Hey hey there, everyone!
Life has been a bit crazy, and I don't really see this as a pregger lady blog - hence the quietness here lately. I just thought I would check in briefly and say things are going well.
Now since spring has officially arrived in Ohio, I am back to walking outside and have managed to jump on the bike a couple of times, too.
Unlike may pregger ladies in the blogosphere, I have opted to NOT be Miss Fitness during this journey but instead take some time away from the training schedule. For all intents and purposes, I have been "in training" for about 2.5 years now. The break has been welcome. I definitely miss my schedule - and racing - but I am also enjoying a more relaxed lifestyle for a while. Don't get me wrong, I haven't stopped doing everything. I just haven't been running 3 days a week, biking 4 days a week and swimming 3 days a week. It's about four days of walk a week and a day of cycling. That's it - and it works fine.
As my triathlon teammates are starting their seasons, I am taking great pleasure in playing an active support role for them. I plan to go out and cheer folks on at races, volunteer, etc - I'll be present, but just in different ways.
We found out a couple of weeks ago that we are having a little girl. Mirabelle Hope Brady is developing wonderfully, and I have continued to feel great. We are still on track for a late August delivery.
In the meantime, I have several friends who are due between now and then, so it has been a lot of fun to see all the babies arrive.
That's about it here - I hope all of you in blog land are doing awesome!
5.06.2013
3.12.2013
Week 16 - Smooth Sailing
As of tomorrow, I am officially into Week 16. This pregnancy is flying by - within a month I will be halfway there. Well, baby will be halfway there.
I have been extremely lucky this whole process - still no sickness, and everything seems to be fine with the developing kiddo. Fingers staying crossed!
This is week two of not teaching spinning classes; I miss it, but I know I made the right call. While I haven't put myself into a structured workout schedule, I am staying fairly active. I managed to get out for a hilly 13 mile bike ride last weekend on a beautiful 66 degree day. I also manage to get to the gym for walks on the indoor track, and I do mild lifting when I work with my personal training clients. Between all that, I feel like I haven't strayed too much from fitness land in the past month or so. I feel better when I am active, but I also feel like I should enjoy not being on a "plan" or "schedule" of working out for the first time in about four years.
I had a midwife appointment today, and baby's heartbeat is nice and strong. My weight gain is a couple pounds ahead of schedule, so I need to back away from the sweets a bit. ha!
Other than that, not a ton to report! Workin hard, playin hard :-)
I have been extremely lucky this whole process - still no sickness, and everything seems to be fine with the developing kiddo. Fingers staying crossed!
This is week two of not teaching spinning classes; I miss it, but I know I made the right call. While I haven't put myself into a structured workout schedule, I am staying fairly active. I managed to get out for a hilly 13 mile bike ride last weekend on a beautiful 66 degree day. I also manage to get to the gym for walks on the indoor track, and I do mild lifting when I work with my personal training clients. Between all that, I feel like I haven't strayed too much from fitness land in the past month or so. I feel better when I am active, but I also feel like I should enjoy not being on a "plan" or "schedule" of working out for the first time in about four years.
I had a midwife appointment today, and baby's heartbeat is nice and strong. My weight gain is a couple pounds ahead of schedule, so I need to back away from the sweets a bit. ha!
Other than that, not a ton to report! Workin hard, playin hard :-)
2.19.2013
Recognizing Limitations
Today marks the last day of my first trimester. I remember when I first found out I was pregnant, seeing the conclusion of this first stage seemed SO far in the future. Ummmm, yeah. It has FLOWN by. How on earth am I already a third of the way through this process? I'm not "showing" yet, but I am feeling uber flabby. In fact, I feel and look exactly like I did before I started training and racing triathlons almost three years ago. My weight is nearly the same, I'm back in size 12, and I'm "running" the same pace I was back then (when I run anyway). It's like I have stepped back in the past!
I know it is all due to the changes I am going through, but I think I'm ready to start looking pregnant rather than just unfit :-)
Now that I am entering into my second trimester, it is time to own up to some limitations. I've been teaching Spinning classes for over a year and a half now. I teach a minimum of twice a week, sometimes three or more if I sub in for someone else.
