Not long enough...

Time: 36:14 minutes

Distance:  2.5 miles

This morning the three of us woke up kind of on the later side, which meant that I didn't have as much time to exercise as I would have liked.  Initially, I started off with the goal of just getting in 30 minutes on the treadmill. And, like usual, the time increased with each ten minute segment.  (I turn up the speed and the incline every ten minutes.)  By the time I got to thirty minutes, I was just past the two mile mark.  For some reason I decided that I needed to finish the workout at 2.5 miles, the half mile makes SO much of a difference.  (Ha!)  

By the end of the workout, I managed to walk for twenty minutes and run for sixteen.  Not bad.  It certainly didn't feel effortless, but I made it through another day of exercising.  

In other running news, I'm shopping around for another marathon.  I don't plan on running another one until next October, at least.  However, the spring of 2010 isn't sounding so bad, either.  I tried to find information for the New York City Marathon, but couldn't figure out where the registration information could be located.  I did look at the hotel prices for this year, and pretty much ruled that marathon out as a result.  The cost of the NYC marathon for one weekend is almost the same as the cost of our beach vacation FOR A WEEK.  No way am I willing to dish out that much $$$ for a weekend of soreness and a mediocre hotel room.  So,  I'm still looking.  I guess there is always Marine Corps again OR Richmond, but I'd really like to try something new.  The Outer Banks marathon is also a great option, as well.  And, I've heard Philly is great....  Who knows?  I've got some time, I suppose... ;)

This afternoon Michael and I are going to walk around the trail at the park, so I'm hoping to get in another two miles of walking before the end of the day.  

shuffling along..

Tuesday's Walk:

Distance: 1.89 Miles

Time: TOO LONG!!!  : ) 

Friday's Walk/Run:

Time: 60 Minutes

Distance: 4.0 Miles

Saturday's Walk/Run:

Time: 51 Minutes

Distance: 3.4 Miles

Sunday's Walk/Run:

TBD!! 

I've gotten plenty of exercise over the past few days,  though I didn't meet my goal of "R-alking" five days this week! : )  Oh well.  Each week I slow down just a bit more, which is a little bit frustrating.  If I increase the speed of the treadmill too quickly, I tend to get cramped up and then I have to take things back a notch, or two.  This usually means that I spend more time on the treadmill than what I had originally intended.  Yesterday was a perfect example.  My plan was to get in 30 minutes, which quickly turned into forty, then forty-five, and then fifty minutes.  

The treadmill has been so incredibly helpful with maintaining my fitness throughout this pregnancy.  I love being able to catch a TV show or two, and being able to run/walk at any time of the day.  It has been worth every penny, in my mind.  This evening I'm really just going to shoot for twenty or thirty minutes, depending on how I'm feeling. 

This week the running girls are having a birthday run for one of our friends on Wednesday, so that means I will get to exercise a little with the group!  Hurray!  My doctor's appointment tomorrow is later in the day, so I will be able to squeeze in a run/walk beforehand.  Hurray, again!!!  I'm going to do my best to get in some exercise two more days this week, as well. 

My current goal is run/walk the day that the baby is born.  Since it looks like the baby will arrive on the 10th of October via c-section, my goal is to run that morning.  I think I'm still on track to meet that goal.  Unless, this baby surprises us all, which could happen.  Right?

Monday's Workout...

Time:  47 Minutes

Distance: 3.2 Miles.

Michael is with the sitter today, so I had some time to exercise this morning.  I managed to walk for about thirty minutes and run for seventeen.  About halfway through the walking phase of the workout, I started to get a side stitch and had to turn down the speed.  Slowing down the pace helped tremendously and my cramp went away relatively quickly.  I stayed at the same speed for another ten minutes before trying to run.  That turned out to be a good decision because I was able to keep the side stitches at bay for the remainder of the workout.  And, I finished the workout with a good run!

