Into the Home Stretch

Week 38- October 19-25

Sunday- 7 miles at 9:24 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:04 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:25 pace

          P.M. 4 miles with Ian at 9:30 pace

Wednesday- 5 miles at about 9:45 pace (3 with Lucy)

Thursday- 5 miles at 9:16 pace

Friday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:15 pace

          P.M. 3.1 miles at 9:26 pace

Saturday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:12 pace

          Then 3.1 miles at 9:38 pace

Total miles: 35

Comments: It was nice to know that if I had my baby this week, he would likely be a-okay. Honestly, though, I don’t feel like he will be early. Ian has an actuarial exam on October 30, so baby Ramey needs to wait until at least after then. Running has felt good this week, and some of my paces were even lower than they have been the past couple weeks. The only day I had discomfort was on Saturday during the 3 miles, and I think it was because I had to pee. A lot of people ask if it’s uncomfortable to run, but for me, it usually isn’t. I feel pretty normal running, except of course that I’m running slower and will take a break on a hill to make sure I’m not breathing too hard. Also, I think the Gabriella maternity belt I've been wearing helps support my belly. I’m surprised with my running because I did not think it would feel as good as it has- knock on wood. We set up the crib this week, and I did a lot of work on the nursery as well. We’re getting there!

It's Getting Harder and Harder to Move

Week 37- October 12-18

Sunday- 7 miles at 9:26 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:19 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:35 pace

          P.M. 4 miles with Ian at about 10/10:15 pace

Wednesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:38 pace

          P.M. 5 miles at 9:32 pace

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:26 pace

          P.M. 3.5 miles at 9:47 pace

Friday- 2 miles at 9:29 pace

Saturday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:24 pace

          Then 3.5 miles with Ian at 9:35 pace

Total miles: 35

Comments: It’s definitely getting harder to move. Not while running. Running still feels fine. It’s getting off the couch or out of the car or bending down to pick up something that is getting difficult. I had a decent week of running. The only run that felt tough was the Tuesday afternoon run, and that is because I was on my feet at work for much of the day. On Friday, the school had a Nature’s Workshop, which I just love. The students are put into groups of K-4^th graders, and do different activities throughout the day that incorporate learning about/being in nature. The older kids look after and help the younger ones which is so wonderful to see. It was a great day, but I didn’t even attempt to run when I got home as I was so tired. I went right to the couch and slept.

I forgot to mention that last week teachers and staff at the school gave me a generous gift card to Target, a cute little giraffe toy, and a card signed with sweet messages. Ian’s work threw him a surprise baby shower this week. We’re very grateful for how giving people are. It’s quite humbling.

Our baby furniture arrived, and my doctor’s appointment went well on Wednesday. And as I was running Saturday morning, a woman out walking called out “You look beautiful!” and cheered as I ran by her. It made my day.

Entering Month NINE!

Week 36- October 5-11

Sunday- 7 miles at 9:29 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:36 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:35 pace

          P.M. 5 miles with Ian at 9:33 pace

Wednesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

          P.M. 3.5 miles at 9:24 pace

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:25 pace

          P.M. 4 miles with Ian at 9:54 pace

Friday- 4 miles at about 10 minute pace (the first three with Lucy)

Saturday- 3.5 miles at 9:38 pace

Total miles: 35

Comments: Month nine is off to a decent start. All my runs felt good. I was surprised my paces were a bit better than last week, without feeling any different. It was cooler weather which helped. This baby is doing some serious kicking and moving in my belly. One night, Ian said he put his hand on my belly and was surprised at the kicks. I, of course, snoozed right through.

We got a call that our furniture will arrive next week! I will actually be able to get the nursery set up before baby arrives. My parents visited Friday, and my dad helped Ian hang a light in the nursery. It’s slowly but surely coming together, and getting more real.

Naps and Nausea

Week 35- September 28-October 4

Sunday- 7 miles at 9:33 pace

Monday- 2 miles with Lucy at 9:48 pace

Tuesday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:45 pace

          P.M. 4 miles with Ian at 10:08 pace

Wednesday- 5 miles at 9:44 pace

Thursday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:48 pace

          P.M. 4 miles at 9:58 pace

Friday- A.M. 2 miles with Lucy at 9:36 pace

          P.M. 3.5 miles at 9:29 pace

Saturday- 3.5 miles at about 10 minute pace

Total miles: 35

Comments: I broke my record for longest nap I ever remember taking. On Wednesday, I only worked a half day. I came home, ate lunch, did some cleaning, parked it on the couch and slept for two hours. And I had no trouble sleeping that night. This baby is taking my energy! At my appointment on Tuesday, the nurse practitioner said that baby has his running shoes on as he was moving so much.

I’ve had more nausea that I’ve had in previous trimesters. I haven’t throw up (knock on wood), but I do a lot of gagging. It’s sometimes hard to find things I actually want to eat. However, a group of my former co-workers came over on Saturday bearing food and gifts, and I could certainly eat what they brought (veggie lasagna, pita chips and pumpkin hummus, and amazing cupcakes). According to the doctor, I’ve gained 22.5 pounds, so I’m on track to a healthy weight gain.

There’s not much notable about my running this week. My paces are slipping little by little, but I still feel fine while running. One more month until baby arrives!

A co-worker asked me if I had gotten any negative feedback about running while pregnant. Luckily, I’ve only received positive comments, which likely means if people have negative feedback, they are keeping it to themselves (thank you for that!). I decided to write this blog partly so that people could see it’s completely normal (and healthy) that active, pregnant women keep up their exercise. We talked about how in other countries, especially third world countries, women don’t stop everything when they are pregnant. Their lives are likely more physical than ours. I know this from experience, after living in India for six months. My hamstrings have never been as sore as when I washed my bed sheets by hand in a bucket of water for the first time. And have you ever tried to sweep a floor with a small, branchlike broom? It’s not easy, yet women continue to do all this, and a whole lot more, while pregnant. I’m lucky to be about to just go out for an easy run.