Bumpdate: 37 Weeks!

This week  has been pretty good.  I'm slowly getting the first week of school planned, now I just have to update some files and make some things to pass out to the kids and I'll be finished.

Going to the gym is not as fun as it used to be.  People give me the funniest looks and do some funny double takes as I walk by.  This morning I was doing the 30 minute circuit and had the following conversation:

 

          Man: Be careful!  I don't want to deliver a baby today.

          Me: Ha ha.

          Man: How far are you?

          Me: I have two weeks left.

          Man: Two weeks!  And you're doing this?  Does your doctor know?

          Me: Yes

          Man: And they are okay with you doing this?

          Me: Yes

Overall Mark and I are feeling really ready to have this baby.  I'm most scared for the labor and delivery part, I know I can take care of it once it's born.  I only have to finish packing my hospital bag, install the car seat, and start making the baby book.  But I keep telling baby he/she can come anytime now.

How far along: 37 Weeks

Gender: It's a baby!  Only a few more days until we meet him/her!

Weight gain: About 26 pounds

Maternity clothes: I'm mostly just bumming in a t-shirt and shorts, unless I have to leave the house.

Stretch marks: Yes.  Major bummer.

Belly button in or out: Out.  Mark says it looks like it hurts, but thankfully it doesn't.

Sleep: Not too bad, but some nights I have to sleep sitting up because the heartburn is so ridiculous.

Best moment this week: Maternity pictures on Monday, Breastfeeding class on Tuesday, and just hanging out at home enjoying the fall like weather.

Worst moment this week: Heartburn.  So. Much. Heartburn.  Especially when I'm going to bed.

Miss anything: Laying on my stomach, and weirdly enough running.

Movement: Yup!  Though baby is slowing down because he/she is running out of room.

Cravings: Sweet things.

Queasy or sick: Feeling good

Looking forward to: Our appointment on Friday!  And finishing up the last few things on the to-do list.

Half-Marathon: Review

Last week Sunday I completed my first half-marathon!  I never in a million years thought that phrase would come out of my mouth.

I am seriously so proud of myself.  I ran the entire thing, and only wanted to stop running once around mile 9.  My finish time was 2:25:34, which averages out to 11:07 minute miles!

If you have ever thought about running give it a try.  I had attempted to become a "runner" a few times, but always failed.  This summer I thought I would give it another try, and this time I actually stuck with it.  It really help me to have a group of women that were running the half marathon with me because we were able to hold each other accountable and talk about how our running was going.  I seriously started the summer not even being able to run one mile without being winded, and now I can comfortable do about six miles.

I followed the following training guide:

Week	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat	Sun	Total
1	3	Rest	3	3	Rest	4	Rest	13
2	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	5	Rest	15
3	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	6	Rest	16
4	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	8	Rest	19
5	3	Rest	5	3	Rest	10	Rest	21
6	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	11	Rest	24
7	4	Rest	6	4	Rest	12	Rest	26
8	4	Rest	5	4	Rest	9	Rest	22
9	3	Rest	4	3	Rest	8	Rest	18
10	3	Rest	3	Walk 2	Rest	13.1 (Race!)	Rest	21.1

This plan comes from this website.  I didn't start using this plan right away, I was running about three times a week for a month before I started.  Once I was able to run three miles without dying, I started to use this plan.

I also cannot stress enough how important stretching is!  Make sure you stretch before and after every run.  When I run on a treadmill I usually walk for about 3 minutes prior to starting any run just to get warmed up, but when I run outside I just start off running.

You can do it!  Just have faith in yourself and keep pushing through, even when you have days where you feel like you just can't run, or you just can't do it anymore.

Here are some pictures on race day:

 Before the race!  We made sweet t-shirts, and our team name was Wicked Wild Women.

 Me and my running buddy around mile 5. Photo credit: Daniel Grossman.

Passing through the starting gate again around mile 10. 

Me after the race!  It was such a great feeling to finish!