2009 already!?!?!?
The months that followed I was very numb and I don’t recall many particulars, but I had some definite fitness highlights. I was training for the Cincinnati marathon and was very proud of myself b/c I got out there in many a snowstorm and ran my butt off, many times alone. I had my 2 best 30Ks ever in Feb and March. My running pace was finally coming down and I found in 5Ks that I could easily hold under a 9 min pace. This was new for me! On my long distance runs I was constantly well below a 10 min pace, giving me hope of being well under my goal of 4:20 for Cinti. Unfortunately a foot injury got a hold of me with a vengeance and I opted to sit Cincinnati out and took a whole month off of running. In May I had an awesome trip to Lake Placid with my friend Kim and her training group to ride and run the IM Lake Placid course. That was lesson in humility! But I was able to get through 1 loop biking and 13 miles running. The summer was full of lots of training. It seemed that every Sat & Sun were ruled by running, biking or bricks. I enjoyed training with some people from the tri club like Beth, Jen, Tracie, Janet, Gina and Laura P! As well as my normal running companions Sara, Sherri, Ilana and Karen! I felt good and strong. I only did 2 sprint tris b/c I found out the hard way that I am absolutely terrified of open water swimming, yikes! My tri future is uncertain at this point as I have only swam a handful of times since July. Not good! But I found that I really do love biking and running, so if those are the races I stick to next year than I am fine with it! Gary also got a road bike in June and we started riding together weekly, which was great. I look forward to getting back on the road with him in 2009! In late summer I started training for Akron and my times on my long runs were even better. I markedly upped by running miles and was averaging around 30ish miles running a week and 50 biking. All the biking helped and I saw my times on my long runs continue to come down. I thought I might have a shot at getting near 4:00 for the Akron marathon in Sept….until I got pregnant!
What! Yes, just like that. Gary and I had talked about it, but I thought it would take us awhile, but I was wrong. I knew I wasn’t feeling well in Aug, but thought there was just no way I was baking a baby, but I was. I continued to run 10-15 miles for my long runs for the first month or so of pregnancy to keep Sara company on her marathon training. But come Oct, I was slowing way down. In Sept, I did a marathon relay with 4 other pregnant women and we finished in under 4 hours! That was great and we even got to be in the paper. In Oct Gary and I went to CA & OR on vacation where the baby and I did a half marathon. But that was about it, I knew from that race that the running was coming to an end as I was sick for a few days afterwards and my feet and belly ached. Since then I have been trying to keep up the exercise, I have good weeks and bad. The loss of my beloved Taiko in November was just awful and led to a horrible month. Ugh then we got a really bad puppy!
2009 is scary people. I am having a baby! Hold the phone. I am going to be responsible for keeping another human alive. Eek. And I turn 30, double Eek!!! All joking aside, I can’t wait to meet this little monster and work hard to get back on my feet. I think I won’t be setting any big goals for 2009. I would like to see myself at least ready for half marathons by the fall. I want to concentrate on getting the weight off and getting back under 9 min miles before I worry about another marathon or endurance event. If I can get myself back in the pool soon, I’d like to think I could do the same 2 sprint tris I did last year and they were in small inland lakes and I didn’t have much issue with those. I would also like to do Eddy’s Sweet Corn challenge, at least the 50 miler. I think that is enough to think about. I do know that 2009 will probably be the best year yet.
Sugar is the devil
Tuesday - circuit, 30 mins split between hill machine and cross country skier
Wed - 45 min Aerobics DVD
Thurs - Run with Sara - 4-6 miles
Fri- Spin class
Sat - circuit and 1 hour cardio
Sun - spin class, weights
Back to reality
Who works the day after Xmas!
Did you have a good Xmas bloggy friends? We did. I managed to get to the gym on Wednesday and do a circuit and some cardio and then on Thurs I met Sara and Harley at South Chagrin and while they ran up the hill, I powerwalked it. I got 4 miles into their 6, not too bad. I can't really run hills anymore, it's just not happening. I am also finding that I am pretty much sore after I excercise every time. I think it's just the extra weight on my frame. It's hard being short!
22 weeks
Not too bad? I have gained a little more than I would have wanted so far, but I think it will all even out. I can't say that I haven't eaten like a crazy women for the last 5 months b/c I kinda have! Que sera. I did get in 4 good workouts last week and worked out yesterday, so 1 so far this week. I hope to get in 6 workouts a week, but am likely not to hit that goal until after Xmas. I was supposed to run outside after work, but it is cold ya'll, so I think I will retreat to the safety of a spin class instead.
