Happy Friday everyone, this week seemed to fly by! I am off to a doctors appointment this morning, wish me luck that everything with this little one is on track #feelinghuge

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I LOVED reading this article  by Katie Grossman on the Trail Sisters website. She talks openly about what it’s like to decide to try to have children as a professional runner. And while I don’t face the same challenges as a professional athlete (I can still do my job 7 months pregnant and can return a few weeks after birth without my performance being derailed too much, not the same situation for athletes) so much of what she talked about resinated with me. It’s well worth the time to read.

Vital Proteins Collagen I was really unsure about hoping on the collagen bandwagon but I checked with my doctor and got the approval to have it while pregnant and have been adding it to my coffee for the last month. I can’t say for sure if it’s impacting my hair and nails since those are already altered by pregnancy. But it really is tasteless and I can’t tell at all when I add it to my coffee.

Billy Yang’s The Why video so well done, I just loved seeing so much of the Leadville 100 course, I watched it while walking hills on a treadmill….start where you are, right?

Cannon’s gymnastics classes at our local rec center. It’s so fun to see him throw himself into the foam pit with no fear, it’s his favorite part.

Happy Weekend everyone!

 

 

Third trimester baby! One of the best things about making it this far is that there is a good chance of this little one surviving if she had to be born now, it’s scary to think about her coming so early but everyday she is getting bigger and stronger.

Baby is now the size of:

The size of an Eggplant and over 2 pounds now. One of the best things about making

Sleep: Sleep is getting worse, I have trouble being comfortable and rolling over is getting harder.

Maternity clothes / preferred attire: I have been pulling out some of my old sweatshirts to wear over my athletic clothes lately, it’s a little comical, especially when I wear my “Marathoner” sweatshirt. Clearly no marathons are happening in the near future.

Mostly I am just looking for comfort and starting to worry about what will fit through the end of this pregnancy.

Symptoms: So much shortness of breath! Walking up the stairs, especially when carrying Cannon is seriously difficult. I even became short of breath when trying to talk too much while teaching, my poor students probably wonder  what the heck is going on.

Cravings, aversions and favorite foods: Eating has been weird and difficult this last week. My heartburn is worst in the late afternoon and evening. There are many nights that I don’t eat dinner because I am not feeling well enough ( I am getting plenty to eat earlier in the day). When I do feel well enough to eat I have been craving a lot of salads, so much better than the chocolate ice cream I couldn’t get enough of a couple weeks ago.

Exercise: Feeling pretty good about getting into a better routine fitting in cardio and strength training. Workouts have been feeling pretty good and I hope to stay as active as I can safely until giving birth.

Mood: Pretty good. I get tired by the end of the day but I am relishing all the baby kicks, flips and jabs. She is so much more active than Cannon ever was! I am also trying to relish all the time I can with Cannon as an only child. His world is about to get rocked, and while he will point to my belly and say “baby” (so cute), he has no idea what is coming. I get emotional thinking about having to split my attention from Cannon but I remind myself that he is pretty independent and that he will be gaining a sister to love and a friend for life.

Missing: Wine, running on the trails, my normal clothes and breathing.

Best moments: Going to the pool with Cannon.

Worst moments: Having to take Cannon to the doctor Friday night for weird symptoms. Turns out everything is fine but it’s so easy to worry.

Buying: Finally caved and bought a pregnancy pillow after hearing how great they are.

Dreaming About: What those first few days will be like.

 

Baby is now the size of:

Yay, a bunch a Kale!

Sleep: Sleep has just started to go downhill. I seem to be able to fall asleep just fine but then wake up between midnight and 2am and can’t fall back to sleep for a few hours. When Cannon wakes up between 5 and 6 am I am less than ready to get up. This week mama has been tired!

Maternity clothes / preferred attire: Yes, mostly. And days that I wear normal clothes I usually regret it by the end of the day. The bump seems to grow as the day goes on.

Symptoms: Lots of heart burn, backache and lots of baby kicks.

Cravings, aversions and favorite foods: I have been craving all of the chocolate ice cream, specifically Tillamook Mudslide.

