28 weeks...

Things I love right now....


Skinny maternity jeans from Old Navy. I can wear my boots now!

Belly Band while running

My Treadmill

Feeling baby girl

Hugging my husband and my belly touches him before anything else.

Lifting at the gym

Getting nursery ready

Christmas Day

Dad and Sue at the Hub

26 weeks...

26 weeks this Sunday! I feel so good and am really enjoying being pregnant as I have heard third trimester will more difficult.

Still in the process of getting the nursery ready and narrowing down what bedroom set to purchase.

I also need to register! That seems so overwhelming to me. There is so much stuff out there.

In running news....

I officially have been accepted to the NYC Marathon for 2014!I applied 2011, 2012 and 2013...

ALERTS

You Have Been Accepted Into 
2014 TCS New York City Marathon

Visit Upcoming races for more information

I will have an almost 8 month old at this time....I am worried about breast feeding, but feel fairly confident that I will be trained enough to run a marathon. Ideally I would love to race it!

5k Time!

I told myself that I wanted to run at least one race while I was pregnant.

I understand and have read many blogs where pregnant women run in many races throughout their pregnancy, but since this is my first and I am older I feel comfortable with one...maybe.

There is a perfect 5k January 4th. It's right in my neighborhood, is only $10 and I have ran it the past two years so wouldn't want to break the streak.

However...I am not in 5k shape at all, I am fit and have been running 10-15 miles a week, but not in any kind of race shape.

Will my pride be hurt by just slowly running a race just to finish? My stats will show such a slow time. I hope I will be OK with that. As of right now I plan on running it unless there is bad weather/icy conditions!

Running to the Gym at 8 degrees outside...Good Times!

25 weeks

Is anyone else running NYC 2014?

Did you run races while pregnant?

When you were pregnant did you wear a belly band? At what point did you wear one?

21 Weeks and Guess the Gender Party!

We had the guess the gender party last night! What a blast!

I had my Dr. appointment a couple weeks ago. I told them that I didn't want to know the sex, but to put the answer in an envelope. I kept it in a drawer and didn't peek!

A week before the party I went to a really good bakery in our town, Das Meyer.

I ordered the cake and gave them the envelope. At first she said so blue or pink on the inside? I said I don't know it's in the envelope!

So Saturday my mom and step dad came into town, which was nice.

They helped with setting up and the food. We picked up the cake and it was gorgeous!

The party started and people were talking and having a good time, we had chili and corn muffins and then it was time!

I really thought we were having a boy so as David and I were cutting the cake I assumed I would see blue...I saw PINK!

I was so surprised! I am so happy! Now we get to pick colors and get the nursery ready.

I am starting to feel the baby, which is pretty amazing.

It's weird knowing early...but now I am so excited to have a girl!!

I am very grateful!

David and I can see the inside of the cake! I am freaking out!!

PINK! It's a GIRL!!!

Yummy!

21 weeks! 

Moms out there: Did you find out the sex of your baby?

If you did find out did you process not having the opposite?

More party pics to come later!

18 Weeks

Things are going well! Have energy for the most part. Walking or running and lifting a bit. Crazy week at work with Parent/Teacher conferences and other night meetings for work.

 How far along: 18 weeks.

Total weight gain:  7 lbs.

What I love: Planning our Guess the Gender Party and sending out the invite!

Worries: Feeling overwhelmed after baby is born 

Sleep: I wake up every night around 3AM....that sucks....

Best moment of the week: Getting through my crazy week and people are noticing my belly!

Food cravings: Fruit

Food aversions: 

Baby’s Movement: None yet

The belly:  Getting bigger especially at the end of the day. 

My Movement: Walk and run during week and have a warrior weekend planned...

Milestones:  Figuring out my maternity leave. With my expected due date I would have three weeks to go back to work. However, we decided that I don't have to go back to work until next school year, which for me starts early August and the baby will be about 4 months old. 