I can't believe it's Xmas already. I really don't feel very Xmasy this year. Here is a funny pic from last night, I caught the dogs sleeping this way, took a pic, and then rotated Fonzi as no one should be sleeping with a butt on their forehead. What a little Butthead.
Blustery run
New spinning class
Back on the wagon
After my workout, I went home and got cleaned up and picked up Tracie. We headed to Jen's for a nice little get together of gals from the tri club. It was a lot of fun. And I was soooo happy b/c Salty made it out with her gorgeous 3 week old son. And it was great to meet him. It was so nice to see everyone and I'm really glad Jen had the party. Thanks Jen!
Look at how big Fonzi is getting!
New Gym - New Plan?
My goal is to go 3-4 times a week. That's it. My plan is to make it before work once during the work week and once after work during the work week, then on both Sat and Sun. My Sat & Sun workouts I hope to consist of an hour of cardio and then weights. The mid week ones might be shorter. If I can do this and still get one short run in on my own during the week, plus weights during the week nights when I am just being lazy and watching tv, it would be fantastic. Plus I have walked on lunch a few times now during lunch and can get 2 miles in and if I can do that twice a week! I'll be able to get through this pregnancy and maintain some sort of muscle tone. Well, that is my hope anyway. It's getting hard for me to run outside and I can't keep up with my friends anyway, so I might be abandoning my weekend long runs with friends for the safety of the dreadmill. I cannot tell you how much I hate the dreadmill, but I don't see much other choice considering I can only peel off an 11-12 min mile and I have to pee at least twice within an hour.
It looks to be a good weekend. Sat is Gary's 33rd b-day and we have lunch plans with his mom and I am going to pick him up an ice cream cake on my way home from work today, plus I got him some gifts. His mom got him an Xbox so he'll have some fun playing video games on his down time now. Sunday I get to go to a get together of triathlon/running lady friends and I am very much looking forward to that as I have missed these ladies since I haven't been distance training.
Let the nesting begin
Seriously could we get some more snow and rain here in Cleveland? What a wet 2 months we have had. On the good news front, my lovely husband has been busting his ass the past few weeks getting our nasty unfinished basement finished! He repaired the drywall damage on one wall and the ceiling. He repainted the ceilings white and the walls a bright yellow we agreed on. We were going to get carpet, but after getting a quote for a looottt of money we got paranoid that it would get damp down there eventually and ruin the carpet. So, we opted for this flooring made out of recycled tires, how green of us. It comes in big puzzle pieces and it looks like a floor you would see in a gym. Which is pretty appropriate b/c one side of the basement will have a weight bench and all the free weights and then the middle of the room will have our cushy futon and a tv/xbox setup and then our 2 bikes on trainers in view of the tv. I hope it will be nice enough down there that someone could sleep and not feel like they are in our gross basement. It will also become a much needed storage area for all things baby I am sure. Baby things are so stinking big – excersaucers, pack and plays, swings, high chairs, who has room for all this stuff! I expect our basement to be sleep ready by Jan 1. I will take some pics. Next room after that to get a makeover is our office, it will be turned into the guest room. It’s tiny so it will be minimalist at best.
Who got my early bird worm?
I have firmly decided that all those people who say that being pregnant in the winter as opposed to the summer are dead wrong. If I do this again, and it’s planned, I will be getting pregnant shortly after the new year. Being pregnant equals feeling tired and lazy all the time. Winter’s short days equals feeling tired and lazy all the time. Not a good combo! Now I know some will say you don’t want to have a newborn in the winter, but I don’t care, they are wrong J Being most pregnant when it’s warm also means you get to wear flowy little dresses and flats. Being pregnant when it’s cold means I have to have jeans and tops and coats and ugh. Okay rant over.
Feeling like slug
Please stick with me bloggy friends, when this baby is out of me there will be a lot of workout things to talk about as I journey back to my original body. I can’t wait to work on getting faster and doing some half marathons and hopefully sprint tris. We let our gym membership at the JCC lapse, but we are joining Urban Active next year. We are going to wait a few months to join b/c we have so much to do around the house we know we won’t be going. Hopefully a change of scenery (gym wise) will do me good.
