game.
Sigh.
But, it'll all be worth it, and I'm halfway to baby this week (holy crap, how did THAT happen?!), so YOWZA.
The nice thing about not training my butt off this fall is that I actually have time to do stuff I don't usually get to do. Like, sleep. Or, get work done at work. And even some fun stuff, like taking Bug to Miller's Apple Hill to go apple picking with some of his buddies!
We had a blast. And then tonight, because I had time and don't have to worry about a 3 hour ride tomorrow or a 2 hour run at 6am, I took said apples and made some really tasty apple crisp out of them.
With ice cream. Because the baby needs calcium, people.
Anyways, another great thing about fall is riding and running. Which, I must say, I miss even more than a nice cold beer during a football game. I get jealous every time I see a cyclist out on a crisp, sunny day. I know, I know...I'll have time next year. But fall is my favorite season to ride, and I sort of feel like I'm missing out on that.
I'm thinking about next year, too. Now, here's the deal: I have never had 2 kids before. So I don't know how it's going to be, or how it's going to work. I know professionally I'm in a much better spot now with 3 years of AP US History under my belt and taking the RIGHT half of the year off, so I feel really good about that. When I go back to school next year, I don't think it will be quite as hard as it was the first time around, nor will I have as many battles. So, the next thing I'm thinking about is training.
Because that's how I operate. I'm a triathlete. Planning is what we do best, right?
So FOR SURE I'm in for the Rev3 Cedar Point half, and I am SO STOKED for this. It's going to be a blast to show off the NEO to all my teammates. And, I firmly believe September is the most gorgeous month here, too, so it will all around rock. I will also have March, April, and May to recover and just get a base back, and then June, July, and August to ramp up the training--which is perfect because I'll be off school and can (try to!) time up workouts with naps and stuff.
However, I need to recognize that this little bean might not be as easy as The Bug. And that's not anyone's fault...it might just be the way it is. So, here's me OFFICIALLY giving myself permission to LET THINGS SLIDE and deal with that.
Remind me of that, K?
The next thing I'm thinking about (because that's how I roll) is a nice fall running race. I love me the fall marathons. I do best running in the fall. So, ideally, I'd like to do a fall full, and most likely Columbus again. I know the course, I have tons of buddies in Cbus, and it is a course that was really good to me last time around. REALLY good.
And of course, if I'm going to run the full, then I might as well try to BQ.
Right?
But part of me thinks that's a lot to bank on for now. Again, I've never had 2 kids before AND worked full time while marathon training. So, here we go again: this is officially me GIVING MYSELF PERMISSION to do a half in the fall if it's too crazy. Marathons come and go. There's plenty in the spring I could do. And sanity is really quite important.
So, in my perfect world, here's what I'd do next year:
February 17th: have a happy, healthy little bean
April-ish: start working out and dropping the pounds/building the base
July: be in full training mode for Rev3
September: kick butt at Rev3 and PR
October: Run a 3:40:59 or better in Columbus
That's the perfect scenario. And dreaming about that makes me happy, as my butt gets bigger and this baby is bound and determined to give me MORE ZITS THAN AN 8TH GRADE BOY.
But logical me is saying it one more time here (which makes three, if you're counting): I need to be FLEXIBLE and ROLL WITH WHAT LIFE GIVES ME. It's not just about me. I need to make my goals work with my life, not dominate and frustrate my life. So I'll remember that.
And if I don't, then you will, right?
Because that's easier written than done.
I love the nice cool nights, am SO done with hot weather (and hot for me is 80 degrees...I know...I would never last a day in the south, fo' sho'). Football games and bonfires and pumpkin stuff. Although this year I must admit I'm missing the beer. Especially a nice pumpkin ale. During a football game.
Sigh.
But, it'll all be worth it, and I'm halfway to baby this week (holy crap, how did THAT happen?!), so YOWZA.
The nice thing about not training my butt off this fall is that I actually have time to do stuff I don't usually get to do. Like, sleep. Or, get work done at work. And even some fun stuff, like taking Bug to Miller's Apple Hill to go apple picking with some of his buddies!
We had a blast. And then tonight, because I had time and don't have to worry about a 3 hour ride tomorrow or a 2 hour run at 6am, I took said apples and made some really tasty apple crisp out of them.
With ice cream. Because the baby needs calcium, people.
Anyways, another great thing about fall is riding and running. Which, I must say, I miss even more than a nice cold beer during a football game. I get jealous every time I see a cyclist out on a crisp, sunny day. I know, I know...I'll have time next year. But fall is my favorite season to ride, and I sort of feel like I'm missing out on that.
I'm thinking about next year, too. Now, here's the deal: I have never had 2 kids before. So I don't know how it's going to be, or how it's going to work. I know professionally I'm in a much better spot now with 3 years of AP US History under my belt and taking the RIGHT half of the year off, so I feel really good about that. When I go back to school next year, I don't think it will be quite as hard as it was the first time around, nor will I have as many battles. So, the next thing I'm thinking about is training.
