Archives for posts with tag: running

Tricky Little Baby Boy

July 30, 2014 //

Today I got an extra special ultrasound. It has been scheduled for 2 weeks, so it wasn’t an emergency or anything. I regularly hear about how small I am for how far along I am. I got that with Jackson as well. It isn’t just family, friends, and strangers that notice this. My OB has as well. Due to my fundal measurements.

They were concerned about this with Jackson too. They get worried because they think the baby could be SGA, small for gestational age. Or you could be low on amniotic fluid. I got a few extra peeks at Jackson throughout that pregnancy. This time around I am not measuring correctly either. However, Jackson was 7lbs 11oz and 20.5 inches when he was born. He was nowhere near being SGA! So, my OB’s attitude was way more casual this time. But, she scheduled the ultrasound just to take a look and be safe.

My fundal height puts me at 26 weeks! I am 30.5 weeks along. Mister Alexander is measuring in at 30.5 weeks and 3 1/2 lbs! Ha! Just like his big brother. My amniotic fluid is great. Alex is head down, waaahoooo. So somehow I manage to carry my perfectly big boys in a small manner. I am not complaining.

I was hoping to get an adorable ultra sound photo of him today. Our 20 week one wasn’t so clear because he was busy moving around a ton. Today was no different. As a matter of fact, every single time the Ultrasound tech pushed too hard on my belly, according to him, he would kick her. He would kick her hard! I know this one has all kinds of sass in him already. He moves way more than Jackson did. The other day I was getting Jackson some milk and I misjudged the distance from the fridge shelf to my belly, since it is larger than normal, and I bumped my belly. He immediately kicked me back very hard. He is my youngest ninja.

Something else I have been dealing with is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, or a separated pelvis. I don’t recall what specifically caused it. Really moving in any manner can cause it. That tricky Relaxin hormone contributes to this happening. It can be incredibly painful. At certain times it has been for me. I have been seeing a chiropractor to help keep it in place as best I can. It does move again on its own sometimes. I actually felt it happen again yesterday. But overall, the adjustments help manage it. My OB thinks after I give birth and the hormones leave my body that it will go back on its own. But I will continue chiropractic treatment until I give birth.

I am still running, swimming, walking, and doing Pilates. I just have to modify things and listen to my body. It has gotten so much better though. Initially, there was no way I could run. I tried after 2 adjustments and I was so upset because it was still painful. I was nearly in tears thinking my running days during pregnancy were coming to an end. They aren’t though. I ran this morning and was successful! Saturday will start month 8 and I am still running along. Maybe not daily, but a couple times a week. Swimming has been my saving grace. AHHHHH! I get to swim almost daily. That feels so great. To feel weightless and pressure free for an hour.

I did tell my husband that after this baby I am done having babies. He replied “that’s fair” Ha! At least he is sympathetic to my adventurous pregnancy, as I have called it.

Other than all of that, I am getting so excited to hold this little boy. Earlier I was thinking about touching his tiny hands. I love how Jackson’s hand still feels in mine and I am so excited to have two sets of little boy hands to hold. We have been getting his room ready and stocking up on new gear we need.

Crib. It is not all done yet. I have things to hang and different sheets but it is a start

Curtains

New sit and stand stroller. Jackson is even more excited than I am over this buy!

I can’t stop buying these kinds of shirts

Jackson is super into superheroes, so we have become a superhero lovin family. Baby Baby

❤

I do have a lot of leftover clothing from Jackson, but Alexander deserves some of his very own things as well. Also, I love love love dressing my boys. So much that the size of their wardrobes are comparable to mine. Seriously. If anyone ever tells you dressing little boys is not as fun as dressing little girls, you tell them to shut their mouth. No joke! It is a blast. I even get excited over superhero tshirts. I know it makes Jackson happy, and so it makes me happy.

There is my 30.5 week update. I am trucking along. About 2 months left. Getting more and more excited.

Tags babies, baby, children, family, fitness, healthy living, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, prenatal fitness, running

Categories Uncategorized

3rd Trimester

July 13, 2014 //

It’s the 3rd Trimester! I am one day into it, actually. Yesterday was the official 28 week marker. I have said this about 100 times this pregnancy, I cannot believe how FAST it has flown by. I should probably stop saying it. Ha!

I am still keeping up with all my fitness. I am still running. As a matter of fact I celebrated the start of my 3rd trimester with my fastest run since probably early on in the 1st. I even managed to go for an outside run yesterday. Instead of my treadmill.