I will tell you though, I love being pregnant. It’s been great so far and now the baby is really kicking up a storm and everything is so surreal. For me it’s been such an odd shift in how I feel as a person, I am doing something, something that matters…for once. I cannot wait to meet our child and see who it takes after. I was kind of indifferent to having children. I figured I could be happy either way, but now I am already so in love with this baby I don’t know how I ever lived without it. It’s just crazy. I am scared to death to think of what has to go down near the end of April. Can’t even bring myself to read about it, b/c I just don’t want to know. But I know in the end the weight gain, the mushy body, the sleepless nights will all be worth it.
Back to the Grind
Modest Mouse
Finally Friday
On the puppy front; Fonzil really is a sweet dog and I know things will be fine, but the housebreaking isn’t going too well. He also seems to have some anxiety induced crate pooping which will be a big issue once Gary is back to his normal work schedule and the poor pup is stuck in the crate for 7 hours. But we are doing what we can to work through it.
I am still sick and just can’t even believe it. Although I am better than I was for sure. My real problem is that I get up with the puppy in the middle of the night, which is fine, but I cannot fall back asleep. I do not know if it’s due to my cold, or the pregnancy or what it is. But it’s making me feel pretty damn run down. I didn’t work out Tues or Wed, but I wanted to redeem this week, so I pulled out my slim in six DVD last night and did the 45 min DVD. It’s actually a great workout, lots of lunges, squats and pushups. I am sore today. I plan to run Sat & Sun for sure. My running has really taken a hit this last month.
I am going to see Twilight this weekend and am totally geeked. Yes I am a child.
Finally feeling a bit better
I felt guilty for not working out in awhile. I only worked out 3 times last week :( So, last night I did the weights routine from my tri book since I didn't feel like braving the weather and heading to the gym. When you have a little puppy you feel bad leaving them at night b/c you are away all day. SO, I might have to get creative with my workouts for awhile. Tonight I am going to dust off my old fav Slim in Six aerobics DVD. Exciting I know, but I want to try and work out everyday this week, just not very high intensity. 30 mins a day, nothing major, then when I feel better, I will work on getting my time back up.
Introducing Fonzi
Here is the latest edition to our family, Fonzi. On the cold front, I am still miserably sick, and can't take any medicine. Ugh. Workouts are not happening since I cannot for the life of me breath out of my freaking nose.
Blurghy Thursday
So far so good
I didn't make it up for a morning workout either yesterday or today. I may just have to come to terms that those are out of the question. I set my alarm, I try to get up, but I just feel like a ragdoll. It stinks b/c I used to be a morning person. Tonight I will swim and hopefully get in a short run, but its cold out there!
Are you ready for this?
Time for a plan stan
Mon – AM Spin class/weights
Tues- Run & swim
Wed- Run
Thurs- longer swim
Fri- Spin class/weights
Sat- long Run
Sun- Run & yoga
Last year over memorial day weekend I went to Lake Placid for a weekend workout on the Ironman course. The same group is going back next year, but this time in June. I really want to go, really bad. But is it crazy to think that 2 months post partum I could be ready to bike the 56 mile course of Lake Placid??? I really want to be able to do a fall marathon and be a kickass buff mom. I look at people like TriSaraTops and know it is possible. I tend to border on extreme working out and no working out. I don’t have much of a happy medium. I need to find it until this baby is out!
Good bye Taiko
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Frickity frack
The IV today was my last hope. It didn't work, they couldn't keep it in his leg. My plan is to do one more day of sub q fluids, then on Thursday morning we will go in to see the vet and have his blood drawn yet again. If his levels haven't improved, then that is that. All hope is lost. The question then becomes when do I put him to sleep. Part of me just wants to do it right away, why delay the inevitable. But I am so scared that he could miraculously pull through and I wouldn't have given him the chance. But the last thing I want is for him to be in a lot of pain. I just don't know what to do.
Go Obama
I went for a run this weekend. The first time since the half marathon (yikes!!) and it felt really good. But I have been so tired and stressed out with Tai being sick that workouts have fallen by the wayside. I don’t see that getting better until this ordeal is over. But when it is I have to get back on the horse, so to speak.