Exercise: Lots of time on the treadmill

And walking when the weather allows it

Mood: Mainly feeling tired and overwhelmed this week, still getting back in the groove at work, home, Cannon and exercise.

Missing: COFFEE! Well I am still drinking coffee but I am missing the caffeine.

Best moments: Taking Cannon to the pool and seeing him have SO MUCH FUN! He really loved the beach entry and running around in the water. Also playing in the snow.

Worst moments: Nothing too terrible this week.

 

 

Way back in June, Cory and I celebrated our 11th anniversary by running the Mueller Marathon. 

This race is put on by Mad Moose Events, I really like their events and am eyeing some of their races in Utah for late 2018/early 2019.

This race is completely held in Muller State Park near Divide, CO.

Since this is only a couple hour drive from our house we decided to spend the night at home and just get up extra early race morning. We packed Cannon up the night before and he spent his first night away from us at Grandma and Grandpa’s.

The drive to Mueller State Park was easy so early in the morning and we arrived at the race start nice and early. I was expecting the laid back atmosphere of an ultra even though this was a marathon, but I was disappointed that there was only ONE bathroom. The race didn’t bring in any additional bathrooms and the parking lot where the race started only had one pit toilet. Racers were having to jog to other parking lots to find additional bathrooms. It didn’t seem like a great start to me. I don’t need fancy VIP bathrooms at a trail race, but more than one would be nice. 

That being said the start was low key with both the marathon and 25k starting together. I could immediately notice that we were not in the low country of Denver anymore, the lack of oxygen was evident. It was all climbing and descending from the start, I don’t recall one flat section.

There were parts that were beautiful, but overall compared to other Colorado trail races I have done, but I wasn’t overly impressed.

I think this report sounds super negative, and it really shouldn’t it wasn’t a bad race, just not a recent favorite. If I had to give it a grade it would be a B-. There were 4 aid stations total that were well stocked with fun ultra style food. The volunteers were so nice and helpful. And it was some seriously good hill training.

I enjoyed running with Cory as it had been a long time and it was a great way to celebrate our anniversary. By the time we were done we were tired and ready to get back to our little boy!

Baby is now the size of: 

Sleep: Still pretty good, rolling over is getting harder and sometimes my belly feels heavy while laying on my side (laying on my back or front are both not options anymore).

Maternity clothes / preferred attire:  My few regular clothes are running out of room. I wore a non maternity shirt to work today, I caught a view of myself in a mirror when I got home. I don’t think I will be wearing it again until the summer!

Symptoms: Nothing new, heartburn, some round ligament pain and fatigue.

Cravings, aversions and favorite foods: Surprisingly craving salads (good!) and candy (not so good) I have been really looking forward to Easter candy coming out, so weird.

Exercise: Getting back on track now that everyone is on the mend. Taking advantage of anytime we can get outside.

Mood: A little overwhelmed with the semester starting but also enjoying having more of a schedule. Also feeling like time is running short before this baby gets here (yikes!)

Missing: Getting up easily, my running coats, full caffeine coffee and walking up the stairs without wheezing.

Best moments: Going to my 24 week appointment. It was great to hear that everything was on track and getting to see this little baby sucking on her fingers.

Worst moments: Can’t think of anything too terrible.

Buying: Maternity belt I am hoping this will help with round ligament pain and possibly make running more comfortable.

Dreaming About: What color baby girl’s hair and eyes will be.

I am by far not the most accomplished pregnant runner out there. I heard on Ali’s (Ali On The Run Show)  podcast that Gwen Jorgensen ran more while pregnant then ever before, clocking in around 100 miles a week. I can’t even relate to that. I feel like I am more of the “Average Joe” just trying to stay moving while pregnant. My pregnancy began while recovering from a broken toe so I was starting from close to zero.

I did run a trail 10k at 6 weeks pregnant in Breckenridge. The race almost didn’t happen because I wasn’t feeling great at 6 weeks pregnant and Cannon threw up for the first time on the way up to the race. We decided to drive the last few miles to the race start as it would be a good place to finish cleaning Cannon and the car up. After sorting everything out, Cannon was in a great mood and it seemed like a good idea to give him a break before making him get in the car to drive home. We decided it was best for me to go ahead and run the race and I am so glad that we did.