On Thursday I ran over 2 miles, went to the Children’s Museum for the better part of the day, then swam in the pool before dinner. I did a Prenatal Jumpboard class on Friday. It was amazing. That is one Reformer accessory I don’t have yet and I will be purchasing one this week I think. Yesterday I ran and swam. Needless to say, today will be a rest day. With a swim, though, I am sure. I rarely get away without swimming almost daily. When you have an indoor pool and a 3 & 1/2 year old who has been swimming since he was 3 months old, it is hard to skip a day of swimming. I am not complaining though!

This was from the 4th of July. So I was just shy of 7 months.

July 4th. I am clearly pregnant!

You can see the 3 & 1/2 year old swimming his heart out in the background! My little sweetheart fishy. I am assuming this one is going to be the same, since he won’t know life without a pool to take a dip in. I plan to introduce him into the pool as early as I did Jackson, if not earlier. We are swimming people in this family.

I am still maintaing my clean eating. With occasional cheat moments. Which is kind of normal. By this I mean, I allow our family to have pizza night from time to time. Or I will indulge in some kettle corn. But for 98% of the time I am making my own meals and keeping it nice and fresh and healthy.

My husband is about done with painting the baby’s room. Today he will put together the crib. I have to order a mattress and a dresser. We are waiting on the glider to be shipped. It is all coming together.

Jackson keeps me busy as ever. He loves to do things and go places. And when he has had enough of our activities he will tell me he just wants to stay home for the day. I love being able to communicate with him so easily. Preschoolers are great that way. They are so honest and can tell you exactly what they are thinking. Sometimes it makes life interesting but for the most part it makes life a little easier. He is so excited to be a big brother. I didn’t really want a second child for the longest time. I planned on him being an only child. But now that I am 12-13 weeks away from having a 2nd, I know this was the right choice. Our first was born to be an older brother. He kisses my belly and rubs my belly daily. Here is he is giving me a check up, another thing he does all the time . “I want to check your baby”

A few weeks ago on a walk to the park he said “I just wonder what his face will look like mom.” I think that every day! What a mature thing for a 3 & 1/2 year old to be thinking about. His heart is so warm and big that I feel we are giving him one of the greatest gifts. The chance to be a big brother and have that sibling relationship. I am aware not every moment is going to be sunshine and butterflies. I have two younger brothers of my own. I remember the brawls and fights between the 3 of us. Heck, sometimes we still go at it, but overall, that is a good love. Jackson is always thinking of Alexander. He wants to buy things for him. He gets worried if we have enough blankets for him and other baby items. Recently he asked me if we had any baby diapers. When I said we didn’t yet, he was very adamant that “We need to get some baby diapers!!!” Out of nowhere he asked me that. We were not even talking about diapers. These are the things his mind thinks of.

I mentioned I did my fastest run in months and trimesters. The time is not what I would consider fast on a normal run. As a matter of fact, if I ran a mile that slow while not pregnant I wouldn’t even talk about it. I was in the 12 minute/mile range! Yikes. I am normally in the 8:30ish range. So accepting how much I have slowed has been hard. I actually don’t talk about my time much anymore. I even turned off the voice update on my running app yesterday. When I am on the treadmill I usually have my iPad over the screen and just slide it over to see how far I have run. I know once I have the baby and start retraining myself I will get my times back to normal, since I have done it once before. So I try to not overly focus on my current snail’s pace. My trainer asks each week how much I run. Whenever I tell her I usually say something like “Oh only 2-3 miles each run” The other day she said “You say that like it is no big deal, but it is because you are 7 months pregnant!” I hadn’t thought much about it that way. I am 7 months pregnant and STILL running multiple miles a week! That is a great achievement, no matter how slow those miles end up being.

Before my run at 28 weeks exactly

I am looking forward to the rest of this trimester and eventually holding my sweet baby boy in my arms. And eventually cuddling on my couch with my two little sweethearts.

