From the French....

Our health unit included this information in this week's newsletter.  I find it interesting and hilarious.  I also wonder if there truly are 40,000 runners who die each year from sudden cardiac arrest.  My favorite part is not to sprint at the end of workouts to impress our friends since that promotes plaque breakup.

The French are strange runners.  It is not normal for them to run all the time regularly (so I've heard).  This makes it interesting when they prepare for marathons.  I've also been told they don't train up for 20 weeks...they only train up for 12 and still make their way from basically nothing to running a marathon.  I also wonder if they factor in the numbers of people who smoke here ;-)

In a recent article (―Quotidien du Médecin‖) cardiologist
Professor Carré explained the physiopathology of the
sudden cardiac arrest (responsible for 40 000 deaths per
year in France). In most cases, the heart is under a big
stress. Suddenly it starts to accelerate at such a rate
that the blood cannot properly fill the heart chambers.
The heart no longer ejects the blood effectively,
eventually leading to ventricular fibrillation (life-
threatening heart arrhythmia). The brain is no longer
receiving oxygenated blood and the heart stops
functioning. The whole process takes a few seconds to a
few minutes.

Disruption of Unstable Plaque

An important thing to know is that one may develop
coronary plaque – basically deposits of lipids, or collagen-
in the heart circulation system – as early as age 15-18
and the risk of cardiovascular accident increases onward
from age 35. Sporty people are not exempted. The
problem lies in they often feel they are ―safe‖ as a result
of practicing an activity. ‖ While there are fewer
cardiovascular accidents in trained athletes, practicing in
poor conditions can be a trigger and the accident rate is
not zero. A sudden death occurring within hours
after intensive exercising/sports is not due to a long
term condition, such as a narrowing of the arteries. What
happens is that a plaque ruptures during an intense
exercise, leading to a clot later on, thus blocking a heart
vessel. What follows is a body’s physiological response,
leading to a trouble of the heart rhythm, later on
aggravated by ventricular fibrillation. Prior stress tests
and coronary scans are often negative; they may show
plaques but not their instability or erosion risk‖. Even
though the risk of sudden death is 4 to 5 times higher in
persons who practice intensive sports activities (20-30
hours per week) compared to those practicing moderate
sports activities (2 to 3 hours per week), we think
important to remind you the following:

Recommendations to those practicing regular to
moderate sport activities, notably jogging.

health and it is recommended at all ages. What matters
is to do it regularly, not in unfavorable conditions: e.g.
high heat, extreme cold, poor health that day.
It’s recommended to practice a sport or exercise in
moderation.

Each person needs to recognize and listen to her/his body
and know when the limit is reached.

•

For example, if you become short or out of breath
and cannot whistle, sing or answer questions, then
pause the activity, walk or trot slowly.
Agreeing to reduce the intensity of the exercise
activity by using a cardio frequency monitor
(theoretically 220-age) for maximal heart rate? Why
not but you’d rather learn to recognize your limits as
described above. Don’t wait until you are short of
breath!
Avoid running or exercising when very tired or stop
entirely if short of breath or not feeling well.
Watch out for sprints at the end to impress friends or
yourself; these bursts of intense energy promote
plaque rupture accidents.



Reminders! The HU is occasionally offering a few
sessions of CPR training. Learn basic skills in hands
–only cardio pulmonary resuscitation and how to
use the AED. The nearest AED (automated
defibrillator) is located in the Atrium across from
the ATM machine and vending machines.
Learn the emergency numbers to call:
#18 Pompiers (fire brigade) or #15 SAMU

Christmas Gift Help...TRX??

Thinking about getting hubbie TRX.  Worth it?  We have a weight tree already.  Is this better, good supplement...or just not worth the money?

Living in an apartment with bikes, weights, etc

Ok, fellow condo/apartment dwellers, where do you store everything?  Do you have a dedicated room?  Or do you just have it out in plain view?  We are trying to figure out where to put it all....currently our bikes reside in the dining room because it's the easiest.  And I just keep mine on teh trainer since it's a pain in the 'ol ass to take on and off.  I kinda feel like it looks really, really dumb....but not many options.  Are we alone in this??