The goal for this week is to walk/run four days, so three more "workouts" to go for pregnancy week 38!  There's a chance that I might shoot for five workouts, if I have to reduce the amount of time for each workout.  Friday I noticed that I took forever to recover from exercising for 60 minutes, so I'm going to have to see how the rest of the week plays out.  And, maybe...maybe...I'll try to run/walk around the block a few times EARLY in the am this week. 

 ...Maybe!

Thump,Thump, Thump....

"THUMP, THUMP, THUMP..."  That would be me on the trusty treadmill this week.  How I love our treadmill!  (Seriously.  I love it.)

Time for Today:  60 Minutes

Distance for Today:  4.1 Miles

It turns out that this pregnant body needs LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of water after these treadmill workouts.  This morning I walked for about forty minutes on the treadmill and ran for twenty, which was fantastic!  However, shortly after the treadmill workout and after a warm shower, I began to notice this awful rib pain on my right side.  I realized soon after the pain began that I only had one cup of ice cold water after the workout, which is not enough considering how long I exercised.  Since then, I have drank probably five big glasses of water and the pain is gone for now.  (Hurray!)  It's easy to forget to drink, drink, drink when it's cool outside and when you are not thirsty. 

Thursday's Time:  45 Minutes

Thursday's Distance:  3.1 Miles

Yesterday while Michael napped, I hopped on the treadmill and exercised for 45 minutes.  I was able to run for about fifteen minutes, at a very slow speed, after I walked for twenty.  The last ten minutes, I alternated between walking and running, which felt great.  

The sharp, round ligament pains are completely gone, for right now.  I'm thinking that my ligaments are stretched to the MAX, which is why I'm no longer experiencing that discomfort.  It's very encouraging to know that I CAN do fifteen to twenty minutes of running at this point in the pregnancy because if I'm able to hang on to running at this point, I should be able to return to running without too much trouble after having the baby.  Obviously, if I have a cesarean the whole process will be slowed down quite a bit.  I can always fit in a walk on the treadmill, though.  

Tomorrow I have plans to meet the running group for a walk/run!  Can't wait!!

I'm walking the baby out...

...well, not really, if you ask my doctor.  I'm still trying to stay active throughout the next few weeks.  It's becoming more challenging each week, and really each day.  My legs feel so HEAVY, and so does my belly. Ugh....I know that even if the walking/running/ whatever doesn't help the baby to arrive "naturally", at least I will be in relatively good shape to deal with the recovery from the cesarean.  (At least that's what I  am telling myself.) 

This morning I was able to walk with one of my very favorite friends, Diane.  We talked about lots of things, including politics, which was so much fun.  Most days, I am talking to Michael about why cars drive with their lights on, why we have to pick up the dog from the groomer, and so on.  The adult conversation was quite refreshing.  I have a feeling that we at least walked a good three or four miles, which should help me to sleep well this evening.  

My goal for tomorrow is to run/walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes while Michael naps. We'll see if I can get it done or if I'll choose to nap instead.  I know which one of the two will make me feel better....

Believe it or not...

I'm still trying to run!

This morning after Michael and Josh left for the day, I hustled upstairs and changed into my running clothes so that I could fit in a treadmill workout before the doctor's appointment.  My initial goal was to get in about 30 minutes of walking.  Of course, once I got started and into the Desperate Housewives re-run on Lifetime, the walk became longer and I decided to give running a shot.  I ended up walking for twenty minutes and running for twenty.  By the time I was finished, I managed to get in a little over three miles. 

I haven't done much in the way of exercising for about a week because I "over did it" a little over a week ago.  After that workout, which included running and walking, I was miserable for the rest of the day and for two days afterwards, with contractions and a baby nestled high in my ribcage.  (Ouch!) Running may not have had anything to do with the rib discomfort, but I wasn't ready to put myself back in that awful situation for about a week.  It's very likely that I didn't drink enough water immediately after that workout, which probably caused the contractions to start.  

