Pregnancy 35 Week Update

Week 35

Me, the Lil’Pumpkin and my awesome Christmas boots

 

Symptoms: A good series of Braxton-Hicks this Saturday while dealing with a difficult guest. It made me worry for a while that it was happening a little too often so I even started timing it. Thankfully they came every 20-30min apart and then stopped after two hours.

Heartburn, heartburn and more heartburn. It’s not too bad of a heartburn but I’ve been having to take something for it more often than I used to. I had bleeding gums again. I did a few weeks ago but brushed it off. Mmh, maybe I should remember to floss a little more… Oh and I also got awakened with a really bad leg cramp. I’m surprised I didn’t scream and wake up my husband in the middle of the night. I could still feel the tightness in the muscle all day long after it.

Since Wednesday I’ve also started experiencing some pelvic discomfort. My guess is that the Lil’One is starting to come down a bit. Yeah, that’s always a good sign. Although I’m quite fine with some more “cooking”.

The Belly: It feels so much heavier and bigger to me. It was at 33cm this week, so a little behind but within the norm at least. Movements: tons, especially around 9pm when it’s Samba time for the Pumpkin.

Weight gain: +3 pounds which puts me at 19 pounds so far 🙂

Medical:  GBS test this week which came out negative! Yeah. The midwife answered a lot of questions for me which was good. While I’m not very big she wasn’t very concerned this time. I eat, I’m hungry and I eat. I do gain weight. I think she also realized that I am small and as she said it’s unlikely I’ll have a big baby. Lil’one’s heart beat was good (no number). My BP first came out at 122/70 which is high for me, but the midwife thought it could be due to the sweater creating a double tourniquet, so I removed it, she took it again and it was 110/60 which is what I usually get. So all good.

Mood: We had our baby shower, which was great. Wonderful people came, there were silly games and good food. We did get a few of the things we asked for, however, not that I’m ungrateful but come on people we made a registry for a reason. I don’t need one gazillion newborn onesies. What we need is a car seat (thank you people giving us gift cards, it will be put to good use), a nail clipper for babies, a humidifier, you know the useful stuff! Oh yes and if you are buying us stuff we didn’t ask for, how about you give us a receipt and don’t rip off the tags too? Thank you very much.

Random: Some people at work are just now realizing I’m pregnant believe it or not. Two in three days, that is not a coincidence. I know I’m small but really? Really people? “When are you expecting, I just found out”… “err, next month!”. I mean, I know my work clothes are a size up from what I would normally wear (they couldn’t find me an XS pregnancy outfit), but still. This ain’t doughnuts people. I do find this more amusing than anything else though.

Workout: My crazy schedule and some wintry weather made it harder to go outside this week. I still managed to go on several walks and even a little hike with my husband, which is nice. At this point I don’t know that I’ll be able to run until post-baby. I think the pelvic discomfort is going to make it difficult. But at least prenatal yoga has been good to my body.

Sunday: 1.8 mi walk, prenatal yoga
Monday: 1.36mi walk
Wednesday: 1.36mi walk
Thursday: 2.75mi walk
Friday: yoga at home
Total: 7.27 mi

Pregnancy Update: Week 33 & 34

Week 33

Symptoms: Still craving citrus and mostly grapefruit. Heartburn is coming back. It doesn’t’ seem to matter what I eat I started getting it more toward the end of the week. I’ve been more hungry lately and feeling Braxton Hicks more. It suddenly gets a little harder to breathe, like my lungs are tighter and then I feel my belly and find it to be really hard.

The Belly: Grew! 🙂 It was 32cm, well almost.

Weight Gain: +3 pounds, which makes it 16 pounds so far. Still not much compared to the average but hey, I’ll take anything at this point.

Medical: Due to the low weight gain measured last week I had to go back in sooner than normal. BP: 110/50 which is very good, baby’s heartbeat was 140. The midwife was happy to see that I gained weight and told me to continue whatever I did. I even asked if running was ok and she said yes. Not sure if that will happen or not but it’s nice to know I have the option. She did say that walking is probably easier on my body at this point but to go with my comfort level.

Mood: Most of the week was spent in a bit of a stress mode due to my low weight gain. I felt like I was failing this baby a little by maybe not eating what I needed or having too fast of a metabolism. Hubby tried to cheer my up, he didn’t really believe in what the midwives said, felt I could still run and everything but I didn’t want to take any risks. The Braxton Hicks are making me realize how close we are to meeting this little one. I hope it continues to “cook” for a while.

Random: Very short staffed at work and having to pull some very long days here and there.