I made the tough decision last week to end my teaching at the end of February. As everyone knows, a pregnant woman's body is filled with all sorts of crazy hormones, and some of those are working to loosen joints. This is GOOD as the baby grows in size - your body is ready to stretch. it's even better in labor when you have to shoot a watermelon out of your hoo-ha. Due to the loosening of the joints, it's easier to injure oneself, and you may feel increased soreness after exercise. That has definitely been my experience. Over the past several weeks, I'm hobbling around like an 80 year old lady for a few hours after my spinning classes.
I really hoped I would be able to super-badass it and teach through about month five or so, but it looks like making it to month 3.5 will be my stopping point. It's bittersweet. I'm ready to move onto the next phase of my pregnancy, but Spinning and teaching has been a big part of my life in the past 18 months. But - this is a time in life where it's not about me. It's about the baby. And baby isn't loving spinning too much.
I have four classes left, starting tonight!
I know it is all due to the changes I am going through, but I think I'm ready to start looking pregnant rather than just unfit :-)
Now that I am entering into my second trimester, it is time to own up to some limitations. I've been teaching Spinning classes for over a year and a half now. I teach a minimum of twice a week, sometimes three or more if I sub in for someone else.
I made the tough decision last week to end my teaching at the end of February. As everyone knows, a pregnant woman's body is filled with all sorts of crazy hormones, and some of those are working to loosen joints. This is GOOD as the baby grows in size - your body is ready to stretch. it's even better in labor when you have to shoot a watermelon out of your hoo-ha. Due to the loosening of the joints, it's easier to injure oneself, and you may feel increased soreness after exercise. That has definitely been my experience. Over the past several weeks, I'm hobbling around like an 80 year old lady for a few hours after my spinning classes.
I really hoped I would be able to super-badass it and teach through about month five or so, but it looks like making it to month 3.5 will be my stopping point. It's bittersweet. I'm ready to move onto the next phase of my pregnancy, but Spinning and teaching has been a big part of my life in the past 18 months. But - this is a time in life where it's not about me. It's about the baby. And baby isn't loving spinning too much.
I have four classes left, starting tonight!
2.17.2013
Now - what I have REALLY been up to
First off, thanks so much for all the well wishes! It feels great to finally have this news out in the open - I felt like I was walking around with a huge secret (well, I guess I was!). Lots of people asking me out on a Friday night to have drinks - me politely declining. Lots of people asking me to sign up for races - me politely declining. People asking me to go on runs/bikes/swims - me politely declining.
I've been declining all sorts of invites because I have just been so damn tired. For nearly the entire trimester, each morning I woke up I felt like a train had run over me the night before. Absolute and pure exhaustion. I always thought that if I went through this experience, I would be one of those pregger ladies that kept running, riding, swimming - all of it for as long as I could. Let me tell you - growing a person is frickin HARD work. I haven't peeled my butt off the couch a whole hell of a lot in the past 2 months.
From about September through early December, I was running at least three days a week - 12 to 15 miles a week. Nothing crazy, but I wasn't training for anything - just running for fun, mental health and as a social outlet. Want to venture how many miles I have clocked since about December 15? Probably 15-20 miles total. I just don't have the energy in me to do it. Slowly, the exhaustion is leaving and is being replaced by worry, doubt and fear - ha. Okay, maybe not that bad, but I haven't run in a while and my health is suffering for it. I miss the endorphins, nature, my running buddies, my strong legs and thin waist line. BUT. Don't get me wrong - I am THRILLED about our new family addition on the way.
With that being said, I'm going to try to get back on here (the blog) and start holding myself accountable to getting a bit more active. Maintaining a decent exercise schedule will keep me feeling good in all sorts of ways - and I need to back to it in some form. Amazingly enough, five of my closest friends are currently pregnant, and everyone has their own way of getting in some physical activity. From all the bloggers I have seen in the baby camp, too, I know there's lots of advice out there. I just need to start following it!
