tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2811555227655621282024-02-06T21:17:27.143-05:00little girl in the big worldKatyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16604169257319426317noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-10736556614745872532016-03-02T12:15:00.001-05:002016-03-02T12:15:59.291-05:00Olivia's 3 Month UpdateBecause <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2016/02/a-true-little-girl-in-big-world.html" target="_blank">I just started back blogging two weeks ago</a>, I didn't write out Olivia's one or two month update on my blog, but I did write it out for myself to have. It was the consistent writing of memories on Google Docs that helped me realize how much I missed writing.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In all of my updates (all two besides this one...) I have made some comment along the lines of how much Olivia has changed over the course of the month. I keep telling myself there won't be many changes in the next month or that she'll slow growing. I want her to be my baby forever! But, this month is no different. Wow! What a little person she's becoming. I'm blown away.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4-UD6oFXTQGpick2NCEQPwA2M3n4sz-OfMQF77_CRwJlWCPNOmH0afT64-b60N06_WDk0LW7-2JkVTtzMWuAGK3SLlhUiHu6zKzRt5jLrWdGr3YExLw9ShdkaVuXq-bsf6MwBI-36AOT/s400/1.jpg" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnPWAOxJNIu0ohN5gu0ymUF5qMtSdTbmyfbEOGyuuLy5s3UrGOnGzKjqWcT8XygPH8IMikh2TbgDR3gFM886ogaQLbYg-gMxBdRfcT9lYNr24Bg-vK_4yiBXXT7Vr6JdLIkX170dxFhQ0g/s400/2.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div>
<b>Schedule</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
I want to write a separate post about what has worked for us, but I'm generally following a Babywise or E.A.S.Y. schedule. Olivia still isn't at a point where she naps at the same time or goes to bed at the same time each day, but we're pretty good about following a three hour cycle. She wakes up, eats, plays, and then goes back down for another nap. I realized that she was awake for too long during month two and wasn't taking long enough naps, so her awake time got shortened this month, and it has truly paid off. She's normally awake and playing for about an hour to an hour and twenty minutes before it's time for bed again. That includes her eating. This has worked very well for us in keeping her happy and smiling and talking 90% of the time. The only problem is that when we can't follow the cycle it sometimes throws me off. I'm getting better about it, as I'm also trying to <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2016/02/getting-out-of-house.html" target="_blank">get out of the house everyday</a>; it does lead to the cycle getting thrown off at least once per day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTXjBk9MnftNPpEWCWuXnfkvR7Ugcvpm4g-jBg_tm0KDR6WY3KXOr3lDSnxDX8guq-NIoSJ-UsWohWSQ4Zq10PJT7tPFg_ynX7bizDTHEkJe7rzFdDb2NxKWPNiGXYCmHM9zDhbhMj_EQ5/s640/3.jpg" width="452" /></div>
<div>
<b>Eating</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Olivia has still been exclusively breastfed since <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2016/02/olivias-birth-story.html" target="_blank">after the first night coming home from the hospital</a>. I still feed her if she seems like she wants to be fed, but for the most part it has become every 2.5-3.5 hours, which is the goal as we move forward. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Olivia is still doing very well with eating and latches well. Because I have a fast let down, she has become a little lazy with her latch, and it has led to some blocked ducts in the last couple of weeks. I've been working on relatching her if she gets lazy. She is still eating a lot, and she is still spitting up a lot.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The spitting up has been present since we came home from the hospital. The doctor has always said, and continues to say, that it is a laundry problem for Olivia. She is gaining weight as she should be, she's happy, she's not in pain, and she really is more happy once she spits up. It's almost like her tummy is just too full and she needs to get it out. We're just constantly changing her clothes and washing burp cloths. <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2016/02/olivias-0-3-month-essentials.html" target="_blank">Like I mentioned</a>, we go through them incredibly fast.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I ended up taking Olivia to the doctor on Monday to check on her eye that has a plugged tear duct, and she was weighed again. She is up to 12 pounds and 1 ounce. She's grown almost 2 full pounds since her 2 month appointment, and I can see it in her cute rounded face!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWZGGJjdbr4KTP8is0kpIxYZMxGMfWCiouG4vuZnDr8ay06Tm9jpeJIu1tNQeup0Go8UUFwd3WW58S2OY8yV0mzqqKZ6hzMiNtzqzqDso4EzUEA0R-R087vXEg1TuQ49I3hJeXGJxHFJL/s640/8.jpg" width="457" /></div>
<div>
<b>Sleeping</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
During the daytime, Olivia naps about 4 times. Around 7 or 8 weeks I was <i>really</i> struggling with getting her to nap. She had been downstairs in the living room with us for all of her naps, and suddenly it just wasn't working for her. When I finally tried the crib (which I was so reluctant to do), she started napping better and being an overall happier girl. As I realized this I got to the point where I swaddled her and put her in her crib for all of her naps.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Between realizing that she needed to be awake for less time and swaddling her for her naps in the crib, she is now getting enough sleep. Sleep truly is something that becomes such a stressor for a mom, but no one really tells you about it before they're here. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the last couple of weeks she has been getting about an hour and a half to two hours in the morning following by a few one hour naps as the day goes on. Of course, that fluctuates and there will be days where she has three two hour naps and days where she just takes a bunch of 45 minute naps or refuses a nap all together. We're at the point now, though, where I'm pretty confident that she'll follow the normal trend about 75% of the time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My favorite nap of the day happens around 6, and it's where she sleeps in the wrap on me while I cook dinner or get things done. Olivia doesn't have a problem falling asleep in the wrap as long as I'm bouncing her or walking around. She'll even fall asleep in loud places like this.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My biggest concern about daytime sleep is getting her ready to nap at daycare. So far I have her napping with the blinds and drapes open in a bright room, but I need to cut the swaddle and white noise soon to mimic those conditions. Anyone have experience transitioning to daycare naps? How did that go?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At night, Olivia still sleeps in our room in a Halo bassinest on Tim's side of the bed. She has slept there since we came home from the hospital, and he keeps finding reasons that we need to just keep her there. I'm very lucky that Tim gets up with me during the night to help as I need it, even if it just means handing me Olivia to feed her.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our night time routine is very short, because by the end of the day she's still getting pretty heavily fussy and just needs to be put down. We give baths every other night, and then the routine is the same: change the diaper, put on the Snuza, put on a onesie, wrap her in her Halo Sleepsack, and feed her. We don't do a book, because she's normally screaming by the time it's time to eat. We're still working on figuring out a bedtime...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
70% of the time Olivia sleeps from the time we put her down until 3 o'clock or so. Sometimes it's a little earlier and sometimes a little later. She has one long stretch and then generally wants to get up in the 6:00-6:15 range. We've been working on pushing that a little later, because it makes for a really long day for her if she's up and fed and ready for the day before 7. This morning we were successful in doing another feed and getting her back to sleep. I'm considering implementing the dreamfeed for her to make it longer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE-nAf7ppGFj4YpPZKtjPdH7eeBMBHx5wG6-tUjIvZx56OdCN3JBwrtrPrEo_M6yXmY0dq9wMlX1hk_oCRXZ6vADjcrSJCVQLXjTzTU821HzsQLcxoQXVo8A63f0Iw-D6iXyu8zgUkcUP/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div>
<b>Play</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
Olivia rolled over from her stomach to her back after a few weeks home from the hospital, but then she went through a period where she didn't do it for a while. This month she's started more regularly rolling from tummy to back during tummy time a couple of times. Her head control has improved, and she can hold it up on her own for short periods of time. I still work to do tummy time a couple of times a day to help with head strength. She can lift it up to full 90 degrees, but sometimes she does it and sometimes she doesn't. I think she's going to be a stubborn one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She loves the rattle, and she will even grasp it herself and shake it. I'm sure the shaking part is just her reflexes still, but it's cute because it looks like she's shaking it. She does love the noise, and she'll hold onto it for 30 seconds to a minute before dropping it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also play with a few other toys, but she doesn't engage a lot with other things quite yet. We just use the Lamaze Captain Calamari toy to rub different fabrics against her. She loves feeling different things, especially with her feet. When we have her in her Boppy lounger on the couch she loves rubbing her feet along the fabric of the couch and pushing on it. I know that's something that babies are supposed to be doing at this age, so I'm glad we're able to see the milestones happening. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her favorite thing to do is lay under her Fisher Price play gym and kick and swat at the animals. I set it to only play music when she hits the animals, and whether she realizes that or not, she kicks at the animals when the music goes off and then stares and smiles at the lights that go on and off while the music plays. She coos and giggles while she's playing, and it's the cutest thing. I have too many videos on my phone of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzPKDv5evpoOoAY-7RQ-0v6aNJHoXruOsSmR7K-BT0YTcvJo1NBcV0yDIXksCGudH3yavbZ-oQQb0X-PppUVkXr481BYT2OUXc_ldPYDnqeoIHxP1xpIi_XoQq-K8Dmqe2tBZPXkzYm5T/s400/6.jpg" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwG9lMuLXwseuz1VvYp36Dtc-0yXR3ee18RTpEwb4AVY6pU7YYWYc1fUQxjE8PSrq9IKR2duK5u3L75AqHn3j0MxAajUi7D9f6yuXvZ5VhZoewqziCv2-b5fE1dbGWaNH-KeJUR_RwHi8-/s400/5.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<div>