Because that's how I operate. I'm a triathlete. Planning is what we do best, right?
So FOR SURE I'm in for the Rev3 Cedar Point half, and I am SO STOKED for this. It's going to be a blast to show off the NEO to all my teammates. And, I firmly believe September is the most gorgeous month here, too, so it will all around rock. I will also have March, April, and May to recover and just get a base back, and then June, July, and August to ramp up the training--which is perfect because I'll be off school and can (try to!) time up workouts with naps and stuff.
However, I need to recognize that this little bean might not be as easy as The Bug. And that's not anyone's fault...it might just be the way it is. So, here's me OFFICIALLY giving myself permission to LET THINGS SLIDE and deal with that.
Remind me of that, K?
The next thing I'm thinking about (because that's how I roll) is a nice fall running race. I love me the fall marathons. I do best running in the fall. So, ideally, I'd like to do a fall full, and most likely Columbus again. I know the course, I have tons of buddies in Cbus, and it is a course that was really good to me last time around. REALLY good.
And of course, if I'm going to run the full, then I might as well try to BQ.
Right?
But part of me thinks that's a lot to bank on for now. Again, I've never had 2 kids before AND worked full time while marathon training. So, here we go again: this is officially me GIVING MYSELF PERMISSION to do a half in the fall if it's too crazy. Marathons come and go. There's plenty in the spring I could do. And sanity is really quite important.
So, in my perfect world, here's what I'd do next year:
February 17th: have a happy, healthy little bean
April-ish: start working out and dropping the pounds/building the base
July: be in full training mode for Rev3
September: kick butt at Rev3 and PR
October: Run a 3:40:59 or better in Columbus
That's the perfect scenario. And dreaming about that makes me happy, as my butt gets bigger and this baby is bound and determined to give me MORE ZITS THAN AN 8TH GRADE BOY.
But logical me is saying it one more time here (which makes three, if you're counting): I need to be FLEXIBLE and ROLL WITH WHAT LIFE GIVES ME. It's not just about me. I need to make my goals work with my life, not dominate and frustrate my life. So I'll remember that.
And if I don't, then you will, right?
Because that's easier written than done.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Falling off the wagon
Well, I certainly haven't eaten very well the past few days.
It's just that this BABY seems to make me SO FREAKIN' HUNGRY. And eat things like chips and salsa mixed with Velveeta.
Yes, I said Velveeta. Me, who likes to only eat whole foods. FAKE FRICKEN CHEESE.
What's gotten into me?!
The good news is, the Velveeta (or, as it says on the package, "pasteurized processed cheese food") is gone as I used it up to make a casserole for Matt's Mom and Dad. She'll be coming home from the hospital--again--tomorrow. It's been a rough week over here for us, involving a trip to the ER for Matt's mom and a car that broke down in the hospital parking lot late Wednesday night. Stressful for me, but doubly so for Matt. Ugh. So, my eating went by the wayside a bit.
I'm a little afraid for this week's weigh-in.
But never fear--I made myself some healthy quinoa tastiness to fuel me up all week. And the running's been going pretty well. And the Velveeta is gone.
And tomorrow, Matt's mom will be home again. Hopefully for good this time.
So, things are starting to look up.
Baby Z is kicking up a lot now! I am excited to see the little bean on the ultrasound tomorrow. Hopefully all will be well in the ever-growing uterus. I feel huge, although I know I don't look as large and in charge as I feel.
The weather has been wonderful, and it's been great for the running. Running/walking has gotten me through the stress of this week--that and some awesome friends and family. So that's good. Although, I have to admit, it's weekends like this where I really, REALLY miss riding my BMC super duper fast down Route 2 toward the Valley for a good 2 hours.
Sigh.
But good things come to those who wait. And so, with that, I'll have to sign off and wait until 3pm tomorrow, when I get to see my little bean jumping around on a screen again.
Happy training to all, and to all a good night!
It's just that this BABY seems to make me SO FREAKIN' HUNGRY. And eat things like chips and salsa mixed with Velveeta.
Yes, I said Velveeta. Me, who likes to only eat whole foods. FAKE FRICKEN CHEESE.
What's gotten into me?!
The good news is, the Velveeta (or, as it says on the package, "pasteurized processed cheese food") is gone as I used it up to make a casserole for Matt's Mom and Dad. She'll be coming home from the hospital--again--tomorrow. It's been a rough week over here for us, involving a trip to the ER for Matt's mom and a car that broke down in the hospital parking lot late Wednesday night. Stressful for me, but doubly so for Matt. Ugh. So, my eating went by the wayside a bit.
I'm a little afraid for this week's weigh-in.
But never fear--I made myself some healthy quinoa tastiness to fuel me up all week. And the running's been going pretty well. And the Velveeta is gone.
And tomorrow, Matt's mom will be home again. Hopefully for good this time.
So, things are starting to look up.