Symptoms: A little insomnia and can't eat big meals. 
 
Gender: My appointment was October 17th and I have a sealed envelope with the answer!!! I plan to take it to the bakery to make us a cake with either pink or blue on the inside. 

What I’m looking forward to: When we cut the cake at the party and find out the gender in front of our close friends and family!

What I miss: Wine, staying up late and training hard for a fall race. 

Next appt: December 2

Due Date: March 23

Baby Coates!

Little Feet!

15 Weeks

Here we go...

How far along: 15 weeks.

Total weight gain:  3 lbs.

What I love: Planning our Guess the Gender Party

Worries: Nothing really...

Sleep: I am sleeping great.

The belly: When I am full it feels bigger but my husband says I look the same. 

Best moment of the week: I am completely off caffeine...I feel good overall and am sleeping great but I usually have caffeine before running. So that has been an adjustment. I don't always "have my pump on" but have been having decent runs.  I just feel out of breathe all the time.

Food cravings: Grapes and apples

Food aversions: Turkey lunch meat

Baby’s Movement: None yet.

My Movement: I only ran 2 days last week, but so far this week has been good with a spin workout, a run/walk and an hour trail run.

Milestones: My pants are getting tighter and I had to change my belt loop hole by one. 

Symptoms: I need to eat only small meals. We went to Ruby Tuesdays on Friday and I didn't even finish my meal and I was  full for a couple hours after. 

Gender: My appointment is October 17th but I will have them put the answer in an envelope and take it to the bakery to make us a cake with either pink or blue frosting. 

What I’m looking forward to: When we cut the cake at the party and find out the gender in front of our close friends and family!

What I miss: Wine, staying up late and training hard for a fall race. 

Next appt: October 8th

Due Date: March 23

My best friend and I at brunch in Denver.

Best Summer Recap Ever

I know I haven't posted in a long time, but this has been a post I have been wanting and dreaming to be able to write for quite awhile.

I didn't want to spill the beans on accident and was so excited that I thought I just might especially if I was talking about running.

I am pregnant! About 13 weeks once I hit publish :)

I found out mid July and it felt so surreal, in fact it still does. Going to appointments and hearing the heartbeat makes it so real though.

My husband and I really didn't want to tell anyone until at least 12 weeks however, how can one do that realistically?

We did end telling parents at 8 weeks and I told a few close friends. I figure if I miscarried they would be supportive for me.

This will be my first and I am a bit older...I am 37 and will have just turned 38 when I deliver.

As for running right when I found out I got really scared and I felt like I couldn't breathe. I was on a trail run with a really good friend and up to that point I was running really strong and I just fell way behind and walked up some of the hard parts.

My husband and I went to lift legs that week and again I just felt off and lifted very light.

So I took a week off or running and lifting knowing that I could run and lift and that it's perfectly healthy but I just felt weird.

I did go on some nice long bike rides though.

Then I started getting nauseous like all day long! It sucked not enough to throw up though.
Went to my 61/2 week appointment and heard the heartbeat!!! Then I felt much better and not as anxious.

I then started running again and I was just slow... like 10 minute miles oh well afterwards I felt much better.

So now I am running three days a week on my treadmill before work. This is so nice because I can adjust my speed as needed and also am close to a bathroom.

On the weekends I try to get in 5-7 miles on an easier trail and just go slow.

I want to keep running as long as I can and I want to enjoy this time as it took awhile to get pregnant.

I am trying not to care about my mileage or pace these next months and I hope to come back stronger and faster. I do have guaranteed entry to NY marathon 2014 so that will be a great race to train for.

I also have always admired all of the running moms out there and I hope that I have the determination, stamina, time and mental toughness to be able to as well.

I most likely will try to now post weekly or so not to be annoying, but to document this for me and my family.

Slacker Half Marathon

It's been awhile...