Food

I have a whole post about food, but that will have to wait until later :-).  For now I am just going to say that after reading the book The China Study, we are trying really hard to go even more vegetarian.  I've never been a HUGE meat lover so that part isn't too bad.  But Campbell, the author of the book and study, suggests going without fish, too (you're supposed to to vegan).  That part is a bit difficult.  So to make it easy on us, we choose to eat meat a couple times a week. And we haven't given up eggs, either.  And cheese.  I figure while living in the land of awesome cheese...we can't give that up.  But honestly, the cows are treated SO MUCH BETTER HERE anyway, so really, I feel much better about eating cheese here than I do in the US, and hopefully the huge amounts of plant based foods will hopefully balance the cheese out a bit.  Anyway, I have been loving some recipes lately and I thought I would share.  Everyone in the family loves these.  Jackson has always loved beans because it's what he's eaten forever (I didn't give him meat until way later into his toddler years). 

I will say that living in Paris and eating out is pretty much impossible to be a vegetarian.  The French love their meat (and I have to note that for the 2nd time I just typed MEET and not meat). Lawd, I need to write and read more so my mind doesn't go to mush!

Anyways, here are the recipes. 

This one is super yummy.  The blog Cate's World Kitchen, has lots of yummy stuff to eat, and a lot of it is Asian.  And I can't find a lot of Asian stuff here without trecking to other neighborhoods....so we don't eat a heck of a lot of Asian these days!

CHICKPEA and EGGPLANT CURRY


CHICKPEA AND RAISIN SALAD
Serves 8
Adapted from Real Simple Magazine

1 cup raisins (I used golden raisins)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons  sugar
3 15.5 ounche cans chickpeas, rinsed
1 cup fresh cilantro (or parsely....but I think the cilantro makes it!)
4 scallions (I didn't use scallions since they are like impossible to find in this city)
1/3 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
   Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

1.  In a small saucepan, combine the raisins, vinegar, and sugar and bring just to a simmer, remove from heat and let cool.

2.  In a large bowl, toss the chickpeas, cilantro, scallions and raisin mixture with the oil, cumin 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. 

Make ahead tip...make the salad without the cilantro and toss with cilantro before eating. 


 

babysitter

short post.  But how much do you guys pay a babysitter?  I need to find one so that Jon and I can start spending more time together ALONE.  I totally took having family and friends around for granted :-)  But damn, they feel really expensive here!

Staying out of the hole

Yup, I went all metaphorical on you all :-).  I still haven't really been hitting a work out routine.  But I have to.  So much depends on upon it.  First and foremost...my mental health.  I have dealt with depression issues since college.  I wouldn't say I am full on depressed right now (as in....in need of medication) but I am in need of something or else it will lead to that.  I am not opposed to medication, because it does work and has worked for me in the past.  But I would rather not take it if I don't have to.  I prefer the all natural medication: running and working out truly are my therapies.  The thing is, I am in such poor shape I don't even know if it's going to work since I can't really push myself right  now :-).  But I must get back on the horse.  I am meeting up with my new "running partner" on Monday....or so I hope.  Hopefully just having to meet someone will help get me out of bed and into a routine. 

I think a lot of the depressive feelings I currently have are just from everything all at once.  The move has been really hard on me.  Trying to figure out how to manage two kids (as in....give them both the attention they need ALL FREAKIN' DAY LONG) has been really, really hard.  Not having any support system over here has made the last two things even more difficult. I sometimes think that having twins would make it all easier because at least they'd have each other, and they'd both be on the same page of development and able to do the same things. 

There have been many days lately where I just really want to run away from it all.  I know, not cool at all.  Hubbie has been working a lot lately and so I pretty much cover everything, hell I would do it anyway if he wasn't working a lot.  I know it's my "job" but I hate it.  I so want to love my job.  But doing all of the cleaning, all of the meal planning, all of the errand running, 95% of the kid duties just isn't fun for me.  I have contemplated moving back to the US so I can get a job but of course that isn't a realistic option. 

To top it off my patience has been crap lately.  I have snapped at Jackson more than a few times and I hate it.  I am usually not that way.  My life just feels so out of balance and unhappy.  How often do you guys feel like this?

Sorry for the vent.  I need to stop being such a debbie downer.  Hope you all have a great weekend!!

In need of motivation

So.....been a month yet again since I last posted.  I was hoping I'd get into the swing of things and actually have something related to working out to write about!  Not so much.  And I have zero excuses.  I just have yet to get my motivation to get up in the mornings.  I WANT to run, lift, yoga, etc, it's just getting my ass out of bed has been difficult.

