The 200-Day Challenge....complete?

12 Days Post-Race

Okay, so with the race followed directly by hosting Thanksgiving I am a updating my post race summary finally!

And because your support has meant so much to me, I need to be sure I take you with me on my future adventures. So, if you are wondering if I finished, how I finished, and how many pregnant potty breaks I had to take throughout the course (smile) - head over to MamaOnTheRun.com to read my full race day summary and don't forget to become a blog follower!

See you there!!

It's Almost Time...

4 Days To Go

Holy Smokes! I can't believe the big day is less than half a week away. While I feel like I have spent more time preparing for this big day than my wedding, like most "planned" events in my life, it's definitely turned out to be an unexpected adventure. Getting knocked up and running the half at fifteen weeks pregnant was not a part of the plan. However, what a blessing! So with the first trimester funk interfering with those last few weeks of my training plan, my doctor said she felt most comfortable if I walked the half. However, she supported me trying to at least run some and listening to my body, promising to drink water at every station along the way, and stopping if I felt dizzy or nauseous. She also asked that I at least get 10 miles under my belt before the big day. And yesterday (drum roll, please), I knocked out my 10 miles! Thanks to a good (make that great) friend who volunteered to make the trek with me. We ran/walked the distance and my confidence jumped up about 5,000 notches now that I can erase that mental picture of me being carried off the running route on a stretcher clutching an oxygen mask (knock on wood).

This past weekend was also my little monkey's first birthday party (more pictures and a detailed post coming on the new blog) and it left me reflecting on my original motivation to start this challenge. It was to show him an account of strength and perseverance in his honor and to prove to myself just how important these traits are, as a mother and as a woman. Now, it looks like I will have two blessings to share this story with. If that's not motivation to drag myself through those 13.1 miles, I just don't know what is.

And on a final note, I still have a lingering goal to run a half-marathon as a non-pregnant runner in 2011. So, here's my question to all you fellow half vets...what's your favorite half-marathon and why? I am ready to put my new goal on the calendar right after this Sunday and begin planning the next adventure...after birthing Baby 2, that is (smile).

Keepin' On, Keepin' On

64 Days To Go

What a great week this has been! For many reasons, some of which (of course) I am going to share. My little chunky monkey is becoming more of a little person each day. He took his first steps recently. His expressions, laughter, mimics, and gestures show me how much more aware he is becoming of the world around him. It is a blissful time in mommyhood. On the running front, I have found further support pop up in encouraging places. This feature on the Athleta Chi website was a true honor.

If you are not familiar with the Athleta Chi blog, head over to their site and check it out. I have been drooling over Athleta active apparel for quite some time, but the community they have built on their Chi site is something every athlete/mother/woman/ _____ (insert your own self-description here) should peruse for inspiration on living a healthy lifestyle.

Running has been quite enjoyable this past week. There have been a few sneak peek Fall breezes that make my evening runs a refreshing and crisp experience. I am feeling my legs become more powerful and my will more determined as I grow closer to the big day in November. We've decided to take advantage of the trip down to St. Pete and also make a v-line to Disney for the monkey's first Mickey Mouse experience (that's aside from Playhouse Disney on TV, of course. Can you say "meeska, mooska, Mickey Mouse!") before heading to the half. (P.S. I am also soliciting any advice from experienced mamas on the Disney experience. What should I bring? Where should we stay? What should we do? It will be a one-day trip, most likely. After all, he'll only be one-year-old and mama has a race to prepare for.)

Another week of Stroller Strides (or Strollercise, as my husband calls it) three days this week and I have the sore muscles to prove it. Hurts so good! I am looking forward to my long run on Sunday and testing my new Amphipod hydration belt I purchased. I'll let you know how it goes.

Happy running, friends!