It is a very sad time in the Nowac household. Taiko is not doing well and will likely not make it. He is still fighting though, he’s not ready to go. I gave him sub Q fluids, the poor man’s dialysis, all weekend and they didn’t affect his levels at all. Today I made the hard decision to leave him at the vet’s office all day for them to do a more aggressive flush on his kidney’s. It was a hard decision b/c he is really sick and gets stressed easily. He doesn’t like going to the vets and it broke my hear to lead him into that cage and turn and walk away. He doesn’t understand. And they are going to pull him out of the cage, muzzle him and wrestle him until they are able to get an IV in his leg. They already did this once last week and the IV didn’t stay in. I sooo hate to put him through it again, but it’s our last hope. And it might be too late. To some people dogs are just that, animals that live in your house. To me they are family members and Tai being sick is like my child being sick. I am so sad, I can’t stop crying. I hate having to be at work, I want to just stick by him and rub his back and wipe his mouth when he vomits. I will likely have to put him down soon and I can’t even type that without tears welling in my eyes. But he’s not ready yet, his eyes are still clear, he can get up and down the stairs and he still wags his tail and gets excited to go for a walk. Once he doesn’t come to the door when I get home or want to go for a walk, then we’ll know it’s time.
Doggy prayers
Wind down
CA/OR vacation
We flew into San Francisco on Sat and then rented a car. We decided to take the scenic route and drove up highway 1 to Fortuna CA. The trip up the coast was scenic and beautiful, but boy was it windy and slow and we were both ready to be out of the car when we got to our hotel 7 hours later! We saw lots of neat little farm towns and quirky shops and eateries, stopped a few times at the scenic overlooks. We got to our hotel pretty late on Sat and I felt pretty cruddy from the 5 hour flight and then 7 hour drive, not the best stage for a race the next day. Gary's sister Laura and her fiance Ross met us in Fortuna. We all had dinner and then headed to bed.
G and I got up bright and early and were greeted by cool temperatures and misty rain, yuck. But it cleared up soon enough. The race was in the Humbolt redwood forest. It was a small race, absolutely gorgeous. I was feeling pretty good race morning and was rareing to go. The start was a big cluster F but quickly everyone spread out. It turly was the Ave of the Giants marathon, the trees were enormous and hovered over us. It took me a few miles to get settled in. I ran without my garmin for the first time in forever, I didn't want to push myself. I ran the first 5 miles with a really nice lady from Missouri. But at mile 5 I had to stop for a bathroom break, my first of 2! Oh well. I felt really really good for the first 8 miles, no pain, no tiredness. By mile 9 my feet were really aching, like they did back in the spring when I was training for Cinti. By mile 11 it was excruitiating. And my sides starting hurting. So, the last few miles were no fun and I did a run walk shuffle. I came in under 2:30 which was my goal, but it certainly wasn't a race for the books. Gary on the other hand came in 1:54. I was very proud of him. Not bad for his first race with very little training. Once I crossed the finish line I was in a cruddy mood, I was bummed that once again my feet had broken down, I'm sure the new added weight doesn't help. I quickly got over it and we loaded into our cars to start our drive to Medford OR where Ross and Laura live.
We stayed with them for most of the week. We did a lot of fun things and got to check out Grants Pass, Medford and Ashland OR. We took a hike one day that was along some rocky cliff paths that led us to a rushing part of Rouge River where we got to watch the Salmon fighting their way up river to spawn. That was really neat. Gary and I also went to Crater Lake on Wed. It was one of the most beautiful sights ever, there are pictures below. After leaving OR Gary and I headed to San Francisco. We checked out the Golden Gate Bridge parks & recreational areas, Haight Ashbury, Fisherman's Warf, Union Square and even went and saw the Rocky Horror Show live on stage in the Mission. We had a nice time, but are glad to be home with the dogs! And my feet need a few days rest from alllllll the walking/hiking and running we did. Good times.
Almost vacation time!
Last night I met Salty and we ran about 3.5 miles, it started to rain and got too dark. But we had fun. After that I power cleaned my house in prep for my friends stay. I still have some work to do. Nothing feels better than a really clean house. Tonight I am meeting some friends for dinner, but when I get home I have to finish up and tomorrow I will worry about packing. So, bloggy friends I hope you have a nice weekend. For my peeps running Columbus good luck!
Oh and get this the AKron marathon sent the members of team speed bump onesies and a thank you note. How freaking thoughtful is that. I will definately run at least the half there next year. What a great race.