Baby Z is kicking up a lot now! I am excited to see the little bean on the ultrasound tomorrow. Hopefully all will be well in the ever-growing uterus. I feel huge, although I know I don't look as large and in charge as I feel.
The weather has been wonderful, and it's been great for the running. Running/walking has gotten me through the stress of this week--that and some awesome friends and family. So that's good. Although, I have to admit, it's weekends like this where I really, REALLY miss riding my BMC super duper fast down Route 2 toward the Valley for a good 2 hours.
Sigh.
But good things come to those who wait. And so, with that, I'll have to sign off and wait until 3pm tomorrow, when I get to see my little bean jumping around on a screen again.
Happy training to all, and to all a good night!
Wednesday, September 09, 2009
Me, Bug, and the Bump
I've been (finally!) getting my energy back, and we've been having some awesome weather (which means, for me--low 70s in the day, sunny, and near 50 at night. perfect.) so I've been taking advantage of this and running with Bug and the Bump after work!
It totally figures that the one he smiles in, my head's cut off. Gah. :)
Yesterday, we went for a three mile run. The pace is quite snail-ish, but it's still fun. Bug looks for "PLANES!" every two seconds and we both drink from a water bottle. The only trouble is that, since my inner thighs are fast approaching the size of metropolitan Akron, running shorts are not really my friend right now. Do you know how NOT fun it is to run while running shorts are creeping up your thighs? Do you know HOW DEJECTING THAT IS? Sigh...
So today, I decided to try a different approach. I wore my Ironman Wisconsin bike shorts since this weekend it will be three years (wow!) since I traveled on those roads. Bug, the Bump and I ran up to the grocery store to pick up a box of whole wheat pasta for a recipe I was trying. And just to keep a sense of humor about my increasing pudgy-ness, I wore this:
I got a few chuckles at the grocery store! You gotta keep your sense of humor, right?
So hopefully I'll continue these runs as long as I can. I'm thinking I might invest in a support band to help with any back pain, since back pain is what pretty much stopped me in my tracks around month 7 last time around.
The Bump's not such a bad running partner, you know?
It totally figures that the one he smiles in, my head's cut off. Gah. :)
Yesterday, we went for a three mile run. The pace is quite snail-ish, but it's still fun. Bug looks for "PLANES!" every two seconds and we both drink from a water bottle. The only trouble is that, since my inner thighs are fast approaching the size of metropolitan Akron, running shorts are not really my friend right now. Do you know how NOT fun it is to run while running shorts are creeping up your thighs? Do you know HOW DEJECTING THAT IS? Sigh...
So today, I decided to try a different approach. I wore my Ironman Wisconsin bike shorts since this weekend it will be three years (wow!) since I traveled on those roads. Bug, the Bump and I ran up to the grocery store to pick up a box of whole wheat pasta for a recipe I was trying. And just to keep a sense of humor about my increasing pudgy-ness, I wore this:
I got a few chuckles at the grocery store! You gotta keep your sense of humor, right?
So hopefully I'll continue these runs as long as I can. I'm thinking I might invest in a support band to help with any back pain, since back pain is what pretty much stopped me in my tracks around month 7 last time around.
The Bump's not such a bad running partner, you know?
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Half-Caffs and Sunny Runs
So I decided that since I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooowiped out from school, I'd introduce a little half-caff to my day. My doctor says that one cup of regular is fine, but I'm too much of a wuss to do that. Since the mere smell of coffee was enough to make me dry heave for 3 months, I figured a half-caff would do the trick.
It was WONDERFUL. Hello, old friend.
Made it through the school day with no problemo. Even had enough energy afterward to load Bug into the Trusty Bob stroller for a slow jog to and from the park!
My runs are getting slower and slower, but I decided to just count my minutes as "maternity miles." I got this idea from the Runner's World Guide to Running and Pregnancy--a MUST READ for any of you preggo chicks out there. Basically, you take your average running pace (mine's usually around 8:30-9 or so) and once you hit that time, it's a MATERNITY mile. So my 40 minute SLOW jog counts not as the 3 miles and change that it is, but as 4.5 MATERNITY MILES.
See? Good for the soul. :)
While running, I thought about how much I can't wait to race again. I mean REALLY race. Not just show up, which is what I kinda will do for the Spirit Run 5K and hopefully the Turkey Dash.
Part of me misses Ironman. Once you have that day, and experience all the highs, the lows, and the finish line, you crave it like my pregnant brain craves cheese.
(Seriously. I might be giving birth to a mouse.)
But I know that I don't miss what I would need to do to get there. I have zero--and I mean ZERO--desire to put in the 100 mile rides, the weekends where I leave at 6:30am on Saturday and return feeling like I've been hit by a truck at 5pm to go straight to an ice bath, food, and bed.
I just wanna play with my little Bug some, you know?