Workout: Absolutely no running this week. Walking only. I haven’t been able to go to prenatal yoga lately due to our crazy schedule so I’ve been practicing a bit at home but didn’t write down which days. Walking has been really nice, I do miss running a little but as long as I can go outside.

Sunday: 1.26mi walk
Monday: 1.36mi walk
Tuesday: 1.54mi walk
Wednesday: 1.25mi
Thursday: swimming, 10 laps at the Grove Park Inn Spa
Friday: yoga
Saturday: 1.93mi walk
Total: 7.34 mi

Week 34

Symptoms: Hello relaxin! My left hip, which coincidentally is the one I sleep on the most, has started bugging me. I feel it when I walk. If I put my hand against my hip I can sometimes feel a little pop as I move. It feels like the joint is loosening up and things are stretching in a not so comfortable way.

I also find myself waking up more at night to turn around in bed (which is starting to be a process) to find a comfortable position. It’s also harder to sit comfortably on the sofa at night.

Heartburn is back too, no matter what I eat or how slowly. I’m having to take some calcium to help. The cereals and almond milk alone don’t seem to do the trick anymore.

The Belly: Looks like I swallowed a giant basketball.

Mood: Relieved that I’m growing again. My husband and a friend had to remind me that pregnancy is not a one size fits all and I may just be growing differently. I’m having a bit of a harder time dealing with all the “Oh you still look so tiny”, “you’re not showing much for 8 months” kind of comments which make me feel very aware of my low weight gain.

Random: I fell asleep in front of the TV. My husband got highly amused because it seems the Lil’One was dancing the samba in there and it did not even fathom me. I was out in lalaland.

I’m getting a lot of  “You finally look pregnant” comments at work. I think my work uniform hides my pregnancy a lot, even though I have maternity clothes they didn’t have them in XS. So yes, it took me 8 months to look pregnant.

Workout: Not much walking due to a lot of rain at the beginning of the week. However on Wednesday the sun showed up for about 30  min. Since I had just had a chiropractor adjustment I figured I would give it a shot and we went on a jog/walk with Hubby who was super patient with my very slow pace. I ran for almost ten minutes and then alternated jogging and walking for the rest of our outing. Not much exercise this week I guess.

Monday:  yoga.
Wednesday: 2.06mi @12:59 of jog/walk
Friday:  yoga and 1.32mi walk
Saturday: 3.32 @10:09
Total: 5.38 mi

Pregnancy Update, weeks 27 and 28

Week 27:

Symptoms: While I can still sleep through the night, I started waking up with rib pain this week. I figured out that it’s because I’m a back sleeper and always end up on my back no matter what I do. I turn to my side after a while (I think it wakes me up). But it takes a good hour or so for my ribs not to feel sore anymore. Hunger level seemed back to normal.

No back pain except sometimes when I run and the baby’s head(?) rubs against the sciatica nerve. Thankfully it doesn’t last.

Craving: I’m not craving anything sweet per say but I do enjoy finishing my meals with something sweet.

Medical: I took the 1 hour glucose tolerance test and I passed. Yeah! I did avoid all sweets the day before just in case, but I was way below the threshold anyway with a result of 96. I’m sure keeping up with running helps a lot with it. But it’s still nice to know I don’t have to be on a restricted diet or something like that.

The Belly:  Growing and growing. I’m sure it doesn’t help with how my ribs feel. I’m pretty tiny so it’s starting to press against the ribs too. It definitely feels heavier now. I’m having to adjust things around a little more as I sit down and just be more aware that it’s here.

Mood: Very relaxed after Thanksgiving.

Workout: I ran a little less due to one long hike we did this week. I’m glad I didn’t push it anymore than that. It was definitely a colder week. My shortest run didn’t require any break which is a surprise for me those days. I had a good 4ish miles run in the park but as I was cooling off my knee felt sore. I was worried I might have injured it but it was fine the next day, so I have no idea what that was all about.The coolest part about this run was when I was cooling off and this lady started talking to me. She talked about how it motivated her to get back into running to see me run pregnant. She was working on a run/walk program after not running for a while. It really made me happy to feel that I could inspire someone to keep up their running efforts.

I was planning to run on Friday but we met a friend and decided to go on a hike instead. I am very glad I skipped the run since we hiked a good 7.5 miles. While a lot of it was flat it was still a good workout and I even got a small blister.t r

My last run of the week was probably my favorite. I went for a late afternoon run and at first the baby was pressing on the sciatica nerve, but the pain eased and I was feeling good and “speedy” even (Ok I passed only one person but still). It motivated me to run a little longer but I had to stop due to the night falling.