Back at it
On Sat I met Sara and South Chagrin and we ran 6 days. It was just absolutely gorgeous out. Perfect fall day, clear, crisp and sunny. Afterwards we went to breakfast at yours truly. Then I went home and walked my dogs 2 miles. Then I went to the gym and lifted weights for the first time in forever, that felt great and I am sore from it in that good way. I then proceeded to mow the lawn. Hubby was sleeping b/c he has been working nights, so he had to miss one of the nicest days this year. Sunday morning I got up and met Ilana at the Beachwood park and we ran. I only managed 3 miles, my legs were really sore from the squats and lunges and that park is hilly. So, I called it a day after huffing and puffing my way through the 3 miler. When I got home from my run, G was just getting home from work, so we went to breakfast together. Breakfast out twice in one weekend! Now that's a good weekend :) Afterwards we went to a baptism for G's cousin's baby, she is 2 months old now. It was nice, and we went to a party afterwards. Poor G was up for 24 hours by the time we got home, but it was a nice day spent with family.
This morning I amazed myself and got up at 5:30 am and headed to spinning. I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I got to the gym for a 5:30 workout, it's been ages. Very sad. The spin class was good, I didn't have too hard of a time. I even stayed for abs afterwards and lifted arms a little before heading home. We will see how I feel at about 3 today, I will probably crash, but hopefully I can get back into the 5:30 routine. Workouts after work just aren't happening.
Phew I did it
I ran 6 miles on Wed night, but I was pretty sick Thurs & Fri and just took it easy. So, my tally for this week is one spin, 2 runs and 1 ab DVD. Not quite what I was looking for, but better than nothing. I will run or spin tomorrow, but I didn't get the weights in. This week was pretty tough. I didn't feel good and I was a bit of an emotional wreck due to some work stress among other things. I am through my first trimester now and I am ready for that supposed burst of energy I will getting soon.
Keep on keeping on
I had an u/s last night. It was great, I could totally see the baby moving it's arms and legs around and having a good old time. Love that little blobby squiggle.
The important things (well depending on who is defining important)
- Speed Bumps, 5 woman pregnant relay finishing in 3:57! How about that! I only ran a 5K portion so I didn't contribute too much to that kickass time, but I did manage to come in a little under a 10 min/mile and that was my goal. For the most part I didn't feel very good for my run. The hand off section was very congested and confusing so I took off like a bat out of hell and was running at between a 7:56 and 8:30 min pace and trying to slow myself down. I did of course and then had a hard time getting under 9:50ish and I stopped and took a sip at the 2 water stops. I kept trying to get my breathing under control, but for the most part I felt like crap! Oh well. After my run Gary was waiting for me at the hand off area and he and I and Janet (whose team kicked ass!) headed over the the stadium to watch the finish. I found one member of my team and we hung out for awhile while we waited for Laura to finish. Laura's my hero, she is 7.5 months pregnant and ran the 7.6 mile last leg in under 1:10. How amazing is that! I'm glad she organized this it was a lot of fun. If you've never done a relay before, give it a shot, it's very well organized and easy to pull off.
- I ran 5 times last week! On Tuesday 3 miles with Gary, Wed 4.5 with Ilana, Thursday 4.5 with Sara and Sat the 3.1 mile leg of the race and Sunday 5 miles with Ilana! I also did my ab DVD twice and my pushups most days. Woohoo. Now if I could get 1 spin class and 2 weights sessions in there (probably drop 1 run) I'd be golden! That's my goal this week, 4 run, 2 bikes, 2 weights.
- I was watching tv last night and turned to VH1 expected to see my Sunday treat - I Love Money - the trashiest reality tv show ever; instead I was greeted by a live concert from New Kids on the Block. At first I laughed as I was listening to one song, but soon I began to feel that familiar twang in my preteen heart as Jordan belted out You Got the Right Stuff Baby! Let me tell you NKTOB rocked that concert and I am now going to see if I beg anyone to go see them with me when they come here in Oct! Donny D added a bunch of rap to the songs and they kind of hip hopped them up. Let me tell you those songs they sang in the 90s still translate well. Loved.It. Totally made my day.
- I had to go buy new pants this weekend, already! I'm not even out of my first trimester yet! I have one more week. It was a truly depressing shopping event. But I did walk away with some good steals on a pair of maternity jeans (although I can still wear some of my jeans!) and some clearance capris and some regular long sleeved tshirts from old navy. I just want to be comfortable right now, I am sick of tugging and pulling on clothes.
- Gary and I were walking the dogs on Sat. There is a little trail that runs a few blocks in my neighborhood called the cinder path. There is this little old lady with a wheeled walker who walks up and down the path for 2 blocks and we always stop and say hi to her. Her favorite joke is to say that Taiko looks like her b/c of the wrinkles. So, we're talking and I look down and you know what? Taiko peed on her walker. Seriously, how embarrassing is that? Good thing he's so dang cute!
Finally a workout!