So I know that the half distance is just perfect for me now. And I am so excited to host Team Evotri at the BRAND NEW Rev3 race at my old stomping grounds, Cedar Point. The plan is to get a condo, relax on the Lake, and after the race pretend I'm 22 again and at the Islands.
(Well...maybe I'd better not go THAT far. Let me just say what we all used to say: "What happens on the Island, STAYS ON THE ISLAND.)
So bring on the maternity miles. I may be slow, but I have next season on the horizon. And I think I might have felt my first kick last night, too.
Life is good.
It was WONDERFUL. Hello, old friend.
Made it through the school day with no problemo. Even had enough energy afterward to load Bug into the Trusty Bob stroller for a slow jog to and from the park!
My runs are getting slower and slower, but I decided to just count my minutes as "maternity miles." I got this idea from the Runner's World Guide to Running and Pregnancy--a MUST READ for any of you preggo chicks out there. Basically, you take your average running pace (mine's usually around 8:30-9 or so) and once you hit that time, it's a MATERNITY mile. So my 40 minute SLOW jog counts not as the 3 miles and change that it is, but as 4.5 MATERNITY MILES.
See? Good for the soul. :)
While running, I thought about how much I can't wait to race again. I mean REALLY race. Not just show up, which is what I kinda will do for the Spirit Run 5K and hopefully the Turkey Dash.
Part of me misses Ironman. Once you have that day, and experience all the highs, the lows, and the finish line, you crave it like my pregnant brain craves cheese.
(Seriously. I might be giving birth to a mouse.)
But I know that I don't miss what I would need to do to get there. I have zero--and I mean ZERO--desire to put in the 100 mile rides, the weekends where I leave at 6:30am on Saturday and return feeling like I've been hit by a truck at 5pm to go straight to an ice bath, food, and bed.
I just wanna play with my little Bug some, you know?
So I know that the half distance is just perfect for me now. And I am so excited to host Team Evotri at the BRAND NEW Rev3 race at my old stomping grounds, Cedar Point. The plan is to get a condo, relax on the Lake, and after the race pretend I'm 22 again and at the Islands.
(Well...maybe I'd better not go THAT far. Let me just say what we all used to say: "What happens on the Island, STAYS ON THE ISLAND.)
So bring on the maternity miles. I may be slow, but I have next season on the horizon. And I think I might have felt my first kick last night, too.
Life is good.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Happy New Year
Thanks for the kind words on the last post. We are hanging in here and staying positive. I am kind of private when it comes to this stuff so please know I don't think I'll be sharing too much here, but I really appreciate all your thoughts, prayers, and just kind words. Thank you. Stage 3 uterine cancer has met its match, and that match is a WHOLE BUNCH OF ZIEMNIKS. We don't take things lying down.
We had a little vacay visiting Matt's sister and brother in law in Charlotte, NC. Bug did a FANTASTIC job on the plane--WAY better than his Mommy. I seriously HATE flying. Literally almost pass out every time we take off and land. I know, statistics show, blah blah blah, but it's just the lack of control that drives me NUTS. But, despite that, we had a fantastic time hanging out on Lake Norman and relaxing. It was a nice way to spend the last few days before school.
Call me crazy here--I fully admit that I am--but I am kind of happy to be back at school. Check me in a few weeks, right? But it's been fun to have a new crop of faces and some old ones, too. I have a record number of AP kids signed up for History at the moment--57 to last year's 37--so we'll see if they can stick it out. I usually lose a few in the first weeks when they see the work load, but so far these guys are troopers! :) It hasn't been TOO hot, either, which is nice. I've been taking Bug to the pool after school so we get to pretend it's still summer. Awesome.
Being pregnant when you're used to training for long-distance events makes you really appreciate free time. It's been kind of nice that I have been able to do things that I don't normally get to do during training. For instance, I've had lots more time to read. I just finished In Defense of Food (very interesting), am currently working on The Other Boleyn Girl (slightly trashy--we'll call it history-trash), and next up on the docket is Escaping North Korea. I'm pretty excited for that one. Best Friend is trying to convince me to read all the Twilight books, and swears she is going to just drop them off sometime, to which my response is I AM NOT TWELVE. AND VAMPIRES ARE STUPID. And that's my story and I'm sticking to it, so don't even try to convert me. :)
Also, Best Friend and I have decided to start "Restaurant Club." She's super crazy busy, and I usually am too but have an extra 10 hours or so in my week until March, so we decided that one night in the last week of each month we shall have a meeting of the esteemed Restaurant Club. In this way, we know we have a friend date at least once a month. The rules are as follows:
1. NO chain restaurants. There will be no Applebee's here.
2. It must be in a developing area, like downtown, Ohio City or Tremont, and preferably locally owned, so that we can help give back to the local economy and
3. At least one of us can't have eaten there before.
So far we've tried Luxe and Momocho's. Luxe was AMAZING. I loved it. Momocho's was very good, but we both decided our husbands would not like it. However, it'd be a great place to have some drinks and chips with all kinds of gourmet guac. She's picking the next one, so I'll let you know where we end up! Cleveland area peeps, feel free to give suggestions!
