{Bumpdate} 40 Weeks

By now most of you know baby girl has arrived, but I did start this post before she arrived so I’m sharing it now. Her birth story is coming soon.

Baby Girl,

You definitely have mama wondering when you will arrive. I have been having quite a few contractions off and on over the past two weeks. On two occasions I had contractions that were quite regular in timing and more painful than Braxton Hicks for over an hour or two and I thought, THIS IS IT! Except it wasn’t. I no longer think of contractions as meaning anything…until they do. If I start having contractions, I just continue on with my regular day and don’t let myself get too excited. I know you will arrive when it is the right time for you. Good things come to those who wait.

These extra days of anticipation have you daddy going crazy, too. He may be worse than me. He is constantly asking how I am, if I feel anything, if anything is going on. I actually had to ask him to stop asking. I couldn’t handle the anticipation myself and his asking all the time. He did defend himself by saying that he has to ask so much because he knows I wouldn’t tell him anything until I’m sure it is the real deal as not to get him too excited for a false alarm. He’s right, but still.

We’ve been spending the extra time finishing up anything we can and trying to shower your brother with attention as we know soon we will have two children to love and give our attention to.

When you’re ready baby girl, we are too.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Very uncomfortable and caught up in the magical excitement of seriously…ANY DAY NOW could be it!

There is something so magical and nerve-wracking about going past your due date. You know meeting your baby is just days (or maybe hours) away, but you are so anxious for their arrival it is hard to concentrate on anything else. There is also something so annoying about going past your due date with people constantly checking in on you because they care, feeling uncomfortable and starting to feel like you might actually be pregnant FOREVER. I know I won’t, but still.

I’m a firm believer in letting baby come when they are ready and not taking measures to rush their arrival unless truly medically necessary. I deny opportunities to be checked at appointments as it really means nothing, and I do not want to be induced unless medically necessary. Talks of induction in early November if nothing happens though feels like 8 million years from now. I can’t imagine being pregnant for 42 weeks.

Cravings: Some days nothing. Other days sweet stuff. Pumpkin spice lattes.

Weight Gain: At my 40 week appointment I had gained 25 pounds.

Symptoms: Baby girl is sitting so low. Our midwife even commented how very low you are. Uncomfortably, have-to-pee-all-the-time, it-hurts-when-I-walk low. I feel like it can’t be long until your arrival as some other signs of your arrival have started to happen, but I will spare the details.

Workouts/Running: Just walking feels like an effort. I’m still trying to get out for a few walks a week, but you are making things quite uncomfortable lately.

Week 38-Walking, prenatal sculpt DVD and yoga DVD. I shared the details of these DVD’s in my previous bumpdate post.

Week 39-I managed a couple short walks this week. We also went for a hike at a nearby state park.

Week 40-Running errands feels like a workout. Walked two miles on the afternoon before baby girl would be born.

Looking Forward To: Holding you in my arms. Soon baby girl. Soon.

Sarah

23Sep2016

{Bumpdate} 36 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Baby Girl,

36 weeks kind of has me like whoa! How is it possible that you could really arrive at any time now? This whole big scary adventure that we’ve been envisioning is really about to start. I feel so not ready, but yet so ready. With your brother being sick so much, and what feels like everything else going wrong and things continually popping up on our calendar, I can’t imagine having another small person in the house to care for. I was really freaking out this week.

Luckily, I had some contractions that woke me up to reality and made me think I need to get real here. I need to start mentally preparing myself for labor and your arrival if I want to welcome you into a prepared and calm environment. It got me to read some birth stories and really focus in on what was important. It made me remember how I can’t wait to meet you and snuggle you on my chest. It reminded me how amazing forming that breastfeeding relationship can be. It focused me in on how I can’t wait to see you and your brother become friends as you grow older.

All this mental focus and prioritizing has been so helpful for me to remember that this is truly one of the most exciting times in our lives. You don’t get to welcome baby #2 again. Finding water in our basement after all this rain and having to tear up the flooring in our finished basement this weekend still threw me for a bit of a freak out.

You seem to be the blessing that brings my focus back to life’s important things. I love that about you.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Nervous about your arrival, but more mentally prepared for the work of labor, delivery and keeping a newborn alive.

I know I can do this. It will be hard. I will freak out at times. Baby girl has a good daddy and a wonderful brother. She will be so worth the work.

Cravings: Chocolate and Sweets still! My 1/2 cup serving of frozen yogurt is happening quite a few times a week now. Blood sugars are still great.

Weight Gain: At my last appointment at 36 weeks on the dot I had gained 22.3 pounds. I had lost an ounce since my last appointment. I was concerned since I’ve really only gained back the weight I lost since 29 weeks and now weigh actually just below the amount I did at my 29 week appointment. The dietician had also mentioned my lack of weight gain at my last appointment, which I did point out to her that I had gained some weight, but after losing a few pounds it didn’t look like it. When I spoke with my midwife about not really gaining weight in the past weeks, she said I had gained at a steady rate during the second trimester so she was not concerned. My uterus is measuring on for my 36 weeks, too so baby is growing even if I’m not gaining weight.

Symptoms: Feeling good early in the day and much more tired as the day goes on and in the evening. No new symptoms! Just exhausted at times, uncomfortable at times and feeling good at other times.

Workouts/Running: I have been walking and got in a great run. I still am fitting it in when I can rather than making any regular routine work.