Tags big brother, fit pregnancy, fitness, pilates, pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, prenatal pilates, prenatal running, running, siblings, strength training, trimester, working out

Categories Exercise, family, Fit Pregnancy, fitness, Healthy Living, Healthy Pregnancy, Jack, love, Momommahood, motherhood, Motivation, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Pregnancy, Reformer, stay at home mom, toddler, Toddler activities, toddlerhood

My Pregnancy Essentials

June 16, 2014 //

Today it is pushing 90 degrees where I live. I am not complaining! After the terrible, long, brutal, 50 below 0 winter we had, I welcome the sunshine and warmth on my face! But being pregnant in summer is far different than being pregnant in winter. Jackson is a February baby. I was in the nitty gritty of pregnancy in much cooler weather with him. This time I get the joy of a summer pregnancy. Both have their perks I think and both have their challenges.

I wanted to share some summer (and not necessarily summer) pregnancy essentials that I am obsessed with.

1. I used this with my first pregnancy and I escaped stretch mark free! I swore by it, I swear by it, and I share it with most new preggos I know. Bella B Tummy Honey Butter.
It always soothes an itchy belly for me. I usually use it twice a day. It can be a bit greasy feeling initially but the way I see it is, it soothes the itching and I was stretch mark free. So far I am as well. Greasiness is a small price to pay for both of those! You can find it on their site or Amazon. I am a fiend for ordering it from there. This is my current tub and I have two or three more stored in a cabinet. Just watch the price on Amazon. I have sometimes noticed it to be priced higher than their retail price.

2. My Gap Maternity jean shorts. I have two pairs that I love. They are so comfortable. They are the same pair but different dyes of jean. Unfortunately it appears that the darker wash I own is no longer anywhere on their site!

I am wearing the lighter wash in this photo. I was 16 weeks here. I am a few days into 24 weeks now and I am comfortable wearing them today. They are still loose but comfy! I also like that they are a panel at the waist and not a full panel. I wore full panel shorts one hot day recently. We walked to the park. That was a mistake. I was so hot, sweaty, and itchy that as soon as I walked in the door off they came. Never again!

3. Three goes hand in hand with the above photo. I am obsessed with any kind of ribbed tank. The one above is also from Gap. One of their Essential Tanks. I also have the white one I linked to. I am again wearing this tank today at 24 weeks and it is still way comfy and fitting. I have ribbed tanks from A Pea in the Pod too.

This was Memorial Day. Also, note the shorts 😉 These kinds of tops are just so comfy and keep me cool. Plus they show off my shoulders and arms. They are fitted so I don’t feel overly billowy. Tank tops are just a must have summer pregnancy staple for me.

4. Be Maternity BeBand. I know I said I hate full panels, and that is true, unless I am running! I need the belly support. I have found that two of these or one with a full panel maternity running capri keep me supported enough to not have any ligament pain in my low abs during runs. I have 4 of these. Two white and two black. Not that colors matter for me because I wear them under a fitness top. I have tried another band, a more elaborate one but right now, at this stage, it was more cumbersome than helpful. Perhaps as I get bigger in the next 3 months I will be switching. But for now, these rock my running world.

5. Pacifica Kona Coffee Sugar Scrub. This stuff smells so good I could almost eat it in the shower! Ha! Just kidding but really it smells fantastic, if the smell of coffee doesn’t bother you. I find it amazing.

This product leaves my skin so fresh and smooth. It is the last thing I use in the shower. I go through it quickly because I use it all over my body. So, it can be a bit of a splurge. But it is so relaxing and refreshing to start my day with this. I initially found it at Ulta. I have also ordered it directly from Pacifica. I also have read that Target carries this brand. I keep forgetting to look for it when I am there, so I cannot confirm or deny if they have this specifically. Like I said, it is a splurge that it is worth it for my pregnant self.

6. On the same brand note, I am loving their Coconut Crushed Pearl shimmer lotion.

It gives a nice sparkle to your skin. It is also very moisturizing. I was playing in the pool with my husband yesterday and he kept trying to grab my arms and legs. I was swimming away. Each time I was able to slip right from his hands. I bragged about how I can get away because of all my lotion! Ha! It leaves me glowing and moisturized. It smells lovely as well!

7. Ok, this is the last Pacifica product…..for now! Indian Coconut Nectar hand cream is a must for bedtime for me. I put it on every night.

I will also use it in the morning after getting ready and before I put on my rings. It keeps my hands soft and smelling lovely. I wash my hands so much between a 3 year old who is potty trained, but sometimes needs help, and the washing of the dishes or cleaning in general, that they get dry even in summer. I also have the Tuscan Blood Orange. It smells lovely too!

