Finally a running skirt I love!

Many of you have heard my rants about running skirts - seems everyone makes them but so many companies haven't grasped that I want to wear a running skirt because I a) like to channel my inner girlie girl some days and b) can't wear regular shorts because I get thigh rubbage (sorry if that's TMI, but it's true... momma's got some legs). I've converted to only wearing compression shorts when I run.  But even those need to be long... think 5" inseam and not booty shorts. I have strong legs.  Soccer legs.  Biking legs.  And that means that when I run in normal running shorts and running skirts with tiny little compression shorts that ride up, especially when it's warm, it's not comfortable.  So, I've struggled with the perfect running skirt - one that's cute and fashionable, but also functional.  Aka long underneath short that doesn't ride up.  Is that too much to ask for?

Back in December, Running Skirts sent me one of their newest skirts from their collection, along with a sports bra and compression socks.  I had been putting off reviewing it until I could get a good warm day to wear it and get the full effect.  It fit me back when I got it and I'll be a little honest when I say that I was worried it wouldn't fit this past weekend with my growing belly.  But alas... it did!!!

So I took the skirt out of the package and immediately noticed the long under short. Score one for Running Skirts!  I noted that this was from the "athletic line".  Their Athletic Skirts are made from a really light fabric which is quick drying and are a little roomier than the Running Skirt line.  They all come with compression shorts starting at 5" inseam and two side pockets that velcro close. The waist band is wide and comfortable.  So far so good.  I put it on and even 19 weeks pregnant, the skirt fit great.  Off for a run I went.

At first the legs rode up a bit and I was worried, but that lasted about a minute and a half and after I adjusted them to where I wanted them to sit, they stayed in place for the remainder of my five mile run. 

I'm in love.  With a skirt.  That a I can run in.  Finally!

I'm super pleased.  I've washed the skirt and it came out great.  I've worn it around just as a kick around and it's super comfy.  I'm worried that as I get bigger, this one is going to seem smaller, but Running Skirts used to have a maternity line and I anxious to see what those skirts are all about if they still have them.  Hello, maternity running skirts?  I'm all over that.  I will hopefully be able to get my hands on one to review for you because we know how hard good maternity clothes, let alone good maternity running clothes are!

Yesterday I wore the compression socks around all day and then on my bike.  I love me some compression socks!  These were awesome... soft, long enough to cover my entire bottom leg, tight enough to feel the compression, and super cute with the pink heart on the side.

The sports bra is a little small.  Okay, a lot small, but that's mainly because I'm pregnant.  It would have fit me 20 weeks ago.  I'm going to hold onto it and wear it when I'm back down to a normal human size chest.

Overall, I'm loving the Running Skirt line.  I finally found a skirt that I love.  They have a ton of cute colors and styles.  And their customer service is awesome (if you get a skirt and aren't 100% satisfied, they will refund you or exchange it for 30 days!)  Oh... and they are offering my readers 15% off at their website by using the code "sharethelove13".  Trust me, you will be happy in this skirt and these socks.  Really, really happy. :)  Thank you Running Skirts - you have a lifelong fan!

Oh... and because I'm pregnant - here's a little teeny tiny baby update.