34 Weeks-

Walked-9 miles

35 Weeks-

Ran-2.5 miles (I felt amazing on this run. Wish I could find a way to make more running work right now.)

Walked-12 miles

Freezer Meals-

I don’t have time to share the links this week. Nothing special with these, but I will add in links later.

Homemade Mac n’Cheese

Slow Cooker Roast

Looking Forward To: I’m going to be honest. I’m wavering back and forth between looking forward to not being pregnant anymore and trying to enjoy every last kick she gives. You never know if this is the last baby or not.

Sarah

27Aug2016

{Bumpdate} 32 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Two days from 33 weeks, I finally got this post together. I’m glad to be documenting along the way even if it often takes me longer to get a post organized than I’d like. Looking back on these memories is always special and worth it.

Baby Girl,

We are down to single digit weeks until we meet you. I’ve come to terms with giving up lattes and treats for our health, and it hasn’t really been all that hard. As the days dwindle down, I find myself daydreaming about what you will look like. Will you look like your brother or have your own features from birth? What kind of baby will you be? Will you show us your personality early on or save that for later? I look forward to snuggling you and the feeling of a new baby on my chest, those little legs all tucked in. I can’t wait to look at your fingers and toes and the shape of your nose.

At the same time some of that new mom anxiety is creeping in. Will you arrive healthy? Will I feel as great after delivery as last time? Will breastfeeding be as much of a success as last time? Will you sleep any better than your brother? How will I share the love between two? How will I get two kids ready and dropped off at daycare on my own?

When I start to worry I default back to the good things…new baby smell, those little newborn sounds, watching you sleep, memorizing your face and seeing your daddy and brother hold you for the first time. When I think about all the exciting and scary first moments to come, I know it will be crazy emotional, crazy overwhelming, crazy blissful, but mostly just crazy good.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Whoa, we are actually having another baby! I have so much to do. Let’s do this, this and this. Wait, I’m so tired!

Ironically I felt this exact same way at this point in my pregnancy last time minus feeling so tired at times. A combination of where has the time gone and there is only/we still have 8 weeks to go is definitely taking place.

I also have an intense desire to get projects wrapped up. We’ve been working like crazy every moment we have to cross something else off the list. Everything in our garage was removed, organized, sorted and cleaned. It is currently in piles waiting to be put back on shelves, but it will be so great to have a clean and organized garage.

In the kitchen, a few cabinets have been touched up with paint, the coffee/beverage bar project underway, a new kitchen faucet installed and a hideous storage cabinet relocated to the garage that was also cleaned out and organized.

The house has been pressure washed, the deck swept and scrubbed, gutters cleaned and trees trimmed. To do is a new mailbox post.

Baby girl’s room has been painted and needs a few touch ups, her curtain rod has been hung, some wall art ordered and her dresser ready to go. Still to do: hang wall art, put up shelves, new closet doors and put the finishing touches on her room.

Cravings: Chocolate occasionally, but not really anything. It helps knowing any treat I might crave I can’t really have so why even go there.

Weight Gain: 20 pounds. After my appointment with the dietician last week I had lost 2 pounds since my previous dietician and 29 week appointments. I guess giving up the lattes and the few times a week treats can add up even when pregnant.

Symptoms: Feeling good most of the time, but very pregnant and tired at other times. Frequent potty breaks, feeling very pregnant by the end of the day, fatigue and being emotional at times.

Workouts/Running:

I’m already struggling with balancing back to school, getting projects done and working out. In the past after bedtime was my go to workout time during the school year, but by evening I’m feeling too tired and uncomfortable to get in much of a workout. I am still excited that running is even something I still want to do at this point. Last time around I was done for and didn’t even really have an interest in running at this point in my pregnancy.

As for balancing time, I’ll be honest, I don’t have a solution in mind yet exactly. Getting up earlier really isn’t an option unless I get up at 4:30 am, and that is not going to happen. I already have to be up by 5:30 a.m. to get myself ready, my son ready and dropped off at daycare, and get myself to work.

I’m hoping to feel well enough to run a day or two a week after school and to get a run or two in on weekend mornings. I will plan to walk most nights. With less than eight weeks to go until baby girl, this might be the best I can muster knowing there will be after school meetings and more frequent doctor appointments, too.

30 Weeks-

Ran-7.5 miles (3, 3, 1.5)

Walked-10 miles

31 Weeks-

Ran-4.6 miles (2.5, 2.1)

Walked-8 miles

Freezer Meals-So far I’ve made two freezer meals-Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (we like to add extra veggies to this recipe like different colored peppers) and Chicken Manicotti (it’s called Super Easy Chicken Manicotti, but I’ll be honest stuffing those shells is a pain in the butt.) When making freezer meals I simply make two pans of one dish for dinner one evening. One gets eaten that night and as leftovers, and the other frozen with a label for a later date.

This means that once baby girl arrives the meal has already been cooked and only needs to be defrosted in the refrigerator the night before and popped in the oven for dinner. I’ve linked both recipes above. By using low carb tortillas and eating only one manicotti shell with extra chicken, both dishes have met my GD diet requirements.

Looking Forward To: Meeting baby girl for the first time. I’m really starting to look forward to all those sweet new baby moments. I can’t wait to see what you look like, hold you and for you to meet your daddy and big brother.

Sarah

15Aug2016

{Bumpdate} 30 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Of course after taking this photo I realize I’ve already worn this dress for a bumpdate, but then I realize I don’t really care because soon I won’t be 30 weeks anymore (taken on 30 weeks, 4 days.) 😉 I also realized these stripes make me look significantly more pregnant than solids, but I’ve just got a thing for stripes!