And on a training front, here's the funny thing: I am not working out NEARLY as much as I did with Bug, yet have gained less. And that's what we call IRONIC. All kidding aside, I'm still focusing on eating as healthy as I can and trying to move 3-4 days a week. Running is getting slower, but is still happening (yay!) and swimming will happen as long as the outdoor pool is open for sure. It will be harder to get to the indoor pool on a regular basis but I will shoot for 1-2 times a week. I've been doing some strength training still (squats, lunges, light arm weights) because I think being stronger will help with the back pain that I already know is on its way in about two months. Plus, it can't hurt to be stronger for labor, either.
Lastly, I have a new goal: I am going to do the Rocky River Spirit Run in mid-October. It's a 5K, and will be later in my pregnancy than the last 5K I did preggers, so we'll see if I can actually run most of it or if I'll need to run/walk. Either way, HEY I HAVE A RACE COMING UP! And that's pretty exciting.
Now it's time to go enjoy a tasty bagel that Matt brought for me, and perhaps watch some Elmo until the sun comes out here soon. :)
Happy training and racing to all, and especially good luck and tailwinds to my awesome teammate Rural Girl tomorrow as she takes on IM LOU! Can't wait to follow her all day--GO RURAL GIRL!!
We had a little vacay visiting Matt's sister and brother in law in Charlotte, NC. Bug did a FANTASTIC job on the plane--WAY better than his Mommy. I seriously HATE flying. Literally almost pass out every time we take off and land. I know, statistics show, blah blah blah, but it's just the lack of control that drives me NUTS. But, despite that, we had a fantastic time hanging out on Lake Norman and relaxing. It was a nice way to spend the last few days before school.
Call me crazy here--I fully admit that I am--but I am kind of happy to be back at school. Check me in a few weeks, right? But it's been fun to have a new crop of faces and some old ones, too. I have a record number of AP kids signed up for History at the moment--57 to last year's 37--so we'll see if they can stick it out. I usually lose a few in the first weeks when they see the work load, but so far these guys are troopers! :) It hasn't been TOO hot, either, which is nice. I've been taking Bug to the pool after school so we get to pretend it's still summer. Awesome.
Being pregnant when you're used to training for long-distance events makes you really appreciate free time. It's been kind of nice that I have been able to do things that I don't normally get to do during training. For instance, I've had lots more time to read. I just finished In Defense of Food (very interesting), am currently working on The Other Boleyn Girl (slightly trashy--we'll call it history-trash), and next up on the docket is Escaping North Korea. I'm pretty excited for that one. Best Friend is trying to convince me to read all the Twilight books, and swears she is going to just drop them off sometime, to which my response is I AM NOT TWELVE. AND VAMPIRES ARE STUPID. And that's my story and I'm sticking to it, so don't even try to convert me. :)
Also, Best Friend and I have decided to start "Restaurant Club." She's super crazy busy, and I usually am too but have an extra 10 hours or so in my week until March, so we decided that one night in the last week of each month we shall have a meeting of the esteemed Restaurant Club. In this way, we know we have a friend date at least once a month. The rules are as follows:
1. NO chain restaurants. There will be no Applebee's here.
2. It must be in a developing area, like downtown, Ohio City or Tremont, and preferably locally owned, so that we can help give back to the local economy and
3. At least one of us can't have eaten there before.
So far we've tried Luxe and Momocho's. Luxe was AMAZING. I loved it. Momocho's was very good, but we both decided our husbands would not like it. However, it'd be a great place to have some drinks and chips with all kinds of gourmet guac. She's picking the next one, so I'll let you know where we end up! Cleveland area peeps, feel free to give suggestions!
And on a training front, here's the funny thing: I am not working out NEARLY as much as I did with Bug, yet have gained less. And that's what we call IRONIC. All kidding aside, I'm still focusing on eating as healthy as I can and trying to move 3-4 days a week. Running is getting slower, but is still happening (yay!) and swimming will happen as long as the outdoor pool is open for sure. It will be harder to get to the indoor pool on a regular basis but I will shoot for 1-2 times a week. I've been doing some strength training still (squats, lunges, light arm weights) because I think being stronger will help with the back pain that I already know is on its way in about two months. Plus, it can't hurt to be stronger for labor, either.
Lastly, I have a new goal: I am going to do the Rocky River Spirit Run in mid-October. It's a 5K, and will be later in my pregnancy than the last 5K I did preggers, so we'll see if I can actually run most of it or if I'll need to run/walk. Either way, HEY I HAVE A RACE COMING UP! And that's pretty exciting.
Now it's time to go enjoy a tasty bagel that Matt brought for me, and perhaps watch some Elmo until the sun comes out here soon. :)
Happy training and racing to all, and especially good luck and tailwinds to my awesome teammate Rural Girl tomorrow as she takes on IM LOU! Can't wait to follow her all day--GO RURAL GIRL!!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Fight of Our Lives
Suddenly, your world can change in an instant.
