Race Schedule and Results

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

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.

Monday, January 7, 2013

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.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

A little momma K update


I'm trying not to let this blog become a "baby blog" because really, who wants that?  But, I also haven't blogged since the 17th and well, I have major baby brain.  It seems most every thought revolves around our little one these days.  So I will give an update on that.

First, I had an AMAZING Christmas.  What about you?  My mom and dad came in and bless them, after a 13+ hour drive which should have taken them 9.5, stayed through this morning.  They were supposed to leave yesterday morning but with Snowmageddon in Ohio happening, they stayed another day which was perfectly fine with me!  We did a whole lot of nothing while they were here (I'm sure they were super bored), but I was just so happy to have them around. They totally spoiled us rotten on Christmas with gifts and love the entire time they were here.  I miss them so much and am excited to know that I'm heading to Ohio in a month so I don't have to wait that long to see them!! 

Saturday morning, we went to go see Matt preach which was so great.  The people of his church are by far the nicest people ever and if you ever see someone in their professional setting and sit there saying to yourself "wow, this person is doing EXACTLY what they should be doing", then that was me on Saturday.  He's incredible.  His message was phenomenal (not to mention it included many pictures of Baby C which I always love seeing), but he was funny, and well... just Matt.  It was really a great experience and Tom and I can't wait to go back!  (On a totally side note, check out his blog here for a chance to enter and win a medal hanger from runningmedalhangers.com.   You only have through tomorrow night but I saw one when I was at his house last week and it's really cool!)

Okay, now on to some baby news.  Saturday afternoon, we took my mom and dad to see an ultrasound of Baby K since they had never seen an ultrasound before.  I'm so glad that we did that.  Plus, we got to find out Baby K's gender, (but I'll get to that in a minute).  Here's one of the pictures from Saturday.
As you can see, the little stinker had it's legs crossed for the ultrasound and the umbilical chord was between the legs.  I was convinced that I wouldn't find out it it was a he or she, but alas, Baby K cooperated and we were able to see what we needed to see!  I'm going to hold off letting everyone know what it is until we have it confirmed in three weeks at the doctor. :)  I'm no fun like that.  Feel free to guess.

We immediately went shopping (because, you know, that's what you do with grandma and grandpa when they are in town).  We were able to get the crib ordered and the bedding which should be coming in the next week or so.  We have decided to make a different room the nursery and are going to do a little swap-a-roo this weekend to get started.  And Tom and I spent like 2 hours in Babies R Us today just looking around at everything, trying to decide what we want to register in a few weeks.  Where do I even start???

I went to the doctor yesterday for some blood work and he seemed really happy with things.  I'm 17 and a half weeks.  At this point, the doctor told me that I had gained 3.5 pounds and he was super happy with that.  Me too.  I think it's actually a little higher as that was based on my 8.5 week appointment, but I still think that I'm around 5 pounds.  I feel like I've gained 50.  And I look like it too. :)  I'm definitely struggling with my regular clothes.  And by struggling I mean, if they have a button and zipper, it ain't happening.  Hahaha.  No, I won't post a picture of me with a "little" bump on here.  Again, I'm such a downer aren't I? :)  I just think it's weird... personal preference I guess.  Maybe when I'm big and feel more pregnant and not like a walrus then I'll humor y'all.  Let's just say, it's definitely obvious that I'm pregnant.

I am still working out about 6 days a week and that will be my saving grace as long as I can.  I am really happy with how December is going.  I ran a little more than 4.5 miles today at a sub-10 minute pace on a fairly hilly course so that makes me happy.  I have been able to maintain that sub-10 pace throughout so far and although that doesn't seem like anything really great, I was only running 9:20-9:30's prior to getting knocked up (it's damn hilly here people... I'm not kidding).  I haven't really run more than about 4-6 miles at a time (except for the 10k a week and a half ago), but that's a good distance for me at this point.  I've also started biking on the trainer more.  I took my magnet off the back wheel so I'm not obsessed with my pace, but I'm making sure that I'm working as I read my magazines and watch Teen Mom the whole time.  I'm finding that my bike shorts are less than flattering (because you know, spandex always makes everyone look great anyway) and might have to raid the hubbies stash soon enough. :)  And then there's the good ole' hour and fifteen minute walks that I take on the other days with Charlie.  They seriously about kill me more than the biking and running!  My goal in January is to do something, swim, bike, run or walk every day.  All 31 days.  Through my 22nd week.  And then we'll see how I want to handle February. I'm aiming for activity through the day I deliver.  No reason to think that won't happen.

So that's kind of where I'm at with things. All is good.  Mentally and physically I'm feeling great.  That's all I can ask for at this point!  I hope you all had a fabulous holiday and I'm making a vow that after the holidays pass, I'm going to get back to blogging more.  I have some reviews and give-aways coming up which is fun.  And so exciting sponsorship news. YAY!



Monday, December 17, 2012

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.