I need to run.  So why is it so hard for me to get out there?  I have been in a pretty low place the last few months.  This move hasn't been an easy one.  I'm still in search of friends (for both me and J-man).  I've met people but I don't know, friendships just haven't formed.  The few people who live in our neighborhood don't have kids or don't have kids our age so that makes it tough.  I always feel like I'm just a nuissane to those friends without kids.  Cuz, if I didn't have kids and I lived in Paris and didn't have to work I'd most likely just want to hang out at cafés all day people watching.

I am sooo unhappy with my body right  now.  I think the percentage of muscle is pretty much nill.  I hate being and feeling weak. I just need to get into a routine.  They say it takes 21 days to really get into a routine.  It's time to start!

It's time to get out of my funk and start getting stronger, fitter and healthier.  If I don't I think I'll end up getting into an even darker hole mentally and it'll be harder to get out.

How have you all found motivation to just GET MOVING?!?!

Getting settled in our new home

So we have been in Paris for 5 weeks now.  It's been a huge whirlwind over the past couple of months, to say the least.  Phew.  We still have loads of organizing to do since we basically unpacked everything since they only pick up the boxes once.  So we have crap everywhere that needs to find a home.  I've tried to make myself just chill over it all but dang it's tough!  I hate having clutter everywhere.  Seriously annoys me sooo bad.

So what's life in Paris like?  Hmm, it depends on the day :-).  Language barrier has been really hard.  Not having any friends has been even more difficult.  Most days go by quickly since we have our stuff to keep us busy, but it's very lonely.  The days that go by really slowly are the worst, obviously.  And trips to the Supermarché are usually the worst because trecking 1km to the store by foot with a 3 year old is slow going.  Then it takes me forever to figure out where the items on my list are.  And of course I have to double check everything because even though the picture might make it look like I know what I am buying doesn't always mean that's the case.  And getting it home is fun.  So far I have only bought enough to fit into the basket of our stroller.  I actually just need to start doing the home delivery option (it's free after 50 euro...not bad).  But trying to get the delivery has been a task I don't want to complete since English is just not spoken much here at all!  And it's not them being rude; a lot of people just DO NOT speak English.  So most times I feel worried about looking like a total ass in front of all these people who I know are snickering about the "dumb American" under their smiles :-).  

I have yet to get into a routine (hence the last post).  It's really tough!  The hubby is home in the mornings, though, so I just need to get up at an early time and get out and get 'er done.  I'm still a little scared, though, to be running in the dark around here since I don't know my way around just yet.

But even more challenging is trying to work in the breastfeeding.  El-Kat is usually on a pretty good "schedule" but some mornings she's just totally off. I can't figure out if I should just wake her up at 5, feed her and then pump what's left...then hope she sleeps until about 8 so I have time to get it all done and not have to worry about either one of us getting our workouts or getting ready for the day routines interrupted.

Running.  I met a fellow runner chica who just ran the Paris Marathon last weekend.  She did an awesome job and if I can get back into shape I think we'll be good running partners because she seems to have the same times as me (well, when I was in shape anyway!).  I just need to get back into a routine and get my ass out there.  The Paris Marathon starts about 500m from where we live and ends pretty much right outside my doorstep so I am planning on running it next year.  Looking forward to that!  Now I just need to find something in the Fall.

I'm hoping to start writing on here again but time has been short.  Once we get our apartment in order hopefully I'll have more time!   Thanks to all those who are actually still reading this thing!

Yum Yum!

I am sooo going to make these in the next few days.  I am pretty sure I can find all of the ingredients here somewhere :-).  I actually did find a healthfood store.  I still have to make my way there.  Hoping to do that this weekend!

But anyway, here's the recipe I found that sounds yummy and fun to make with Jackson.  By the way, her food looks soo yummy and I have been trying to only eat one meat dish a day.  I honestly don't even love meat, but I feel it's really hard to get in all of the protein I need.  I'll let you know how I like the recipe.

http://catesworldkitchen.com/2010/12/carrot-cake-cookies-raw-and-vegan/

Daily routines

I am so needing help on how to get my crap together on the daily routines.  How do you guys do it all?  Since having the baby it seems like I am running around like a wild, crazy woman all day long.  Would love to hear how you fit it all in, i.e. exercise, cleaning everything, making dinner, running errands, and keeping the kids entertained all day long.  Please, please, please....I need your advice and help.