For us, it was last Wednesday.
Cancer sucks. There's no other way to put it. And I am angry and sad and frustrated and scared that I am staring it in the face yet again, as I watch another loved one wearily take a deep breath and get ready to fight.
This will be a hard fight, but a fight that I know we will win. That we must win.
I'm seeing our prayers already working, and I just hope that they continue to turn the tide our way.
So, between hospital visits and tears and we-can-do-this-it'll-be-okays and anxiously waitingwaitingwaiting for results and biopsies and CAT scans, I can't say much else right now about triathlon. It might take me a bit here.
Right now, we're all gearing up for the fight of our lives.
And I'm really wishing I could just go to the track and run 800 repeats until my legs shook, until I couldn't breathe anymore, until I could barely stand. Because that's about all I think that would make it feel a little better. I tried to swim the other day, and I could barely move. I felt like it was quicksand. And, unfortunately, running to exhaustion is not allowed at the moment. Until, like, March.
So I'm going to have to channel this nervous energy somewhere else. Today I did it by taking Jackson to the dancing fountains at the park, and then to a pizza party, and then to the park again and a little DQ kiddie cup afterwards. And I said, "can you give Mommy a kiss?" to which he usually just leans in for a hug, but today, no....today, he puckered up and laid a big slobbery one on my cheek.
And I teared up and smiled, and thought, "this is even better than the 800s."
To everyone with a loved one fighting cancer out there, we're all in this together. Let's roll up our sleeves and take care of business.
NOW.
For us, it was last Wednesday.
Cancer sucks. There's no other way to put it. And I am angry and sad and frustrated and scared that I am staring it in the face yet again, as I watch another loved one wearily take a deep breath and get ready to fight.
This will be a hard fight, but a fight that I know we will win. That we must win.
I'm seeing our prayers already working, and I just hope that they continue to turn the tide our way.
So, between hospital visits and tears and we-can-do-this-it'll-be-okays and anxiously waitingwaitingwaiting for results and biopsies and CAT scans, I can't say much else right now about triathlon. It might take me a bit here.
Right now, we're all gearing up for the fight of our lives.
And I'm really wishing I could just go to the track and run 800 repeats until my legs shook, until I couldn't breathe anymore, until I could barely stand. Because that's about all I think that would make it feel a little better. I tried to swim the other day, and I could barely move. I felt like it was quicksand. And, unfortunately, running to exhaustion is not allowed at the moment. Until, like, March.
So I'm going to have to channel this nervous energy somewhere else. Today I did it by taking Jackson to the dancing fountains at the park, and then to a pizza party, and then to the park again and a little DQ kiddie cup afterwards. And I said, "can you give Mommy a kiss?" to which he usually just leans in for a hug, but today, no....today, he puckered up and laid a big slobbery one on my cheek.
And I teared up and smiled, and thought, "this is even better than the 800s."
To everyone with a loved one fighting cancer out there, we're all in this together. Let's roll up our sleeves and take care of business.
NOW.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Timing is EVERYTHING
You know what?
I SO TIMED THIS UP BETTER THAN LAST TIME.
Why is that, you may ask?
Well, last time I went to school the first month, then was off for four, and then finished the last semester. Which meant quite a bit of battling with "Your sub didn't do it this way...." blah blah blah. I vowed next time to really try and have a spring baby. Ever wonder why so many teachers have kids in March and April? Yeah. That's it.
And personally, I won't miss a race season!
Yeah, I know. That sounds kinda silly. Is it really that important, you might ask?
YES IT IS SO BACK OFF.
;)
No, seriously. Back in '07, I was coming off an absolute HIGH of Ironman. I can move mountains! Discover new mathematical equations! Find the answer to world peace!
(okay, maybe not quite that high....but you get the picture)
And then I had to virtually STOP. And I have to admit, it was rough. Especially with it being my first one, because I didn't fully understand just how amazing the end would be. It was hard to sit on the sidelines after I got to be a part of something so big, you know?
This year, I got to have a season. It was early, but I got to have a few big races. New Orleans was just a party and I did well despite my training restrictions and stuff. I had a BLAST at that race. And then 6 weeks later, I got to hammer it out in Cleveland. I had a huge day there, and set my post-baby half marathon PR a full 8 minutes lower than my pre-baby PR. It was like my body was telling me, "See...I told you so. Now shut up and don't worry the next time, k?"
I left out of my race report something pretty big that had a ginormous impact on the outcome of that race for me: what was going through my head the last 2.5 miles. I was hurting, I was slowing down, and it was starting to suck. But you know what I kept thinking?
"If you're lucky, THIS IS IT. This is the LAST TIME YOU'LL GET TO HURT LIKE THIS IN A WHILE. You love this hurt. You will miss this hurt. ENJOY THIS HURT, and HTFU. GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOOOOOOOOO."