Then I got up this morning at 6 and met my friend Ilana for a 3.5 mile run. This one didn't feel quite as great. I was having some stomach issues though so I will blame it on those. I had to take a few walks breaks near the end b/c I was feeling light headed, I think I will have to eat now before morning runs. When I got home I took Taiko to the vet, he's having kidney problems, which I haven't blogged about, but it's a huge grey cloud in my life, kidney problems usually only get worse and once a dog has kidney problems you pretty much know what will be the end of them. Hopefully we can eek out a few more years with some herbal supplements that were recommended to me. But onto happier subjects. After the vet appt. I drove out to the towpath and met 3 of my other Speed Bump team members and the Ohio news Network did a spot on us. It's supposed to be on tomorrow night for the evening news. Fun! I will get a link to it when I can.
Shaking off the sleep
5 mins of Fame
I haven't even read the article myself yet b/c of internet filters here at work, grrrr. We all met up for the first time on Thursday night and met the reporter. I hear he took some liberties with the quotes, but all in all it's a good article. It was nice to finally meet my teammates, as I only know one of the other runners - Salty, her blog is in my blogroll, the last one. I think the relay will be a lot of fun and it'll be interesting to see what our time is. I am only running a 5K and am worried about it, I really hope I can pull off under a 10 min mile, it's been so so so long since I've only ran 3 miles. I tend to always run at least 5 or 6 and haven't tried to run fast since I got pregnant, and really not for a long time before that b/c I was marathon training. Not like our time Saturday matters, but it would be nice to have a solid 26 min 5K instead of a 33 min one! But I'll just see how I feel.
I went home this weekend and helped my sister work a booth at the Constitution Square Festival. You can see her wonderful jewelry at www.thefriskyfeather.etsy.com. I beleive she has everything off of her site right now b/c she didn't want to double sell, but check back later. Her booth was a hit, she sold so many scrabble tile pendants and everyone was just raving over her. She really is amazingly talented, I have no crafty skills at all, but she can make cards, scrapbook, knit, make purses, jewelry and so much more. Me? I run! And I read a lot, I can't make anything with my hands! Oh well. I can live vicariously through her and hope to make this an annual event. Next year I will have a baby in the booth with us!
Heartbeat Wed
Monday again
Sunday morning I got up bright and early and picked up Karen. We drove to Hudson and met up with Gina and her friend Landon and then my friend Kim met us. We ran around the streets of Hudson. It was pretty humid and I had a really hard time running. I made it 5 miles and then decided I was going to fall back and run/walk. When you are pregnant you’re not supposed to let your body temperature get too high and my head was throbbing from the heat. So, I sent everyone else on and they did 11, while I ran/walked 3 more for a total of 8. We then all met at 11 and went to Main Street Cupcakes where we had some yummy cupcakes (hence the name of the store!). I had a pumpkin spice one there and bought half a dozen to take home! When I got home we went to G’s dad’s house for the day. We just ate dinner and watched TV. I did attempt to feed the wild turkeys that live in their backyard, but they didn’t seem to like me. They are so bizarre, there are 6-8 of them at a time, and they are really big. They are used to G’s dad and step mom and will come a running when he throws seed. I hope they like me someday too! Around 5 the wind just started blowing like crazy so we headed home. We had a hell of a night. Our power was partially out, luckily we didn’t lose power in our kitchen and our cable didn’t go out. But we have a 40 foot willow tree in our backyard that got blown to pieces. Our yard and our neighbor on either’s side yards look like a tornado hit. We have so much work to do when we get home today. It was really scary, I really thought half the tree was going to break off and hit our house, but it didn’t. It made for a tense evening though.
AM workouts - SOOO not happening
Against my better judgement
I found out in mid August, this baby has already been on a 16 & 19 mile runs! I got preggo in July. I am due in April. I already had one ultrasound and got to hear the munchkin’s strong little hearbeat, words cannot describe. I haven’t been too sick, no vomiting at least, just horribly tired and some issues with back/hip pain when I run for too long. I’ve kept up with my running, but not enough with everything else. I am trying to maintain about 25 miles a week for as long as I can. This blog will now become about working out while pregnant. I hope you’ll come along for the ride. There’s still a HIM in my future, I know it. There will be more marathons for sure. I am going to enjoy not training for awhile, but it’s important to me to still work out and not lose all my fitness abilities. For those of you who are interested, I have a blog where I am blogging more intimately about being pregnant, this one will just be workout related. Let me know if you’d like the link to the other blog. Oh well, there’s not turning back now, next spring this baby has to come out! Yikes.