Today was a new day, though, and I've been feeling a bit like a beach whale lately.  So, the running and walking really helped me to change my attitude and my perspective on being 37 weeks pregnant.  And, after my doctor's appointment today, I have decided that I will be run/walking until the BITTER end of this pregnancy.  It looks like I will be having another cesarean, which means NO RUNNING for six weeks.  Bleh.  I can walk, but just can't run.  So, I'm going to continue to give it my all, no matter how slow I am right now.  

A THREE MILE RUN.

I actually RAN three miles today!  Wahoo!! No stopping, no walking during those three miles!!  Hurray!!  The entire time I felt fantastic, except for maybe the last four minutes (or so) because I cranked up the speed on the treadmill.   I started off the workout by walking at a slow speed, and then just gradually increased the speed to a running pace.  That seems to work best for me on the treadmill right now, easing into the running stride rather than starting off with a run.   The total numbers of miles for the day was 4.6, with running 3.0 and walking 1.6 miles.  

The running/walking has helped my sleep tremendously over the past two weeks.  While we were at the beach and before we left for the beach, I had nightmares pretty much every night.  That's not fun, especially with waking to pee every few hours and not being able to get comfortable.  So, I've been really thankful for the restful nights that I have had since we have returned from the beach.  I'm sure the restful nights are from the running and walking. 

The only downside of running right now is that my toenails now have blisters underneath the nail beds, again.  (Bleh.)  I know it has to do with the fact that my feet are swelling, which means that my toes are pounding into the front of the shoe.  Sore toenails are never fun, but it's a small sacrifice, I suppose.  I'm looking forward to getting a pedicure in the near future.

I'd like to try to get in another run tomorrow.  My goal for the week is to run tomorrow (maybe 3.5 miles), walk Thursday, and then take Friday off.  

Lots of Exercise Today!

It's been a great day for exercising so far.  This morning I walked (QUICKLY!) with the running girls.  Because my legs are so incredibly short, I usually feel like I'm jogging beside the group when we walk.  It was so much fun to catch up with my friends and to hear their back to school stories, since everyone has school age children.  I'm so excited that I have just a few more weeks to go (five), so that I can start to join them on a regular basis again.  They have been so supportive with the walking and slow runs, which has been such a blessing.  I don't think that I would feel half as strong and positive as I do at this point in the pregnancy, without their support and friendship.  

After walking about four miles with the girls, I did some shopping at Target.  I had a delightful time, even though my hamstrings were feeling a little tight from the hills and the fast paced walking.  When I got home, the three of us (and Duncan) played out side for a bit.  For some strange reason, I asked Michael if he wanted to go for a walk.  Of course he did, so the four of us headed out for a short walk around the block.  The quick walk turned into a longer one, and before we knew it we walked a little over a mile.  

I'd say I've reached the walking quota for the day.  Though, if I received an offer to walk later in the day, I doubt I would decline.  That's the thing about exercise- once you start and you get a taste of its goodness, your body just craves more and more!  Tomorrow I'm shooting for run/walking early in the morning around the neighborhood.  The mornings are delightfully cool right now, it's hard to pass them up.  

Over an Hour Today...

This afternoon I walked on the treadmill for an hour and ten minutes, while watching an awful movie called The Third Trimester.  (I kid you not.)  It was a made for TV movie about a woman who could not conceive and turned to adoption.  Obviously, the adoption plans did not go well, and the birth mother was a little bit on the crazy side.  My dreams will be happy tonight, I'm sure!  

As always, it felt great to exercise for so long this afternoon.  I walked about 4.5 miles at a 13-15% incline, which was challenging and rewarding.  Tomorrow I have plans to walk/run with the girls, relatively early tomorrow morning.  

Last evening I found this link for running while pregnant and I found it to be absolutely incredible.  It turns out that I'm a total wimp when it comes to running through a pregnancy.  Check it out, and this runner's mileage throughout her pregnancy.  My jaw hit the keyboard.  