I left if off the race report, because I didn't know how lucky I'd get.
(Turns out, pretty freakin' lucky.)
So I got to really enjoy that pain. It helped me keep going, because I knew how much I'd miss it now. But I know the races aren't going anywhere, and this time I really understand that I will come back stronger.
And you'd better believe I'm signing up for the new Rev3 70.3 in my backyard next year.
Yep, this timing is much better indeed.
I SO TIMED THIS UP BETTER THAN LAST TIME.
Why is that, you may ask?
Well, last time I went to school the first month, then was off for four, and then finished the last semester. Which meant quite a bit of battling with "Your sub didn't do it this way...." blah blah blah. I vowed next time to really try and have a spring baby. Ever wonder why so many teachers have kids in March and April? Yeah. That's it.
And personally, I won't miss a race season!
Yeah, I know. That sounds kinda silly. Is it really that important, you might ask?
YES IT IS SO BACK OFF.
;)
No, seriously. Back in '07, I was coming off an absolute HIGH of Ironman. I can move mountains! Discover new mathematical equations! Find the answer to world peace!
(okay, maybe not quite that high....but you get the picture)
And then I had to virtually STOP. And I have to admit, it was rough. Especially with it being my first one, because I didn't fully understand just how amazing the end would be. It was hard to sit on the sidelines after I got to be a part of something so big, you know?
This year, I got to have a season. It was early, but I got to have a few big races. New Orleans was just a party and I did well despite my training restrictions and stuff. I had a BLAST at that race. And then 6 weeks later, I got to hammer it out in Cleveland. I had a huge day there, and set my post-baby half marathon PR a full 8 minutes lower than my pre-baby PR. It was like my body was telling me, "See...I told you so. Now shut up and don't worry the next time, k?"
I left out of my race report something pretty big that had a ginormous impact on the outcome of that race for me: what was going through my head the last 2.5 miles. I was hurting, I was slowing down, and it was starting to suck. But you know what I kept thinking?
"If you're lucky, THIS IS IT. This is the LAST TIME YOU'LL GET TO HURT LIKE THIS IN A WHILE. You love this hurt. You will miss this hurt. ENJOY THIS HURT, and HTFU. GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOOOOOOOOO."
I left if off the race report, because I didn't know how lucky I'd get.
(Turns out, pretty freakin' lucky.)
So I got to really enjoy that pain. It helped me keep going, because I knew how much I'd miss it now. But I know the races aren't going anywhere, and this time I really understand that I will come back stronger.
And you'd better believe I'm signing up for the new Rev3 70.3 in my backyard next year.
Yep, this timing is much better indeed.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
This Time Around...
So, I'm finally starting to feel better (yay!) and I'm hoping a few things are different this time.
Namely, I don't gain a small country's worth of weight.
Here's the deal.
I totally wasn't going to even pay attention to my weight this time, because last time no matter WHAT. I. DID. I just gained and gained and gained. Ran through my 7th month. Swam a mile 4 times a week. Ate mostly good stuff. It didn't seem to matter. Then I lost it all, and five more, and a dress size. So I had totally made peace with the fact that my weight might just be what it is.
Then I met with my doc.
To spare you the gory details, it seems that I had some stuff happen in my delivery of Jackson that I wasn't even fully aware of. (And that's probably a good thing, in this case) He was SO BIG. And your chances of having a baby that's bigger the second time are high. Which means if all goes the same, I'm looking at having a minimum 10 pound baby.
To which, she said, if that's the case...she'll strongly recommend a C-section.
Say huh?
No. NONONONONONONO I do not want a C-section if at all possible. Partly because I like to keep things as natural as possible, partly because I am a petrified freak who can barely give blood without passing out so how on earth am I ever going to have my insides taken out and sewn back in?!, and partly because of the recovery time.
And I'm just scared of it. That's mostly it.
So, I asked what I needed to do to avoid this. I know there is a great deal out of my control. But she did say that the one--the only thing, really--in my control is to watch my weight. Now, she could have been blowing smoke up my bum here, but she claims that for some women, there's a hormone in the placenta that makes it virtually impossible for carbs to be changed into energy. It just turns straight into fat.
Which is awesome. Because for the past 6 weeks or so, all I could get down were starchy carbs. And then I'd sleep for 2 hours.
But that does make some sense...because I swear I did everything "right" last time and still gained 55 freaking pounds. So, I decided to give it a shot. The only thing in my control here is to eat as healthy as I can. That's it. It still might not work, and I accept that.
But it's worth a shot.
So I've been logging what I'm eating at babyfit.com, which is a great site full of good stuff. And, I've had enough energy to get back into workouts this week, which is awesome. I feel a little bit more like myself every day. And the great part about doing squats and lunges is that I don't even need to hold extra weights! Because I already am holding the extra weight in my stomach! And butt! And hips! BRIGHT SIDE, people!