Things are good! June has been busy. We went to Tampa in early June for a wedding, which was a nice relaxing trip and I got to spend time with family.

I ran the slacker half marathon last Saturday.

I have been wanting to run this one for awhile now. It starts at Loveland ski resort and ends in Georgetown, CO beginning at 10,630 feet and traveling over a rolling hill descent to 8400 feet! I ran the relay in 2011 for the last leg so I was a little familiar with the course.

It was a lot of fun and I ran 1:45:56. I thought I would run this a little bit faster since it is downhill but it was rolling and I felt strong so I am happy overall.

Next race is a 10k in 5 weeks.What I need to work on is more speed workouts.

David, my sister and I in Tampa

At the Start!

 

At the finish :)





Let's be honest...

I really enjoy reading running blogs. Sometimes on a Saturday before my long run I pull up a few and quickly read them to get motivated for my run. I think to myself if she can do this I can too. I know that many bloggers write to be positive and motivating and that is great! So THANK YOU all for that!

I have read some posts that are on struggles and how a runner got through a tough race mentally. These I appreciate the most. I feel then that I can relate and I feel that the runner is real.

I ran the Palisade half marathon on May 11. I ran it in 2012 as well. I thought I had stepped up my training  and thought I was tougher mentally but apparently not....I ran 2 seconds faster than the year before. 1:49.29 2013 time

Now can I make some excuses? Of course...I am the best at that!
It was a tough course, it was windy this year, the dinner that I ate the night before sat weird in my stomach.
etc, etc....

Bottom line I needed to train more....I thought I knew the course and knew where I needed to step up but running only 15-25 miles a week and some tempos and track workouts aren't enough....it's funny...when looking at my garmin my slowest miles were opposite from 2012.

I was so confident that I was going to better my time by 3 or 4 minutes.

As a life long runner I am constantly growing and know that every race can't be amazing.

Positives:

I was 7th female and last year I was 10th so I thought that was cool!

I really appreciated the course..it was gorgeous hills and all!

I was able to have great conversations with members of the running club and make new friendships.

A great girl weekend in Colorado wine country!

I am grateful that I was able to RUN!

Take away thoughts:

I think instead of re-doing races I need to try new ones!!

I am planning on running a fast course half in June.

Pre-Race

I love this shot!

The Finish!

Wine Tasting!

Ski weekend!

In August a friend told us to go to a local sports store and buy discounted lift tickets. You can only get the discounted price on this specific weekend in August. Well I bought a 4-pak to Loveland ski resort!

This past weekend David and I headed up to the mountains. We had the best ski day! Great runs and weather. I really like Loveland because it is a laid back resort and there were no lift lines! I have skied at many Colorado resorts and Loveland is one of my favorites.

We rented a condo in Dillon, which is about 20 minutes from Loveland and packed tons of food and snacks. We hung out in the hot tub after and that felt awesome!

That night my sister and her boyfriend drove up and then we skied together on Saturday. It was an awesome powder day! We were so lucky!!

Friday at Loveland ski resort

David enjoying the view.

After a long day of skiing :)

My sister and I

The gang...the boys board and the girls skied!

Have you skied at Loveland?

Do you ski or snowboard?

Red Rocks Loop in pics...

Here is another one of my favorite winter runs!

I like it because it's mostly roads but lots of hills. Great run when you can't get onto dirt.

650 elevation gain start at 5,724...




In the parking lot getting ready to go.



A half mile or so through the town of Morrison, CO and then we head into the park.

We came up this.You can see the dirt path.

A little forgiveness before the top.

We made it! Now we get to go down!

A great day! You can make this a 5.5 mile loop or add on dinosaur ridge and make it 7.5 or add on green mountain for more mileage...endless possibilities :) Great for winter training for a spring half marathon.

NightHawks is OVER...Palisade training BEGINS

Hi-

It's been awhile...I have all these ideas to blog about but then never get to it!