Sunday: Prenatal yoga + 2.78mi @9:11 pace, road.
Tuesday: 4.66 mi @10:08 pace, road
Wednesday: 30mns of yoga at home
Friday: 7.5mi hike on the Art Loeb trail.
Saturday: 5.36mi @9:37 pace, road
Total: 12.8 mi run

Week 28:

Symptoms: Still dealing with sore ribs every morning. My chiropractor felt it was due to landing on my back too. I added more pillows in our bed and it has improved a bit but it depends on the nights. The hard part is that once I wake up enough to feel the soreness I can’t go back to sleep. It makes snuggling a lot harder too.

The Belly: I got a few baby hiccups this week (started feeling those around Thanksgiving). Bending over is no longer and option, I have to bend with my knees to grab anything that fell on the floor. It also feels heavier and heavier. I can tell the baby is gaining weight. The kid has been mostly head down and transverse (feet in my liver) but it still has a lot of space to move and when it does it feels really weird. The kicking is fun, the gymnastics can make me feel slightly nauseous.

Weight Gain: I’m up 4 pounds since last month. I know my midwives weren’t worried about my tiny weight gain but I still feel so relieved to finally be gaining weight the way most pregnant women do. So total weight gain so far is 13 pounds. I know I should be thankfully my weight hasn’t exploded since I got pregnant.

Medical: I was measuring at about 27cm at my appointment. Baby’s heart beat was around 148-152. My blood pressure a healthy (zombie like) 105/54 (Blood pressure drops during pregnancy). Everything looks good so far.

Mood: Holly molly, it’s the third trimester and I still haven’t tackled my to-do list! It’s a little overwhelming to think that in about 3 months the Lil’One will be there and we still need to register, find a pediatrician and I hear even look for daycare already.
We also did our Christmas tree and I realized that next year we will need an extra Christmas Stocking on the fire mantel. We did tackle a trip to Ikea and found a great chair for nursing and some shelving for the room.

Random: My husband got sick with a fever and I’m crossing my fingers that it’s not contagious.

Workout: A good week overall. I was able to run three times and also went for a little walk which felt wonderful. It was an unusually warm week. On the plus side my husband did some of the runs with me. Some runs felt great, others had the baby really low and it made it a little more uncomfortable. I’ve been thinking more and more about getting a support belt. Well it turns out I get to try one for PreggiePals, can’t wait to see if it helps!

Sunday: Morning walk while my husband ran. Prenatal yoga
Tuesday: 2.99 @10:08 pace, road
Friday: 5.36 @10:36 pace, road
Saturday: 3.32 @10:09
Total: 11.67 mi run

25 & 26 Weeks Pregnancy Update

Week 25:

Symptoms: Daily kicks. It seems that Indian food triggers a lot of kicks and also some weird pregnancy dreams (aka I could see the face of the baby pressed against my belly). Starting to get a sore back too. Hungry. I’ve been eating a lot this week you would think I was being starved. I think it’s a good thing given that I haven’t gain all that much weight yet.

I experienced a wave of nausea while out camping. No fun, I thought I was about to throw up and kept on spitting. In insight I should not have taken my prenatal vitamin with only tea in my belly. Lesson learned, food has to come with it.

Colostrum, enough said (it’s been about a month since it started mind you).

Craving: Pepperidge Farm goldfish crackers. Couldn’t find any on the road so I had to skip it.

The Belly: So far using Belly Cream on a daily basis has helped a lot. I don’t know that it does anything for stretch marks or not (none yet) but it sure helps to keep it moist. Avoiding an itchy belly as we get into the drier month is key. I also finally look pregnant to other people it seems. Although some still don’t notice (do they really think I ate that many doughnuts???). It’s getting in the way of things a little and it’s only the beginning.

Mood: Great, we went on a babymoon with my husband. It was so relaxing, refreshing and such a great thing for the two of us, especially with the family drama we’re dealing with on his side. It was just awesome to get out of the house, the town and go on a road trip. We went to the Okefenokee Swamp, GA and Horse Pens 40, AL. It was beautiful.

Workout: Not much on the running front, two short runs since we were on vacation and did other things. But we got a good mix of activities with paddling, climbing, hiking as well.

