Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Argh, the wind!

What is with this crazy weather?! Yesterday it was 80 and super windy. Today it's 55 and super windy. Cramping my usual outdoor workouts. My sinuses are killing me as is, so I've opted out of running in swirls of dust and pollen. Also, we're up against a deadline at work and when I'm on a roll, I hate to quit. So I've been brushing up on my OnDemand options after work! The ExerciseTV ten minute and twenty minute workouts have been fun and not that hard to modify for the burgeoning belly.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

New Goals!

Now that I've completed the half, I've reevaluated my goals. I want to continue to focus on proper nutrition so that I can make the most of the inevitable weight gain and hopefully keep it to 1lb/wk. I took measurements of hips and thighs and I will endeavor to keep them where they are for the duration of this pregnancy. I'm secretly hoping that my thighs might even shrink from more frequent strength training, since I hardly did any the last several weeks (long runs kind of sucked when my glutes and legs were sore from lunges and squats). But, I'll settle for just firmer so that I can strut in my bikini, belly all out!
So to that end, I found a workout OnDemand, Bootylicious Buns 2. There was the jumps that obviously had to be modified (i just popped up on my tip toes rather than actually jumping). But then I was surprised that an inverted kick hurt! You start in side plank position and kick the top leg out. If my ligaments could shout expletives, they surely would've. So I just stayed on the floor rather than getting in the plank position. I felt the burn, so whatever!
Also yesterday I took Emberly to Sees (read: she picked out a piece of candy and I picked out 5 or 6 LOL), and this lady said she needed to get out of there. Because I'm pregnant and I look better than her. I took it as a compliment, as she probably meant it, but then I was thinking, well, what the hell, am I supposed to look fat and frumpy!? I'm glad to be kicking the stereotypes of what pregnancy has to be in the butt!

Monday, March 22, 2010

I did it!

I have no idea why I've procrastinated coming on to post about the half!
I loved it! It was not torturous and it didn't feel like forever! I woke up, ate a banana and peanut butter on toast as recommended by a friend and we got on the road. I decided on shorts and a long sleeved Nike top over my tank and support belt and was surprised by how cold and windy it felt. But once we started running, it felt great. The first half of the race was scenic and beautiful. I finished the first 6mi in barely over an hour. I had to pee, but I didn't want to leave the course to use the port-o-pots set up at start and I kept going.
Some of the tunnels were long and difficult for my eyes to adjust from the contrasting brightness outside, so I had to slow down because I didn't want to risk falling. But they were cool. Then the course went into a reclamation area that was boring and hilly. The turnaround was at a view of the dam, but I was too focused on finishing to care to stop. It was in the reclamation area that one of the aid stops had two pots and I was finally able to go!
I maintained the run 3min, speed walk 2min throughout the race, and often walked less than two minutes because I felt great and ready to run. I finished in 2hrs41min, #519 of 593. Not too bad for 21wks pregnant!
I would love to see how I do when not pregnant, but I don't know when that'll happen since the training was quite a commitment for me and with 2kids and huge sore milk jugs, it might be awhile before I want to again.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Tomorrow's the day!

And I'm ready to run!
I've read that everything you wear/use on a race should be road tested, but I became worried that the 8 water stations wouldn't be enough for me, so I went belt shopping. But... I'm already wearing a support belt for the belly. And those snazzy belts are pricey. So I opted for a handheld bottle with a soft strap. The strap has a pocket where I can put my gels. I usually hold my phone and keys on my outdoor runs, so I figure an ergonomic bottle should be okay.
The only thing I'm worried about is what to eat in the morning. I don't want to have to go #2 out on the course. I was thinking just eggs, but a friend suggested that I need carbs... I've been doing my long runs early in the morning and not eating anything beforehand. But maybe I'll take her suggestion of a banana and peanut butter toast.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

The chiropractor worked wonderfully. He adjusted my back and did some weird thing to the ligament that stretches from my sacrum to my hip because it was over-firing. That's the area that was bothering me most.
So, that Saturday I was visiting my mom and had an opportunity to run outdoors. I ran 10mi and it felt great. My main motivation being the breakfast pizza from Sacramento's Buffalo Pizza that I would indulge in later than morning! My hip was stiff that day, but by Sunday, I was all good.
This last Saturday I ran 9mi on the treadmill and had no hip pain at all. Though my abs/round ligaments were sore the rest of the day. To be expected.
I had my anatomy scan and everything looked wonderful. I even got a 3d pic of baby's face and s/he looks like my daughter. Can't wait to meet Baby B!
My race is in a week and a half. Unfortunately, my dear husband misunderstood the return/exchange policy for NikeID shoes so I will not be getting my Christmas present shoes before the event. So I headed over to Finish Line and got new inserts for my good ole New Balances.
H&M being next door, of course I had to go in. And of course they had cute bikini's, cheaper than what they have at Target. I got one. I had no interest in putting on a bathing suit last pregnancy. I'm excited to keep exercising, growing a mean, lean baby and feeling sexy all the while!