Baby Girl,

I’ve been worrying so much about you since finding out I have gestational diabetes.* Of all people, I NEVER expected to get those results. The guilt I feel is immense. My one job as your mom so far has been to make the best choices I can to ensure your safety during your 40 week stay and delivery, and it seems I’m failing already.

I’ve always tried to live by the 80/20 rule. Eat healthy and make smart choices 80% of the time and live a little the other 20% of the time. It turns out that might work for some, but for this pregnancy it’s not enough. Giving up my lattes and the occasional ice cream treat has already been a challenge. If, however, following a stricter diet means you will grow to be a healthier weight and have a possibility of a safer entry into this world, then it is what I will do.

I thought all my regular worries were a lot, but now worries of birthing a big baby, induction, or worse, c-sections and you having low blood sugar after birth have me freaking out. I promise you though, little lady, I will do everything within my control to make sure you have a healthy arrival.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Emotional about finding out I have gestational diabetes.

I never really gave much thought to that first 1 hour glucose test as I never even considered that I might actually fail it. Even when the results came back that I had failed by only 6-9 mg/dl depending on whose guidelines you follow, I was optimistic that I would not fail the 3 hour glucose test. I eat healthy most the time. Treats are occasional. I love my lattes, but I exercise everyday.

My other reasoning for not completely freaking out included: I’ve never been overweight, there is no history of diabetes in my family, I did not have a large baby last time around nor did I have gestational diabetes, I’ve been on target with my weight gain and baby girl measured on at my 29 week appointment. I rationalized that I have been maintaining running throughout this pregnancy. I ran two half marathons during my pregnancy (one training run in my first trimester and one race in my second trimester). I couldn’t possibly have gestational diabetes. Except that I do.

When I saw the missed call from the clinic the day after my 3 hour test, I knew I had failed. Two of my four tests had higher than allowed results. Despite one of the tests being over by only 6 mg/dl, two failed results is a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

I was devastated. I was shocked. I was ashamed. I was confused. I was upset. There was crying and worry. Even after having time to process this and hearing it’s not my fault, take the was out and insert AM, and that is pretty much where I am at with this diagnosis. There IS crying and worry.

After doing some research and meeting with a diabetic educator, I now have a diet plan to follow that restricts carbohydrates and increases my daily protein. Luckily so far, the only real changes I’ve made to my diet include eating more protein throughout the day, always eating carbs with protein, and eating less fruit and giving up the occasional treats and lattes. Making these changes and counting carbs has kept my blood sugar under control. Should more changes be needed, then I will make those.

Giving up the few lattes I enjoyed a week has been painful. It’s heart wrenching to think of a fall season without PSL and yummy pumpkin flavored carbs. If you don’t know what PSL is then you really won’t understand anyway. I’m being dramatic…sort of.

It sucks that I can’t have fruit or cereal for breakfast. Fruit is quite limited throughout the day actually. Sweets are out almost entirely. I’m not sure I can restrict myself to the half cup of frozen yogurt or the 2×2 piece of cake with no frosting allowed on occasion (I mean who really eats only 1 serving of frozen yogurt or ice cream? Seriously, who are you?), so I’m just avoiding it altogether so far. I was also told to be active after each time I eat a meal, but with a 15 month old and an already active lifestyle I have not found this to be an issue. Half the time I’m eating while standing and on the go already.

According to my blood sugar test results, which I take four times a day, I’ve never even been close to being over the target numbers I was given. My hope is that this continues for the remainder of my pregnancy and that my controlled blood sugar will result in a healthy (and not huge) baby girl and vaginal delivery. I’m also aware that for some pregnant women with gestational diabetes that as their pregnancies progress their blood sugar gets harder and harder to manage. If anyone has experience with this, I’d love to hear more. I don’t know of anyone who has had it.

All happy pre-gestational diabetes diagnosis. No I dont ever make my bed.

Cravings: I guess it doesn’t really matter what I’m craving since my diagnosis, but oddly enough fruit has become the new thing I wish I could have more of. I totally didn’t realize how often I would grab a pear or apple, cut up a bowl of berries or enjoy a delicious kiwi for a snack or when I was hungry. It actually tastes so sweet now when I eat it.

Weight Gain: At my 29 week prenatal appointment and when meeting with the dietician at 30 weeks, both scales said I’d gained 22 pounds. I’ve gained six pounds less than where I was at this point with my first pregnancy.

Symptoms: Many of the same symptoms remain, but I’m just feeling more pregnant. More uncomfortable. Bigger. Heavier. Less able to reach things. Lots of movement from baby girl. Much more emotional this pregnancy.

Exercise/Workouts: At 30 weeks I’m starting to feel not as good running.

I think we are officially in the take each day at a time phase of running pregnant. Each day when I dress to run I won’t know if I’m running, running and walking or just walking until I get out the door.

I’ve had a couple of great runs lately, but a lot of days I’m not feeling as good as I was before. I’m likely going to be adding in more walks and taking a few more rest days from running to help with this. The timing is also unfortunate that as I’m growing more uncomfortable our days got busier. During week 29 we were out of town four days doing fun things and I had three doctors appointments (one required fasting for 16 hours when all was said and done). This made it really hard to workout. My details are below.