Sunday: Prenatal yoga
Tuesday: 2.35 mi @9:52 pace, road
Wednesday: 2 hours or so paddling on the Okefenokee Swamp
Friday: Hike/Walk 1.5 miles, climbed two bouldering routes
Saturday: 2.5mi @9:56 pace, trails
Total: 4.85mi run

Week 26:

At Horse Pens 40

Symptoms: Sore back from camping for two days, improved greatly by yoga and chiropractic adjustments. Daily kicks. Still hungry but not as bad as last week. My ankles and feet are starting to hurt a bit when I run, I guess my gait is changing? My shoes have over 400 miles on them too mind you but I don’t feel it’s the time for brand new shoes given that my body is changing daily. I may just have to use my trail running shoes instead.

The Belly:  Tying my shoes is starting to get difficult. I think I know why pregnant women wear flip flops: no laces! Putting on panty hose can be a bit of a workout too. I can’t reach things as high up also because well the belly doesn’t allow me to get as close to things.

Mood: Relaxed from our babymoon. I have a laundry list of things to do however and I know I need to get myself into it so I don’t stress out at the end.

Workout: I had one easy run on a hilly loop which required a lot of walking breaks, my hips were a little sore too. My post Thanksgiving run however was lovely. Ok my feet and ankle hurt a little, as my sister-in-law said, my gait is probably changing a lot at this point. But I only needed one pee break, not bad for a 56 mns run. Not to mention that both my sister-in-law and husband ran with me, even though I was being super slow. It was an awesome family moment in my opinion.

Other than that I’m trying to practice yoga in between the classes, it really helps with my back and other sore body parts I think. And I went on a small hike in Rumbling Bald, following my husband and his friend who went bouldering. I put the hammock up instead and read in the cold wind. I feel like getting active weeks like this with a variety of sports.

Sunday: Prenatal yoga
Tuesday: 3.1 @10:16 pace, road
Wednesday: 30 mns of yoga at home
Friday: 5.36 @10:32 pace, road
Saturday: 2.5-3 mile hike
Total: 8.17 mi run

PS: Did you enter for a chance to win an entry to the Blue Ridge Marathon yet?

24 Weeks Update

I obviously suck at making weekly updates. I’ve always loved looking at other pregnant runner’s weekly updates. They’ve often been an inspiration to me. And yet here I am totally failing at it. It’s not that I’m not running or that I don’t have things to write really. Mostly life on the other side of the computer takes a bigger priority in my life right now. My husband spends more time at home and as a result I spend less time blogging and more time with him. I know soon enough we’ll have to share our lives with a third little person so I take all I can of our last few months as “just two”.

I have to say that running has been good. Better than I would have expected by now. I’m actually taking less walking breaks than I was two months ago. I’ve maintained my pace around 9-10 min/mile. Some days are slower than others for no particular reason. But mostly not one week nor one run is the same. Take this week for example:

I ran 3.1 miles on Tuesday, it was a cold, rainy day. I had to take several walking breaks,  mostly due to the hilly course but overall I felt good.

Thursday I was hoping to run about 4.5 miles or so. That did not happen. Shortly after I started running I could feel the ligament on the right side of my belly pulling. Not only that but the joins around my hips felt sore. I took several walking breaks and short-cut my run to 3.6mi instead.

This morning I thought I wouldn’t have time to run but I did. So I went in the park again aiming for 4.5 mi. Except that I felt really good this time. Again the right ligament pulled a little at the beginning but then it went away. So I kept on going. I got to 5.3 miles and still felt good, so I continued with an extra loop around the park. In the end I ran almost 6.7 miles with only one walking and one bathroom break.

So I never know from one run to the next. Someday I think my running days are counted and on the next run it’s almost like I’m not pregnant at all. Go figure.

In any case I am incredibly thankful for the ability my body has to carry me. I am thankful for every day that I am pregnant and thankful for every single run I get with the little pumpkin riding along.

Total this week: 13.43mi +1 class of prenatal yoga, + a little yoga at home.

Other data: 9 pounds gained so far, not much (or as much as I would have expected) but the belly is measuring on track so that’s reassuring. The Lil’One is not shy on giving kicks and moving around. I can see my belly move from time to time which is so crazy.

We had a midwife appointment on Tuesday and I knew the baby was on the left due to a recent kick. So she got the doppler on the heartbeat right away. However within a few seconds, the Lil’One gave a kick straight on the doppler. I guess it wasn’t to its liking.

Pregnancy Update: Weeks 14, 15, 16 and 17

I had big plans on catching up and doing weekly updates. Ah! Not happening. I am not starting my 5th month and barely starting my 2nd trimester updates. Oh well. Life matters more than blogging sometimes.

Week 14:

Symptoms: Some ligament pains as things are stretching and adapting to the growing uterus. Sometimes when running, sometimes randomly.