With all that being said, I have done ONE race so far this season. I'll still be serving as the co-captain of teamroll: this year, and I'll need to fulfill my team commitments in ways other than racing. I wanted to get in at least one though - just because I love it so much. I chose to do the OSU Indoor Triathlon about three weeks ago.
Race report:
10 minute swim - I haven't been in the pool much at all since November. My goal was to get in 400 meters in ten minutes, and I got 420. Works for me.
20 minute stationary bike - This is always a crap shoot - between playing with cadence and resistance, finding the sweet spot can be tough. I managed to clock 6.55 miles in 20 minutes, so I averaged somewhere between 18-19mph. Also, works for me.
15 minute run - oh goodness. Here's where it all went to crap. The run was on a small indoor track at OSU's gym. We were seeded in waves based on swim times and 5K times. Every woman in my wave must have lied about their run times. Kidding - kind of. Let's just say I got my ass handed to me big time. We headed out and I managed to stay in the front pack for approximately 1/4 lap. I was then lapped 8 times by the guy that was in first. In 15 minutes, I averaged a 10:18 mile. 10:18???? That's what I was running a year and a half ago! GAH! My heart rate jumped immediately, and I just couldn't keep up. I moved to the outside lane and just jogged it out. Yowza. That experience convinced me to table the pipe dream I had of possibly doing a few early season women's short distance races.
I still may change my mind and go out and just "participate" in some of the women's only races early in the season - we are talking a 250 yard swim, 7 mile bike and 2 mile run. I'll be about 5.5 months at the first race of the season, so if I decide to play along it will be very last minute. i figure I'll go out there and walk/hobble and cheer everyone on. If I don't "race," I will be the designated cow bell ringer for teamroll all season!
Ok, all - that's it for now. I'll be back soon with some sort of activity report - promise!!!!
I've been declining all sorts of invites because I have just been so damn tired. For nearly the entire trimester, each morning I woke up I felt like a train had run over me the night before. Absolute and pure exhaustion. I always thought that if I went through this experience, I would be one of those pregger ladies that kept running, riding, swimming - all of it for as long as I could. Let me tell you - growing a person is frickin HARD work. I haven't peeled my butt off the couch a whole hell of a lot in the past 2 months.
From about September through early December, I was running at least three days a week - 12 to 15 miles a week. Nothing crazy, but I wasn't training for anything - just running for fun, mental health and as a social outlet. Want to venture how many miles I have clocked since about December 15? Probably 15-20 miles total. I just don't have the energy in me to do it. Slowly, the exhaustion is leaving and is being replaced by worry, doubt and fear - ha. Okay, maybe not that bad, but I haven't run in a while and my health is suffering for it. I miss the endorphins, nature, my running buddies, my strong legs and thin waist line. BUT. Don't get me wrong - I am THRILLED about our new family addition on the way.
With that being said, I'm going to try to get back on here (the blog) and start holding myself accountable to getting a bit more active. Maintaining a decent exercise schedule will keep me feeling good in all sorts of ways - and I need to back to it in some form. Amazingly enough, five of my closest friends are currently pregnant, and everyone has their own way of getting in some physical activity. From all the bloggers I have seen in the baby camp, too, I know there's lots of advice out there. I just need to start following it!
With all that being said, I have done ONE race so far this season. I'll still be serving as the co-captain of teamroll: this year, and I'll need to fulfill my team commitments in ways other than racing. I wanted to get in at least one though - just because I love it so much. I chose to do the OSU Indoor Triathlon about three weeks ago.
Race report:
10 minute swim - I haven't been in the pool much at all since November. My goal was to get in 400 meters in ten minutes, and I got 420. Works for me.
20 minute stationary bike - This is always a crap shoot - between playing with cadence and resistance, finding the sweet spot can be tough. I managed to clock 6.55 miles in 20 minutes, so I averaged somewhere between 18-19mph. Also, works for me.