<b>Activities during three months</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
We started <i>water babies</i> this month and made it three times! Olivia liked it the first week, wasn't so sure the second week, and smiled and loved it the whole time the third time. There were no tears! I'm so happy she loves the water so much; I absolutely adore taking her to that class. We sing songs, push off the wall, practice falling into the water while I hold her, and she floats on her back while I hold her head. I don't smile bigger anywhere else right now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Grandma</i><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>came to visit this month, and I loved seeing her hold Olivia. It's particularly hard for me having my mom live so far away, but it's nice to be able to FaceTime her with Olivia regularly. Olivia knows the sound of her voice on Facetime, so when she comes to visit she isn't a stranger to Olivia. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We started <i>going out </i>a lot! We've gone to the zoo, Target quite a few times, a friend's house a couple of times, and lunch a couple of times. I'll often make the trips fit into one or two of the three hour cycles I mentioned above, and I'll put Olivia into the Tula or Solly Wrap and she'll fall asleep for 30-45 minutes. It works out well.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Her <i>smiling</i> and <i>talking </i>has increased tenfold. She started smiling and talking at around 6 or 7 weeks, but especially in the last two weeks she is constantly smiling and talking during her awake time. She makes several different sounds and loves repeating the sounds over and over. When we make eye contact with her and smile she gives us a HUGE grin with her mouth and her eyes. I could sit for hours and keep smiling at her and getting the smile back if she didn't get tired and need a nap. I love her so much.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She loves Tim so much, and she will talk to him and smile at him all night when he gets home from work before bath or bed. When he gets up to do dishes or get something ready for the morning she'll follow him with her eyes and her head. He also loves it, as now he's sure she knows who he is. She smiles at me as well, but because I'm with her all day at this point I sometimes think she cherishes the time she has with her dad even more.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsA5lgXgUgZhVAaL6iRLs2YaZyb6VuFkjtSTQxCE7tlHHfQ1c707L7O3PcLUkP5Be1YkDJuBc-E3GLJuTae9T0rZjlGCQpb_V7SK2OPlNfAKawSWRMZFV14kgu2EnJXx1tX8tGWpQREDGV/s400/4.jpg" width="282" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfYzQGNq-b1vvhrU9HmxGv44zzdvMm6cnhXHFDChkhlriGJ7JNe9w5hzyndekT9tITrOKiBsaPfywBglNhttJyiG6xOAtsvkoB5dBUdiMV2apAYCAtrOUwFrj1YndTKRwBwAcFXqQH95W/s400/9.jpg" width="282" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Olivia, you have become quite a little girl this month. Your personality is starting to come out, and we love it. You're clearly very smart, as I believe you really understand when you go to your room you're going to take a nap (and don't like it) and when I start to put on the wrap you smile because you know you're going to be worn. You're also so strong! You can stand up on your legs with all your weight while I hold you, though you get very wobbly and have a concerned look on your face! Your daddy and I love you so much, and as you continue to grow we love you even more. I do miss your teeny tiny baby stage, but as people keep telling me, I really do love you more every day. You have chunky little wrist rolls that I know won't stick around forever, and your arms are the sweetest. I hope I can remember the feeling of holding your arms and little hands forever. I love your feet, too, but it's your arms and hands that really get me. Your coos and babbles are so smart, and I'll ask you questions and you'll respond as though you really wish you could say something. It's precious. I love holding you, but after a bit you want to be put down on your lounger so you can watch the fan or look out the window. You've also recently started liking to be sitting up. I'll sit you up on the couch and let you look out. Don't grow up too fast on me. I can't wait to see what's in store for your fourth month, and I can only imagine how much you'll grow and change. It's all happening so fast! We love you so much, Mommy and Daddy</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxp9q9zgH2PxrGiN3Ip-TPlp645fTMUlJS4Ixq0TtjYOWa9hhy9ZaxYCC2FTyGjYZqF9xm-7Yr_gefvMbl5_vrfvXyfdwP8jVBBfFxRBgQsPMp4ysgu5WvzIuaNHaaQWGmCkotj_Hcsbgy/s640/10.jpg" width="452" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month's likes:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Diaper changes and diaper cream (You coo and smile when that's going on)</li>
<li>Bathtime</li>
<li>Taking walks and going in your carseat</li>
<li>Being out of the house</li>
<li>Your playgym</li>
<li>Being worn</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This month's dislikes:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Getting out of the bath (you scream from the moment you get out until you get fed)</li>
<li>Going upstairs to take a nap (you start a little cry as soon as we get into your room)</li>
<li>Getting unwrapped from the wrap</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Wearing:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li>Clothes: All 0-3 month</li>
<li>Diapers: Size 1</li>
</ul>
</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-41002845330277184392016-02-29T09:39:00.001-05:002016-02-29T09:48:54.200-05:00Recovering from a C-Section or MyomectomyI'm obviously not a doctor, but after having a <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/08/tomorrow.html" target="_blank">myomectomy</a> in 2012 and a <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2016/02/olivias-birth-story.html" target="_blank">C-Section in 2015</a>, I have a little bit of personal experience of ways to recover more quickly from the surgery. I know, because I did much better with my C-Section than I did with my myomectomy.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most people have no idea what a myomectomy is, and I didn't until I had to have one. A traditional myomectomy is very similar to a C-Section in that the incision is made in the same place and fibroids (benign tumors) are then cut from the walls of the uterus. I was told when prepping for my C-Section that the myomectomy is a slightly more difficult surgery because of the number of incisions and the location of the incisions, but that <i>they're very similar</i>.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Because of my quicker recovery from my first surgery to my second, I wanted to share my tips on ways to more quickly get back to feeling like yourself after either of these major surgeries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEhfI5CWp6DOGb9t-9SDYxFq57pifhFwUDy8OhVkOX6CnLZhkU0327kJlfpcZAFSc2IOW_jSHurGMiK44vVsh312Ya_m_wZr0yYO_JXuYB5A4PIcecIVvuzBYFzuRTGNreDGKVKNkqm_Ie/s640/5+%25281%2529.png" width="424" /></div>
<div>
<b>Get up and walk around as soon as the nurses tell you to. </b>You will not feel like getting up and walking around, I assure you. But when the nurses come in and encourage you to do it, do it. With my myomectomy I did it as little as possible, and it definitely slowed my recovery. It took me much longer to be able to get up and down and walk than it did with my C-Section. Because I kept getting up and down to go visit Olivia in the NICU and make my way back to my room to rest and get my medicines, I was much more mobile much more quickly. Don't overdo it, and make sure to follow your nurse and doctor's suggestions on when you're doing enough or too much.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Take the pain medicines. </b>I was given a morphine drip during both surgeries. They kept the drip for a day following the myomectomy, but they stopped it once I was done with surgery for the C-Section. They offered me Percocet alternating with motrin in the hospital, and I usually took it. At one point during the C-Section recovery I slept through a dose and didn't call for it and didn't worry about it because I thought I was feeling better. When I woke up and could hardly sit up, I realized I wasn't out of the woods yet. Don't skip a dose for at least a couple of days. It's safe to take while breastfeeding, and it really makes a difference. Once I got home I felt I could ditch the Percocet after a day or two, but I did keep with the ibuprofen for a bit longer. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Take the iron supplements and stool softeners. </b>This isn't pretty advice, but it's essential. Because they move things around inside of you during the surgery, it takes some time before you'll be able to make a bowel movement, and it takes a lot of time before you'll be able to make one comfortably. The stool softeners and iron supplements help immensely both in the quickness and comfort factor, and I assure you that you do not want to avoid either. I was much better at remembering them after the myomectomy, and it made so much of a difference compared to the time after the C-Section. It was still uncomfortable to use the bathroom even weeks after the surgery if I didn't take the stool softeners.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Don't try to do everything when you get home. Let people help you. </b>This is going to sound like contradicting advice since I said to move around as my top piece of advice, but there's a difference. When I came home from my myomectomy, I laid on the couch too much. When I came home from my C-Section I tried to do too much. With a baby in tow, I was trying to clean the house, change the diapers, and carry the baby everywhere. I felt worthless just sitting, and both my mom and Tim's mom were here to help. They kept telling me to sit, but I just wanted to wash baby clothes and clean dishes so our house looked more put together. In hindsight, I think I overdid it with all the walking around and doing. I ended up having bleeding for much longer than I think I would have if I had rested a little bit more. I think there's a happy medium you have to find. <i>If your incision site starts aching, rest. If you're feeling like you can't stand up straight when you stand, walk around more. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<b>Don't lift anything heavier than your baby.</b> Again, this comes back to asking people for help. The nurses and doctor told me after by myomectomy not to lift anything heavier than a milk jug for 6 weeks, and for the C-Section they said nothing heavier than my baby. In the few instances where I did lift something even a little heavier, I felt it near the incision site. I luckily didn't have any issues with stitches opening up, and I think the fact that I followed this advice was one of the reasons.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Letting people help me after both surgeries was really the key to my recoveries. Being an independent person, it made it hard to ask people to help me get up and down out of bed at the hospital, carry bags leaving the hospital, help with the cleaning and dishes at home, and help me up the stairs to go to bed once we got back to our house. I ended up doing it, though, because I knew it would make a difference. I had more motivation to recover the second time, because Olivia was here and needed my constant attention. But either way, no one wants to be stuck on the couch for a week after they get home feeling like less than their best. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
What advice did I miss or helped you recover from either of these surgeries?</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-78059686925062367652016-02-24T11:51:00.000-05:002016-02-24T11:51:06.740-05:00Olivia's 0-3 Month Essentials<center style="text-align: left;">
Olivia is 12 weeks today, but she'll be 3 months old next Wednesday. Though time is flying and things are changing quickly at this stage, I don't see her using any new items so frequently I'd deem them an essential. Though there are a few other items that we use regularly, such as our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ROEBAK4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00ROEBAK4&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=EYNXO3P6KA3SC4FG" rel="nofollow">Motorola Baby Monitor</a>, these items are the ones I'd say that Olivia uses on a daily or near daily basis. I'll do a separate post of items like the crib, pack n play, and car seat that we use, but these are the basics.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I have a few friends who have asked me for baby shower gift ideas lately, as sometimes it's hard to decide what is essential on someone's registry. These would absolutely be items I'd recommend buying off of a baby registry. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I ranked the items based on necessity and frequency of use for Olivia.</center>
<center>
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTXSizvOtDny3Ty3KhIuY9WzwBe7RwXPywufJGBkIzE4lxJB6i-tNDBa75Moxo0PiGqFtM08JrUgtyth0A2oa6CAFEusSr9FM0YEKD7PV4gc68NQxYQGCedPI5rUC0xWSzDWKFtoZZK9a/s640/Olivia%2527s+0-3+Month+Essentials+%25282%2529.png" width="452" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IIDRNWE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00IIDRNWE&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=SZEQ3OMYPP57IKJL" rel="nofollow">aden + anais Classic Burpy Bib</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00IIDRNWE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: Olivia has been a spitter since the beginning. She's gaining the right weight, so her doctor says it's just a laundry problem. These bibs have been out number one most used item by far. We have about 8 of them, and I feel like we go through almost all of them each day. The shape, snaps, and absorbency of them make them perfect for constant use, as I can snap them on her she can still get to her hands (which she has recently started loving putting in her mouth.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XXp_KqMLq3eWt966SpiW73eBLOGuujxwU1Rl1Ny8cNxRqQ1rEo0MiuvxNerQvADK4FHMJGdbkJMr0ZSX6gGKcG7D4Zff2tTCm8H84BfVNn-ajhd5-kO68QMZm8GKVBw1kOBCS8UhzSPH/s640/2015-12-22+16.49.27.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burpy bib with a smile on an early ride in the stroller. This was one of our first walks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TR58MA4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00TR58MA4&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=JNBEWMCTOF5GO247" rel="nofollow">Halo Sleepsack Swaddles</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00TR58MA4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: Olivia has been sleeping in the Halo swaddle sleepsacks every night since she came home from the hospital. I end up having to wash them everyday because of said spitup, so we just bought another one to reduce laundry frequency. The velcro makes them harder for her to escape (though she still does sometimes), and the zipper ending on the bottom means we don't have to take them all the way off of her to do nighttime diaper changes (though we're having to change at night less frequently now).</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00R8M0DGE/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00R8M0DGE&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=SJ5F2PAGMU66V35G" rel="nofollow">Boppy Newborn Lounger</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00R8M0DGE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: I mentioned this in my Five on Friday post, but Olivia almost lives in this thing. I love holding her and cuddling her, but she can only take so much of it before she fusses to be put down. We put her in this on the couch, and then I can look at her, talk to her, and play with her while she looks me in the face and looks around. So many of the photos on my phone are of her laying in the Boppy Newborn Lounger on our couch.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAAnXBm_lPExV0yMNOaZC5rrpz2lJowzr-EPzo8YyDi6_uzzgP9Njj5K_L2TXcqSB-TKMv8VxlmR8n3w45kCWpoxh9EFryUBE6WyGMicVXcAuS1Az-aDUNjPYX9wTco7j3FZiOrDf3TV8/s640/2015-12-30+19.53.36.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves that paci, and the newborn lounger is there in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045I6IA4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0045I6IA4&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=K2EJDUQZZP33VSUY" rel="nofollow">Philips Avent Soothie Pacifier, 0-3 Months</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0045I6IA4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: Olivia was introduced to a pacifier in the NICU. I didn't intend to introduce her to one until 1 month because of breastfeeding, but the first time we went down to the NICU she had one in her mouth and I wasn't about to take it out. Since then she uses it when falling asleep. More recently I've been trying to wean her off of it for nighttime sleep, because she wakes up in the night and needs it if she starts out with it. For daytime naps, though, she uses it to fall asleep and then it doesn't seem to impact her if she wakes up without it. She's not good at keeping pacifiers in her mouth, but this is the one that stays in the best of the three kinds we've tried. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E9F3LZS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00E9F3LZS&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=VP7ABFPZPBZKD4ZL" rel="nofollow">aden + anais Swaddle Blankets</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00E9F3LZS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: These receiving blankets are useful for all kinds of things. In the early days we'd put them on her for naps when she still napped downstairs with us, but I've also used them to cover her carseat when it's really sunny and we're out on a walk, as burp clothes when all the others are dirty, and to keep her warm of course. There are two options of sizes, and the more expensive ones are bigger, though the fabric is fairly similar in feel.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://shop.sollybaby.com/collections/all/products/preorder-heather-grey" target="_blank">Solly Baby Wrap</a>: My friend <a href="http://www.leahwithlove.com/" target="_blank">Leah</a> gave us this wrap that she had used with both of her babies, and I love it. I've gotten more use out of it as I've understood how tightly to wrap Olivia in it. I really use it around the house as much as anything right now. When Olivia starts getting fussy at night but it's too close to bedtime to put her down for a nap, I wear her in the Solly wrap and she'll either quiet down or fall asleep on me. This has been more of a recent development after she wasn't falling asleep wherever she was sitting when she was tired (that was around 6 weeks).</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13k8wURYlg4tO1cCCqbRv3po4d3LvPV1sjWMubOEJDKJWnBZ1IS759KyTj1cm3HeMQkxiAMIQbbD41Pom65Y2ZUyexG_yZuxTUwOlFSRpmmg_3uHyI84ggm0A2jafLbfzD42V2HUuGb1B/s640/2016-02-19+10.37.14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how enamored she is with the lights, music, and animals. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FFL58Q/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000FFL58Q&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=W5GTNLL7PFAZ2BFU" rel="nofollow">Fisher-Price Rainforest Melodies and Lights Deluxe Gym</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FFL58Q" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: We have used this play gym since Olivia was born. Though she didn't played with the animals until a few weeks ago, we used it as a tummy time mat. Now that she's reaching for things and kicking things, she loves the animals. I have it set to play music when she actually kicks the animals, so she's always kicking trying to get the lights and music to play. She's particularly enamored with the lights at this stage.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4UVMoqs7z-oStTT0DxHizQhPLroIAEF5J1Lr3ek1Kx1xoAN9V62bXdupFHzWz_APh4JEx5ezhMlrgYK0z2PLHwF1jqxrNvwu0fdPwsBkjDSO71wxrWcg7F6rfM_t9fEErYRki6P33VW1/s640/2016-02-23+14.00.35.