The Belly: Definitely feeling things changing. There is a tiny bulge showing which has nothing to do with bloating. Yeah!

Mood: Other than my fall scare last week, I’m in a pretty good mood. I feel very excited from sharing the news officially on and offline. Officially starting the 2nd trimester. This is exciting because it’s supposed to be the “honeymoon stage” of pregnancy but also because at this point the risks of miscarriage are way way lower.

Workout: So much for the easier running last week. I suddenly find that I need more time to warm up. I have to walk as a warm-up too now, sometimes it also takes me up to 10 minutes into the run to fall into the groove of it. I’m taking walking breaks when needed, especially with the sciatica acting up. However fueling has been helping. I learned my lesson and I now have a small snack even before my short runs. It makes a difference.

Sunday: 3.1 mi @8:38 pace, road +prenatal yoga
Tuesday: 3.1 mi @9:42pace, road
Wednesday: 5.5 @9:45 pace, road
Thursday: 3.1 @9:40 pace, road
Total: 14.8 mi

Week 15:

Symptoms: I’m pretty sure I’ve felt the first flutters. Amusingly two hours after seeing the mid-wife who said most first time Moms don’t feel anything until 18 weeks. Baby doesn’t like to be told there is a normal time line 🙂 I was sitting down when I felt this little flutter. It took me a second but I was like, “wait, this was not digestion! Hi Baby!!!”. Very excited to feel it, and felt it again the very next day. 🙂

Medical: Midwife appointment. Hubby got to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, his comment was “wow it’s fast”. Uterus is measuring a week ahead.

Weight gain: 4 pounds since the beginning of pregnancy.

Mood: Right after we took the picture above I was about to head out when the neighbor called us. There was a black bear on his deck! Crazy. A little scared at the idea to run into it.

Thrilled to feel the baby move and happy to be doing well. Hubby dealing with a lot of stress at work and taking some time off. Not good for him but I get to spend more time with him and he was able to come to the appointment.

Workout:  I realized I had somewhat skipped on of the training weeks and now had to pick between 11mi or 12mi. I went for a run in Bent Creek which turned out to be 11 miles with some good hills. It was a really good run which gave me back the confidence I needed to run the Half Marathon. My evening run in the park did not go so well. I had to cut it short due to a nasty side stitch and stomach cramps which I blame on the food I ate for lunch. The sciatica has been manageable thankfully.

Sunday: 4.25 mi @8:50 pace, road +pre-natal yoga.
Tuesday: 11.37 mi @11:03 pace, trail/dirt road
Thursday: 3.67 @10:21 pace, road
Saturday: 6.05 @9:33 pace, road
Total: 25.34mi

Week 16:

Symptoms: There are days when I don’t feel the baby still, but it’s getting more regular. On Saturday, we were at a Music Festival, Steve Martin came on stage and the baby gave a kick. It was unmistakable, not a flutter but a little kick. I had my hand on my belly and I felt it against my hand. Love it! Hubby can’t feel it yet.

The Belly: It popped! The difference between week 15 and 16 is crazy to me. Lil’One must have had a growth spurts this week or something. I cracked up after we came back from a Music Festival, here I was about to jump in the shower when my husband walked in and exclaimed “Hey Preggers!” I guess it’s now obvious.

Mood: Yeah for kicks and flutters! However I fell (again!) while running. I burned/cut my hand on the pavement (note: it took a long time to heal that one). It made me feel like a complete idiot more than anything else.

Workout: So as I mentioned, I fell on Monday. I was reaching a curve and heard a car behind me, I could tell they were about to turn too. It distracted me enough that I clipped the sidewalk and with my newly popped belly I couldn’t catch myself. The knee, elbow, hand and water bottle took the fall. It wasn’t as hard of a fall as when I fell in the forest, but it was painful because of the pavement (pine needles are much kinder on your skin I tell you!). It  sucks because I was actually having a really good run. I still finished it but it wasn’t the same with stinging wounds. This has made me rethink where I run in a serious manner. I can not risk putting myself into such situations again. Running on the roads is now going to be off limits unless I run in the nearby neighborhood avoiding roads with more traffic. My goal is now to stick to the park and the trails where I honestly feel a lot safer.

On the yeah side, I ran the Asheville Citizen Times Half-Marathon and I did way better than what I had expected. I was so proud of myself for finishing it.