8. This is by far my favorite foot lotion, pregnant or not! I have been using it for years. It feels especially nice before bed after a long day. H2O Softening Mint Foot Rub.

It is cooling and moisturizing. I will usually sit with my feet up on a pillow in bed for a few moments after and the cooling feeling is so refreshing. That is especially important as a pregnant lady in the summer! I usually buy it at Ulta, but you can also order it directly from H2O or go to one of their stores.

9. A reusable water bottle of your choice. I am on the go so much with the little man. I have an assortment of water bottles I can fill and take with me. Especially if we are walking to the park. You have to stay hydrated while pregnant and even more so in the summer heat.

10. Pilates/yoga/birth ball. Ahhhh!! Again, one of your choice. I love to do pelvic tilts and circles on mine at the end of a workout. It is also a great way to stretch. I am planning a medication free labor/delivery and I will be bringing it to the hospital as a birth ball as well. It is so versatile. It is not just for pregnancy either. It can easily be used for anytime workouts! I have had mine for a few years. I love it.

11. A good swimsuit of your choice. I have played around with a one piece and several tankinis. I was so miserable in them! I always felt puffier than I am sure I appear to everyone else. I am just a bikini kind of gal. I love them for swimming. I feel so much more free in the water when I wear one.

I actually found a non maternity top that fits me nicely. On the clearance rack at target. I am normally a small but I bought a medium for my much larger chest (two freakin cup sizes!) Those bottoms are maternity bottoms from Target as well. I happened to buy them to go with the aforementioned tankini tops. A bikini during pregnancy may not make you feel more comfortable, and that is fine! That is why you just need to find one that makes you feel sexy and beautiful. Getting in the pool while pregnant, any time of the year, is so wonderful. You feel weightless. You can float on your belly! You can get in a workout. You can cool off. It can even help with water retention. I usually have to pee a ton by the time I get out of our pool. So if you don’t have one, check your local Y or gym for a prenatal swim class. I did that with my first pregnancy. This one, we have an indoor pool so I lucked out. I just train myself in there.

Do you have any pregnancy essentials? Anything you could not live without during your maternity time?

Tags baby bump, essential maternity, maternity, mom, pamper, parenting, pilates, pregnancy, pregnancy must haves, relax, running, spa

Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, Fit Pregnancy, Healthy Living, Healthy Pregnancy, pilates, Pregnancy, Reviews, Running

Bikini Baby Bump

June 12, 2014 //

Saturday will bring me into my 6th month of pregnancy. I continually say this pregnancy feels like it is going much faster than my first. I am just far more busy and active than the first time around. I already know what having a child is like. I already have a million child raising tasks to complete each day. My sweetheart keeps me distracted. It is easily the best distraction possible.

I always make time for myself. Part of my parenting motto is that you have to take care of mom to teach your kids that self care and respect is important. I especially make time for my fitness. Jackson knows that mommy has to get her workout in. He is so great about me fitting these times in. He often hangs out with my in my Pilates room. He even tries a few things himself. I am happy to take a moment to help teach him a move or snap an adorable photo.

My fitness has taken no break since becoming pregnant. Certain techniques may have changed over time, but I still workout nearly every day. If I take a rest day I am sure to be active in some other manner that day. I walk to the park or deep clean the floors. I keep on moving. I have even started working with a private Pilates instructor once a week. I know I am a certified instructor, but it is nice to take a break from having to think about what I need to do that day. It is nice to get suggestions from another instructor. It is nice to have someone else correct my form and imbalances.

My diet has remained very clean and healthy. I have little to no cravings for anything junky. I crave limes, vinegar, fruit, carrots, all sorts of healthy things. My first pregnancy wasn’t the same. I loved junk! My husband has been so disappointed this time. He was certain he was entering another 9 months of me approved junk food runs. No such luck. Which I am thrilled about! It is much nicer to satisfy a craving for limes.

I did prenatal swim classes with my first pregnancy. I had a nice purple tankini that billowed around me. This time around I bought a few tankinis again. We have an indoor pool, so we are swimming quite often. I felt pretty miserable and gross in these swimsuits. I really enjoy bikinis. I finally decided to go ahead and get a bikini. I found a size medium cute bikini top on the clearance rack at Target. I had some bottoms from the tankinis I already had. I feel SO much more confident now. I don’t feel sloppy or frumpy. I have decided to embrace my round belly in a bikini this time around. My husband likes me in a bikini, pregnant or not. He prefers it to the tankinis I was wearing! Plus, I do Pilates almost daily! I swim. When I am not battling the worst cold of my life (have been for over 2 weeks) I run, I walk to and from the park pushing a 36lb preschooler in a stroller, I run/play/dance/move with that preschooler, and often I carry that preschooler. I do a lot of physical activity and I eat very clean. So why not accept my pregnant healthy body?