Alive...Barely :-)

Wow, it's been a while since I've wrote anything on here. Some bullet points because that's all I have time for and I'm already up way too late. And these are in no particular order so bear with me. this is actually going to be short since it is late but wanted to tell everyone (all two or three of you I mean) I am still alive.

1. Yes, it is way too late. But unfortunately it's about the only time I get to really think without Jackson saying "Mommy, come play with me. Mommy, I am hungry. Mommy, I need to go pee pee. Mommy..." you get the drift. I honestly would pay a lot of money to just get a weekend to just sit in a hotel room and enjoy some peace and quiet.

2. I am stressed about the move. We still have a ton of things on the list and we're not getting through them very quickly. Might I suggest to never move with a new baby and a hubby who doesn't get time off? Yeah, not so much fun. But at least Paris is at the end of the tunnel :-) If we had the Congo as our next destination I'd be even crabbier so yes, there is a silver lining.

3. Thank heavens for an awesome baby. She is such a good baby! She even slept from 9 last night until 6 this morning. Yeah, I woke up looking like a porn star. Ha.

4. I am so beyond frustrated because the weight is not coming off as quickly as it did with Jackson. I swear it came off a heck of a lot faster. But I really wasn't watching the scale or super eager to get back into my clothes last time either. I only have one pair of semi decent pants that fit and about two shirts. I don't want to spend the money on anythign new to get me through this period but I think I might have to because yoga pants and race shirts can only cut it for so long. And you know it isn't going to cut it in France.

3. Also frustrated becuase I am just not getting the workouts in like I want. When I can't run I get frustrated and don't even want to work out. The only cardio equipment we own is a rower and I could use it but it just doesn't do it for me all the time.

4. Jillian's 30-day shred is really great, but umm yeah, I am pretty sure I hav to do it more often than once a week for it to be effective. Ha!

5. My sister is getting married in a month and the thought of squeezing into a dress sounds not so fun to me.

6. Bonus of having to fit into a dress while breastfeeding is I actually have cleavage.

7. Not so fun part of having to fit in a dress while breastfeeding is that I will have to find a dress that can accommodate various cup sizes throughout the night :-)

8. My goals for this week are to eat as well as I can, exercise every day for at least 20 minutes (hey, gotta start somewhere and that's about all the time I have for now), and check off as many items on my list as possible. And mostly....stay sane and not allow myself to stress out because it really does affect my milk supply.

9. We actually FINALLY found out this last week that we are officially moving beginning of March and they finally assigned us housing. Yippy skippy because now I can actually go and buy some furniture since I know we can use it.

10. We pack out in a week and a half so not much time to get a lot of stuff done!

I have been reading lots of blogs while feeding in the middle of the night and randomly throughout the day during feedings. But i haven't been commenting much....just know I've been reading! It helps keep me somewhat motivated that maybe, just maybe, I'll get back into the swing of things running wise.

Oh, did I mention that we'll have a HUGE park only 5 minute walk from our apartment? Totally psyched about that.

Elise Katherine is here!

A little behind the curve on this post! We had our baby GIRL on the 30th of November. I am so in love it's ridiculous! :-) I was kind of worried how I'd possibly be able to love Jackson as much as I do AND the new baby. So silly of me :-) Jackson has been such a great big brother and seems to be adjusting well. He loves helping out and kissing her and always lets me know when she wakes up.

Elise Katherine

11/30/2010

7 pounds 14 ounces

19 1/2 inches

We weren't great at keeping track of the stages this time, but that's probably because my contractions really started around midnight. So fun :-) To start from the beginning....