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've learned (and been told my a couple of friends) that if she falls asleep in the Tula that I can just keep walking (often around Target) to get in a bit of a nap. This was actually yesterday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.tulababycarriers.com/products/foliage-tula-ergonomic-baby-carrier" target="_blank">Tula Baby Carrier in Foliage</a>: I use this carrier a lot to walk Olivia around the neighborhood and take her out places. She loves being close to me when we're out, and with the infant insert that helps stabilize her head, this is so comfortable to wear for me and comfortable to be in for her. The infant insert is definitely necessary for now, as it sits her up higher and helps her head control. I couldn't tell you whether to go with the Solly or the Tula, because I use them at different times and think they each have a time and a place, like many baby things.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCBPsQnU-xlUu3qE_I-YJU1R1Rp8hILHr-wNGnfgRNBl988zUNNzi3YdXIZQieAuBzqhij26A8N1dvzwEgyOgO9nAjhOp-epLOywlkiI2M7bHZURtsUfGIlt9ZQ_Gl25Zy8d-1boYHyi6/s640/2016-02-16+17.04.51.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello overstimulated eyes and bad picture, but this was the first time she grabbed and shook the rattle,!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZYM8SS/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000ZYM8SS&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=ANEYQDDKMQOWTHKD" rel="nofollow">Bright Starts Rattle and Shake Barbell Rattle</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000ZYM8SS" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />: In the last week or two, we've been using this rattle more than any other toy that we have. Olivia likes it because it's colorful and makes noise. She has recently started grabbing it and shaking it herself. The other toy that we've been using is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VWZU7S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002VWZU7S&linkCode=as2&tag=litgirinthebi-20&linkId=4YAQO4RBL6QTI4TW" rel="nofollow">Lamaze Captain Calamari</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=litgirinthebi-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B002VWZU7S" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />. We use him for the different fabrics, but she can't hold him yet so she's not as intrigued by him.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
There are of course other items that we use on a less frequent basis, but these are the ones we're constantly reaching and grabbing for in the last few months. I'm looking forward to getting to play with more toys with Olivia, as she's starting to interact more with them.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Anything I'm completely forgetting? I almost left off the pacifier but looked at the monitor to check on my napper and saw it laying there and realized how silly it was that I had forgotten it. </center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-46137433896791222542016-02-22T11:45:00.000-05:002016-02-22T11:45:36.917-05:00Olivia's Birth Story<center style="text-align: left;">
As I go back in time to share thoughts and feelings, I sort of feeling like I'm writing a novel like <i>Girl on the Train</i>. Bare with me as I jump back and forth in time. I do want to capture some moments and share thoughts, so back and forth we go.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Sometime in October of 2015 I scheduled the C-Section for Olivia's birth. Putting "have a baby" on your calendar is a very weird thing to do, as it's not what most people experience. Being type A, it worked out for me. I didn't choose to have a C-Section, so I've never engaged myself in the C-Section vs medicated birth vs natural birth debate. I was medically required to have a C-Section at 37.5 weeks because of the <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/08/tomorrow.html" target="_blank">myomectomy</a> that I had back in 2012. I couldn't go into labor for reasons no one cares to hear. Had I never had the surgery there's a chance I wouldn't have been able to get pregnant because of the placement of the fibroids that I had.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
So with that said, I always just accepted that this was how I would have my baby (babies if we're blessed and able to get pregnant again in the future). I scheduled it for December 2nd at 12:30. At the time, the date seemed so far away. I was fairly miserable and was so very ready for Olivia to arrive. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
When December 1st came and I was sitting at the hospital doing my pre-op and wearing my arm band, I still wasn't accepting of the fact that my entire life would be changing tomorrow.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Yet, my parents arrived the night of December 1st, Tim's mom got to town, and we went to bed for the last night as just us. The bassinet was setup, but there was no one in it.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Za4t_zdg0TOhPAZCOCgsbNg_XHEHVZ2FwGO5ZxEfntXFiZk2l_v6D9AWIDikcDvp1M_LCtiznXOHnv-HpXia5b_KVvVUa9h8may7Po2IjPBWTUd2hS-RGvvcdKKlYeAs3leiy42XfDya/s640/2015-12-02+09.51.20+HDR-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last time just the two of us...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
On the morning of December 2nd, I did everything that I was supposed to do (wash with anti-bacterial soap, not eat, take my thyroid pill with very little water, etc.). We were supposed to arrive at the hospital at 10:30, but what were we really supposed to do the morning we were going to have a baby? Do the dishes? Watch TV? No. We got everything together and left early, because we couldn't just sit around the house anymore.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
When we arrived in the waiting area to be called back, I ended up crying a little bit when I saw grandparents waiting to hear word about their grandbabies. I cried because it was the last time it would just be the two of us, and I of course cried a little because I was nervous. The surgery was very similar to a myomectomy as far as what happens before. This time they'd just me taking a baby out instead of fibroids. I knew what to expect, but more than anything I was nervous for the spinal. I have no idea why. It ended up being nothing at all.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I was called back to clean up and get my IV hooked up, and then they brought Tim back. It turned out we had to wait a lot longer than planned because of emergency C-Sections that kept getting pulled in front of us. It was surreal to sit in the hospital bed feeling Olivia move and knowing that I'd get to meet her so soon. But, we were getting really impatient. The waiting time was killing us. Then, the OB who was scheduled to assist my OB in the surgery came back and said that my OB's kids had gotten sick and she wasn't going to be able to do the surgery. There's a lot more back story about why this made sense and why it wasn't weird to me that this happened, but suffice it to say that I've been with my OB for 7 years and she made a special exception to do my surgery when she wasn't on call and it backfired. I had seen the OB that ended up doing my C-Section several times in their practice, so it worked out okay. I was surprisingly unfazed; I think it was because at that point I just wanted the baby out and didn't care if a doctor I'd never met did the surgery.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Finally the anesthesiologist came back and said it was time and began wheeling me to the OR. It was funny because they hadn't put the hairnet on me and they gave it to me and I put it on myself. He said something about how proficient I was at it, and I mentioned I was a swimmer. We ended up having a discussion about triathlons and endurance running, and it literally kept my mind off the spinal and how nervous I was. It was so well timed. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
When we got to the OR I moved to the table I'd be on for the surgery, bent over, and had the spinal placed. Then I was rushed to lay down. They started prepping for surgery and Tim wasn't there still. He had been taken to a different room while I was prepped to prep himself and get into scrubs. I asked if they were waiting on Tim and they assured me they wouldn't start until he was there. Then he walked right in. You really do have a lot of time without your husband in the OR before they start the surgery. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I was fully numbed, and they told me they were starting. Tim and I held hands and waited. The anesthesiologist told me if I started feeling nauseous to let him know. He asked what song we wanted playing when Olivia was born, but we hadn't thought about it and said he could pick. Ha! After about 10 minutes of strange and uncomfortable noises, they said it was about time. Tim stood up and saw Olivia come out, and the anesthesiologist took pictures with Tim's phone. They showed me the photo before I saw Olivia, and in the photo she looked HUGE! Because of the gestational diabetes I thought she'd be big, but she looked really huge.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzn_WmJL5CR1pCcKLOgIXn83Uc7BV3R4g-sM4-08uI20GhHbCCW77ac6OKAG0FJAfxiLnChVxo8bQURSVpATMyq3Z2GulUh2KGexKDURMB-RSyXMZHPQNC_RHCSMToWU6dQXhp93LpQwa/s640/2015-12-02+14.46.41.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first photo together</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
It was funny because as soon as they took her over to the table to clean her up and I saw her, I realized that she wasn't huge at all and it was just a strangely framed photo. They told me she was 7 pounds 2 ounces. Her cries were the best thing in the world. All I kept doing was asking, "is she okay? is she okay?" I had spent so much of the later part of my pregnancy just worried about the health of my baby. I had high fluids in my uterus, gestational diabetes, and ended up having to take a medicine to regulate my morning sugar levels that made me nervous. I just needed to know my baby was okay.</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9I53na-FMqmDwWxYajAcDxyThrIKnDOD8Nw76NBDL6ORhRjx2-xb4qku06iOgYaMs_jjjwvSuLHIMDstD_0rnyGwZI0xTNCWtVHYndqx5pfqrHiDbcTVdlPiwP9mJQZFDRHPg4li2Hdj/s640/2015-12-02+15.18.41.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