28 Weeks-

Ran-8.65 miles (4.3, 1.65, 2.7)

Walked-5 miles

Hiked-4 miles in Door County

Kayaked-3.6 miles on Lake Michigan

Yoga Class-60 minute class

29 Weeks-

Ran-1.6 miles

Walked-7 miles

Looking Forward To: Celebrating your healthy arrival with you in my arms and a PSL nearby. 🙂

Sarah

*Update: I realized I didn’t explain what gestational diabetes is. It is not known why GD occurs in some pregnant women. GD occurs when the same hormones from the placenta that help the baby develop also interfere with the mother’s insulin in her body. This creates insulin resistance in the mother where her body struggles to use the insulin and that extra insulin in the blood becomes glucose and is passed to baby. Since baby doesn’t need the glucose, it becomes fat and results in bigger babies if not controlled.

Having GD does not mean the mother was or will be diabetic, but it does raise chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life for both mom and baby. Bigger babies can also lead to delivery complications like induction, csections, and low blood sugar in babies after birth requiring formula supplements and monitoring. Many women who have GD and control their blood sugar go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.

1Aug2016

Bumpdate {28 Weeks}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2}, Running Pregnant by sneaksandstilettos

Hello, 3rd Trimester! Tomorrow I’m 29 weeks, but this post is getting out as quickly as I could.

Baby Girl,

I started working on backing up photos and videos to multiple locations during the past week (yeah, Amazon Prime unlimited photo storage) in preparation for making more space on our computer for memories of you. In doing so, I’ve been reliving your brother’s first year in photos and videos. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve smiled, laughed and teared up in revisiting those precious moments. It makes me so excited to meet you and share all those milestones with you, your dad and your brother. Without trying to, this little project has replaced many of my worries about your arrival with contentment and excitement for you to arrive (for now).

I can only begin to imagine the memories we will make together.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Productive and nesty some days, and tired and very pregnant on other days.

The summer to do list has seen some progress, but some days I’m starting to feel tired and not like doing anything overly productive. I’m still having those nesting moments, and I am loving how organized our office is as a result. No more digging through piles to find things. No more mail piling up. No more wasting time to put something away or find a necessary document. Everything has a place, and we have a system that even the husband is using.

Cravings: Nothing specific, but sweets and carbs sound good most of the time. I’m not experiencing any strong cravings though, so treating myself from time to time without overindulging has not been hard. The husband has been asking about ice cream way more than I have. In fact, he bought me ice cream one evening that I decided not to eat. It sat in the freezer for a week and a half, until he couldn’t handle it being uneaten anymore and he ate it.

Weight Gain: My last official weigh in was at my 25 week appointment. According to my scale at home I’m up 20-21 pounds. I’ll find out tomorrow for sure.

Symptoms: The same symptoms as before remain like being tired in the evening and heartburn at night on occasion.

New symptoms: Heartburn during yoga is back. Pregnancy brain is in full force. Feeling very large at the end of the day is also new feeling. Feeling like things are getting tight space wise has started and just feeling uncomfortable a couple of days a week seems to be the new norm. I’ve also had painful contractions a few times during runs. Walking has always made them go away. Other days I feel great no matter what I’m doing: running, hiking, errands, chasing a 15 month old. Worth all of these symptoms is all the kicking she is doing!

Exercise/Workouts: At 28 weeks I’m still feeling good on the run on most days. Some days don’t feel as well, and I cut it short or take a rest day or cross train. Other days I’ve ended a run because of time factors alone. I have had contractions a few times on the run and walking has always made them stop quickly. I will be mentioning this at my next appointment.

As a result of being out of town two weekends in a row my mileage was down a bit, BUT at 27 weeks I hit a big personal achievement. At 27 weeks, I exceeded the miles I ran during my entire first pregnancy. Every mile I run now is further than what I did during pregnancy number one. Considering how rough the first trimester was for me this time, I barely ran at all in March and April, I’m so proud that I made running during this pregnancy a goal and got back on track.

During my last pregnancy my “morning sickness” was much more manageable and came and went throughout the day with evenings being a break from feeling awful most of the time. Because of this I ran a lot more miles early on than this pregnancy. This time evenings were the absolute worst with nausea and throwing up, and I was also alone to care for my son while the husband was coaching baseball. Thinking back I’m not sure how I even handled it now. I also did not suffer from the near-migraine like headaches I had this time around that lasted for days and days at times. Most nights when the husband got home from coaching a run was out of the question and I was done for.

Here’s what the past couple of weeks looked like for me on the working out front:

26 Weeks- Ran-13 miles (3.3, 3.2, 4.25, 2.15)

Walked-5.6 miles

Hiked-2.5 miles

27 Weeks-

Ran-7.5 miles (2, 3, 2.5)

Walked-5 miles

Hiked-2.5 miles

Strength Training-1 arm session

Yoga-60 minute class

Looking Forward To:

After watching videos and looking at photos of Pierce from his first year, I am so looking forward to making memories with baby girl and hitting all those first year milestones and beyond.

Also, paint has been bought and baby girl’s bedroom cleared out in preparation for operation get baby girl’s room done before school starts! Stay tuned for photos of her room’s progress.

Sarah

7Jul2016

{Why you should consider streaking!} #rwrunstreak 2016

Posted in Running Pregnant, Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

I can’t say enough about my #rwrunstreak experience this summer. In the past streaks have been hit or miss, and I’d never been as successful with streaking as I was with this streak. I’m super proud of running 34 out of 36 days during the streak.