Cannon had a great time hanging out in Breckenridge with his dad and I enjoyed one last trail race for the season.

Then in November I ran a fun Turkey Trot 5k with my family at 17 weeks pregnant.

I have been trying to continue to run a few times a week during this pregnancy even through I think my next race won’t be until this baby is on the outside. Some things that have made running a little more comfortable:

Hoka One One Clifton 4 – The extra cushion of the Hoka Cliftons definitely have helped keep my feet happy. Packing a few (ha!) extra pounds puts a toll on my feet and last time I was pregnant I had a bad case of plantar fasciitis, I may get it again this time but so far so good!

Lululemon High Wasted Wunder Under Pants – Even during my first trimester I liked having a high wasted pant. It made my belly and back feel supported even while there wasn’t much of a bump.

Treadmills – One of the challenges of running while pregnant is the need for frequent bathroom stops. We have a Nordictrack treadmill set up in our basement gym and LOVE it. It has incline and decline, it has been great helping Cory and I train for many races. Being able to stop and dash to the bathroom whenever I need has been helpful. I have also been using the treadmill at the gym quite a bit so I can use the child care to look after Cannon.

Garmin Fenix 3 Sapphire – I LOVE this watch so much. I used to always forget to charge my 910, but I wear my Fenix 3 all the time so I don’t forget to put it on or charge it. I love that it is a smart watch.

Garmin Run Heart Rate Monitor – It is important to not have your heart rate get too high while exercising as it might draw blood and oxygen away from your developing baby. I used my Garmin HRM and walk breaks to make sure that I am keeping my little one safe.

GapFit Breath Capris – These capris are buttery soft and so comfortable. As I have out grown my normal running gear these have been amazing. The full panel isn’t too tight or too loose, there is nothing worse than tights falling down or squeezing your belly while trying to run.

Maternity Belt – This is one piece of gear that I haven’t tried yet, but was suggested to me by my Midwife. I have been experiencing some round ligament pain and she suggested that I invest in a maternity belt. I have also hear of other pregnant runners using them. I plan to give it a go and see if it helps!

Lots of Grace – Sometimes it’s hard to accept that I am not running 6-7 days a week, 50 + miles a week or as quickly as I used to. I am trying to remember that this time is beautiful, exciting and temporary. Running will be there for me in the summer =)

Any mother runners out there? How long did you keep running in your pregnancy? Any suggestions of things that kept you going?

Baby is now the size of:  A Cantaloupe and almost a foot long…I don’t know how these fruit sized equivalents are determined. Are they length or weight based? I don’t know, but this little girl is definitely getting bigger. I am feeling quite whale-ish these days. I feel like I look 34 weeks not 24…I am trying to remember that this is temporary and SOOOOO worth it.

Sleep: Still pretty good, I am trying to decide if it is worth getting a pregnancy body pillow. Any mamas out there, are they worth it?

Maternity clothes / preferred attire: Mostly maternity, I am not going to get away with normal work clothes anymore like I did last semester so I have been thinking about work outfits that will work around this bump and not terrify my students.

Symptoms: Such bad heartburn this week and a little swelling in my feet when I stand too long. Some headaches and sleepiness. Overall nothing too bad, I am getting towards the end of the second trimester so I know being comfortable is going to be short lived, trying to prepare myself.

Cravings, aversions and favorite foods: Nothing to strong, mainly anything quick and easy. We have been so busy and I have been pretty tired.

Exercise: Working on it!

Mood: Feeling a little overwhelmed with trying to get ready for the semester to start but things will be

Missing: ease of movement, breathing (having congestion and lung capacity is down), running and wine

Best moments: Hiking with Cannon, we all love it so much!

Worst moments: I had some pretty painful round ligament pain, much worse than with Cannon. luckily it’s not every day.

Buying: All the cute baby girl things!

Dreaming About: Decorating the nursery (pinterest board here)  and picturing bring her home to snuggle.