And she was. They kept assuring me she was fine. I didn't get to breastfeed there, but I got to hold her and look at her. I cried one tear, but more than anything I just felt this earth-shattering sense of relief that my baby was finally here in my arms. But then they took her away. Tim got to go with her, but they had to run all the tests and make sure her blood sugar was okay. While she was away I had to lay on the table and be sewn up, which was unquestionably the hardest part of the surgery (not in the sense of pain, but in the sense that my husband and my baby girl were in another room and I had to wait to go be with them). I was away from my girl while they were sewing me up, and when I finally got rolled over to recovery I still had to wait. They wouldn't let me breastfeed her there either because her sugars were low and they wanted to immediately supplement with formula. </center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5UM9C-kkZte0UNaeuGS9QZ3heT6rM3dnIuSW5ELNvZSua8KoGNJYx3m8W6WJ0FVKWUw03nFZG0zKSNY0EGRr9hPFI3oVO2DksspsNp2PqGuvdOR0D_-F0lDN7xwfrjeczSuD-nt_t5FsJ/s640/2015-12-02+16.40.27.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
The whole supplementing with formula was a very hard battle for me, because I really didn't want that to happen. I swallowed my pride though and just accepted that I would do whatever was best for Olivia. They would let me breastfeed here and there, but for the most part she got her nutrients from formula when they'd check her sugars and the levels would be off. It was a tough first day in the hospital, because I was still out of it from the surgery and on pain medicines, and yet I didn't really feel like anyone from the hospital was helping me understand that she needed to be breastfeeding regularly to help my milk come in, or I needed to pump to help if she wasn't feeding.</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQatro5Ty3lXwwwHreK16h3x4i7ZED-5_bbcKbVl9vzjzLGf6hBBrGmXNFLkTvsA_JOaEfcvpOAy37n58oNqRsa78F-W_tmas8lvZrGRD02Rc4eoR-2zaNPac-Fcjq0Y4MBfcJ_DALK2J/s640/2015-12-02+17.50.14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In our room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
The thing was, she was eating. She latched well and would stay on, but they kept wanting to supplement because her levels got so low it scared them. Eventually this would lead us to the NICU, which I'll talk about in another post, but I will say that I had a wonderful delivery and a mediocre hospital stay. I did have a phenomenal experience with one nurse in the NICU who helped me understand the importance of regular pumping and feeding so my milk would come in, but other than that I just was frustrated. </center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRn-Vzh0b2mFQdiJuPLwpV6QcyAybpnD-KPVdZrhJBPfZIhpW7CIu256XCW7IqTML0rpvpgkesMWWCn6hTki9ndFPk0QZq66m1EApoFWgq1pNL4lOR43Ob8Ef8csVm7aGQCGOmc9W5m35Q/s640/2015-12-04+18.33.13.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wonderful NICU nurse as we were heading back to our room once she was discharged from NICU. Terri was only Olivia's nurse for one day, but the amount that we learned from her in terms of parenting, feeding, etc. was more than any book I had read or any other nurse told us. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
We both got discharged from the hospital 3 days after arriving, because Olivia's levels had regulated by the time I was ready to leave. They told me they would once she was no longer attached to the placenta that was causing all of the high sugars, but to finally have her with regular blood sugar I was so excited to know my girl was back to feeling good. From the moment we got home she has been breastfeeding like a pro. She was up the first night home screaming for an hour and wouldn't latch, so we finally broke down and gave her 10mL of formula because we knew she was hungry and my milk still hadn't come in. Besides that one time, she has had nothing but breastmilk, which is something that I wanted to do for her. That was important to me, even though I know there's absolutely nothing wrong with formula.</center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayX0OONXW1sgtj78GMX7vuwTjNNjBo5LFF68I2SS_TfFWdSQyPKOrA6WaIrJthtMP4z0N4xcQJmc6gbI1IVYPje4XAnSVlXVDnl7Wv_CzPYKvjwoLmUHtut1QmzpFAYCDpZQs47kBa5pH/s640/2015-12-02+22.01.54.jpg" width="480" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Looking back, I don't remember a lot about my hospital stay, and I hate that. Between being on drugs from the C-Section and pain pills for the after part, having Olivia taken to the NICU the second day, and trying to figure out how to feed her and get up from my bed, into a wheel chair, and rolled down to the NICU, it was quite a blurry experience. It was hard for me, and it is still hard for me to look back and only remember a few experiences from the hospital stay, but it is what it is. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
One of my favorite memories of the entire time was when my parents came in. I remember it very well because my mom brought me a balloon. The balloon still has a little bit of air in it and is getting closer to the ground each day, and every time I look at it I flashback to seeing my mom and dad come in to see me and get to hold Olivia for the first time. It was such a happy moment for all of us, and I'm so glad that a silly balloon brings me back to it. I just am truly thankful for that balloon and it helping me to carve that special memory out in my mind. </center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf53j_jNgkfHaXModaGR81cLDcL4tjiqL2oUb2cQv0sxE652m_yv-fn_gLsy94Pedtk4cIayo6RnVIJGX-XnRfN48j7_pTjkyXEs4dx1bl7zM2y2PqzUBtJ2LVNcJwiejtxBnUXJ-wF4FC/s640/2015-12-02+17.50.50.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's that balloon, and I remember this moment over all the other ones once I got to my room.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center style="text-align: left;">
The other distinct and happy memory that I have is one of Tim popping his head up from the couch he was sleeping on to check on Olivia the first night. Every single teeny sound or peep she would make would cause Tim to pop up and check on her. I couldn't see Tim over on the couch because the bassinet that Olivia was sleeping in was between us, so I'd just see his head pop up. I loved it so much, because it was so clear that he wanted to make sure she was okay and make sure there was nothing he could do. It showed to me what kind of a dad he would be, and it truly is the dad he has become and continues to be.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I wrote 7 pages a few days after we got home from the hospital so I'd remember more, but I didn't go back and read them before writing this because I already knew I'd end up with a novel. </center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vzSY32D2WHGKDogd5a2X7eNpdncj51fjoJttoS61Q2EG2Z59szayD6hupHGlokM3pdzHn7Y1ZlfslwHEZb1ZcGUomOvV7Z6BQZYFnm0LGrDTTjLj2iLNLgHGSur1HbOk4bjrtR6TnNAb/s640/2015-12-04+18.42.12.jpg" width="640" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
December 2nd, 2015 will forever be one of the happiest days of my life. I'm so incredibly thankful for an uneventful and uncomplicated C-Section, and I'm so thankful for the NICU staff and how they helped get my baby girl back to full health. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
We love Olivia more than I could have expected. It's a love so intense sometimes it brings me to tears. Being a mommy is truly the best job in the world while also being the hardest thing I've ever done. </center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllka88mQzdHRfH89WqC2FZELdD3nLH0MPEnkojOPDV233C9daH9YpozZhPTlLZRyzUlx8JFmG3yOBViX7QZl-bCTPxrSvv49_Ij-FFYiJU98gvPkGoL7vRX5krCW1H-n-jZ6mrydIEvir/s640/2015-12-05+12.43.41.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading home!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-13505854767580846682016-02-19T08:29:00.000-05:002016-02-19T08:29:39.353-05:00Five on Friday<center style="text-align: left;">
Getting back to blogging has reminded me how much I used to enjoy it! Pregnancy was a bear for me, and I was exhausted and a tad bit of a curmudgeon for the later half, so I know why I stopped, but even after a couple of posts I'm already glad to be back! </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
One of my favorite things to do is participate in link ups! I love Fridays for a million reasons, and when I'm working the feeling of 3:20 on Friday (when school gets out) is one that I can't replicate. I feel like I can take on the world on a Friday afternoon. So, to celebrate Friday, I'm participating in the Five on Friday link up!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I thought I'd share 5 things I'm loving currently!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b>Kahwa Coffee and their cookie the size of my face</b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH8xXSZMjLhombxUF9eN-0ABvPyDG7xNXJq7Gg4fA9i2np1oIJO1APVh22AC5npGiRkzjjHH9DS9-qF-L-DF-gFqa22A-wPQVwgewEccVpnFTOnPrvzaPR3ruz4B4N7JbUvQQrrdaHAmzD/s400/IMG_9450.JPG" width="400" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I mentioned that I haven't been getting out on big excursions a lot until recently, but I have been doing a lot of neighborhood walking. Some days I put Olivia in the stroller and push her for a while around the neighborhood (especially before she was napping well), and sometimes I strap her into the Tula and go for a walk. Either way, I've been stopping far too frequently at the Kahwa that opened in my neighborhood. And when I go, I can't help myself with their oatmeal, flax seed, peanut butter, chocolate chip cookie. It's huge, and it's dangerous. I'm limiting myself now, as the weight hasn't been dropping as quickly as it did in the beginning, but I am still going one or two times per week.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b><i>Big Little Lies</i> by Liane Moriarty</b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsD_V6JNoHcLcfKDSAEd6X0-hj5WjfY4d76dcmht_DRwR6yCYpw1y-gdrQXDo2QIl-L9VZMITZpY_-pE9HC07Em8D3cmmpACnAhXIWXveyj7ubU5qzyKqqzAxRWAi8yc7cGfxCCLjqIxb/s400/IMG_9458.JPG" width="400" /></b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Before Olivia got her shots and I couldn't take her out anywhere (our doctor heavily advised against it because of the flu and CRV going around as well as pertussis), I had to do something around the house to free my mind of anxiety. I started reading. I'm not a big reader on a regular basis, because once I finish a good book I hesitate to start another for fear that it won't be as good. <i>Big Little Lies</i> is the best book I've read in a few years (but again, that's not saying a lot as I only read a few books per year). I would highly recommend it because of the plot twists and readability, and the way it all comes together in the end is perfection. Also, they're making a Netflix series based on the plot of it starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I promise I'm going to start another book soon. I just have to decide on one that I think will hold up to this.