15 minute run - oh goodness. Here's where it all went to crap. The run was on a small indoor track at OSU's gym. We were seeded in waves based on swim times and 5K times. Every woman in my wave must have lied about their run times. Kidding - kind of. Let's just say I got my ass handed to me big time. We headed out and I managed to stay in the front pack for approximately 1/4 lap. I was then lapped 8 times by the guy that was in first. In 15 minutes, I averaged a 10:18 mile. 10:18???? That's what I was running a year and a half ago! GAH! My heart rate jumped immediately, and I just couldn't keep up. I moved to the outside lane and just jogged it out. Yowza. That experience convinced me to table the pipe dream I had of possibly doing a few early season women's short distance races.
At the OSU Indoor Tri with two teamroll ladies - I'm on the far right.
The tri top was already feeling a bit snug!
I still may change my mind and go out and just "participate" in some of the women's only races early in the season - we are talking a 250 yard swim, 7 mile bike and 2 mile run. I'll be about 5.5 months at the first race of the season, so if I decide to play along it will be very last minute. i figure I'll go out there and walk/hobble and cheer everyone on. If I don't "race," I will be the designated cow bell ringer for teamroll all season!
Ok, all - that's it for now. I'll be back soon with some sort of activity report - promise!!!!
2.15.2013
Another reason I've disappeared
Hey there, blog land! I know most triathletes are hard core into spring training by this point of the year. A races have been designated, and training plans are in full effect.
I would like to thank all my teammates and friends that have invited me to run 200 mile relays, train for an Ironman, or attempt a marathon in 2013. I've dodged the question a few ways so far - "I'm broke." "Not sure what I want to focus on this year." "All the Ironmans I want to do are sold out!"
The truth is, I've already committed myself to an endurance event which will occur sometime in late August. I'm already in training - three months in, in fact.
So, there you have it world! I'm now a mama in training.
I would like to thank all my teammates and friends that have invited me to run 200 mile relays, train for an Ironman, or attempt a marathon in 2013. I've dodged the question a few ways so far - "I'm broke." "Not sure what I want to focus on this year." "All the Ironmans I want to do are sold out!"
The truth is, I've already committed myself to an endurance event which will occur sometime in late August. I'm already in training - three months in, in fact.
So, there you have it world! I'm now a mama in training.
1.25.2013
Viva Puerto Rico!
Hey there, loyal readers!
I AM still around, just been buried by the doldrums of winter. Not much to report. Sleeping in, trying to get Vitamin D from the sun when I can, swimming a bit, running a bit, but nothing major. Still haven't set a 2013 schedule - in large part due to finances. BUT hopefully, that is about to change. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, to escape the near constant grey Columbus skies, we got away to Puerto Rico for a week. It was beautiful. Perfect weather, great hiking and exploring, and best of all we were with great friends. A couple highlights. Enjoy!
I AM still around, just been buried by the doldrums of winter. Not much to report. Sleeping in, trying to get Vitamin D from the sun when I can, swimming a bit, running a bit, but nothing major. Still haven't set a 2013 schedule - in large part due to finances. BUT hopefully, that is about to change. Fingers crossed.
In the meantime, to escape the near constant grey Columbus skies, we got away to Puerto Rico for a week. It was beautiful. Perfect weather, great hiking and exploring, and best of all we were with great friends. A couple highlights. Enjoy!
AWESOME bikes in Old San Juan
Our rental house near Rio Grande - with our very smelly rental car parked in front
Chilling at Luquillo Beach
Mike and I with our travel buddies and friends Sue and Jer
A little pink, but happy on the beach
Hiking trail through El Yunque Rain Forest
Our private "bali bed" at the Grand Melia resort
12.16.2012
Snickerdoodle and Apple Tart
Check out my first ever published recipe! I made this up all on my own, and I had the pleasure of having it published online with a fantastic new e-mag/blog called Broadway + Thresher.
Check out my recipe, then peruse the blog. To stay up with all the happenings at B + T, like them on Facebook here.
Snickerdoodle and Apple Tart
http://broadwayandthresher.com/food-and-drink/2012/11/7/forage-for-sinckerdoodle-and-apple-crumble
Check out my recipe, then peruse the blog. To stay up with all the happenings at B + T, like them on Facebook here.
Snickerdoodle and Apple Tart
http://broadwayandthresher.com/food-and-drink/2012/11/7/forage-for-sinckerdoodle-and-apple-crumble
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