Woohooo almost Friday
I had quite a nice run last night. Sara and I met after work and ran from Sqaw Rock, down into the trails of South Chagrin Reservation, to the Polo Fields, around the field and back. It was horribly hot after work and was all ready for the run to feel like torture, but I felt pretty good and there was a nice breeze and we were in the shade for most of the time. South Chagrin has the most beautiful trails. If you have never run there, I encourage you to go there this weekend. You can't get lost, it's an out and back trail with a few mowed cross country trails that criss cross. For most of the time you run down a dirt path that is sandwiched between 5 foot masses of wildflowers and plants. There is a creek that runs down the side, well maybe it's chagrin river, not sure. But it's just one of my fav places to run, you should check it out. Due to the heat and such, I was totally spent when we got done. I stopped at Subway b/c G was out for the evening and I was so hungry that subway actually tasted like the best sandwich ever. That's when you know you are really hungry! Subway usually tastes like blah.
I think I have told you before that I have a tv problem. Mostly with reality tv, I get addicted. September is here, so that means it's time for my shows to come back on! Eeek, how will I get anything done? I watched the new 90210 on Tuesday and liked it, I might have to become a regular watcher. Plus Americas Next Top Model was on last night, love it! And they have a transgender model on this season, how great is that!
Back to the Grind Tuesday
We had gorgeous weather here in Cleveland for our Labor Day celebrations. Soon enough it'll be cold here. Friday night G and I just stayed in and watched a movie - Darjeeling Limited - I liked it, G did not. But Wes Anderson (along with Chris Cooper) are 2 of my fav director/writers. I could watch Royal Tenenbaums or Best in Show all day long. All day I tell you!
Sat morning I woke up bright and early and went and picked up Karen. We headed down to the towpath to meet Sara and Harley for a long run. We were out on the towpath for a few hours and it was deceivingly hot. We struggled at times, but got through the run. At one point we stopped at Peninsula (a trail head) to refill our water bottles. The water tasted like farts though, so I was basically without water the last 3 miles as I couldn't stand to drink it, ugh. Seriously farts in a bottle. But anyway at Peninsula we saw a lady eating a popsicle and lost our shit, we needed a popsicle and we needed it NOW. So, we ran fast back to where we were parked and beelined it for the Trail Mix general store and walked out with popsicles and fizzy lizzy pops. It was devine. From there, I headed home and got cleaned up and G and headed to his cousins to meet their newborn Colleen. She is 3 weeks old and beautiful. It was nice to catch up with them and hear all about their life for the last month. When I got home I was exhuasted and took a short nap that I wish had been MUCH longer. But alas I had to get up b/c we had a date to go to the symphony with our neighbors at Blossom. For those of you non clevelanders, Blossom is a great outdoor arena. They have their own symphony orchastra and you can go watch them and bring your own food & drink. They were doing a warner brothers tribute, so they played along to movie clips. It was okay, I mean we had fun with our neighbors, but all the movies were really old, aside from a Batman and Harry Potter clip, so it didn't really hold my attention.
Sunday I had to get up early again b/c Ilana had talked me into doing some free 10K that Nike had organized The Human Race. We got kickass Tshirts. It was a non competitive run that went through the park by my house. We had fun. But my back had been bothering me and it was really acting up on that run. That afternoon I went to a baby shower for the lovely Salty. She just looks so great and is 6 months pregnant! Her family threw a really nice shower and we got to play some fun games and eat some yummy food. It was at a beach club by the lake so we had such a nice view. When I got home again I was exhausted and settled in for a nap!
Monday I got to sleep in, yeah! Until 9! Yeah! We spent the day at the Geauga county fair. I only go b/c they seriously have 100s of animals. I love seeing and petting the animals. Its depressing as hell though b/c people buy the animals to kill and they have all these little signs - thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Carnivore for buying my 2008 hog - oh so sad. But I love love love being able to pet and cuddle with the goats, sheep, cows, pigs, rabbits and even the poultry! They also have llama and alpaca. It was so hot out. And between all the walking, the heat and the fair food I was cooked and ready to just lay down. We decided to watch another movie last night since we are behind in out netflix; we watched Gone Baby Gone. I adore Casey Affleck, this movie was okay, a little too depressing.
And now it's Tuesday and ugh I have to work! Hope you had a great weekend bloggy friends.
Happy Birthday Taiko
whaddup internet?