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b>Boppy Pillow and Lounger</b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxz3PBYslEhCtyvk2hxfyh-_NYDhyphenhyphenGQ5DfZJv7duqsH8FwkvDrjwjPV6Hlfts1_hz-KNmh1NcfsMQlMavcGG_81MVJGvtYVLTDR8CMaOMS82S0iNjnn_pCg7RajoeF7DnlAisQS6YgADxD/s400/IMG_9345.JPG" width="300" /></b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I registered for both the Boppy pillow to use for feeding and lounger to let Olivia sit in on the couch. I didn't know if I'd need both, but I now am so thankful that I have both. We have tile floors downstairs with no carpet, so it's not that conducive to sit on and play with Olivia. Once I'm done feeding her and holding her for a little I'll put her in the lounger next to me on the couch and talk to her and play with her. She loves it because she can then look around and also can see my face straight on. I don't leave her in it out of my site, because she's gotten good at pushing back in it with her feet, but to hang out with me and Tim on the couch it's perfect.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b>My iPhone</b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt87_FjBkLaKrnIKtLJqu4FAMpALAo-NVcYuIASyX4-nvd5oyHL17egfzG6VYBP0UgthOIgHFtYnsxizxI0cgElV9uNF3LV5TjpaEUPcBo9dm20AxsWa85P-9mmkaOrGAPfIFJAYfqV_kw/s400/3.jpeg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHwpU7WW0XiO_r_IPX0aemYjEwRdbsPlg4UO5xu7pc8raB2oR7pohGwkeNxiI89JDoxPp53lawjfzdTSz9Ot4jiXOZMnCgrXqwb4TKezIZrWjnkPizQpjzgev00t1a5oN_EqyzCzY-2GZ9/s400/2.jpeg" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYm8Lx8MDqc9CK3_F6IpbwW4QDPaqh3nBlOh3kmg0d9nRyRvC1McT5B1wVMKVJdoquwy0P_EUQD_3AAZ7hIjFu7BaMMjDLizzT-ibmkdnxOEh-0McgKT4rhYgYoZDA5LciLNP4xPYyoz2/s400/1.png" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Though not that exciting, the number of ways my phone has proven useful since having a baby tops the ways I used it pre-baby. I'm sure I've only touched the surface of useful apps, and I've gotten recommendations from friends, but between tracking sleep and feedings (Total Baby), a white noise app (Sleep Pillow), the kindle app to read on my phone when Olivia is eating or falls asleep on me, and an app with developmentally appropriate activity ideas (BabySparks), I run through an entire charge in half the day. I'll be on the lookout for other great apps as we go.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b>My Growing Girl!</b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4Q-DvVqi3RN-x4LX7uTH6hH7ZSutwcBqU7FcNF0KZwU77G43bk9O6eQmc4gHlp9y0dQ4LyxsHtz3sy2_lSLDyrao61DxlT9qlg-mp_5wrYxws2KyB9LTBpHu5Wz5DTZ1bC5ltQ68-vMR/s400/IMG_9456.JPG" width="400" /></b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
In my first Five on Friday I of course had to choose Olivia! But more so, I love watching her grow. When we came home from the hospital I got hit with a serious case of the baby blues, and I was crying over everything and nothing. One of the things that I was the most sad about was the idea of her growing up (sounds crazy I'm sure, but I wanted my little baby to stay my little baby forever). And while I see people posting their hospital baby photos and already miss my little newborn, I now understand what people mean when they say you miss the days behind you but each stage is more and more fun. When she started smiling back at me when I smiled at her, I just fell into a puddle. My mom has assured me that I'm still her baby, so I'm just going to have to trust people who have kids older than Olivia when they say that each stage just gets better and better. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
What books have you read lately that you just loved?</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Any baby apps that you've found particularly useful that I should look at?</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.northcarolinacharm.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRspOtBJk1m3VHVg2zGJTTUayPf425ULBKtfeaFbETSUziHsD8Sqlwe-WxcgL95jeV-jz9vkr2TLatNO7_UEwnILUOWlBYGlI47M03bpCYeN3D9nXNkehJHD4qv9TV8YQZIGYs8CCn56Yt/s200/5.jpg" width="200" /></a></center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-71895579565411572422016-02-17T16:28:00.000-05:002016-02-17T16:33:57.751-05:00Getting Out of the House<center style="text-align: left;">
I am loving being on maternity leave and spending all my time with Olivia, but after Tim went back to work when Olivia was 6 weeks old the days started going by a little slower and I started finding myself looking for things to do to fill my time. I did the laundry and the dishes and the straightening up everyday, and once I started getting the hang of getting Olivia down for a nap I found that I had excess time on my hands. I'm an over thinker to the extreme, so idle hands to truly make the devil's playground in my case. I started using my time to read about parenting methods and being a working parents versus a stay at home parent, and the comparison game got me <i>good</i>.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I've read multiple articles about <i>not</i> comparing yourself to other moms and that as long as you're loving your baby and providing her with her basic needs then you're doing all you are supposed to do, but that wasn't enough for me. I needed to know I was doing <i>everything</i> right. And, much to my dismay, I have found since then that there is no <i>right</i> in parenting. The right thing to do is the thing that works. That's a hard pill to swallow. But, once I swallowed it and we got Olivia's two month shots, I had a friend tell me that I really just needed to start getting out more.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
It's true. Though I was going on walks with Olivia most days in our neighborhood and once went to Target, it still wasn't enough. I had a few days where Olivia missed a nap and went haywire for the entire day, so I was convinced that if I went places it would throw Olivia off. But for my own sanity, I needed to get out. So I started making plans!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
And since her two month shots, Olivia and I have been to water babies with daddy, lunch with a friend, and the zoo with a friend. </center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXVbxdGXFdSDMwWl3HfwnoNvDLlj3E1Nw0g8cXmibMfb2tPP98rmHV-sSwv3vYqnlVsRXastnAEnWsQEmon92kvwri3T-mFcOjOu1bYL12f4PT0m_iINaCvd5iu9Nt1z2T0I6LCKpHtSPq/s400/oliviawaterbabies.jpg" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrXw0W_pZsoJbhDkn4AqNgn3ZwSFR2NZTpOipGXlBGNZCEsLzTdbet3v7b6LNoXSOfqyDiLUwo_fzG3w8c02KGl8f7r7_QErvjnRYw17VSs2Vvd32HSen5pvq3xaWVw6ivN0f0-DUbFiGc/s400/oliviazoo.jpg" width="300" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Since starting to get out more, I've found that Olivia really is capable of being flexible in her naps. She needs to have days here and there to recover and recuperate, and she needs to go straight down for a long nap when we get home from an excursion. But, we don't have to be chained to the house to get in sleep. This is good for my sanity and also Olivia and my bonding. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
The actual act of getting out, though, is challenging. I'm not going to pretend to write a tips post on how to get out of the house with an 11 week old, because I'm just learning myself. What I have learned, though, is that going out with a baby is nothing like going out without a baby. I'm constantly thinking about when Olivia last ate, whether she's sleeping, if I need to change her, etc. I keep forgetting to think about my own eating or drinking. Trying to interact with another adult while also existing outside of the house and mothering is like completing a triathlon of another type. I love getting out of the house with Olivia and will continue to do so to enjoy my maternity leave and our bonding time, but by the time we get ourselves home it's funny to see what state the diaper bag/my purse/the stroller are in. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Getting out has also caused me to slow my mind and stop comparing, because I don't have as much time to just sit and think. A two hour outing requires so much planning and preparation that I can't think much before, and by the time we get home I'm tired and just want to hang out on the couch and watch tv after getting household chores done. It also allows me to just do what works.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I do look forward to going other places. I know I'll continue to get better at it! Eventually I may even be able to share my own tips or tricks on getting out of the house!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Any tips on getting out of the house without panicking or forgetting anything?</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Where are other good places to take a baby that include a lot of strolling around?</center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-19069990134694795172016-02-16T08:46:00.000-05:002016-02-16T08:54:56.022-05:00A true little girl in the big world<center style="text-align: left;">
I haven't written on my blog in a very long time. It has been since August when I announced that Baby C was definitely a girl. I had a tough time towards the end of my pregnancy, and between starting back to real work (I work some in the summers doing part of my job, but when the kids get back the grind picks up) and moving into my third trimester, blogging was the last thing on my mind. After baby girl came on December 2nd, I thought about writing about her birth and doing her monthly updates, but because I had been out of the blogging world for so long I couldn't find the motivation to start back. I was learning to be a new mom, and though I thought I was prepared, it definitely was (and has been) a transition. I've been documenting everything for myself and writing Olivia's birth story, monthly updates, and important moments down so that I will have them to reflect back on, but when I was writing them, I still didn't feel like making the transition back into blogging.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