Monday: 3.1 mi @9:07 pace, road
Wednesday: 5.74 @9:20 pace, road
Saturday: 13.1 @9.23 pace, road, Citizen-Times Half Marathon (technically 17 weeks)
Total: 21.94mi

Week 17:

Symptoms: The pressure in the lower belly is increasing, especially when I run. It means more pee breaks and sometimes walking breaks to let it relax. It mostly feel like it’s due to the weight of the belly and sometimes odd baby positions. Kicks are more regular, almost daily now already. Hubby felt the baby for the first time this week! It was priceless to see his face, that moment of realization that he had felt Our child move!

The belly: is growing. My manager took a look at me the other day and realized she had less time than she thought to get me into maternity clothes…

Mood: A little emotional. A year ago I was dealing with what turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy and unexplained bleeding. Yet this I crossed the same finish line of the Half Marathon with a healthy baby who kicked hard on the anniversary of my trip to the ER that my husband felt it. Overall I fell incredibly thankful in this journey, knowing where I am now.

Workout:  Easy week after the half-marathon. My body needed some time to recover. I”ve decided that I’m done with the double digits. No more long races until this Little One is here in person. I did have a great run in the forest without even a break needed. It felt quite wonderful. We went on a hiking/camping trip in the forest. Got lost a little but still had a lot of fun. However sleeping on a blow up camping mattress is not all that fun when you’re not supposed to lay on your back anymore. I woke up far too often.

Sunday: Prenatal yoga
Monday: 3.66mi @9.27 pace, road
Wednesday: 5.64mi @10:13 pace, trail
Thursday: 2mi hiking
Friday: 5.4mi hiking

Total: 9.3mi ran,  16.7 with hiking

Pregnancy Update Weeks 10, 11, 12 and 13

10 weeks and off for a run

Week 10:

Symptoms: Appetite is coming back. I still crave fruits a lot.

The Belly: Until now I could feel some bloating at the end of the day and sometimes needed a hair tie to close my pants. But this week something happened. As I woke up one morning I could feel something harder above the pubic bone. I think it’s the uterus. Something is happening!

Mood: Very excited to find out about someone else’s pregnancy who is dear to my heart but I will have to keep the name unknown a little longer. It’s good to give each other support.

Workout: Running got a little easier this week. I think getting close to the end of the 1st trimester really helps. I had more energy and didn’t feel that I was struggling as hard on my runs. I had to take some walking breaks on my long run however, but even the 8 miles felt good although the average pace felt pretty slow. The cooler temperatures this week helped a lot. I’m trying to run four times a week again. The last run on Friday took me a little longer to warm up than usual.

Sunday: 3.1 mi @8:52 pace, road
Tuesday: 8.04 mi @10:41 pace, trail
Wednesday: 3.1 @8:52 pace, road
Friday: 5.36 @9:10 pace, road
Total: 19.6mi

Week 11:

Symptoms: I felt my sciatica wake up a little after a chiropractor appointment. She said it was normal, things are shifting in there. Unfortunately it flared during a run this week and has come and gone every since. I have a history with sciatica so I just need to do my exercises more.

Medical: I had my first midwife appointment. It went well and I got to hear the heartbeat over the doppler for the first time. A healthy 160 bpm. My blood pressure was at 60/100 which would seem low unless you consider it’s pretty normal in the first trimester. Uterus measured where it should, all is well.

Mood: Surprisingly the heartbeat didn’t make me feel all emotional. I think for me it meant more to see the heart flutter at 7 weeks. But it is reassuring to know all is well since there are times when I have no symptoms. I shared the news with my family following the ultrasound. Everyone who figured out our little riddle was pretty excited.

Workout: Except for the sciatica flaring up, the running went well. But the back pain does concern me. I’m trying to run with it, adapt my pace and work on my posture.

Sunday: 3.1 mi @9:22 pace, road
Tuesday: 3.1 mi @8:50 pace, road
Wednesday: 4.64 @10:11 pace, trail
Thursday: 3.1 @9:28 pace, road
Total: 13.94mi

12 weeks: I think there is something in here

Week 12:

Symptoms: Having to take more pee breaks during the runs. I used not to have to worry about that… well I guess the uterus is applying pressure on my bladder now.

Mood: Happy. We’ve been together for 8 years and have a little one on the way. I couldn’t ask for a better present. I also share the news with my managers at work and they were just really happy for me 🙂 Everyone asked if I was still going to run. We received our first baby clothes!

Workout: Started pre-natal yoga. This class felt more like prenatal exercise, I didn’t find the usual breath and fluidity of yoga but it was interesting non the less. I took a few days off running to give a rest to the sciatica. Running on the uphill is definitely harder and requires  more breaks.