So there you have it. 6 months of baby belly in a bikini! Baby #2 that is. I know I still have a bit to go and this belly is going to get larger but I am feeling pretty good right now. As a matter of fact in the past week and a half I have counted 8 people who have been in shock that I am as far along as I am. I will take it all as compliments. I would rather hear that than people saying they swore I was ready to pop at this stage.

How do/did you stay fit during your pregnancy? Did you wear a bikini if you happened to be in a situation that called for swimming?

Tags baby, baby bump, maternity, maternity wear, pilates, pregnancy, prenatal, prenatal swimwear, running, swimming

Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, family, Fit Pregnancy, Healthy Living, Healthy Pregnancy, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Pilates Mat, Pregnancy, Reformer, Running, stay at home mom, working out, Wunda Chair

Just Move!

May 3, 2014 //

I have heard that each pregnancy is often very different and unique. I have to admit, I stubbornly thought that was ridiculous until I experienced it myself. Regardless of the fact that I am having another boy, this pregnancy has been a lot different. I won’t go into each detail though. I do want to focus on one super cool aspect.

I felt this baby, Alexander, move MUCH earlier than I ever felt Jacky move. I am 18 weeks pregnant and I have been feeling him wiggling around in there for weeks now. It started off very faint. To the point where I wasn’t even convinced that is what I was feeling. As the days passed I began to understand exactly what I was feeling again. Now I feel him move every day, multiple times a day!

One of the coolest things I can do is actually make him move with some Pilates. It all started with a prenatal mat series I did on my vacation.

It starts with a series of half roll downs with bent legs. Roll halfway down, then all the way back up. You continue to build on that. You move onto rolling halfway down, holding, then tiny pulses up. The next part of the series is rolling halfway down, holding, then twisting to the right (obliques!) for several counts. Coming through center, hold, twist left for several counts, come center, roll up. Repeat.

Immediately after that you lie down for bridging. Once I articulate up into a bridge the little man moves to the very front of my lower abdomen. I can actually feel a little ball of a baby. I can feel him shifting around as an entire unit in there! It becomes so pronounced that my husband was able to feel the little baby ball (as I call it) as well! It never fails. I have done this series multiple times now and I can always count on him to wiggle his way to the front of my body and say hello to me!

It is no secret that I love fitness (um my blog name!) So when I find something even extra cool about it, I am overjoyed. I would do that series regardless of finding baby Alex in there, but the added bonus is a few moments of utter connection with my sweet unborn son. I love having this body awareness that Pilates (and proper fitness) provides you. Sometimes it feels like I am walking through this world with an extra sense. Or a more intense sense of feeling. Not emotional feelings, but a the actual physical sense of feeling within my own body and person.

Prenatal fitness is so important to me. Not just for myself. I advocate it to all women I know. I am probably annoying to those who don’t enjoy working out (which that concept is beyond my ability to comprehend, haha!) I truly feeling that staying active is vital to a long and healthy life. It gave me a nice healthy pregnancy the first time around. I didn’t know what I was doing then as well as I do now, with my added education in this field, but I found classes and videos. I searched for the answers then. The day I went into labor (past my due date!) I attended my prenatal swim class. I know every body is different and some women are severely restricted while pregnant, but if you are not, get up and move. Groove, dance, run, walk, find a class, do some planks, swim, just move. It is good for you. It is good for baby. And maybe, just maybe, your little one will poke to the front of your belly and say “hey momma! Thanks for moving and grooving this morning!”

On that note I will go up to my Pilates room and move myself. Tonight, we have plans for a swim in our pool. On top of chasing around a 3 year old boy! Moving is all I do. Ha!

Tags baby, body, fitness, infant, love, momma, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, prenatal fitness, running, swimming, toddler

Categories Fit Pregnancy, fitness, Healthy Living, Healthy Pregnancy, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, Motivation, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Pilates Mat, Pilates Series, Pregnancy, Running, toddler, working out

Livin’ Life

May 1, 2014 //

Happy May! It has nearly been a month since I last wrote. Yowza! In all fairness we were on vacation for almost 2 weeks out of that month. I was hard pressed to sit down and write when I had lots of fun things to be doing with my family. Like playing in the ocean, sailing, or exploring the Smokey Mountains.

