Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Running...+1

45 Days To Go

You may (or may not) have wondered about the lapse in my weekly update last week. I think it is time to explain. Honestly, this compilation of my journey wouldn't be accurate unless I did. Well, remember when I shared about my experience almost eating the pavement upon a dizzy spell not long ago? And the not feeling so well here recently? The slight misspellings and grammatical errors from absentmindedness in my last few posts? Are you catching on yet?
Yes, I am preggo. Unexpected? A bit. Blessed? Unbelievably. These past few weeks have been spent trying to grasp my brain around the fact that this month I will spend my second birthday in a row knocked up and that my little chunky monkey is actually going to be an "older" brother. I am elated and thrilled but I would be lying if I didn't admit that when I thought about my half-marathon journey, I wasn't a bit crestfallen. After much discussion and angst, I decided I would not give it up. I kept running and kept progressing. That was until last week. Last week my familiar (and unwelcome) friend, good ol' morning sickness made it's appearance. Unfortunately, morning sickness is a huge understatement for my experience. It's more like I morph into a dehydrated, queasy, vom-monster. And without being able to keep anything of substance in my body, you can imagine, it's impossible to run. I went a full week without running and was heartbroken. Literally. Looking at my lonely running shoes sitting in my closet like a neglected stray cat on my front porch, starving and freezing, made my heart ache.


However, this week after learning to manage the sickness a bit better, I picked back up my running and I have to say it's one of the best distractions from feeling like you've been riding on a carousel for 24 hours...while trying to read a book....sitting backwards....staring into a kaleidoscope....with a belly full of ice cream and pickles. It actually provided some feeling of stability. I also found some relief in the ginger flavored Herbal Waters - which I didn't mention in my review since it was pre-announcement. (Don't forget to enter the giveaway if you haven't already.)

It's still early and I still have several more weeks before leaving my first trimester. Honestly, probably too early for most to make a public blog announcement. But I can't stay true to this journey without being completely honest. You have all been with me each step of the way. Each step in this (so far) 288 mile journey and I feel compelled to share the news. Aside from family and close friends, your the first to know. Yes, even before I have made an official Facebook announcement {gasp}. However, I have seen the flutter of the heartbeat of my little bean on my sonogram and I simply can't pretend he/she is not a part of this journey now.

After talking with my doctor (who is also a mother and a runner) I am aware that I will likely not be able to run the entire half-marathon. I have come to terms with this. Most importantly, I will finish. I will complete this goal - and have my own little two-person-in-one team with me each step of the way.
And there it is. This is where I am. Luckily, I am a creature of adaptation and a believer in a plan that is much more well thought out than my own. Best of all, I am a soon-to-be mother of two.
I'll still be reporting in and keeping you posted...on running +1 (smile).

8 comments:

jennifer said...

OH MY GOD!! Congratulations, Andrea!! I am so happy for you. Haha, seems like anytime you want to have a baby, all you need to do is sign up to run a half marathon! Lol.
Wow. I couldn't imagine doing this pregnant. You are amazing. And what a great story this will be to tell your new little baby one day! You are a rock star.

Amy said...

Congratulations! That is wonderful news! Take good care of yourself and take it easy - & enjoy your little one as much as possible before he has to share you with his baby sibling! It's hectic at the beginning when you have them close together, but pays off big time when they are bigger and have so much fun playing with each other.

Goose said...

How exciting! What great news. I will be thinking of you that morning in St. Pete. How amazing!

Ann Marie said...

Congrats Andrea! Babies are such a blessing. I have 2 boys but didn't exercise much either pregnancy. Good for you for sticking with it. One thought - have you ever considered acupuncture for the morning sickness? I love the practice, and my practitioner always touts the benefits for nausea and pregnancy. I did acupuncture for a variety of reasons during my second pregnancy and loved the peacefulness and benefits. Food for thought (that hopefully won't make you vomit!). And Ginger has huge anti-nausea benefits, so eat and drink all you can. You might also ask your doc about a ginger supplement. God bless you on both journeys - running and pregnancy!!

And btw, runningskirts.com sells maternity skirts!!! Go figure!!

Jill@Run for the Hills said...

Andrea, I just found your blog through another blog we're mutual followers of. Congrats on your pregnancy!
I just ran the WHM in Nashville a couple weeks ago- it was my first as well. :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats! I found your blog via run like a mother.
I absolutely love running pregnant! I ran through my entire 1st pregnancy - and did 3 miles on my due date. Next week I will run a local half marathon - 5 months pregnant.

If you still want to run - go for it! Do you have a support belt? I have the Gabriella band and like it a lot. Especially in those last months, it holds that big belly still!!

And I second the running skirts endorsement. The fit mama skirt is awesome!! Bornfit.com also has some good stuff. :)

Jaime said...

Congratulations!
I am getting close to jumping on the distance running bandwagon and I'm inspired by you.
Have a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Book Worm Runs said...

Congratulations! I ran next to a woman who was 5 months pregnant at my half...you can definitely do it! Congrats, again :o)