Monday: 5.32 mi @9:23 pace, road
Tuesday: Pre-natal yoga
Wednesday: 3.1 @9:09 pace, road
Thursday: 9.2 @10:22 pace, trail
Total: 17:62mi

Week 13:

Symptoms: Got moody at times. My poor husband, thankfully I don’t get those mood swings too often.

The belly: Something is happening and I don’t think it’s just bloat. My regular size pants don’t fit quite as well anymore.

Mood: (See symptoms). Got a little scared after a fall but everything turned out fine. We share the news with our friends, it’s now officially official and we couldn’t be happier.

Workout: I found another pre-natal yoga class, at the Asheville Community Yoga and I like it so much better. It still feel like yoga but just adapted to pregnancy. Not as many ladies as the other class, a little more driving but I can make it to this one every week and it’s donation based too..

The running went well at the beginning of the week but then I had my long run. Now we went out the night before to a concert and I slept in as a result. It was warmer than I had hoped by the time I ran. My GI system wasn’t agreeing with me. I had to take so many walking and pee breaks and I was just getting tired. I think I did not fuel well enough during the run. I met my husband on the way back and shortly after took a fall. It shook me a little. My first fall ever on a run and here I am, pregnant. Great. I had to walk for a bit but was able to resume running. Got a nice big bruise and some cuts out of it. I saw the chiropractor a few days later and I was fine. I never had neither cramping nor bleeding which was reassuring.

Sunday: 3.1mi @8:29 pace, road + Pre-natal yoga
Monday: 5.32 mi @9:32 pace, road
Tuesday: 3.1mi @8:35 pace, road
Friday: 10:28 @10:44 pace, trail

Total: 21.8 mi

One Month One Hundred Miles

I can’t deny it, 2012 is starting pretty good for me running wise.

I’m still learning my body limits: how fast I can push without feeling my hamstrings, how hormones affect my ability to run, how  shin splint are never quite as far as one thinks.  I’m still learning what my body needs to be fueled right and work at its best, or how long it really take me from the time I get up to the time I hit the pavement.

But the training is going well so far (I need to do a recap to be honest). And I feel good. My shins were borderline two weeks ago so I eased a little bit on the pace, rolled the legs and did more yoga. It worked, it feels like it never happened.

I reached a milestone for me this month: 100 miles in a month. Until then I had never gone above 86 (that was back in August). I would have had 96 but I threw in an easy run with my husband this week, just because. It felt right and I was happy to run by his side.
It hasn’t been all rainbows: I’ve had some crappy runs, but I’ve also had some can’t wipe the smile away from my face kind of runs too.

Bring it on 2012, I like the way you’re starting.

2011 Running Review

My goals when I started 2011 where based on a 101 in 1001 list.

I wanted to run a 10k and a 15k. I did not run the 10k, instead I ran a trail 12k race, I did run a 15k and to top it off I ran my first Half Marathon.

I wanted to run more on trails and I did. So I can say that I went beyond my goals.

I ran a 774  miles in 2011. I went from running twice a week to thrice a week.

January

I got the flu and really picked up running right after that. Technically I ran when I still had the flu and I feel that it helped me recover faster.

February

I discover Shin Splints and the 10% rule when it comes to increasing mileage. I scale back and up it slowly.

March

I run 6 miles for the first time ever. I remember being so proud of myself. It’s funny now to think that a 6 mile run is a normal thing. I also run over an hour for the first time and run my first trail run: the Dupont State Forest 12k. The rain made for some not so fun condition (aka risks of hypothermia). But I loved the race and hope to do it again. This year my husband also wants to do it. I also start running with the Diamond Brand running group.

April

I decide to start a running specif blog instead of having it take over my expat/immigrant/life blog. I learn about speedwork and scare hikers on the trail.

May

I hurt my knee by starting too fast. I had to scale back on the running, it was hard. I realized that I hate not running. I also make the decision to sign up for a Half Marathon in September and start training as soon as my knee improves. I run my first 15k and love every minute of it. Given how much trail running has taken over, I splurge on some new trail running shoes and fall in love with the Saucony Xodus 2.0. At the end of the month I take a 3 day running break to go hike on the highest summits of our state instead with my husband.

June

I run the Asheville Chamber Challenge for the 2nd time and pull a PR in a hot day. I also have a really hard run in 91 degree whether and while I tell myself I won’t run in such temperatures again, truth is my body got used to it over the summer. I run Hickory Top in Bent Creek for the first time, I was proud to reach the top, to this day it’s my favorite loop in Bent Creek with 9.3 mi.

July

I train for the Half Marathon, reach 13 miles and realize I will have no problem finishing. A friend gets dehydrated on a run.