All kidding aside, I'm able to run about 3 miles (slowly), eat things that aren't just carbs (yay!), and my arms and legs are sore from some strength exercises. Almost like a regular workout day!
But you know what? This time I am definitely trying to enjoy the ride a bit more. Watching the little bean dancing around in there today at my ultrasound makes everything better. And when all is said and done, as long as that bean comes out healthy--even if it means out of my nostril--then that's what matters.
But I'm still gonna try to do it my way.
Namely, I don't gain a small country's worth of weight.
Here's the deal.
I totally wasn't going to even pay attention to my weight this time, because last time no matter WHAT. I. DID. I just gained and gained and gained. Ran through my 7th month. Swam a mile 4 times a week. Ate mostly good stuff. It didn't seem to matter. Then I lost it all, and five more, and a dress size. So I had totally made peace with the fact that my weight might just be what it is.
Then I met with my doc.
To spare you the gory details, it seems that I had some stuff happen in my delivery of Jackson that I wasn't even fully aware of. (And that's probably a good thing, in this case) He was SO BIG. And your chances of having a baby that's bigger the second time are high. Which means if all goes the same, I'm looking at having a minimum 10 pound baby.
To which, she said, if that's the case...she'll strongly recommend a C-section.
Say huh?
No. NONONONONONONO I do not want a C-section if at all possible. Partly because I like to keep things as natural as possible, partly because I am a petrified freak who can barely give blood without passing out so how on earth am I ever going to have my insides taken out and sewn back in?!, and partly because of the recovery time.
And I'm just scared of it. That's mostly it.
So, I asked what I needed to do to avoid this. I know there is a great deal out of my control. But she did say that the one--the only thing, really--in my control is to watch my weight. Now, she could have been blowing smoke up my bum here, but she claims that for some women, there's a hormone in the placenta that makes it virtually impossible for carbs to be changed into energy. It just turns straight into fat.
Which is awesome. Because for the past 6 weeks or so, all I could get down were starchy carbs. And then I'd sleep for 2 hours.
But that does make some sense...because I swear I did everything "right" last time and still gained 55 freaking pounds. So, I decided to give it a shot. The only thing in my control here is to eat as healthy as I can. That's it. It still might not work, and I accept that.
But it's worth a shot.
So I've been logging what I'm eating at babyfit.com, which is a great site full of good stuff. And, I've had enough energy to get back into workouts this week, which is awesome. I feel a little bit more like myself every day. And the great part about doing squats and lunges is that I don't even need to hold extra weights! Because I already am holding the extra weight in my stomach! And butt! And hips! BRIGHT SIDE, people!
All kidding aside, I'm able to run about 3 miles (slowly), eat things that aren't just carbs (yay!), and my arms and legs are sore from some strength exercises. Almost like a regular workout day!
But you know what? This time I am definitely trying to enjoy the ride a bit more. Watching the little bean dancing around in there today at my ultrasound makes everything better. And when all is said and done, as long as that bean comes out healthy--even if it means out of my nostril--then that's what matters.
But I'm still gonna try to do it my way.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
LONG overdue race report
All three girls: Madison, Ashley, and Brittney post-race--all triathletes! So proud of them!
So, life got in the way a bit this week, and I am very overdue on my race report from the Huntington Sprint Triathlon that my three girls did.
The good news is that my awesome buddy, aka Coach Eric, aka TriEricTri took care of a fantastic race report on our Evotri2 blog. Check it out!
To make a long story short, we are SO PROUD OF THESE GIRLS. They all finished, and all did so well. Brittney was the 8th OVERALL FEMALE (I do believe we have created a monster! We'll see her in the Olympics someday), Madison was 2nd in her age group, and Ashley displayed some SERIOUS Iron-Mental-Toughness after getting a flat halfway through the bike, then RIDING THE REST ON IT, and then still finishing despite super tired legs. We'll just call her Chrissie Wellington. :)
Oh, and I just checked results again...Brittney was the FASTEST FEMALE ON THE RUN. Her 20:58 5K beat EVERY. SINGLE. WOMAN. out there. Including the top three females! Very exciting. :)
SO...I'll just share my pics here. For the full report, go here.
It was so much fun to work with these girls, despite my almost-hurling and crazy fatigue, and I'm glad I can at least explain why now! I think all three of them have definitely caught the tri-bug.
Congratulations, ladies!
And this is pretty much my backyard. I LOVE LOVE LOVE where I live! :)
Pre-race announcements
Brittney, Ashley, and Madison all ready to rock!
Brittney absolutely SMOKING the field with a blazing fast 5K and the win for both the 15-18 AG AND the 19-24 AG--and 8th overall!
Madison coming out of the water after a great swim!
Ashley looking confident and ready to go!
Madison and a few of her buddies show off their body marking!
Brittney and a former CC teammate at the start.
Again, I could not be prouder of these girls. They put in the miles, prepared, and dealt with what the day gave them. They all displayed a great deal of mental toughness and physical talent. Congratulations to our three triathletes!
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