Bumpdate {24 Weeks}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Today I am 25 weeks and the photo below was taken yesterday. So much for keeping up with these updates! With the 4th of July holiday we were on the go and did not have time to take a bumpdate photo. Oh, well!

Baby Girl,

We may have found a name for you! Just like last time we casually came across a name without looking in a baby book that both your dad and I like. It is way too early to say if it will be your name or not as lots could change, but we’ve started calling you it on a regular basis. Of course your dad still calls you Mildred quite often, our nickname for you. I do not use this name as I just can’t. You are not a Mildred.

This past week we bought your brother a baby doll to get ready for your arrival along with some big brother books. He could not wait to get his doll out of the box and immediately gave her kisses. It was so sweet. We could be wrong, but we think he will be such a sweet big brother.

We can’t wait to give you kisses for real in a few months!

Love,

Mom

Feeling: More like myself

Last Thursday marked 24 Weeks for baby girl and I. The past few weeks I have been feeling much more like myself. I have not been so emotional and have been getting my drive back to get stuff done full force. This is so exciting for me. I love being productive.

Cravings: Cereal (Kellogg’s Special K with Red Berries and Chocolate Chex)

Weight Gain: At my 25 week appointment today I was up 15.75 total pounds. This brought on a panic initially because that means I gained just over 8 pounds in the last month. Eeekkkk!! I did look back at my last pregnancy weight gain and this exact same month I gained 7.5 pounds and then my weight gain leveled off again until the end. Here’s to hoping that’s the case this time, too.

Or maybe it had something to do with wearing jeans and long sleeves to this appointment compared to a sundress last time. We will find out. I try not to stress too much as I believe if you are eating right and exercising your body does what it needs when you are pregnant, but seeing an increase like I did is never easy. I remain about 3 pounds lighter than my last pregnancy at this point even with the big jump this month. A healthy baby girl is all that matters, but let’s be real. We would all prefer a healthy child without unnecessary weight gain.

Symptoms: I’m still feeling tired at the end of the day and I’m thinking this may be here to stay. New with this bumpdate are that lower back aches are becoming a regular along with some sciatic nerve pain. Nightly heartburn after I go to bed showed up a week or two ago just like during my first pregnancy.

Exercise/Workouts: I maintained my #rwrunstreak during the past few weeks logging the following miles during each week along with the following workouts:

Week 22-Ran 10 miles (2.05, 3, 1.1, 1.2, 2.64) Both of my missed runs during my #rwrunstreak from Memorial Day to the Fourth of July were during this week. It was a tough week.

Week 23-Ran 12.8 miles (1, 1, 1.07, 2.04, 1.5, 5, 1.2), 1 strength training session, 1 short hike (.8 miles) and 1 hour outdoor yoga class.

Looking Forward To:

Getting baby girl’s room complete (same as last time). I purchased most of the items we are going to be putting in her room. Now it is time to tape, paint and decorate. Hopefully we will have some time to get to this soon.

Sarah

30Mar2014

{Liebster Award-Part 1}

Posted in Uncategorized by sneaksandstilettos

I was nominated for a Liebster Blog Award which is super exciting. Thank you to JanaBananaRD for nominating me.

If you haven’t heard of this award, it’s an award for bloggers given by bloggers. When you are nominated for the award, you answer a set of questions asked by the blogger who nominated you and then nominate 11 other bloggers, and give those bloggers a set of questions to answer.

Below are the Q and A.

1. Why did you start blogging?
At first I started blogging to share my journey of training and running 50 marathons in 50 states. After catching up with the states I’d run, I found I really liked writing and sharing information about the sport I love with others. Writing has become a great creative outlet for me and place to not annoy my family and friends (most non-runners) with too many running conversations. I’ve also been reminded of how great and supportive the running community is. Running is like a secret club where everybody gets in by simply running some miles. It’s the best.

2. What is your favorite way to stay fit?

Based on the previous question it is probably obvious that running is my favorite. I’ve always loved the freedom, problem solving, stress relieving, and energizing properties of the sport. I do love to watch any sports Wisconsin, and love to do outdoor sports, too. Hiking and biking are other favorites of mine. I’m also falling in love with yoga and how it makes me feel better as a runner.

3. Where do you live?
I live in the great state of Wisconsin. The state of cheese, beer, and extreme winter running conditions. I live where it can be 60 one day and snowing the next. I live where summer humidity can be just as brutal as winter windchills. I live where nature’s beauty is always steps away and the biggest freeway is only two lanes wide. I live where people are kind, passionate about their Wisco teams, and we have amazing seasons to run, hike, and bike through.

4. Who is your biggest inspiration?

Source

Hmmm… This is a challenge for me. I get inspired by people everyday-my students, husband, other bloggers, quotes on pinterest…I guess I’m easily inspired. Perhaps the most inspiring people throughout a consistent period of my life was/is Suzy Favor Hamilton. As a young runner growing up in Wisconsin, Suzy Favor was the running hero. She won the state championship four years in a row and ran in multiple summer Olympic games. Despite her recent activities I still consider her an inspiration. We all have imperfections and challenges that we work to overcome. When I met her for the first time with the cross country kids I coached, she was nothing but sweet, patient, and kind. Today I consider Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan both inspirations, too.

5. What is your favorite food?
Do coffee and Diet Mountain Dew count? If not, then pizza. There are so many ways to change it up, make it healthier, or vary the flavor.