Tomorrow will mark 18 weeks of pregnancy. I cannot believe that I am about 1/2 way through this adventure! It seems to be going by much faster than the 1st. I am sure that is because Jacky keeps me busy busy busy every day. He is such a wonderful and full of life 3 year old! He still talks about his little brother Alexander daily. He asks me a ton of questions and always wants to buy new things for his little brother. Yesterday, he informed me that our cat had a fuzz hanging from her mouth. He was very serious about me getting it out. He is going to be one helpful eye around here with a little one toddling around.

I am over the moon that I am having another boy. I have always wanted two boys and my wish has been fulfilled. Yesterday was my birthday. Alexander spent the day being an extra wiggle worm. It started with my Pilates Chair/Reformer workout and continued all day. It was the most I have felt him move in one day! Definitely and extra special birthday treat. He is going to be one active little boy, just like his big brother!

As fat as this pregnancy goes….

Exercise:

Still running, several miles each time I run. Usually a couple times a week.

Pilates. Mat, Chair, Reformer. I just modify my work based on how far along I am. I also sometimes watch some Prenatal videos on PilatesAnytime. I mostly do Chair and Reformer.

Swimming. I also incorporate water aerobics/Pilates into my swims. I have some equipment for that

Barre. I am going to be starting some Barre classes tomorrow. I miss Barre!!! I incorporate it at home, but I haven’t been to an actual class outside of my home in a while.

Cravings:

Limes! I love lime juice on everything. Rice. Fruit, grapes, bananas, apples, honeydew. Shrimp. Oh my gawwwd. If I could eat shrimp every day without worrying about mercury, I would. I have to limit myself and that is hard. Cottage cheese. Spinach, cilantro, arugula, veggies!!! I cannot get enough veggies in my dinners.

This is all much different than Jackson as well. I wanted to much junk with him. Or maybe I have learned how to eat better with pregnancy after going through it once. Either way, I am not complaining!

This was last week. I haven’t take one this week because we have been busy getting home and unpacking and celebrating my birthday. Plus, what’s a better background to a belly photo than the Atlantic Ocean?

Now I am off to workout. Debating a run or Pilates. Choices are hard 😉 Just wanted a fast update, since it has been so long. I didn’t vanish again. I swear! I was just busy enjoying life outside of blogging for a bit. That happens and is good.

Tags children, family, life, love, ocean, parenting, pilates, pregnancy, pregnant, prenatal, prenatal workout, running, travel, vacation

Categories Baby Weight, Exercise, family, Fit Pregnancy, fitness, Healthy Living, Healthy Pregnancy, Jack, love, marriage, Momommahood, motherhood, Motivation, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Pilates Mat, Pregnancy, Reformer, Running, stay at home mom, toddler, toddlerhood, Wunda Chair

Dirty Girl Mud Run

July 1, 2012 //

Yesterday was a great day. Fantastic day! It was the Dirty Girl Mud Run!!! I had an amazing time. One of the best times of my life. I cannot wait to complete another mud run or some sort and to do this one again next year. My plan for next year is to do the Warrior Dash with my very best friend. She couldn’t do this run because she is 38 weeks pregnant!!!! Soon to give birth to a gorgeous new nephew of mine!!! YAY!

On to photos! It was an incredible day.

I said goodbye to an old friend….

bye bye shoes

I donated them after the run. I am still feeling a little sad this morning that they are gone. A slight hoarder tendency? Perhaps but I ran my best race time ever in these puppies. I really loved them. They were just starting to give me a blister. I know I have my new fantastic pink Brooks but I will miss these.

Still clean

Our whole team

Let the fun begin!!!!

first mud pit. Don’t worry I put more than my foot in 😉

The above is the last photo until I was done. I was stupid and didn’t clear my camera. My mom ran out of room! Memory card was full. She didnt know how or what she would be allowed to delete. Oh well. Professional photos were taken, so I hope there are some good ones!

done!

we are goofs

yeah buddy!

: I am done!