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Changes


Changes seem to be the theme of my life these days.   As you probably noticed, I've made some layout changes with my blog.  From that, all of my REV3 stuff is gone.  Here's why...

When I joined Team Rev3 back in 2011 (it was Trakkers then), I couldn't have been more excited.  I was on a national tri team and I did it while not having to be the most amazing athlete in the world (I always envisioned that this is how you got on a team).   I was excited to see what a "team" was all about.  And it was awesome.  Yes, we got free race entries and great goodies from our sponsors, but it was so much more than that. 

I met some of my best friends in the entire world from this team.  Literally these are people that I would probably never have met in life and now I talk to them daily, I hang out with them, I plan trips with them.  They know every detail of my life.  I can laugh with them, cry with them, joke with them and I know that no matter what, they will always be part of my life.  My husband has gotten to know them.  And their spouses.  They have become like family.

And there are some teammates that I never even met in person but they too have become friends.  They support me in athletics, they support me in life.  Our paths may never cross in real life, but they are part of my life.

And of everything that I've gotten from the amazing people at REV (which is a lot), the friendships and support mean the absolute most.

Going forward in 2013, I don't know what life will hold.  I won't be racing until after the baby is born.  Most likely, it's going to be a balancing act that will take some practice.  I have a few running races that I'm eying in the fall, but I'll have to see about tri's.  I can run (hopefully) through June when I deliver, but I'm a bit leery of doing tri's.  I'm using this time to kind of regroup.  And when I thought about my sponsorship with REV, I just didn't feel like it was fair.  By me being on the team and not being able to race or support the sponsors, I was taking away from someone else out there in tri-land that would be an amazing spokesperson.  So with I made the decision to leave the team.  Not because they did anything wrong.

Just because my life is changing. Simple as that. 

I have a few potential partnerships in the works which I'm excited about.  I'm hoping that they work out for the 2013 season and if they don't, I'll be alright.  And maybe when 2014 rolls around, I'll be ready to seek out a team and sponsorship again.  We'll see.  I'm taking one change at a time.

Monday, December 3, 2012

Some ramblings


First off, ya'll are awesome.  Thank you so much for all the kind words about our news of the baby.  We're excited and to have all of you tell us how great of parents we'll be made me smile.  You know just the right things to say to make me happy. :)

Tom just told me that Kate Middleton is pregnant and that should help take some of the attention off me. Hahaha - I love him.

One more baby related thing and then I'll move on.  As most of you know, Baby K is the reason that I didn't do Ironman Florida.  So many people asked me why I wasn't racing and although I really was struggling with burnout (something fierce I may add), getting pregnant just put the nail in the coffin that it wasn't meant to be this year.  I'm a smart girl and knew that there was no chance that I would put my body through 12+ hours of exercise for the day.  It never ever crossed my mind to be quite honest.  And the pregnancy was probably a blessing in disguise when it comes to my feelings on Ironman this year.  I'm really at the "been there, done that" phase.  I'm not out to impress anyone.  I enjoy racing, but I would rather just be active.    I love setting goals for myself and the baby isn't going to stop that.  But I'm going to follow through with all that I said about following my heart from here on out with racing and training.  Someday I might feel like racing long again.  And maybe not.  I'm cool either way.

Okay, so I'm loving Georgia weather right now.  Today we went for a 4.5 mile walk with the dog and it was nearly 75 degrees when we were walking.  How awesome is that? Yesterday we realized the joy of living on a half acre of wooded land... leaves galore.  It was a day long project, but it was so amazing to not be bundled up and freezing.  Tom had shorts and a teeshirt on.  In December.  YES!

Tom's leaving on Sunday for Spain.  He'll be gone 7 days.  He's never been to Europe and I'm excited for him to see some it it, although I am wishing that I was going.  But alas, I'll keep myself entertained for the 7 days.  That's a lot of time to get my Christmas shopping done and my presents wrapped. Teeheehee. I'm about 80% done.  Now Christmas cards... that's another story.  We haven't even taken the picture for them yet.  Maybe they will be New Year's cards. :)

And just a reminder... if you are in the Atlanta area this weekend, come support Kacie and Dani and their fundraising efforts for Race Across America at All3Sports.  Friday night, Craig Alexander will be there for a book signing.  They are doing a raffle and silent auction which will start Friday and continue to another event on Saturday morning.  They have some pretty awesome stuff in the auction.  Check out their blog, Power, Pedals and Ponytails for more information.All the proceeds benefit Camp Twin Lakes.  I'm sponsoring Kacie for a day during RAAM and doing some fundraising on her behalf.  Stay tuned for information about this!  I could use your help! :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Irondiva Momma

So most of you probably saw the Twitter and Facebook posts and if you know Tom and I all that well, have recovered from your jaws hitting the floor.  
Yep, we're having a baby!  After 7 years of going back and forth with whether or not we wanted to be parents (there was a time when we were pretty adamant that we didn't want to be parents), around July, we decided that things were right for us.  We are in our dream house, live in the 3rd best town to raise a child, have our careers (for the most part) figured out.  We've raced, and traveled and figured out the whole marriage thing and were finally ready to add a little creature into our lives.