That said, the urge to start back writing more frequently has recently increased. I thought about starting a new blog, but the transition that this blog has made from lifestyle blogger to a sad attempt at a fashion blog to running blogger to tracking my journey to Ironman is who I am, and now that I'm a mom I don't want to leave that behind. Becoming a mother has been a huge transition for me, and the past 11 weeks have absolutely caused me to shift my focus from anything related to me to everything related to Olivia, and to some extend that has been difficult and to another extent I have loved everything about it. I decided that I have things to share and that I want to stay connected to other women in the blogging world and share my story. So, all that to say, I'm back to blogging!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I wanted to do a quick update of things that were missed along the way and also things that I want to elaborate on in more detail in other posts. </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViQ_x8rG5xv2RwBsYteXwPjHL_Ed_7vJw853eS_pbodWPoExRXqmm51bSiyPpiJfwzQcks2U2KKLh2isB0wDHw0KqOKAKgdrAbKKfl-Y1rC_Tclb4iYXH7Ij80OoE844mfVikJ7DNBUJX/s400/25weeks.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
When I went for the glucose test I didn't think anything of it, because I was healthy! I did an <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2014/10/ironman-chattanooga-race-recap.html" target="_blank">Ironman</a> less than a year before! I had no reason to worry, but when I failed the first test and subsequently failed the three hour test and was officially diagnosed with gestational diabetes, I got really frustrated. And it was really hard for me. I want to share more about that experience, what I ate, and how I managed it, because I spent a lot of time trying to find support on a taboo topic that not many people talk about.</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8iQ1Gh3ESai1JqPCuWGP8AkAjeJUPMyUthaNVWqo4au0Bz0LszZ33crD4JO4Ib0MRT9dq5An64E7pg-xOFSGx1yya6CxqDr-PCj6HGLHmmrIMiUpg-gcZjHOJiHXnj5KKYtpRQMEIg93/s400/37weeks.jpg" width="300" /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Olivia was born healthy on December 2nd at 37.5 weeks via scheduled C-Section (which was required because of the <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/08/tomorrow.html" target="_blank">myomectomy I had in 2012</a>). That was a very surreal moment, but it was the happiest moment of our lives. My husband and I were overjoyed. </center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6vCa8flgfCL4OA4X93kj-x1RUQ_m5ZNZn-P2Cy0T8lUE1bwHkrrDb_HvfRY2DtCxSXpy28CiI9LCVkXvgYDtwRlW6EQs0sWHVBFzVY2EdlYRVOVQGF9pi4AgujBzHKQEcDuRicdB-0ou/s400/IMG_7583.JPG" width="300" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJe5XMhZ8twZgDZSQTTVT6ZnK75BlyjXo-8rcPzlXL3xio2PCn1TyuEp4I8yahdQA99JGbZWrspJLvBM9uBHMIGCkQk2wcFWaUwtoS_2fc38iiGPn7aJe5uVa_lZTjoEI6QkrLIxGyK9Y/s400/IMG_7594.JPG" width="300" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Olivia ended up having low blood sugar, which can happen as a result of the increase of sugar in my system due to the gestational diabetes, and was admitted to the NICU on December 3rd. When the doctor came in to tell us this, my heart broke into a million pieces. She was only there for a day and a half, but not being able to spend time with my little girl in my hospital room and having to wheel to the NICU every time I wanted to see her for most of my stay was a really awful experience. Recovering from a C-Section is hard enough, but trying to do it while also trying to get to a different floor of the hospital every few hours was even tougher. I'll share more about my hospital experience and her birth, because again, it was something that I needed more information about but didn't really have the energy or the interest in looking things up at the moment.</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLoKgVTmPGh1Q9biXzN4erFSWH6bGemuCvt5kTgH1Dp6NoMnlwT-qUvKGiyPkuI6C37aS4K930m2gWWxe3HgzqTnXsAtCM_UipxJ_JHWpgK5EHPPuA6BV92Geklyt7w_2wYbVb9erv0CS/s640/olivianewborn.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I came home and was so thankful that my mom was here with us for the first week. It made it so much easier to focus on recovering and breastfeeding around the clock. I felt like a cow, more because of the milking than the weight, but I knew I wanted to try breastfeeding since I got pregnant. We have been very blessed that it has worked well for us after initially having to supplement with formula in the hospital because of the low blood sugar (I was very upset with some of the procedures in the hospital, but I swallowed my pride and just accepted what they were telling me was necessary as fact; I wanted to do what was best for Olivia, and I didn't know much beyond the class I had been to about breastfeeding). </center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3B5qJnwKUeWvgkrQu1i4fKr6VeXs3Vl_o6gR9DOU_5enReL3CW3lRSx7QyIbb-pb8ZjrQPT5gHmNHEI7VwEewSkjLaW6nvNp1ziv9qwG_q7U1xc_hD_8or1webBajsHo-J734bhl5Sp45/s640/IMG_9322.JPG" width="480" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Olivia will be 11 weeks old tomorrow, and she and I are doing great! She's so happy most of the time (except her nightly witching hour period), she sleeps pretty well most nights with a few wakeups here and there (we haven't had a sleep through the night yet), and she is growing beautifully. We are so thankful for our amazing daughter, and we're slowly learning to become parents! I look forward to sharing a little more back story and also sharing our journey going forward. I do intent to get back to running, and I'll be returning to work on April 4th. I have a lot to talk about, and I want to document it along the way while also sharing other topics.</center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MGnX1o9VH-Pa2BI9ZhYerhJ9zr3lsqOMK2rq3zYs9ozyqgBfJFnxDOyELGR_vRhiISRJ6vwUw2WR5zzicLDv3n4k8QtvNGOFeBEkLsukaOpLp0S6aYykJUJ-fJZCPJx6fPzyq-8s6Phyphenhyphen/s400/IMG_9383.JPG" width="318" /><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N7WT2yiVwm8y6QZBvXYix1FDll4CL-83YO8Rq9bBYqF8yAJyVgFyRENy735B2fUYCrVdBZl_RxGuuLrjWmFa-sBpkATZToGLdD1XhnPSz2rd4NOr11r0-A4YwGzrhZDWsldccJd9r7kh/s400/IMG_9248.JPG" width="300" /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I look forward to getting back into it! I promise it won't completely be a mom blog, but since Olivia is the center of my world now, mom topics will definitely be the most prevalent topic.</center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-52153711199728410622015-08-09T11:08:00.000-04:002015-08-09T11:08:09.774-04:00Week 21 Bumpdate and Gender Reveal!<span style="color: #767676; font-family: Century Gothic, CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">This week has been interesting and exciting all in the same. There were moments of high ups and moments of lows. I've generally been feeling like myself aside from a nasty headache that I seem to be getting every 3-4 weeks that sticks around for a few days and forces me to drink a diet coke. It's truly the only thing that relieves it, as I won't take Tylenol. I think it's an aspartame withdrawal symptom, as I only drink a diet coke once every 3 or so weeks now when these headaches pop up.</span></span><div>
<span style="color: #767676; font-family: Century Gothic, CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Century Gothic, CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><span style="color: #767676;">We went to our 20 week appointment on Wednesday and got confirmation that </span><b style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: purple;">Baby C is definitely a girl</span></b><span style="color: #767676;">! We're so excited and can't wait to meet her at the end of November/beginning of December!</span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZD1Hwa0Y9WoXQQr3liqV5PBEVTv9zv_Ihl2Xg9iydEwvPBAs4Kin7AFNwQz2ulIHHMhxhfx4h1Ui17nHMx0tY2TZIQMAPrXVQ3Pixn0oEpSY7qZRhRvWqe7ekQEMvrg2I1UYDqPrlZ3G/s640/Screenshot+2015-08-09+10.36.39.png" width="634" /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">
<center style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Baby is now the size of:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> A pomegranate or a baby bok choy. Why does it seem like a baby bok choy is smaller than the banana baby was supposedly last week? I'm going with pomegranate.</span></center>
<center style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></strong></center>
<center style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Total weight gain:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> +15 pounds. I'm going to tell you something. I'm going with my weight on my scale here, because I started measuring myself as soon as I found out I was pregnant. The doctor's office weighs me in clothes, and they started my number by saying "what did you weigh before you got pregnant?" and being the female species that I am I rounded down two pounds. I'm an idiot. So, my doctor says +18 and I say +15. But in reality I think I know best on this issue because essentially the doctor is just going on what I made up as my starting number. Thanks for letting me justify...</span></center>
<center style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maternity clothes / preferred attire:</strong> I think I popped a bit more this week. The maxi skirts are starting to get a little uncomfortable and I'm finding that non-maternity shirts are just starting to get a little too short to be cute. I need to invest in a few more maternity pieces for when school starts back and I have to look more professional.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sleep:</strong> Sleep has generally been better except the night of the headaches. That makes it hard to sleep through and I woke up a couple times that night and sat up because it felt better than laying down. I am still waking up at whatever time I get up to go to the bathroom for the last time, which tends to be in the 5:30-5:30 range.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cravings and favorite foods:</strong> I eat a lot of berries and fruit and peanut butter.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Food aversions:</strong> Nothing really. I'm having a harder time with water, but I'm forcing it down.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3X0amBs_S83aWBGLnbLyvWDe8QxtrOT5TErd7gfM6vTQ3jQn7eHw7kvfoIwCnDU8CWT0e_biQngdtifgH1JTx6LdX24ROp8Pjsxoto2ja6WGNE_7L342wDhyphenhyphenijnJABZ0Oxue0FBI6IYC/s400/Screenshot+2015-08-09+10.37.04.png" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: center;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"><b>Exercise</b>:</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: left;"> Hey, I rode my trainer once for 30 minutes after the doctor on Wednesday! I didn't wear bike shorts because I was like, hey it's only 30 minutes. And my body for three days after was like, "you haven't been on your bike in months and you weigh more now than you did then. Bad call."