So what did I think? I didn’t feel it was too hard for me. It was kind of a breeze. A fun breeze though. I wasn’t there to win a race or anything of that sort. I was there to have fun and I did. I am not really sore today. My right elbow was scratched and that kind of stings. That is about it. I am going for a run around the lake in a little while. The scariest part for me was the net thing we climbed. It was pretty high up. I have a fear of heights. I flew up it like a little spider monkey. When I got to the top. I looked down and had to take a breath. I was also afraid of grabbing the metal bar and slipping since my hands were muddy. I managed to keep going over without much hesitation though. Grabbed a part of the rope I could instead of the metal bar and went down. Not as fast as a spider monkey this time but still quick enough. When I was 7 I fell out of my second story bedroom window. I landed on our driveway. I have a rational fear of heights. haha But I didn’t let it stop me.

I know I said this but I seriously cannot wait to do this again. I mostly can’t wait for my BFF to be ready to run it with me. We are so alike in everything, even our fitness that we need to complete one of these together. I know we will be able to keep pace with one another. I am just itching for it to be next year now! Her little man will be nearly 1 mine will be trucking into 2 1/2. I think we will deserve a down and dirty momma day!

I hope to have some good professional photos. If there are I will definitely be buying those. I think I shall frame them all over my house hahahaha

Tags course, dirty girl mud run, mud run, obstacle course, running

Categories Exercise, family, fitness, Healthy Living, Momommahood, motherhood, photography, Running, working out

When do you workout?

June 7, 2012 //

Do you prefer to work out in the morning or the evening? I personally prefer morning workouts. It just starts my day right, I have more patience in general, and I feel great all day long. I am flexible though. I will work out in the afternoon or evenings if I have to. I used to have a pretty set routine with my workouts, until I became a mom.

Since having Jack, over 16 months ago, I have learned to be entirely flexible with my workouts. Especially at first in those crazy newborn days. I started workouts again 3 weeks after delivering him. I usually used one of his nap times that I was awake for. That lasted for much of the 1st year. People have asked how I do it or sometimes make other comments regarding my fitness regiment. Flexibility is key and so is dedication. If I were not as dedicated to it, the rest would not come. I FIND the time, morning, noon, or night. The thought that “I don’t have time to do this” never ever ever ever enters my head. I make the time. Even 20 minutes is better than 0 minutes.

NOW he sleeps until nearly 10. So I have lots of time to workout in the morning. The only time I don’t is when I have my Barre class on Tuesday nights and if I want to go for a run during the week. I usually wait until Jason gets home for that. He is pretty supportive of my passion for fitness. That also helps. I could go running with Jack and the jogger but he really wears me out sometimes and that alone time is nice. Selfish? Maybe. But I tend to live entirely for him so a little selfishness is ok from time to time. When it comes to my workouts, yes I can be selfish! It is important to me that I take care of myself. That Jack can look up to me and think wow, my mom works really hard to stay in shape. I hope I rub off on him in that aspect. That he SEES hard work is good for you. Another thing that drives me to keep up with my fitness.

But when it comes down to it I really love a nice early morning workout. As a matter of fact after I post this I am off to workout. We have no classes or plans today so I don’t have to rush around so much.

What do you prefer? What are your secrets to keeping up with your workouts?

Tags elliptical, exercise, fitness, health, healthy living, jogging, parenthood, running, working out

Categories Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, pilates, Running, weight loss, working out

Who’s afraid of the big bad run?

June 4, 2012 //

This Thursday will mark THREE weeks since the last time I went for a run. No joke. The day before my food poisoning or whatever it was that happened to me is the last time I ran. I have since been dealing with a sensitive stomach. As recently as last night it bothered me.

In all honesty I have been terrified to go for a run. That 3.2 miles tends to stimulate my digestion. I am absolutely afraid to get a stomach ache while running. I am half mad at myself, half enjoying the break. It is a weird feeling that I am not quite sure how to deal with. I want to run but then the very thought scares me too much. Is this weird?

I have been working out still. I have been using my elliptical a lot, barre class, strength training and toning at home with videos and magazines. I have also been better about giving myself rest days. My husband wants me to go back to the doctor but I don’t know. They said if this was still happening after 2 weeks to return. It is 2 weeks since I visited the DR this Wednesday. I haven’t thrown up in almost 2 weeks but I do get stomach pains and aches on and off. It depends on the day.

