Welcome to August! It’s definitely one of the best months of the year, though I am certainly biased since it’s my birthday month! For the first time in too long, I’m joining Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date linkup! It’s a great opportunity to catch up on non-running, non-blogging things. Grab a cup and join me because I have SO much to share with you!
Ultimate Cofee Date – August 2019
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…that I’m having a baby! I finally made the official announcement on Facebook last Friday. I’m currently going on 18 weeks, meaning that I’ll be due in early January! Bret and I couldn’t be more thrilled. I originally wanted to make a blog announcement in a runfessions posts last week, but I just couldn’t get the timing right, lol. Overall, I’m feeling pretty good at this point. I had a really low appetite the first trimester so I actually lost weight, but now I’m doing much better and have an actual bump! A pregnancy pillow has me sleeping much more comfortably through the night now. Most of my pants don’t fit anymore, but some wonderful neighbors have gifted me their old maternity clothes! Hopefully, I’ll get to break out some of the dresses soon.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…that I’m amazed that I’ve run 2 half marathons while pregnant! I had a feeling there could have been a possibility I was pregnant in Nashville, but I didn’t get confirmation until I came back. I was about 4 weeks at the race! Then when I ran the 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut, I was 10 weeks. The heat and humidity were tough as usual, but on top of that, I could really feel the effects of being pregnant! I also had to take over 2 weeks off training because I was experiencing some light bleeding, so I wasn’t at my peak. Thankfully, all is well now and I’ve had no issues since!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…that on the fitness front, I’ve been doing either barre or TRX classes 1-2 times a week and running 1-2 times a week depending on the weather. My running pace has declined, though it’s hard to fully gauge with the ridiculous summer heat and humidity making things tougher. I have put absolutely no pressure on myself when it comes to miles on the road, and I love it. I just want to stick with it as long as possible. Are there any other exercises that you recommend during pregnancy? I’ve been thinking about adding in some prenatal yoga as well.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you… that I’ve been thinking about writing some pregnancy-related running posts on the blog. Being a pregnant runner, I’ve scoured the blogs for any insights from that I can find from women who’ve been through it. I’ve found Lisa and Laura’s posts to be extremely helpful as I am on my journey, and I’ve dabbled with the idea of writing some posts from my perspective. I’ve always been quick to say that I’ll never be the fastest runner out there, so I would love to create content for pregnant runners who more at the middle and even back of the pack. Do you think this would be a valuable resource? I haven’t started brainstorming yet but I’d love to share some tips and heck even have some guest posters that can share their expertise. Please let me know what you think, and especially if you’d be interested in contributing as a mother runner or mother runner-to-be!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…that changing topics, work has been going really well! I’ve been given more control and responsibility in my project manager role and it has been a game-changer for me! I finally feel the confidence and respect that I’ve been searching for. Sure, some meetings are better than others, but I feel like I’m coming into my own…at last! I feel that I’m really helping to move the project forward and have been receiving such positive feedback. I hope this continues to get better!
If we were having coffee, I would tell you…that I am just a week away from a 2-week-long vacation in Europe! This is the first time I’ve ever had a vacation this long and I couldn’t be more excited, though I am nervous! I’ve only been to London and Paris, so getting to visit several cities and towns in Germany and Spain is exciting, but also intimidating. Not to mention, being pregnant and having to decline on so many yummy foods and drinks… If you have any last-minute recommendations in Berlin, Barcelona, or Madrid, please let me know! I still have so much preparation to do…
What’s new in your world? What would you share with me over coffee?
If we were having coffee, I’d share how excited I am for the baby!!!!! Congrats to you & Bret!!! Your trip sounds so fun!!
Thanks so much!! So excited, nervous, overwhelmed, haha! We’re definitely going to make the most of our Eurotrip!
Huge congratulations to you both! What an exciting time for you. Just enjoy and soak it all in.Your trip sounds fantastic. Barcelona is such a fun city with so much to see and do. thanks for joining us for coffee!
Thanks so much, Deborah! We’re so excited about the baby and the upcoming trip 🙂
Gosh, you have been keeping things quiet! Congrats again. I’m so happy for you. I’m glad you are feeling pretty good now.
I wasn’t a runner when I was pregnant, but I did aerobics and walked a lot. I think are so many more options these days. Prenatal yoga could be really helpful.
I think people are always interested in hearing your experience, so you should write about whatever you feel like sharing.
Thanks for sharing the news at the coffee date!
Thanks, Coco! It’s been so HARD to keep things quiet, haha! Hopefully, while I actually do have some time, I can start working on some preganancy-related blog posts!
Congrats!!!
So happy for you and Bret!!!!!
Ali on the Run had a lot of posts about running while pregnant and after.
Thanks so much, Darlene! And I will have to check out Ali on the Run!
Congrats, again! I am sure that there are runners who would love to have your perspective on running while pregnant. Frankly, I just write what I want, what’s in my heart — some of the posts I think will do great bomb, and others I thing are sort of meh do really well. Just you do you!
Enjoy your vacation! I don’t think I have *ever* had a vacation that long. Now granted, I also retired early — but it’s not the same thing! It’ll be a long time before you’ll be that free again, so enjoy every last moment.
Wow, that’s really amazing that you ran 2 half while pregnant. Of course I know it can be done, but still!
Thanks a lot, Judy! I think you’re right – it’s always hard to know what posts will resonate with readers, so I’ll just have to go for it and see what happens!
I am just so excited for you and Bret! You are a good secret keeper. How awesome that you’ve been able to keep running through your pg, including those half marathons. I’ve followed a few bloggers through the pregnancies this year and it’s been fun to read. Share away!
I am so happy for you and Bret – Congratulations!! I wasn’t a runner when I was pregnant but I did pilates a couple of times a week all through my pregnancy with my youngest and loved it!
Your European vacation sounds wonderful – Barcelona is a city I’ve heard so much about and really want to see it. Can’t wait to hear all about your trip!
I would love to hear about running during pregnancy from a “slower” runner’s perspective. I am pregnant also (24 weeks tomorrow), and currently running about 12 mpm, 2 to 3 miles at a time. It’s hard! And a little disheartening to read my IG about all these other moms running 10 miles at 35 weeks or whatever. (Not that you won’t be able to do that, too.)
Anyway, I hope you have an easy, uneventful pregnancy! Congratulations!
Whoop! Whoop! What amazing news! Wishing you an easy and happy pregnancy!! Can’t believe you did two Half Marathons while pregnant – now that’s just awesome!
Thanks a lot, Shathiso! I’m definitely at the point where I don’t think I could handle a half marathon, at least not with the weather we’ve had lately!
Congrats on your pregnancy – what an exciting time! I am in awe of you for running half marathons while pregnant, especially how strongly you ran them! Summer running is tough during pregnancy, but I bet your third trimester will feel easier with the cooler fall weather.
I’ve been doing prenatal Pilates weekly (on pilatesology.com) with pregnancy to keep my pelvic floor healthy, prevent diastasis, and strengthen for childbirth. I don’t know if it’s because of Pilates or sheer luck, but I haven’t had to stop to use the bathroom on runs or dealt with any leakage, even now 8 months in.
Thanks so much, Laura! Your posts on running through pregnancy have been so inspiring to me. I will have to check out that website – I was nervous about doing regular Pilates because I didn’t want to overextend my core. I’m glad to hear that you’ve been doing so well!
A www. So happy for you!