Best laid plans
Around 2 am I hear the familiar grunts. Tai standing by the side of my bed, grunting under his breath that it's time to go potty. Now usually this doesn't happen until 5 or 6am. I am lying there and I hate to not take him b/c how would you like it if you had to wait for someone else to let you pee. Gary never gets up, he sleeps through the monkey grunts. Then I realize - oh shit - Gary told me to let them out before I went to bed and I didn't! That means the monkey hasn't been potty since his walk at 7pm. I am a horrible mother. So I get up and take them out. When I get back G is up and I tell him what happens and he says he let them out last night. So, I don't know why Tai had to go, but regardless, I get back in bed and I CANNOT for the life of me fall asleep. I lay there thinking and worrying and planning and doing all kinds of stuff you should be doing from 2-4 am. I think I finally fell back asleep in the 4 o clock hour only to be woken up by Tai again around 6 b/c he had to pee again. ARGH. So, I crawled back in bed and realized I missed spinning and tried to sleep, but just kept tossing and turning and I stayed in bed until 7:40. Just an ugly morning. I feel fine right now, but I'm sure later in the day it's going to hit me. Blah.
So, this means tonight I must run or bike or swim or do something! Anything!
I am going to have one great weekend. But busy. On Friday after work I am driving down to Cinti to see my best friend Mindy. She is moving to NE on Monday so this will be the last time I will see her for awhile. I'll stay with her and we'll have dinner and go for a run Sat morning. Then I have a baby shower for some old dear friends that I have not seen in awhile and we've been bad about staying in touch, but I just love them. It will be great to see them and catch up. Then I will head to Danville and see my mom and sister and stay there until Sunday afternoon. Then I am going to head to Bloomington IN to see my dear friend Jane who had a baby in June. I haven't met him yet and I can.not.wai! So, I will stay with her Sunday night and then head home on Monday. It's going to be great. I cannot wait.
Can you believe it's already dark in the morning? It's already hard enough to wake up at 5:30, but when it's dark out it's nearly impossible. I think I may switch up my workout schedule and give after work workouts a try. I just can't seem to drag my ass out of bed in the morning.
Tonight I am meeting Salty and Gina for a little trail run. Should be fun. It got a lot hotter outside. We were enjoying some nice fall weather last week. I hope it's not muggy. I have been a mosquito magnet this year.
Be Careful out there people
He was hit by a truck while bicycling in Geauga County on Saturday. Miles was Life Flighted to Metro, but died from internal bleeding during surgery after three surgical teams worked on him for several hours. He was 58 years old.
The accident took place near a jog in the road on Rt. 44 near Music Street before the crest of a hill. Apparently a motorcyclist was passing on Miles’ right when a 2002 Dodge Durango struck him when he was attempting a left hand turn. Both the motorcyclist and the truck driver stopped when the accident happened, as did a good Samaritan who stayed on the scene until police arrived.
A link to the story in the News Herald:
http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2008/08/17/news/doc48a78314b99f8470316132.txt
Just taking it easy....for once
Saturday I took a long walk, ran a bunch of errands, did a lot more reading/lounging/olympic watching and chilled out. That night we went to our friends house for a cookout and we watched the women's olympic marathon, boy did the winner have a great lead. It's amazing to watch how fast they run and how they take in their nutrition. Crazy.
I started today off with a 5 mile run & 2 mile walk. I walked up to a coffee shop that is 1 mile from my house and met my friend Ilana, then we ran 5 miles, then I got a nice latte and headed back home. Now I am waiting for G to get up and guess what I'm doing? SItting on my porch lounging and reading. We are going to his dad's house today for yumm salmon and to hang out. Life is good. Do I really have to go back to work tomorrow?
About Me
- Mnowac
- distance runner attempting to run a marathon in every state, vegetarian foodie, mediocre triathlete, sucky swimmer, mommy to Harper, tea lover, coffee drinker, animal saver, hubby snuggler, race addict, full time working 31 year old living in cleveland
Marathons so far
- Sept 2012 - Corning, NY - TBD
- April 2012 - Louisville, KY - TBD
- Sept 2011 - Erie PA - 4:25
- June 2011 - South Bend IN - 5 hrs+ (it was 98 degrees!)
- Dec 2010 - Rehoboth Beach DE - 4:26:06
- Nov 2010 - Huntington WV - 4:11:44
- Oct 2009 - Towpath - Cleveland area OH - 4:30:35
Blogs I read
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