I have nearly eliminated dairy. I KNOW I am lactose intolerant. Yesterday I had no dairy, but towards the end of the night I felt ill again. I feel stupid going in and saying “I have a tummy ache. No I am not throwing up. It just hurrrrrrrts! waaaaaaa” I feel so dumb doing that.My husband insists that isn’t dumb but I don’t know. I don’t like being a bother that way.

I am half wondering if it is an ulcer. I read about it online, but I mean you go look up symptoms online and suddenly you have a rare disease that you are sure there is no cure for. You know how it is. Sometimes the interweb is horrible solely for that reason!

My hubby is gone for the week as of tonight. So I will likely put off any DR trips until after he returns. I am kind of hoping it all just stops after Wednesday. Right? Sigh. I have a Mud Run on June 30th so I need to get a few runs in before then……

Maybe I need to just stop being a baby, suck it up, and go running!

Tags fitness, health, jogging, pains, running

Categories Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Running, working out

Results

May 14, 2012 //

Well I suppose I have to write this update. I avoided it yesterday. It was Mother’s Day and I was exhausted. I had other things to do.

I ran my race yesterday morning. My mom arrived just before 7am. We headed over. My boys showed up shortly before the start time. Jack looked tired and hadn’t eaten breakfast yet. But he wasn’t screaming his head off. He was a good little fan! Jason woke him up to bring him over.

I ran it. I gave it my all. I decided to not use my app that updates you on your average mile time. On Saturday I had a crappy run and I think when I heard the first average, which by normal means wasn’t slow but still felt too slow for my liking, I got really psyched out. I didn’t want to get that negativity in my head. I did have my Polar heart rate monitor on though, so I could roughly check up on my time if I chose to and was ready for it.

There were a lot of hills. A LOT. Now there are a few beauties on my normal running route but there were several more on this course and they were not little quick hills. That isn’t an excuse but I just wasn’t as prepared as I wish I would have been.

I ran the whole thing, as I expected. No walking. That was really a given though. I can’t remember the last time I walked during a 3 mile run.

I was able to really sprint the last .2 mile and cross the finish line in a nice 26:22. That was about 30 seconds under last year’s 3rd place! WHAT?!?!?I did it, right?

No, other than making my time goal, I didn’t place. As I stated in my last post I had to give it my all and leave the rest up to circumstance. Circumstance won this year. I came in 6th in my age group. There were 72 women in my age group and I came in 6th. In the grand scheme of things that is not bad at all. But it wasn’t what I wanted. I would have died if I had a 28 minute 5k like Saturday morning. I am finding solace in that. This was also my fastest race result ever! That is a personal best!

I also had a fantastic 2nd Mother’s Day! It was really great. I got to see my boys just before I sprinted across the finish line. They were there cheering me on! Jack fed me blueberries as we sat around waiting to hear about the awards. I was able to check my results before the announced the awards so I knew what was or rather wasn’t coming. But I decided to stick around and see the awards given. So we hung out. Jack met some dogs. It was a nice morning. We came home I got ready and we all hung out outside.

Jackson tried my salsa for the first time! Salsa and tortilla chips. It is spicy. But he loved it!

My hubby grilled me lunch. Filet Mignon, red, green, and orange peppers (a fave of mine!), and a red potato. After lunch I took a nap! Then we spent the rest of the day just lounging around the living room watching movies and playing.

The boys gave me a pepper set and a rub set from Dean and Deluca! I used one rub on my steak yesterday. Yummmmy! I am big into pepper so that was right up my alley. There are all sorts of different peppers I haven’t heard of in it. I can’t wait to use it in some of the homemade seasonings I make.

The next race I have is the Dirty Girl Mud Run on June 30th. I am on a team for that so I doubt I will be worrying about time. I mean it would be kind of a jerk move to ditch all of my teammates just to try to be the best! haha I think I will take it easy on that one, have fun, get filthy, and take some ridiculous photos! 🙂 I am running it with my aunt and a couple of girlfriends I haven’t seen in a very long time. I would rather catch up with them and have a silly time. I think it will feel nice to just enjoy myself.

My boy and me on our 2nd Mother’s Day! He looks annoyed because as you can see, I interrupted his chalk time. But it was Mother’s Day and what else did he expect? Moms get to be extra annoying that day and you have to give into our whims. haha!

Tags 5k, celebrate, children, jogging, mom, momma, mother, mother's day, race, running, toddler

Categories Exercise, fitness, Healthy Living, Jack, Momommahood, motherhood, parenthood, parenting, Running, toddler, toddlerhood, working out

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