What was unexpected about this streak is all the benefits I gained from maintaining my streak. I share them with you in hopes that you might try your own streak or join in the fall/winter streak from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day later this year and benefit, too.

{Benefit #1-Build on or maintain your fitness level.}

Even more rewarding than the number of days I ran was the way streaking helped me maintain and even build my fitness. I attribute streaking with being the main reason why my recent 5 mile race at 24 weeks pregnant felt so great. Running a mile feels like nothing most days now. I also feel much stronger during runs of several miles than when I started out even though I’ve gained more weight and bump as my pregnancy has progressed.

This makes streaking a perfect way for runners to get back into running and to build fitness without overwhelming the body. Because you get to pick the distance you run each day (as long as it is at least one mile) you can listen to your body. Legs tired from your run the day before? Run one easy active recovery mile. Legs feeling great and strong? Go for a longer run. You can always run just one mile tomorrow. Maybe you just ran a marathon? A streak where you determine the miles not a training plan can be a perfect way to recover and find joy in running again.

{Benefit #2-Find you love of running.}

I know, I know streaking requires running everyday. How can this make you love running? You get to control your run everyday. You get to pick where, how far, how long, etc. You can get creative with your route or run the same route each day. You can determine your miles before you leave or run by feel and turn around whenever you want. There is no training plan telling you what you must do. Just you and your running shoes out for a run. Whether a newbie runner or an experienced runner getting back into running, you can find enjoyment in pounding the pavement. Starting is always hard, but it will get easier! Just don’t expect to love it right away.

I found that being able to run what I want, when I want made me find a lot more joy in running. Yes, some days I dreaded getting out there, but I got to have that I-just-ran accomplished and awesomeness feeling, you guessed it, EVERY SINGLE DAY (well, except two.) Talk about loving your run!

{Benefit #3-Lose the I’m busy excuse.}

I get it. We are all busy. I find myself using this word so much that I actually annoy myself. But, guess what? We all have time for streaking. One of my biggest barriers to working out is feeling busy and like I don’t have time. Make time for at least that mile and you will find making time for running gets easier and more important. What is important to us we do. I started planning ahead and over the course of the streak have gotten much better about making time in my life for running than I was prior to starting the streak.

Because you get to run what you choose each day it allows for the craziness of life to happen. Have an unexpected event come up? Run just one mile when you get home. Have a crazy day ahead? Run just one mile in the morning before your day begins. Find yourself with some extra time? I know me neither, but go longer. It is the perfect plan for the busy person.

{Benefit #4-Lose the other excuses, too}

It is so easy to make excuses. I’m pregnant so don’t even get me started on this. If I wanted I could come up with an excuse every SINGLE day. I’m tired. My bump feels heavy. I’m nauseous. I didn’t have a chance to eat yet. I’m dehydrated. My feet hurt. My arches hurt. It’s too late. It’s too hot. We have somewhere to be soon. My back hurts. I have a headache. It’s raining. I have heartburn. I’m bored with my running route. My Garmin is dead. My phone is dead. I’m sick of my running playlist. The list goes on. I’m pretty sure all of these excuses crossed my mind at least once during my streak time. We all make them at times, but overcoming them can be so good for us.

Streaking helped me realize that I do have time to run that one mile before my packed day. It helped me see that running a mile at 9:30 p.m. is both doable and rewarding. Streaking helped me see that no matter how hot, wet or dreadful the conditions a mile or two is definitely possible. Overcoming excuses everyday has helped me make less of them.

{Benefit #5-Find your me time again.}

We all have demands in life. Some days we feel like someone always needs us for something. Our to do list is longer than the time in our schedule. We just want some time for ourselves once and while. Even just 10-15 minutes would have a rejuvenating impact.

Hello, #rwrunstreak! Without intending for streaking to give me time to myself, it ended up giving me time to myself multiple days a week. Some days were stroller runs. Some days were family runs. A lot of days though were just me and my music and my running shoes hitting the pavement. It became a chance for me to clear my head, breathe the fresh air or catch up on some guilty pleasure TV while running on the treadmill. It was time I would have struggled to give myself otherwise and I felt happier all around because of it.

{Benefit #6-Make running a habit.}

On the last day of my streak I mentioned to my husband feeling a sense of loss that the streak was ending. What would I do when I didn’t have to run? How would I organize my day if a run wasn’t in it? Without forcing it to or trying to running had become a need and something I wanted to be a part of each day. Not running seemed, well, weird.

A few days post-streak with a few days off and I’m itching to run. I feel grouchy having missed a couple of days. I like that I have a need and desire to run each day again. It makes it so much easier to keep at it and enjoy all these benefits when I want to run.

{Benefit #7-Get over a distance requirement.}

In the past if I didn’t “have time” to run more than two miles I wasn’t going. I always thought what was the point? I wouldn’t feel like I worked out. It would be a waste of time when I could get something else done. There is no fitness benefit to such a short distance.

Post-streak I know this is absolutely not true. If you are not training for a long distance race, then running even just a mile a day can feel like a workout and build fitness. It can relieve stress and make you feel more relaxed. A mile IS enough to change a bad mood or negative attitude. A mile can make you feel accomplished. And all those one mile runs add up over 36 days. Even running one mile each day is 36 miles at the end of this streak.

Of the 66.6 miles I ran during my streak, 21.5 of those miles were from runs of less than two miles. 21.5 miles I would have skipped in the past because they wouldn’t have been enough or really counted for an experienced runner like me.* I’ve had a change of heart and now see the benefit in running “just one mile.” There is no mileage requirement to be a runner after all and this helped remind me of this.

