Half Marathon

Working out can get boring without a goal. And pregnancy in itself has so many built-in excuses to just not make the effort. I decided early on my goal would be a half marathon. I didn't have an event in mind and at first thought that I wouldn't really do one, I just wanted to know I could run that kind of distance. 5k or 10k didn't seem challenging enough since I was regularly doing rigorous cardio for 1hr+.
So I run Tuesday through Thursday at 10min intervals 3x throughout the day. It really helped with my nausea in the beginning. And the fatigue that was exacerbated by my 10hr work days. Fridays and Saturdays I cross train on the elliptical and bike for 40min and do a chest, arms and back routine with weights. Then Sunday is my long run, increasing in distance from 5mi every week. Monday is rest, with a focus on stretching. And I try to do a leg/butt routine on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, but no later in the week because I learned early that long runs kind of suck when your muscles are sore!
I hit a wall early, at 7mi. Eating before and immediately after the long run wasn't cutting it, especially with how long the runs take since I have to keep my level of exertion at a pace that I could maintain a conversation (12+min mi after the first 4mi). I was getting hungry during the run. I really thought about maxing out there, since I wasn't preparing for an actual event. But a mom-athlete friend of mine, Jessica, suggested energy gels. Success! With the energy gels (honey stinger gold and strawberry banana gu being my faves so far), I feel energized and accomplished at the end of a long run, rather than like I just want to eat and pass out.
So, a few weeks ago, I learned about a half near me: Six Tunnels to the Dam. I can take as long as I need to finish because there's no traffic. It's not hilly. And it's March 13th, and I'll be 21wks, perfect timing for me to peak in my distance!

Recommended Reading

I never start anything without researching it do death, so I recommend reading the following:

The Runner's World Guide to Running & Pregnancy
Exercising through Pregnancy by James Clapp

These helped me decide how much of my former routine I could continue and correct outdated notions that still proliferate amongst pregnant women, such as keeping my HR under 140.

This time will be different!

In my pregnancy with my daughter, I was very focused on getting the birth experience I wanted. I was dedicated and the result was a great home birth. So this pregnancy, I feel very "been there, done that," so on what should I focus? Being fit! I had quickly gained 20lbs before even conceiving Emberly because I was in love, ate out all the time and quit my daily gym regimen. Then I moved to another state, knew nobody and essentially sat on my butt all.day.long. I made sad attempts to walk and do floor work occasionally, but I was soon a water-retaining swollen version of my former self. I gained 41lbs, which actually isn't terrible, if not for the 20lbs I'd gained before.
This time I'm starting out about 5lbs lighter and with a plan!