I had an appointment the morning of the 29th, and the midwife said I was 2 cm and maybe 50% effaced. I about started to cry in the room because I felt like I wasn't making much progress and would surely make it to Friday and have to be induced. But I had her strip my membranes to hopefully get things to move along. I had a complete breakdown in the car right after that. So hormonal :-) We went to the grocery store to stock on some more stuff and I had some cramping, which is normal after stripping the membranes. So that night I went for probably a 2 mile-ish walk. I felt NOTHING. I was again sure that nothing was happening for a while. So we watched some TV and then around 10 I kind of noticed my Braxton Hicks started to get pretty rhythmic. About every 4 minutes but not painful, just a bit tighter than normal. Decided to take a shower around 11 to help me relax and go to sleep. Wouldn't ya know as soon as I put my head on my pillow I had a couple "these are definitely more serious" kinds of contractions. Then I felt a little "gooey" down yonder so I went to the bathroom. sure enough I had my show and I told Jon that I was pretty sure that I was in labor. We called his parents to have his mom come out since we didn't know when it'd happen, but at least sometime in the next 24 hours.

Contractions started to get a little stronger and were coming ever 4 minutes and were about 30 to 45 seconds apart. I called the midwife just to get advice. I totally felt like a first time mom since this was my first time having a spontaneous labor and hadn't experienced it before (last time I was induced). She assured me I could stay at home for a while more until they were 5 minutes apart, lasting 1 minute and more intense. I was so bored because I was the only one awake. Well, we spent the first hour or so packing our bags and getting everything together. We totally hadn't really started anything. I had my list made, though, so I wasn't really worried :-)

So what happened next? Trying to remember :-) I think around 3 ish the contractions started to slow down to about 10 mins apart. I totally thought I was really in for a long labor. Around 5 they started to pick back up again so I called the midwife but she once again assured me that I didn't sound like I needed to come in, told me to take a shower and just wait it out some more. The pains weren't horrible so I agreed. So I took a shower and tried to lie down but it was too uncomfortable so I just stayed in the kitchen and facebooked :-) I was soooo bored. I basically just stood up and swayed back and forth to get through the contractions. Finally around 7 I said they were a little stronger and I didn't feel like getting stuck in traffic so we headed to the hospital. The contractions totally slowed down again in the car so I was sure I headed in too early. They checked me around 8:00 and I was already at a 6-7 cm and was shocked (I was sure I'd only be about a 4)! Moved to L&D and was definitely breathing through the contractions at this point. A friend of mine just did a natural childbirth and she said what helped get her through the pain was to visualize pushing the pain into the bed (she was sitting on the bed) Since I was standing I just visualized pushing the pain into the floor and it worked. My BP started to get a little high so the nurse wanted me to lie on my side on the bed. So not fun. Didn't like that one bit but finally figured out to just breath and visualize pushing the pain down into the bed through my hip. I was listening to my Ipod and the midwife asked if I was hypnobirthing or listening to something relaxing and I was like yeah, umm, no, it's some Limp Bizkit. (I decided to listen to my marathon music). She thought that was kind of funny for some reason :-)

Around 10:10, I think, I said I felt a lot of pressure on my backside, like I had to poop, so the midwife checked me. I was 9 cm and my water hadn't broke yet! So she asked if I wanted her to break it and I was like, will it make it happen faster? Of course the answer was yes and so I said umm, helz yeah, lets get this over with :-). She broke my water and HOLY HELL the contractions picked up. Within about 1 contraction I was like, I gotta push! So they made me get on my back which was oh so freakin' uncomfortable. I think I pushed through two contractions and she came out. It HURT but it felt good to push at the same time. I am pretty sure the entire floor heard me scream a couple times :-) Funny thing is I have way worse labor memories from having Jackson than I do with Elise.

She looked so small! I was sure they were going to say she was only about 7 pounds and was kind of shocked when they said she was 7.14.

All-in-all, I definitely hope to have another natural childbirth with the next ones. It was such a better experience all around not to be induced and to just get through labor on my own. Plus, I think I recovered more quickly this time. They say the epidural hinders your own hormone production and I think it really might because even though I had been awake for more than 28 hours at that point I felt totally awake and fine.

Phew, that took a while. :-) Time to get....babe needs to feed.

Oh, and during my stress test at the hospital (the day I went into labor) I found and stole a copy of Oxygen mag and it has a great at-home workout in it. I can't wait to start because IT'S TIME TO GET SCRONG!! My arms look so damn wimpy :-)

baby update. Help with baby names.

So, we're sitting at a lovely 38 weeks preggo today! I can't believe I only have two weeks to go until I am officially ready to go. I had my appointment yesterday and I decided to have them do a check just to see, knowing that I'd probably not be very far along. And I was right. We've got a long way to go. But not surprised since I was 10 days late with Jackson. I'm really hoping that I don't go a long time over with this one, but I have a feeling that just won't be the case :-). I'll be walking and walking and doing whatever else I can to move things along.