*Keep in mind for a beginner or someone getting back into running this is great mileage.

{Benefit #8-Run further.}

Some days your run a mile and you are ready or have to be done. On occasion though everything clicks and a planned one mile run turns into two and then three miles or more. You got yourself out the door, the hardest part, by saying “just one mile.” Then running took over and you ran further than you thought you would. Streaking allows you this opportunity everyday. If you give yourself a chance, you might surprise yourself. I know I did on a multiple occasions.

Before you think streaking is not your thing or say you can’t, consider the benefits! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Now go run just that one mile!

Sarah

20Jun2016

Bumpdate {22 Weeks}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Little man loves the click of the camera and wanted to get in on the action this week. 22 Weeks last Thursday.

Baby Girl,

At 22 weeks we are busy getting you room ready. I’m drawing up sketches and researching what and where I want to purchase items for your room. I love doing this. Your daddy thinks it sounds like a lot of work I broke the news to him that he will be painting again. He hates painting, but will do it for you! Your brother loves touching my outtie belly button. He giggles mostly because it tickles me so I laugh. It gets us all laughing.

People keep asking if we have a name for you. To be honest, we haven’t even begun talking about it. Last time we waited until we found out we were having a baby boy, so no girl names were ever discussed. I’m thinking I will want to see your face before deciding on a name for sure like we did with your brother.

I love your movements that are happening frequently now.

Love, Mom

Feeling: Emotional

Last Thursday marked 22 Weeks for baby girl and I. It was a rough day. I was definitely feeling the hormones and cried three times that day. Once I cried just because I looked around at how messy my house was. So messy it reduced me to tears. After going to bed early, the next day was much better. I’m normally not an emotional person. The husband loves all of this of course.

Cravings: Fruit (apples, berries, bananas)

Weight Gain: 7.5 pounds

Symptoms: Emotional, some vegetable aversions still, tired at the end of the day, back aches are starting already

Exercise/Workouts: I definitely have to wear my Gabriella maternity support belt now. I’ve actually been wearing it on every run for the past four weeks. It is a life saver. I’ve been #rwrunstreaking strong (and posting daily updates on Instagram @sneaksandstilettos and my facebook page-Sneaks and Stilettos), but missed my first day this week because I was not feeling great. I tried running on two different occasions on that day and neither time did it feel right, so I listened to my body and didn’t run further. My comfortable pace has slowed down by a minute to two minutes depending on the day and the summer heat. Otherwise running has been going pretty well. The arches of my feet have been bothering me, but I’m hoping new shoes with more support and cushion will help. I’ve been getting in one or two weight sessions or 21 Day Fix workouts a week, but I’m hoping to get in at least three now that I’m in a summer routine.

Looking Forward To: Getting your room complete

Bumpdates will be posted roughly every two weeks! Stay tuned as I document my take on a healthy, active pregnancy.

Sarah

15Jun2016

Bumpdate #1 {Baby #2}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

I thought committing to a photo update every two weeks would be manageable. It has proved to be more of a struggle than I thought it would be with a one year old to chase and a husband that is working a lot lately. Half of the photos below were taken a week or more after the actual week stated, but I got them documented. I’m not sure how I managed a photo a week and a journal entry with baby #1!?!

Now that summer vacation is under way I know I can do better and would like to add in a few more details with future bumpdates. I keep looking back at my pregnancy journal that I made with my weekly chalkboard and pregnancy journal updates from the first time around. I so love that I documented and made a photo book of my first pregnancy to look back on. So special to me! I would definitely recommend preggo mamas do this even if you don’t ever plan to share it with anyone but yourself. I made mine on Shutterfly. I don’t think I’ve even really showed mine to anyone (well, except if you read this blog you saw the weekly journals) because it really is for me.

Here is an update from the first half of my pregnancy with baby #2 so far. Apparently I really like stripes!

During the first 14 weeks I suffered from extreme fatigue and evening nausea on a daily basis. I also had lots of headaches and threw up several times (which was only once last time, but I was nauseous off and on frequently). Most the time my headaches felt like the onset of a migraine. I used to get these in high school and they returned after having baby #1. I also had two colds and pink eye for the first time ever. Combine this with being on my own with little man each night after work while the husband was coaching and it was tough. With a busy boy there was no napping or really even sitting for this mama.

As for running, my mileage has been all over the place during the first half of pregnancy #2. If I’m being honest, I also hadn’t truly adjusted to balancing it all and working out. I was just starting to get back into a routine with the marathon training I began in February.

Plans for running a marathon this spring changed when I found out I was pregnant, but I did manage to run a half marathon at 16 weeks pregnant comfortably. During my first pregnancy that distance didn’t seem possible and my longest run was a 10k race. I would not advise all women to go for this distance (and you should of course talk to your doctor), but since I had already ran 20 half marathons before along with over a dozen marathons and an ultra marathon I felt it to be ok and so did my midwife.

So far running has felt much more comfortable with this pregnancy. Last time I seemed to experience a lot more ligament pain and pressure while running. My bladder seemed to never get a break. Maybe it is easier because I’ve done it before and know what to expect, or maybe it is because my muscles are already stretched out or maybe it really is easier this round. Baby girl is positioned very differently compared to her older brother after all. Whatever the reason, I just know I’m really glad I’m enjoying running still (as much as I can when I’m pregnant).