August

I make compromises when it comes to running and spending time with family. In return my SIL introduces me to Lululemon and I get my first running skirt. I decided to do a Detox week-end, cutting off most carbs, soy and sugar. To top off the month we get to run in Alaska and on a Cruise ship.

September

I get to run my first Half Marathon and pull a sub 2hour time. The rest of the month is followed by health issues unrelated to running and blogging becomes more difficult.

October.

Due to the health issues I am not allowed to run for two weeks. It seems like an eternity at a time when running would have been my escape. As a result I DNS a 5k I really wanted to do at the airport.  I ease back into running once cleared and run a virtual race to make up for it. It was a really had month for me mentally.

November

I run in the ice for the first time of the season. I skip the traditional Turkey Trot but go enjoy a nice relaxing trail run in Bent Creek instead. My goal was mainly to get my legs back but also train for a 5k to see how I improved.

December

I run the Jingle Bells 5k and get a new PR, jingling all the way which may or may not have cost me the 1st female place. Mid month my husband and I fly to Europe to spend Christmas with my family. We escape to Barcelona, Spain where we get two beautiful runs. I run in beautiful Toulouse, France; in my grand-parents town and on the trails at my Dad’s. While I cut back on the mileage to enjoy my family I feel very happy about finishing the year in such beautiful places. I end with one last run on the 31st, to get over the long flight back home.

Did you achieved your goals this year?

Hald Marathon Training Week 3-1

I’m still behind on my training so here is a quick version of the last weeks.

• Week 3

Speedwork
Goal 2x3200m @ 8-34-8:39?

3200m sounded like a lot, but thankfully it was only two repeats.

1.65m warmup @9:10 pace in 15’09
3200m repeats @7:51 and 8:02 pace (in 15’37” and 15’59”)
1.17 @9:16 pace 10’51”

Tempo Run
Goal 5 miles @9:34 pace

I was not feeling that one. I felt crabby the first half of the course. So I turned around sooner than we were supposed to and I’m glad I did. On the way back there was a nasty uphill that I simply decided to walk. I was just happy to be done with that one.

Easy Run

It was going  to be a hot day, too hot for the long run in my opinion but good enough for a short easy run behind my husband. I have to admit, my legs wanted to run faster. In many ways I found it harder to stay at his rythm, but it forced me to have an easy run.

3.98 miles in 40 minutes @10:03 pace

5.44 miles @ 9:49 pace, in 53’25”

Long Run
Goal: 12 miles @9:59 pace

This was to be the last long run before the beginning of taper. I had made plans to go run on the trails but work got in the way. By the time I was home I realized I didn’t want to be in the forest when night falls. So as a back up I quickly planned a run in my neighborhood. It ended up being very pleasant with wonderful temperatures. I was crabby again at first, got some knee pain at some point. Stopped stretched out and then found my rythm and really enjoyed it.

12.08 miles @9:22 pace in 1h53’21”

• Week 2

Speedwork at the park
Goal 5x1K @8:22-8:27 pace

1.57 miles @ 9:35 pace in 15’03
1K repeats @ 7:53, 7:43, 7:40, 7:35 & b7:37  in 4’54”, 4’48”, 4’46”, 4:43, 4:44
1.07 miles @9:57 pace in 10’39

Tempo Run
Goal: 2 miles easy, 3 miles @ Short Tempo pace,  1 mile easy

Fun run with the group. I forgot to take a left so I ran less than planned. Time goes by so fast when you’re chating with an other runner.

4.9 miles @08:58 pace in 43’57

Long Run
Goal: 8 miles @9:59 pace

Last long run. I put two loops  on the trails back to back so my husband could join me. I had a little side stich but managed to get it to go away. Part of it may be due that I started a little too fast.

8.39 miles @9:33 pace in 1h20’13”

• Week 1

Speedwork
6x400m @8:19-8:24 pace

1.38 @ 8:27 in 11’40”
400m @ 6:42, 6:42, 6:42, 6:42, 6:22, 6:30 in 1’40” (x4), 1’35”, 1’37”
1.3 miles @8:07 in 10’34”

Tempo Run
Goal: 3 miles easy

I was going to try to run 3 miles, but then the group had several options and most of the people at my level (who are running the half too) went for the 4 mileish option. So I went for it. I got into my own rythm and ended up being up ahead. However I forgot to turn on my watch so my time is an estimate from when I started it as I finished and then someone else finished. It’s not very accurate because the first two people didn’t have a watch but I had still stopped my timer. Oh well doesn’t matter, the effort felt good.

4.58 miles @9:03 pace in 41’30”