We're still trying to decide on names. We had a tough enough time last time with Jackson and we knew we were having a boy. This time we have to come up with one for each since it's going to be a surprise. It seems every time I throw a name out there I get the oh heck no look from Jon.

Here are a few of my faves for each:

Girls:

Elise

Analise

Adalyn

Makenna

Boys:

Dylan

Blake

Will

I'd love to hear if anyone else has any suggestions and or comments about the names :-)

Emotions

It seems the pregnancy hormones must be kicking into high gear lately because holy cow I'm all over the place. One second I seriously feel like popping my husband in the head because he's annoying the heck out of me and the next I'm bawling my eyes out. This is pretty much a "this is why my life sucks at the moment post" so if you don't feel like reading I'd just skip it :-)

** It's finally hitting me that I won't be able to run Boston since we're moving. Kind of stinks to achieve that "big" goal and not even run it. I keep telling myself that maybe, just maybe, there will be more Bostons in my future.

** I'm really having a hard time getting over my goals of exercising during pregnancy and it not happening. I keep reading various blogs and it makes me feel worse because so many of you maintained your goals and barely gained any weight by exercising throughout the pregnancy. I know I can only be upset at MYSELF because it's me who doesn't get out there regularly. Enough on that.

** My really good friend in the area who just had her baby 3 weeks ago is getting ready to move to Vietnam in just about 5 weeks. I know we're moving, too, but that just means I'll be here without her for about 3 months. Not fun. Our kids are the same age, have grown up together since they were babies and are also pretty much best friends so it's going to be a difficult goodbye for sure. Not sure how many of these moves I can handle. Ugg!

** My sister jut moved to Hawaii so we're literally going to be half way around the world from each other and I have no idea how often we'll see each other. We have a very normal love/hate relationship but we talk everyday and I'm not sure how easily I'll be getting used to not talking to her everyday once we move. Thankful for Skype that's for sure. Jackson loves it!

** We still don't know where we'll be living in Paris and won't find out for a couple months I'm sure. So that means we don't know how much of our stuff we get to bring with us. Which means I can't plan. And which also means the planning process won't begin until right when the baby gets here, right during holiday season, etc. Not going to be fun I'm sure.

** My husband gets a whopping 2 days off for this baby since he's in training. We were fortunate to have him off for 3 weeks when Jackson was born. I seriously have no freaking clue how I'm going to do it. I think his mom is going to come out for a bit (they live in the area) but she doesn't cook, won't drive anywhere so running errands will still be on me and it's doubtful she'll be cleaning while she's here. I think it's going to be more work having her here :-)

** My parents just surprised us and bought tickets to come out for Christmas. But hubby's brother and wife will also be in town during the holidays so that means somehow we are going to have to figure out how to balance the time between all of them. I'm already dreading the damn holidays. Holidays after you're married just aren't the same since you have to split them up. Blech!

** How I'm going to get back in shape after the kid is born is quite questionable. I can't go to the gym since the baby has to be 3 months old; hubby will be in training from way early in the morning till way late at night. I know I want to work off this baby weight somehow!!!!

OK, if you actually made it this far thanks for "listening." Please just tell me that it will all be ok and everything will work out perfectly. I need a fairytale ending right now :-)

30 weeks

Here are the pics at 30 weeks. I need to pull out my last pregnancy pics and see how comparable I look. I'm thinking that I am pretty similar though ;-)

***added my pic from 31 weeks last pregnancy. Pic on top is #1 and pic on bottom is #2***

Runner's World Interview with Paula and Kara

I just finished reading their interview online and it's pretty good. Just makes me feel kinda crappy about not running, but I will get over it. I had really big goals of running this pregnancy and now that it's gone to the crapper I feel like I am a shammer, etc.