6. What’s the farthest that you’ve run (for fun or a race)?
26.2 miles plus some small negligible amount that is totally not negligible when you are in that position. That is until June 2014 when I attempt my first 50k.

7. What’s your favorite recipe to share?

Cowboy Caviar. I simply love the stuff. It is delicious, healthy, and brings back fond memories of summer grilling, no snow, and warmer temperatures. Plus, I haven’t met someone who doesn’t love it. I usually follow the above recipe and use half the sugar.

8. Who’s your favorite team to cheer for (any sport)?

Any Wisco teams. Right now…the Badgers. Final Four, Baby!

9. What’s the best group fitness class you’ve tried out?
Where I live fitness classes are very limited, but I’ve loved both the spinning and yoga classes I’ve taken. Both are great forms of cross training and make me feel stronger and healthier as a runner.

10. What’s your favorite thing about blogging?
Having a written record of the challenges and successes of the my journey and “meeting” other who love the sport as much as I do-that is not something I find often in my group of in person friends. Being able to gain ideas and insights as well as share them is invaluable. In a way we are all our own coach, so we help coach each other.

11. Are you going to pass on the torch and nominate 11 other bloggers?
Yes, but give me a few days. I’ve been really busy and like to make careful decisions. I will nominate 11 other bloggers in the next few days.

Thanks again to JanabananaRD for the nomination!

THE RULES:

1. Thank the blogger who has nominated you
2. Answer the questions given to you
3. Nominate 11 other blogs with less than 500 followers
4. Post 11 questions for your nominees to answer
5. Tag your nominees & post a comment on their blog to let them know that you have nominated them.

Sneaks & Stilettos

17Mar2014

{Motivation Monday-Yoga Poses for Runners}

Posted in Motivation Monday by sneaksandstilettos

Going into this week I find myself needing some extra stretching and zen. Start your week off in a relaxed and positive way with yoga. One of my goals this year was to get more into yoga, and benefit from the injury prevention it can offer runners. The added plus has been that the more I do it, the more I love it. I’m really finding running and yoga go together so well. The last time I went to yoga all the nagging, aching muscles I often have were gone for the entire week following. Add in the foam roll like a pro tips (scroll down to bottom) from yesterday’s Wisconsin Marathon Training post, and you’ll be relaxed and like new in no time. Try these simple moves this week anytime you need a break, some stretching, or to enhance the other sports you do.

Namaste!

9Mar2014

{Wisconsin Marathon Training-Week 10}

Posted in Wisconsin Marathon Training by sneaksandstilettos

This week presented several opportunities for cross training and enjoying winter outside. Overall mileage was disappointing, but we moved our long run to tomorrow so we both felt more like running. Ryan has a cold and we both stayed up WAY too late on Saturday night. Staying up until 3:30 in the morning does not make you want to run your long run. Oops!

Monday-5 miles (Sarah)

Easy miles outside

Tuesday-8 miles (both I us)

Wednesday-Ice Skating for 1 hour

Thursday-4 miles

Friday-New Sneaks for both of us

Ryan needed new shoes and I forgot mine, so we stopped at a sporting goods store. Ryan tried on three pairs of shoes-Asics Gel Nimbus (too cushioned), Mizuno Wave Riders (not enough cushion/support), and the Brooks Glycerine (a perfect balance of cushion and support). I bought the latest version of the same shoe I have earlier versions of and love-Mizuno Wave Rider 17’s.

Saturday-6 mile snow trek to Apostle Island Sea Caves

After over four hours hiking through the snow and ice we were wiped. We decided to count those miles as our run.

A full post with lots of pictures coming later this week!

Sunday-Hour long yoga class
Moved our long run to Monday.

Ryan’s Tip of the Week-See Sarah’s tip

Sarah’s Tip of the Week-When training for your first marathon one of the most important purchases you will make is your running shoes. It is extremely important that you purchase shoes that fit your feet and your body. Initially I purchased shoes based on trial and error. Most shoes I’ve purchased, I’ve been very happy with minus a few exceptions. Over the years my shoe styles have changed slightly.

Training for my first few marathons I felt I needed the extra cushioning of the Asics Gel Nimbus for my joints. I also got lots of miles out of this style of shoe, usually around 450-500 miles, which did wonders for my wallet. I stuck with this style of for a long time. Once you find a shoe you love, buy multiple pairs. I often buy the same older style of shoe in multiple colors when the newer model comes out to save money.

It usually only takes buying the wrong shoe one time to make you realize how significant the right shoe is. Training for my second marathon I thought I needed a more expensive shoe since I was a more serious runner. I bought a “better” pair of shoes, or so I thought. Eight miles out on a sixteen mile out and back run and I was in significant pain. When I got home I had a blister on each arch, both two and a half inches in diameter. I had to drain the blisters multiple times a day, and the foolish act on my part left me sidelined from running for more than a week. Once you find a shoe you love, don’t think buying a more expensive pair is better. The best shoe it the one that fits you well.

As my training has progressed over the past years I wanted a less bulky and lighter shoe, but that would still provide comfort for long training runs. I found that perfect combination in the Mizuno Wave Rider’s. Every year they’ve updated the shoe I find they only get better.

When deciding on what shoes are right for you I’d recommend going to your local running store and having them perform a gait analysis while watching you run on a treadmill. With the right fitting shoe you can enjoy more pain-free miles, decrease your chance of injury, and perform even better on your runs. I also like to keep two pairs of running shoes in the rotation so the first pair can bounce back after a long run. This is also a benefit when the roads are wet and sloppy. Dry shoes make happy feet!