More tomorrow....

Another Day, Another Workout!

I think I'm falling in love with our treadmill...

This morning, after Josh and Michael left for the day, I headed straight downstairs for the treadmill.  I re-adjusted the 60 minute heart rate workout, so that it wasn't as intense as Monday's workout.  While I didn't get in 60 minutes, I did manage to run/walk for 50 minutes.  It felt great to exercise and push myself a little bit.  I know this exercise is going to help both labor and delivery, even if I end up having a cesarean.  This morning I managed to run for about ten minutes (interrupted with walking breaks), without having any side stitches.    

While I was walking today, I thought about how helpful this treadmill will be when the baby comes.  It's going to be challenging (to say the least!) to fit in morning runs with the running girl, initially. So, when I'm not sleeping, or nursing, or parenting, or cleaning, or cooking, I'll be able to fit in a quick run or walk on the treadmill; when Josh is home or when the kids are sleeping, of course!  Ha. It almost seems like it'll happen!  : ) 

Today I also continued my dreams of running in a few races this winter and spring.  I think the first one will be the the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, and then the Colonial Half Marathon in February.  

A couple of miles...

Got in a few miles this morning with the running girls!  I actually only "ran" a mile, or so.  I think I walked maybe two and a half or three miles, which was great. The weather has really cooled off, which is making this whole exercising thing a lot easier at 8.5 months pregnant.  (Thank goodness for that...)  It's always uplifting to see my girlfriends. I always manage to run a little bit further when we're together than when I'm running alone.  It is such a blessing to be able to continue to exercise with this pregnancy,  with Michael's pregnancy I was completely cut off from exercising at this point (even walking).  

Tomorrow my goal is to walk with a neighbor early in the morning, if the rain stays away!  Though, walking in the rain would probably feel refreshing at this point.

50 Minutes on the Treadmill...

Yesterday morning I was able to get in 50 minutes on the treadmill. Initially, I tried a 60 minute heart rate workout. The settings were not correct, with my weight set at 160 pounds and the target heart rate set at 157. Both settings were a little off, which made the workout way too intense for me. The incline was set at 15, and the pace was set at an 11 minute/mile run. I could handle the incline, but not the speed. I managed to do about 26 minutes with the insanely high incline, and a slower running pace. Eventually though, I got fed up with the heart rate setting being too high and switched to a different program. Overall, no complaints! My legs were so tired last evening, but that's always a good thing. I like feeling like I've done SOMETHING.

It is such a strange experience, to know that my body is working so hard to finish the workout, even though I'm not sweating AT ALL. Maybe, just maybe, underneath all this BABY, my body is still fit... We'll see in a few weeks.

I've got a couple run/walk dates coming up, which is always motivating and fun. I'd like to try to get on the treadmill tonight while I watch the Democratic Convention. Even though I don't use the treadmill daily, I sure am thankful to have one right now. It's awesome to always have the option to walk or run late in the evenings.

Really, really missing it...

Good grief, I miss running right now.

I know that I should be enjoying each and every minute of this pregnancy and savoring the moment, particularly, the sweet movements of the baby. Honestly, though, I don't feel like myself right now. I feel huge. I miss my abs, just to be able to sit up without bracing myself or grabbing onto to something would be greatly appreciated.

In countless ways, this pregnancy is such a gift. It's a gift to realize how much I appreciate my non-pregnant and extremely healthy body. Unfortunately, I think so many of us waste our lives not appreciating our healthy bodies. I think it's not until the body begins to break down (whether it is normal wear and tear, or whether it is from obesity, or whether it is from a disease), that we fully appreciate the gift of health. I'm thankful that I'm realizing what a blessing it is to be able to run, roll around on the floor playing cars with a three year old, or dig in the sand with a toddler, with complete ease and comfort.

