Getting Nervous..

So with each passing day, those half marathon plans of mine are looking more and more far-fetched.

Before I had the baby, I was just thinking about whether or not my body could do it.

I was totally missing a big part of the equation.

Time.

In the past, I've run long races in August.

That meant Justin was off work to watch the kids while I ran.

Now he's back at work, working a lot of evenings already, and then you throw in the fact that I'm nursing baby constantly, I just don't see how I, let alone both of us, could train for a half marathon right now.

Don't get me wrong, I still can't wait to get back out and run, and I will do all I can do, but I may have to go back down to my original plan to do a 10k before the year is over. That is seeming a lot more doable right now... we will see!

Baby Day

I'm leaving for the hospital in about 3 hours, and the last thing I thought I'd be doing right now is writing in my running journal.

But I had the most vivid running dream last night that I wanted to record.
I dreamed I was running a 10k 9 months pregnant.
I was telling everyone how I was "due yesterday" and that the baby was safe if the race made me go into labor.

The best part about it?
I was fast.
Super fast.
Faster than I normally am.
I was one of the front runners.
It was AWESOME!

I kept thinking, "Why did I stop running? I had no idea I could be so fast pregnant!"
Pretty funny.
It felt so real.
Until it got to the part where the race went through houses in this abandoned village type thing and one of the houses had stray cats in it that were scratching and biting me.
The race part kinda fizzled after that... guess my subconscious wasn't too keen on the cats.

I think I had this dream because I've been thinking a lot about these half marathon plans of mine.
I had my last pregnant visit to the gym yesterday and just walking on the treadmill for 10 minutes and then the elliptical for 20, I could feel lots of aches and pains and it reminded me of how much it hurts when you start running again after baby. It feels like your pelvis is breaking. I'm getting just a twinge of that right now but it's nothing compared to how I'm gonna feel post-baby!

So yeah, I know it's pretty far-fetched that I will be able to run a half marathon in 2.5 months. It really might not happen. But I'm still gonna try!

Slowing down

Less than 3 weeks to go now, so I wanted to document what my fitness level is like at this point.
I am still going to the gym regularly (every day that I can), but my energy level is waning.
Yesterday I started on the elliptical but after 10 minutes, I switched to the treadmill to walk.
That was my first time just walking at the gym.
I was going pretty fast and was surprised that I still worked up a sweat.
I kept having contractions while I was walking, too, so I made sure not to slow down. :)

But it's pretty obvious that I'm at the end.
Just keeping the house clean and keeping up with the kids is wearing me out.
I'm like a robot going to the gym, habit is the only thing getting me there.
But even though my workout level is light and my motivation is practically nil, I'm glad I'm getting something in and I'm crossing my fingers that it may help me go into labor sooner.

The fever

You know how a few months ago everybody had spring fever?
We knew warm weather was right around the corner and the anticipation was killing us?

Well I've totally got running fever.
I know it's almost here.
Only 5 weeks of pregnancy to go.
And it feels so close, I can practically taste it.

I'm totally patting myself on the back here, but I have been extremely diligent with elliptical training at the gym lately.
Last week we went to the gym every day but Sunday.
I have a cold right now and my head was so hazy all day, but I still made it today and put in my 45 minutes, level 10, sweat like crazy time on the elliptical.

During those 45 minutes, practically all I do is think about running.
Sometimes I get tempted to just stop and switch over to a treadmill, just to see... but then I realize how pointless (and embarrassing) it would be when I have to stop 30 seconds into it, which I know would happen. So I stick to my elliptical, and enjoy the awesome new running playlist I got Justin for Fathers' Day. Sean Kingston is HANDS DOWN the best artist to run to for me. Eenie Meenie Minie Mo Lover and especially Fire Burnin' make me move like you've never seen a pregnant lady move before. :)

Seriously though, I can't wait to have my body back, to have core muscles again, to just take off with no inhibitions and run so hard I think I'm gonna puke.

Half Marathon Plans!

I am SUPER excited to write that in four months, I will be running a half marathon!
I have less than seven weeks left in the pregnancy now, and I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!
Justin has decided to run his first half marathon with me, and we will be running the Provo Halloween Half Marathon on Oct. 30. Since it's Justin's first half, and about 2.5 months after giving birth for me, we've decided to take it really easy, run together and just have a good time.

It's a costumed race, and looks like a ton of fun.

(photo from www.halloweenhalf.com)

This has given me some serious motivation in the gym to get moving on that elliptical trainer! Knowing that race training is right around the corner has totally lifted my spirits. I seriously can't wait!

Dreaming of running

Literally.
I have been having dreams that I'm racing.
It's actually really fun, because I'm never pregnant in my dreams.
But my last racing dream I was carrying my purse for some reason and I kept losing it along the course. Strange.

But even in my waking hours, I've been dreaming about running.
Now that the weather is getting a little warmer, it feels like running season to me and I just want to run so bad.

So I've decided that 2010 isn't over for me, and I will run at least one race before the year is over! Baby is due August 10, and I feel pretty confident I could at least do a 5k by the end of October. It may not be fast, but I will do it!
I just need some motivation in the gym these next two months, and I think this will be the ticket.

Plugging along

It has been a while since I updated.
I have no exciting news, no upcoming races, no running experiences.

I have just been plugging along, trying to be consistent.
I have been to the gym every day this week.
It hasn't been easy, but then again I do have a couple of motivations.
One, summer is coming and I don't know how I can possibly be seen in a swimsuit. Really, my cellulite situation is out of control. Trying to do the most damage control I can.
Two, my sister's wedding is a couple of months after I have the baby and I would like to look semi-normal.

It also helps working out at Lifetime, where half the ladies there look like they just walked out of a Sports Illustrated photo shoot. It's extremely inspiring.

So yeah... I have been getting pretty good workouts on the elliptical and bike, and some good strength sessions and I really hope it's keeping me in good enough shape to start running again soon after I have the baby! We will see...