I’m planning to track my workouts throughout the rest of my pregnancy on here so I can refer back to them should I need to in the future and to hold myself accountable. Social media and the internet are a great way to hold yourself to your goals. It works for me anyway.

Stay tuned for biweekly bumpdates and my take on running and being active through pregnancy. Off to do my kegels.

Sarah

9May2016

{Grandad’s Half Marathon Race Report 2016}

Posted in Race Reports by sneaksandstilettos

I knew I really wanted to run a half a marathon before the pelvic pressure or discomforts of running became too much this pregnancy. 16 weeks pregnant seemed like a great time to complete a half marathon. Not exhausted in the first trimester and not uncomfortable yet. I also needed an excuse to wear the PRO Compression Jailbird socks I’ve been in love with forever and haven’t worn.

Since I’ve been through this once before (pregnancy), it seems I’m having significantly less ligament pain and pressure on my pelvis than my first pregnancy. I’m so grateful for this and plan to take full advantage of this.

Admittedly, my preparation for this race was not what it should have been. In fact I didn’t sign up until the night before since I had been sick with a nasty cold and pink eye for the past week and a half. The first trimester was not full of activity for me as I felt so tired and sick and struggled with time management, too. I hadn’t run a run over 6 miles in 6 weeks, but felt like my experience running 20 half marathons, 14 full marathons and one ultra marathon would help me through.

I had run a steady buildup of long runs until March running 13 miles at 7 weeks pregnant. I did what you should do for any pregnant run during my race-listened to my body. I went much slower than my usual non-pregnant paces. I drank lots of fluids. I mapped out the restrooms before committing to the race. Bathrooms every two miles was a deal sealer for me. I could hydrate and relieve away! I said I had to be ok with needed walk breaks. Amazingly I only walked about a mile total during the half marathon.

For me running this half marathon was something I needed to do for myself while also taking care of the baby inside me. I knew going in it would likely be my last half marathon for the next year. Having a baby in October in Wisconsin means you won’t see much for races until April or May. That would also put me at six months postpartum, which is just a few weeks later than when I ran my first half after having Pierce. Six months feels appropriate given you train or up mileage prior to the race and your need to heal and work that pelvic floor.

One of the hardest things about becoming a mom had been letting go of running. I needed to do one more race before having another baby, but I also wanted it to set the tone for the rest of my pregnancy. Last time winter and being trapped inside for workouts combined with so much pelvic discomfort meant much less activity than I had planned for during my pregnancy.

This time I have spring, summer and early fall weather to help keep me going. I’m really hoping to have a very active pregnancy. Last time I was active, but not as much as I’d hoped. I feel the activity I did do helped me feel amazing post-delivery and helped me get back to activity much quicker.

Back to the race recap!

Miles 1 and 2 are run down Grandad’s Bluff. I personally don’t like downhill running a ton, so this wasn’t my favorite, but the views were great! These miles tick by fast! I of course drank a bottle of water with a Strawberry Lemonade Nuun on the bus ride (the best), and we waited forever to get off the bus so I only peed once before the race. We got off the bus at 8:00 which is when the race was supposed to start. It actually started at 8:10. As a result I made an early bathroom stop at mile 2, drank some water and was on my way.

Mile 3 I struggled to set into a rhythm. Around mile 4 things clicked. My body felt warm and the rolling hills were almost over. Miles 5 and 6 I felt strong. I had a GU and water at mile 4. I could feel it giving me some extra energy. During these miles you run on a paved bike path with lots of blooming trees nearby.

By mile 6 I had to pee again, but kind of forgot. I don’t know how this happened but it did. Mile 7 felt good, but by mile 8 I was thinking of a bathroom every step. I stared ahead in hopes of seeing that beautiful blue port o potty!! Otherwise I felt strong. I had another GU and water and Gatorade at mile 8 where I found a place to potty. I realized I was really sweating even though I felt great, so I decided here on out I would drink both water and Gatorade at every water stop.

Miles 7-9 are my least favorite as they take you around a residential area in La Crosse. Residential areas are not all that motivating to me, but it was very flat.

At the end of mile 8 my legs began to feel tired for the first time. I walked for a half mile and then felt good again. The rest of mile 9 and 10 felt pretty good.

Mile 10 gets a bit more scenic as you run on a bike trail again. At Mile 11 I took a GU, drank some fluids and used the bathroom for what I hoped would be the final time. I struggled with this mile, but felt ok.

Mile 12 and 13 I felt good for what I was doing, but I could feel hunger and fatigue coming. I was glad to only have two miles to go. At least these miles are scenic as you run along the river and downtown.

Pregnant running can take all the energy right out of your legs in a way that I’ve never really experienced when running otherwise. Luckily it only happened a few times, I’d walk a bit and then feel good.

The quiet time to myself also gave me time to daydream about baby and life. Are you a boy or a girl? Just how crazy will life be with two kids 18 months and under? How great will the joy be to give Pierce a sibling? Will I still like my husband in a year? More importantly, will he still like me?

As I crossed the finish line I was relieved to be done and wanted a snack stat! I ate a banana and a small cookie from the tent and then we enjoyed some time at Riverside Park. Then we headed to Fayze’s for brunch and walked around downtown while we waited for our turn to eat. I highly recommend Fayze’s for brunch, but be prepared to wait if something is going on downtown.

On our walk we stopped at Addie Cakes for some cupcakes to enjoy later in the day. It was the perfect way to celebrate a half marathon finish!