• How far along? 20 weeks, 1 day
• Total weight gain: Just about 10 pounds total (I think I'm up exactly 10 pounds according to the doctor's scale)! :)
• Maternity clothes? Yes.  They are glorious. :)  I'm still wearing some of my own stuff though.  And luckily I work from home and the office attire is yoga pants and tee shirts.  Again, I'm hoping to try out one of those glorious maternity Running Skirts!
• Stretch marks? Nope.  I slather myself in cocoa-butter every chance I get.  I know that hasn't been proven to stop stretch marks, but it can't hurt. 
• Sleep:  Sleep is getting a little difficult.  Part of it has to do with Charlie who, God love her, is a cuddler.  And by cuddler I mean she's a "I-have-to-be-touching-you-at-all-times-and-preferable-in-the-smallest-crevice-I-can-find" kind of way.  And she doesn't do it with Tom.  So he's sprawled and I'm in the shape of a pretzel.  Also, I have heard that around this time I shouldn't be sleeping on my back and I'm naturally a back sleeper.  So I go to sleep on my side, wake up freaked out that I'm on my back and go to my side.  This cycle repeats often throughout the night.
• Best moment this week: At my 20 week appointment this week, seeing our little girl moving like crazy.  I haven't felt her move yet so this was pretty awesome.
• Miss Anything? Someone asked me that this weekend and really, I don't.  I wasn't much of a drinker so I don't miss the alcohol.  And really, that's all that I absolutely gave up.
• Movement:  No.  Which is bothersome to me some days and I'm totally fine with it others. I have felt some bubbling feelings a time or two and I'm *thinking* that might be her moving, but I don't know.
• Food cravings:  I'm not really craving anything, but I can't get enough of a snack consisting of an apple, 2% cheddar cheese and some pretzels.  Seriously a great combo.
• Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope... am I jinxing myself or what?
• Gender: Girl... thankfully they confirmed that today or else we would have been returning a lot of girl stuff and repainting some walls!
• Labor Signs: Nope
• Symptoms: Um, I feel like a hippo.  I have a giant belly.  I have gone up two bra sizes.  I eat anything that's not nailed to the table.  Are those symptoms enough?
• Belly Button in or out? It's in, but I can tell it's changing and that makes me laugh.
• Wedding rings on or off?  On... no swelling yet.
• Happy or Moody most of the time: I feel like I'm happy, but I guess the person to answer this would be Tom.  If I get snappy with him, I usually cry and apologize because he's been so amazing to me that I feel bad.
• Looking forward to: Hanging her name on the wall above her crib now that we know for sure that she is a she.

Running for two

I've always found running to be a stress reliever, even on the days when I don't want to get out there.  And there are a lot of those, but I always tell myself to put on my big girl panties and take that first step.  If it's miserable, I'll turn around and go home.  I never do.  Running is a way of clearing my mind.  I take in the sights (like the 5 deer we saw today).  I take in the sounds (there are many babbling brooks that we pass on our daily runs).  I think about how blessed my life is (I live in an amazing home, with my best friend. I have a supportive family and the best friends a girl could ask for.  We have jobs, we have love.)

These days I'm not fluid when I run.  Tom often smiles at the top of the hills (he's always there about a minute before me) and tells me that I look like a steam engine, just chugging away.  I used to get mad about things like that.  But not these days.  I do look like a steam engine.  Or a hippo.  I'm slow, and methodical.  I'm not a smooth runner.  I am working.  At a slow pace.  And I love every step of it.

I saw this picture on line today (Run The Edge posted it on facebook) and it totally made me smile for so many reason.

These days I'm running for so much more than just myself.  Yes, it still keeps me sane and there is no better feeling than that of finishing a run.  But now I am running for my baby girl AND me. (Yes, you caught that right... it's a girl!)  There are two of us chugging up those hills.  Two hearts getting stronger.  And what better gift can I give us both than the gift of good health - for me through the pregnancy and for her as she starts her life.

There are so many benefits to running for two:

• Various problems related to pregnancy such as nausea, fatigue and constipation can be reduced by running while pregnant. 
• The expectant mothers who have a habit of running during pregnancy may not experience the problem of excessive weight gain. They also have a better posture.
• Running also helps in reducing and preventing gestational diabetes and in lowering back pain. 
• Expecting mothers who follow fitness regime during pregnancy have less swelling of extremities.
• Delivery complications and labor pain as well as how long delivery takes can be reduced to a great extent by running during pregnancy. It also reduces the chances of c-section.
• Pregnancy running not only makes the expecting mothers feel good, but it also leads to increased flow of energy.  It's also been shown to reduce postpartum depression.
• Pregnancy running helps in reducing baby fat of the unborn child without affecting the normal body weight.
• Pregnancy fitness also leads to better blood circulation and placental efficiency.
• Running is one of the best cardio exercises that increases blood circulation and thus supplies oxygen and necessary nutrients to the fetus. Better blood flow = better skin!
• Continued exercise during pregnancy helps mom's get back into pre-pregnancy shape quicker.

I'll keep running for two as long as I can.  And when she's here, we'll run together.  It's just how life goes.