Here are some updates:

I completed 4 of the 6 Nighthawk snowshoe races at Eldora (here is what Nighthawks is all about).

I placed 1st in my age group 16-39! I won my AG every time and was second female at every race!

It really trashes my legs but so fun!

Now I am transitioning over to half marathon training.

I am going to run the Palisade half marathon again. I ran it last year in a 1:49...under trained. Yeah I know excuses, excuses but last April a really great job opportunity came up and I really needed to prepare for that and I let my training go....but not this year!

Palisade is about 3 hours away and the course is decent. The course begins and ends at 4,725ft. The course then runs along the base of the Grand Mesa for a couple of miles until you hit the orchards and wineries to the turnaround point.

For the most part, this course gradually ascends and descends throughout the race. There is a hill on mile 4 that climbs 195 ft. as you ascend a scenic overlook of the Grand Valley, but whatever it takes from you will be returned on mile 8.

I want to PR from my time last year...

So far training is going well.

Track workouts start next week with the running club and I will continue to do my tempo runs on the TM.

Since I ran the course last year I have a better idea of how to train and where to push it on the course.
Also last year the group I went with we had to book it home right after the race...as I was leaving the hotel I saw the sun shining on the water of the outdoor pool and people drinking wine...this year we are staying 2 nights so we can relax and enjoy the town.

I normally don't repeat races since there are so many out there and so many that I would like to try but this
one was really fun last year and since I had interruptions with my training I want some revenge!


Do you repeat races yearly?

Are there any new races you would like to try?

Leslee and Nicki if you are out there want to join me?




Laura and I waiting for the start at the last Nighthawks snowshoe race 2013. I am the one with the bright headlamp on :)

Raffle Time after last snowshoe race..I won $100 to a bar in Boulder :)

Palisade, CO

Wine Country in Colorado!

Palisade, CO

After half marathon 2012

Wine tasting!!

Snow Shoe Racing!

Here we go again! Nighthawks 2013!

My favorite time of winter. You can read about 2012 here: Nighthawks

At Eldora Ski resort near Nederland, CO there are night snow shoe races once a week for 6 weeks in a row on Wednesday nights at 6pm.

These races start at 9,355 feet in elevation and usally have a 500 or more elevation gain while racing. They are anywhere betwen a 3k and an 8k.

There are tough and hard and FUN.

After the race we go back to the nordic lodge (hut) and have a raffle with great prizes.

A group of us girls leave Arvada and drive the hour or so to get up there. We have a blast talking and catching up on the way there. After the race we tailgate and have some wine and cheese and then head back down the hill.

It is a great way to spend a Wednesday night and it also makes the winter go by really fast.

This year my husband bought me a pair of racing snow shoes and they are fast. In the past I just wore hiking ones but I am loving the running ones. You know where I will be next Wednesday night ;)

First race of the season!

After  Race #3

Pre-race..getting ready in the warm car.

The trunk with all of our gear.

Tailgating :)

Raffle Time!

Do you snow shoe?

Have you ever raced?

Apex Trail

I have been meaning to blog about my favorite trail runs, but I always forget my camera. So today when my friend and I decided to run the Apex trail in Golden, CO and I actually remembered my camera and decided to document the run.

First of all this one is about 20 minutes from my house so pretty easy to get to. We haven't gotten much snow this winter so it was runable today!




My friend Jamie :) At the beginning.

One perk is that there is a porta potty at the trailhead.

Today our run was 5.75 miles and average pace was around 12 minute miles with a 1200 ft elevation gain.
It was 27 degrees when we started and by the end it was in the 40's.

The loop we did today was rolling so worked hard on the climbs and enjoyed the downhills except on the snowy/icy sections.

Lots of rocks.



At the top



More views from the top...



Heading down....

We usually see lots of wildlife while trail running!

Great trail run today!

 Overall a great day to trail run in Colorado!

How often do you trail run?

How far are you willing to drive to a trailhead?