I really, really miss running. And, walking up the stairs without panting like a dog on a walk in the summer time. I miss my girlfriends, watching the sun rise while finishing up a run, and starting the day off with total peace. I also miss marathon training right now, which is ridiculous! : )

There are only a few weeks left before utter exhaustion kicks in with a newborn. Until then, I'm going to try to waddle on as much as I can. I plan to continue with run/walking; especially, since I will have my own exercise time in the morning now that Michael is starting the school year routine. I might even try to add swimming to the mix, once I figure out this new routine.

As long as I don't have a cesarean, I should be back in no time. And, I will try to remember these feelings of gratitude when I lace up my running shoes, with ease and comfort.

Round and Round!

Yesterday I walked a little over 5 miles around a high school track.  Josh and I also took Michael and Duncan for a mile walk last evening, since it was such a gorgeous evening.  Good grief am I sore today!  My shins get really sore from walking, and so does my right ham string.  It feels great to be tired today from exercising, though.  (How I'd love to get out and run a quick 5 miles around town! Right now!)  

Last week I did a run/walk with my running group, which felt great.  I was so relaxed the rest of the day and was able to sleep really well that night.  It was my intention to get more exercise in last week than what I did, but sometimes sleep is a little bit more important.  I guess...  

Tomorrow my goal is to try to run/walk for a little bit in the morning.  For some reason, I can handle the scale at the doctor's office much better if I have exercised that morning.  Even though the scale might be climbing two, three, four, or five pounds; I'm okay knowing that I've done some sort of exercise that morning.  I'm crazy, I know...

Another Run.

This morning I ran a little over two miles on the treadmill.  And, I'm still feeling great!  I caught a glimpse of my shadow on the wall, and boy have I sloooooowed down.  It's totally fine with me, though.  I'd rather be pokey right now than not running at all!  

Again, I just gradually picked up my pace throughout the run, every five minutes.  Tomorrow I'd either like to run outside or try to get in a longer run on the treadmill.  I know that in order to get in three, four, or five miles, I am going to have to start at a snail's pace.  

My mood is so much better when I am able to run.  Running is the perfect way start to a day, I think.  Here's to another week of creeping along.... YAY, YAY!!  

An Easy Two.

This afternoon, after telling Michael in a stern voice that nap time WAS NOT over, I ran two miles on the treadmill.  And, it was an awesome two miles!  I started out slowly, and then increased the speed every five minutes.  Shockingly, I did not have one single side stitch and I felt great the entire time. 

The treadmill just might be the way to go for me right now.  I start out so much slower than I would outside, which means I'm able to run without discomfort.  The side stitches that I get while running are very painful and hard to get rid of during the run.  

This morning I also walked almost two miles and this evening Michael and I got in an easy half mile.  So, the total for the day was four and a half miles!  Hurray!  I'm going to try again tomorrow, though I'd like to get a run in early in the morning.  I just can't seem to drag myself out of bed in the morning, which is so aggravating!!  

Salivating.

So, I'm salivating.  This is usually the time of the year when marathon training is starting to pick up.  It's hard to explain how much I miss the ten, twelve, thirteen mile runs.  When I hear about someone completing a long run, I like to hear ALL about the run.  It's crazy. Yesterday evening we went to a party where a number of the guests and the host ran ten miles that morning.  I loved hearing about the run, and their half marathon plans. I also miss running the streets of our town, as well.  The streets seem to come alive when you run them morning after morning.

 At least I can still run two, or so.  It's almost satisfying...I guess.

Three days in a row!

I've run three days in a row!  What a miracle!  Yesterday I ran about two miles and walked a half a mile.  Today I ran close to 2.5 miles and walked a half a mile!  I usually feel the worst in the beginning and then have to walk a little bit after the fist half of a mile, once the side stitch goes away I'm able to finish up the run.  

My stride is NOT a pretty sight, by any means.  It feels good to still be out there, huffing, puffing, and plugging away.   The longer I can keep going, the better off I'm going to be after the baby arrives.