Christmas 10k race report

I love finding small town races that I've never done before.  Even better is suckering inviting a friend to join you who jumps at the chance (Karen is pretty awesome like that). So when Tom left to go out of town, I figured, "why not find a small race, and get my Saturday workout done".  The Peachtree Corner Christmas 5k and 10k was right up my alley - close to home, "rolling", 9am start, costume contest, and prizes.  Sounds pretty amazing.  Karen was in - yay!

I haven't been running nearly what I wish I could, but the hills around here wind me pretty easily, especially now that I am with child.  But I'm trying.  And I get points for that, right?  I have learned to just keep my watch off and go with how I feel which is exactly what my plan was for Saturday.  Except I wanted to have a 10k time to just see where I'm at.  You know, baseline, pregnancy PR, whatever.

I arrived early on Saturday and snagged one of the 14 spots right in front of the church where registration was.  Karen and I were meeting there, but I went in and registered since there wasn't a line.  And used the potties (bravo race director for making the men's bathroom a women's bathroom the morning of the race).  People were mulling around in Christmas socks, green and red tutu's, Santa costumes, Poodle outfits (yeah, I didn't get that either, but that's alright) and I felt a little bah-humbug because I was in the only thing that fits these days... a pair of capri's and a new running shirt that's purple.  Oh well.  Karen arrived, got her stuff and we started talking about how we definitely missed our opportunity to run in costume.  Next year Karen, next year.

Around 9, we lined up in a parking lot with a big blow up race arch within view.  I guess we were at the right place (I come to find out that this race is really laid back and I'm totally cool with that.  Some people aren't.  They are a little uptight, especially at a race that encourages running in costume).  Around 9:15 they counted us down and we were off.  I told Karen to run without me because, again, I'm with child and MUCH slower than usual.  Especially on a rolling course.

Okay, so I would love someone to define "rolling" for me in the South.  In Ohio, rolling was rolling.  You kind of went up.  You kind of went down.  No need to really change gear or pace.  Georgia "rolling" is a tad different.  This course was Ohio hilly.  Like climbing climbing climbing where the heck is the down part of this hill kind of hilly.  As in you can't find a course like this in Columbus hilly.  Alas, I'm learning that the north and the south have different definitions of things.  That's cool.  I'm getting used to that.

I started off comfortable.  All of the 5k and 10k started together and it was a tad crowded, but thinned out.  Karen got ahead and I let her go.  I hit the first mile, looked at my watch at doh, I had forgotten to start it.  Lovely.  I probably didn't want to know anyway, as I was working.  I didn't wear headphones in hopes to really listen to my breathing and make sure I wasn't working too hard.  I felt good, but I'm not going to lie, it was hard.  I didn't pass a ton of people, but a ton of people didn't pass me either so that was good.  I just stayed steady.  Both laps were very similar in terms of effort.  I was happy.  I came to the finish line and the race clock was not on.  Awesome.  So I had hoped to know how I finished, but would have to wait until results were posted.  I figured it was about 1:02 which I was thrilled with.

We sat around the gym for a while to see if we won something at the raffle, but we didn't.  We watched them award stuff to the costume contest (the poodles won something...) and then they posted results, but disclaimed it by saying that the official results would be different because there was a timing issue but we could at least see our places in our age groups.  Karen and I both ended up 5th in our AG according the unofficial results.  YAY!

I saw that the "official" results were posted.  I ended up finishing the 10k in 1:00:56 for a 9:50/mile pace.  I was 5th out of 17th in my age group.  At nearly 16 weeks pregnant, I'll take that!

It's humbling to run while pregnant.  I know that it's good for me and my baby.  The benefits are endless.  But it's difficult... mentally and physically.  There were many times on that course where I was breathing hard and had to slow down.  I work a lot harder to run a 9:50 pace than I did to run a 8:50 pace before. There were many times that there weren't many people in front of me.  My boobs get in the way of my arm swing (sorry, but it's a fact people).  I have to pee the whole time.  I feel like I'm running for the first time in my life after being on the couch for years, when in fact, I have been doing this for 10 years.  But you know what... I wouldn't change it for the world!

My cousin told me that every time I run to remind myself that my baby's brain is getting bigger.  You'd' be amazed how powerful that can be during a workout.