As some of you might remember August sucked for us.  Big time.  My grandfather passed away.  My sister's (and kind of my) first dog passed away.  And two days after my grandfather's memorial service, I found out that I was miscarrying.  I didn't talk about it much at all, which is weird.  Women tend to do that.  But I come to find out that miscarrying is SUPER common... like way more common that you think.  I was only about 5 weeks along and the doctor said that I should have no problems getting pregnant again. 

Lo and behold, 4 weeks later I was staring at a positive pregnancy test.  Happy birthday Tom... we're going to be parents. :)

I decided to wait until my first trimester was over to announce it, in fear of miscarrying again.  That's the part that people couldn't explain to me... the constant fear that something is going to go wrong.  Every time I felt a twinge, my heart sank (and you feel a ton of them those first 13 weeks).  I was fearful I wasn't eating the right things.  Or drinking enough water.  Was the one diet coke doing damage?  How about running, biking and swimming?  I was in a world of the unknown.

At 8.5 weeks, we got to have our first ultrasound.  I sobbed.  I had a real live sour patch kid living inside of me.  And it's heart was beating 172 bpm (Tom and I joked that it was in zone 5 all the time).  This was really happening. 

We told my mom and dad (who are besides themselves to be grandparents).  We told my sister and John (who are going to be the world's most amazing aunt and uncle).  We told Tom's mom and dad.  We told my extended family.  And then a select few others.  But I did pretty good of keeping this to myself (that's hard for me.  I'm a babbler.)

Finally, yesterday, we had another ultrasound.  We were given the option for some early screening for birth defects and although we don't care of the results (we'll love this child no matter what), we knew that it involved another ultrasound and a chance for us to see Baby K again. 
Holy crap is that amazing.  As we sat there with this image of a little still baby... with two arms and two legs, a minute pasted and our minds were blown.  Baby K started moving like crazy.  Somersaults, pushups, waving.  The ultrasound tech just giggled as Tom and I gasped with excitement.

Because if it didn't feel real then, it sure did now!  We came home with the goofiest grins on our faces. From the outside no one would know that I'm pregnant.  But if you could see my heart, you'd know that I love this baby more than anything already!!!


We held off telling people until we knew we were in our second trimester.  We held off finishing our Christmas decorations, until we knew things were going well. 
And they are.  YAY!

Okay, so some of the things that people have been asking or you might be wondering...
  • I'm due June 4th.  I should hopefully escape the heat of the Georgia summer while I'm the size of a whale.
  • Yes, we want to know the sex of the baby.  And yes, we will tell people that.  We won't tell people what we are naming the baby though.  That will be our little secret.
  • I'm still running.  Kind of.  I will say that was the hardest part of my first trimester.  I ran a half marathon with Matt when I was about 6.5 weeks.  He knew at the time and we kept it really slow the whole time, finishing at 2:05.  At 8.5 weeks I ran 7 miles of the Atlanta marathon relay.  Other than that, I've maxed out around 5 miles. I don't wear a heart rate monitor when I'm running and truly go by feel.  If I can talk, I'm doing okay.  It's slow and fairly ugly. There are many days when it feels like a 300 pound man is sitting on my chest while I run. I'm hoping that the second trimester gets better.
  • Instead of running, I've been doing a lot of walking.  Charlie loves it.  I'm bringing biking back.  And swimming.  Soon.
  • First trimester fatigue is no joke.  I literally slept 12 hours a night and could nap at any time.  I never understood this until I was pregnant.  I mean, really, how bad could it be, right?  Holy hell, it's bad.  If I make it past 9pm, it's a good night and thankfully I work from home so I get up when I want.  Poor Tom only gets about 12 hours a day with me now. :)
  • I didn't get sick.  I had about 2 weeks where dinner was less than appealing, but I never puked.  I know that I'm super lucky.  As someone who recently miscarried though, this was kind of a curse, as I feared something was wrong because I wasn't sick.
  • Chicken is not appealing.  Meat in general isn't.  Veggies don't sit well with me.  I'm not doing very good with the healthy stuff.  But I'm trying.  
  • I've gained maybe 2 pounds and I will swear up and down I know exactly where those two pounds have gone.  I've already had to buy new bras.  Enough said.
  • Pregnant people are coming out of the woodwork when they hear that we are expecting.  I love it.  I think we have 10 couples now that are due between April and July, and then one due this week (yay Smith's!!!) and one due around Christmas.  Seems all but one couple is in the same boat as us... married a while and just waiting for the right time, between racing, traveling, etc. and now having their first.  It'll be fun to get all the kiddos together in the future!
  • I'm deathly afraid that my child will hate me.  That's totally normal though, right? :)