Interestingly enough Paula did point out that she learned during pregnancy #1 that using the elliptical really stretches out the sacral area so maybe that's why I had that issue back in July since that's what I had been using. It's too late to start running now but good to know for future, possible pregnancies. Now if I only had access to an anti-gravity treadmill and an underwater treadmill. Wouldn't that be nice :-)

I have been swimming and it feels great. I will never confess how far I am swimming or how fast I get it done. That is way too embarrassing. But I try to swim and keep the heart rate up for about 30-40 minutes a few times a week and that seems to be enough for me. Although, it is getting more difficult to look at myself in a swimsuit. The 'ol ass and legs aren't as trim as they normally are. Last pregnancy I had no issues getting fatter; not so with this pregnancy. Putting on the fat has been really difficult mentally. Definitely not difficult to put on though, ha! It seems I can't get away from the pound a week gain. At this rate I should gain around 30-35 pounds with this pregnancy. Hopefully it isn't too hard to lose again.

Where was I??

So I only found out a few weeks ago that both Kara Goucher and Paula Radcliffe are both pregnant AND due on the same date (how weird is that by the way!). Yup, where was I?? I guess I haven't been following my running stuff lately very well :-). And now Deena Kastor is pregnant. I just won't have anyone to follow this Fall for the marathons.

And I must say that I am totally in awe. These women are still running 75 miles; well they were a couple months ago anyway. That's more than what I was running at the peak of my marathon training!

Ahh....feeling like a new person today

I've been in a funk lately. I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy hormones or what, but I just felt DOWN. I knew what I needed to do (run/workout) and it was frustrating not being able to really do it. It's been even more frustrating watching the hubster workout and me not be able to do it. I SO BADLY want to be out there on my bike doing the 40-50 mile long rides out in the beautiful countryside. Seriously, why didn't I ride more last summer and Fall?? I was so scared to do it by myself. I should have found someone to ride with me :-). It's so freaking pretty out here!! Definitely going to miss it.

Anyhoo, I let myself feel really frustrated and sorry for myself since biking with the hubby, running and using the elliptical are pretty much out of the picture. But two days ago I said enough is enough and I hopped in the pool. I swam for about 20 minutes, not wanting to push it too hard incase it, too, hurt my pelvic bones. But it felt soo good. No issues! Yay! So today I went back to the gym and swam for 40 minutes. It's a SLOW 40 minutes with some breaks, but I feel so much better after working out. I know what my body was craving and it feels so good to give it what it needs. And I was really afraid it was going to be a super long session since I'm not the world's greatest swimmer but it went by so fast and I honestly could have stayed longer; it was like someone was giving me crack and I just couldn't get enough. I love it when it's like this!

Now I just need to find someone to help me out technique wise because I know I am not the greatest swimmer. I'm going to try and watch some videos to help me out.

Tri question for my hubby

To all the tri-athletes out there...I have a question for you. If you want to skip all the intro stuff just scroll to the bottom for the question :-)

My hubby has finally started to get into working out again :-). He's getting way into it like he usually does when he first gets into something. And for once, I am actually happy about this one since it is working out. He has his first-ever sprint-tri coming up over Labor Day weekend. I'm hoping it goes well!!

But now that he's getting into it he is starting to look at more races in Europe so he can stick in the tri-scene. He is having no luck finding any olympic distance races so the one he's looking at doing is a Half Ironman in July of next year. I told him I think it's too soon for him to do a race of that intensity, but I don't really have much knowledge on the tri stuff.

So here is the question...is doing the half next summer too soon? He only really started to workout again this summer so he'd only have about 7-8 months of training under his belt before he started the actual training program.

Thanks for your help!!!

22 weeks picture and more baby stuff...not much else to write on :-)

Here I am at 22 weeks. I took so many pics of my belly when I was pregnant with Jackson. This one is only the second pic I've taken :-). I guess the whole "less pictures" thing has already begun, poor kiddo! So far I think I've gained 12 pounds; I'm just hoping at the next weigh in I haven't gained 7 more. Last month's 3-week vacation didn't really help me out very much and I was shocked to find out I'd gained 7 pounds in 4 weeks. Whoops :-)

We still have yet to open the envelope and find out the sex. If it wasn't for the upcoming move I know I'd wait (we found out with Jackson but this time I kind of want to wait). BUT the planner in me wants to find out so we can start prepping now. I guess if it's a boy it won't be that big of a deal because I have a lot of clothes already. Not that I'd buy that many clothes anyway because he/she could end up being a BIG baby like Jackson was or could be an average size, ya just never know, so it's hard to say what size we'll need for each season. But when I see things on sale that could start to form a nursery, well, THAT just makes me want to find out so I can prep a bit.