Oh, and getting a caramel macchiato later at Starbucks really helped too. Dressing like your favorite drink is optional.

If you were looking for more race photos of the course, then you’ll have to check out my Grandad’s Half Marathon post from 2013. The course has not changed since I ran it three years ago. I felt I had enough juggling to do with my music, staying hydrated and fed and listening to my body, so I didn’t take any photos during this year’s race.

Overall I really enjoy this course and it does have many scenic parts. I still debate whether it is a PR course or not. Prior to the change in course I did run a former PR. The downhill is hard on the quads unless you are prepared and might hurt you later in the race more than the time savings at mile 1 and 2. Definitely check it out for yourself. La Crosse is such a fun town with so much to do as a couple and/or a family.

Lastly, this running for two tank is amazing. It is so soft and comfortable AND it doesn’t move, ride up or do anything annoying. Runner tested by me for 13.1 miles! I’ve also worn in on several other occasions with the same experience. A tad pricey, but it comes in a bunch of other colors and styles (yoga, barre, sweating, etc. for two). Check out For Two Fitness to see what they offer!! I ordered mine in my usual size and it has room to grow, too. (Just my opinions here, not compensated I any way to write this.)

Family, good food, running and relaxing sounds like a perfect day to me!

Grandad’s Half Marathon
Time: 2:17:23
Pace: 10:30 overall (9:30 running)
Overall: 695/1078
Gender: 372/680
Age Group: 79/161

22Dec2014

{Run For Yourself} My Experience Running During Pregnancy So Far

Posted in Running Pregnant by sneaksandstilettos

Today’s run was actually a good one. I felt only some sciatic nerve pain. I felt like I had to pee for only half of the four miles. With a mile walk break in the middle I was able to catch my breath and relieve the pressure from my pelvis and bladder. I enjoyed the brisk walking pace and the rockin’ holiday Pandora station, yet I couldn’t help but feel guilty for walking.

For runners there are all sorts of expectations we have for ourselves. Distance requirements for the run or miles to count. A pace we have to run to call it a run rather than a jog. Only a certain number of walk breaks to make it a “real” run. It’s funny in a way because when I hear others discuss their distances or paces from a recent run I always think good for them or way to go-never that doesn’t really count. When it comes to my own running I feel so different.

I’ll be the first to admit that running during pregnancy hasn’t been everything I thought it would. I envisioned a slower pace and a bigger bump to navigate, but really wasn’t prepared for the discomforts. Maybe part of this problem or unpreparedness was the fact that I so much wanted to love running while pregnant. I read blogs of runners who ran 30, 40 or more miles a week. I read about runners logging long runs on the weekends in the teens and completing half marathons. In truth, I read what I wanted to hear. I didn’t read any posts or articles about running not being enjoyable during pregnancy. Was that because there weren’t any or was I just not wanting to face the possibility? I don’t honestly know.

What I do know now is that each preggo run is different, but overall I wouldn’t describe the experience as fun, carefree or a time to forget your worries as it often was in the past. It most certainly is not a time to run the days stress into the ground and nail an awesome pace without perceiving much effort as it often was. Days of pushing yourself to see how hard you can go and feeling such satisfaction and pride that your night is awesome are not going to happen while carrying a growing baby.

So what does happen?

Running while pregnant is different every single day, but overall I feel slow and sluggish. Each run inevitably brings the feeling of I have to pee. That sensation varies between I think I have to go, to I’m almost positive I have to go, to I have to go but I can hold it, to I need to pee now, RIGHT NOW! Every run is different, but even with a support belt the baby is on the bladder. Luckily there hasn’t been a “Did I just pee?” experience yet. Stay tuned though. Lucky you!

Running pregnant brings a whole new set of worries with it. Perhaps it’s more the first time preggo runner, but I’m still constantly checking in with myself about how I feel. Do I feel too much pressure, too hot, too tired, are my legs tired sore (this happens easily for me when it almost never happened before), am I breathing too heavy? Between checking in with myself and thoughts of how much I have to pee, it is a rare day where I lose a mile anymore. I feel every mile!

In the past this would have been me. Today I know better! Walking is not cheating, but great exercise.

So after all this complaining why do I do it? I’m still running although slower and sometimes with walk breaks, in a sexy girdle, often not sure if I’m about to pee myself because…afterwards I feel good. I feel like my old self again. I feel stress washed away, more energetic and wanting to take care of myself in a healthy way in general. All the old feelings of running are still there even if they take the entire run to find them.

I share my experience thus far not to whine, complain or be negative. I share this not to gain sympathy or encouragement. I share my experience because I wish I had heard more from pregnant runners whose experiences weren’t always great. I wanted to put an honest post out there so others might know ahead of time that sometimes running while pregnant can be challenging. It often isn’t fun during, but the after is rewarding, healthy and can bring peace and consistency to a time in life that is often out of our control.

Since reading more on the topic I know I’m not alone. I’m doing my best to balance being healthy and active with not pushing too hard. I’ve read too many articles on pelvic floor weakness/damage and incontinence during running not to be cautious. You’ve been made aware!

The most important lesson to learn from all of this is to run for yourself whether pregnant or not. Run your own distances, paces and races. Run your own walk breaks or not. Run for you. Read about what others do to motivate and encourage yourself, but do not compare. Let other’s experiences be a guide, not a rule manuel. I’m finding more and more that if I run for myself I find more success and personal satisfaction…AND that is what running really should be about! Run for yourself!

Sarah