</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Mood:</strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I've been in a pretty good mood this week. I've been getting anxious about going back to school and all the stuff I have to do to prepare for it. That compounds with all of the stuff we have to do to get ready for baby. It's a lot at once.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Symptoms:</strong> Baby is kicking very regularly now. I feel the movement mostly when I'm sitting down on the couch, and I hardly feel it when I'm up and moving. And headaches. Ugh. That's another symptom I've been feeling this week that has been awful.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement</b>: Yup! Regularly and I love it. Tim still isn't certain that he's feeling it, and even though I think I can feel it from the outside maybe I just think I can because I feel it so strongly on the inside.</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Missing:</strong> This week, sushi...I want to eat my weight in fresh salmon sashimi...</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dHoEy3swuq6Y3GfSchP5GMl30dZc4l2d1pZ3dnS6o5VRo4BMsxESr90l6nOvNGRpolOSJt4C7Z-sJnW_dY3zuKF7r7Lo4-DiLtIp5ejchFN3qwTjmEFck2titL4_z3ADVR3012M7ZAtI/s400/blog2.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Best moments this week:</strong> There were two best moments this week. First, We got to see our baby again for the 20 week anatomy scan and find out that she's right on track for growth. She weighed in at around a pound and was in the 53rd percentile for size. Grow baby grow! The second best moment is actually happening as I write this; we're painting baby girl's nursery! It's going to be a light purple color. The nursery colors will be purple, grey, and white. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Interesting Pregnancy Moments:</strong> I feel bigger; I am bigger but I also feel it more. I know I'm going to continue to grow and get even bigger, which is very interesting to me. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Worst moments this week:</strong> I did not like the doctor we saw at the practice this week. We have to rotate to new doctors each visit (and I'm not sure why because I have to have a c-section scheduled because of the <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/08/tomorrow.html" target="_blank">myomectomy</a> from 2012), and there was a new one to the practice that we were scheduled to meet. He had started on Monday and we went on Wednesday. He was so loud and over the top and he just didn't have good bedside manner. I wanted him to check my thyroid levels (I have hypothyroidism) and he said I really didn't need to, but it's something that my primary care physician suggested I do monthly. I felt as though he sort of shamed me about the working out thing, and I just overall got a bad taste in my mouth from him. I'll be requesting not to see him again and I will ensure that he isn't the one scheduled for my c-section. I may even buy him a plane ticket to a far off land during the time I'm scheduled so that he isn't even the backup doctor. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buying:</strong> I am so so excited about this one. I bought three things this week, and it's all getting us well on our way to being prepared for the baby! The first thing I bought is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LPBV1J2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_3?pf_rd_p=1944687642&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00JXN54DI&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=127NV1QHXJEFNX3DN0M5" target="_blank">Halo Bassinest Sleeper</a>. We're planning to keep her in our room for the first few months when she arrives, and I'd been looking for a bassinet. This one is so expensive, so it wasn't even something I was thinking was possible for us, but I was also looking through the Swap n Shop pages on facebook pretty regularly to see if anything went up. I found a hardly used on on there for $100 and I met the lady to pick it up. It's in basically like new condition, and I'll just clean it and it will be perfect. I'm so happy with it.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmeuYqSKI401hPjZuacQ9fOYn46No0I6EtjdJ_mVAlf2T_nbW59fNUWnapsKuCkaUV4QaSeIXwaYszuK_e8u_hyphenhyphenz8CflMjMnOXkBsVOQyPsFBjZtEf20rKaItelblAOIYHoEwlCvJjoEK/s400/IMG_6512.jpeg" width="300" /></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We also bought the crib conversion kit at Babies R Us that turns the crib we're going to get into a toddler bed. I had read reviews that the conversion kit is really hard to get a hold of, but I called the company that makes it and the Babies R Us and I think we've placed our special order and should get that in 12-16 weeks. Because the crib and dresser we want are a bit expensive we knew we wanted to be able to use it as a toddler bed and wanted to ensure that we were able to get the conversion kit if we were going to definitely get that crib. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And lastly, I bought a set of cloth diapers and have plans to make my own burp cloths following <a href="http://www.twotwentyone.net/2012/06/diy-baby-onesies-and-burp-cloths/" target="_blank">this</a> tutorial that I found on Two Twenty One's blog. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dreaming About:</strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Getting the nursery setup. It's being painted and we'll order the rest of the furniture this week. I can't wait to get going on the decorating. We still have so much to do!</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Have a wonderful week, and I'm sure I'll be back before I even realize it. These weeks lately have been passing very quickly...</div>
</center>
</div>
</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-86301518470406463872015-08-03T15:53:00.001-04:002015-08-03T15:53:57.854-04:0020 week bumpdate!I don't know if people still read my blog since I went pretty silent post-<a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2014/10/ironman-chattanooga-race-recap.html" target="_blank">Ironman Chattanooga</a> (cue gratuitous post reminding myself that I really was athletic this one time). I'm doing these weekly bumpdates for myself but also because I really did and do enjoy reading them from other bloggers. I like knowing what's normal (even though I'm learning that abnormal is pretty much the normal). <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLDfTCHFkNeVOvbXFwSClZCwtI_8pbdnlUWln_DambftMacln0D8THsBTR7o6HOd6f51ioS7Sn16rqAauwAWrLuDArT5Utwog4vxA4sLYklHxNv9zDLhlh7uTOXtx7rZB-y5UNtinrJc7/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLDfTCHFkNeVOvbXFwSClZCwtI_8pbdnlUWln_DambftMacln0D8THsBTR7o6HOd6f51ioS7Sn16rqAauwAWrLuDArT5Utwog4vxA4sLYklHxNv9zDLhlh7uTOXtx7rZB-y5UNtinrJc7/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(I now realize this shirt didn't fit the bump...oops...)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Baby is now the size of:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> A Belgian endive or a banana. An endive is so fancy, so the banana gives me a better sense of how big baby really is. Apparently this week they start measuring head to toe instead of crown to rump. Good to know. </span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></strong></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Total weight gain:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> +13.5. I guess I'm down a little from last week. I've been eating insanely healthy this week and I also know that I'm still right where I need to be. I know last week I was holding some water weight, and my doctor I'm sure will be happy on Wednesday with where I am. She told me at the 17 week appointment to gain half a pound per week, so I'm working on that. I should be right at that when I have my appointment on Wednesday. </span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maternity clothes / preferred attire:</strong> I'm still wearing mostly yoga pants and maxi skirts and tshirts. I was out of work this week so spent a lot of time in comfy clothes since I was just working around the house. I'm going to have to buy some stuff for when school starts back. I wear a lot of dresses and I know they'll be too short in the front to wear to school.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sleep:</strong> Sleep has been better this week than last week, though I still pretty much get up at 6:00-6:30 even when I don't have anything to do for the day. I did sleep until 7:30 on Wednesday, so that was nice. I just end up waking up around that 6:00 time and can't go back to sleep. I'm getting 7-8 hours/night, which is pretty normal for me. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cravings and favorite foods:</strong> This week we ate strictly at home, which is unusual and hard for me. I love takeout or grabbing lunch somewhere! I think that's another reason I'm down a little from last week; I just didn't eat as much. I've been wanting milk like crazy the last week. I probably drink 2-3 glasses per day. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Food aversions:</strong> Nothing</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exercise:</strong> Though I guess it doesn't <i>really </i>count, I've been doing a whole lot of cleaning the house and organizing and it has kept me really active and busy around the house. I've actually really enjoyed it a lot, and it has been nice to know that we're getting rid of junk and will actually have room to put baby's stuff.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mood:</strong> I've been really emotion again this week as far as crying is concerned. I cry at commercials, things I read, things people say that are sweet, and really just about anything...other than that this has been a great week! I can't believe we're at halfway!</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Symptoms:</strong> Movement!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement</b>: Since last week when I thought I felt the baby move, I can definitely now confirm and say that I have definitely felt the baby move quite a bit. Baby is very active in the morning and at night, and then there are little spurts during the day where I feel a couple of kicks or punches. I can tell that there has been growth because I'm feeling the kicks all over. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Missing:</strong> Caffeine. I drink a cup of Keurig coffee per day and limit myself to under 200 mg/day, but I was a serial Starbucks drinker and had a Venti almost every day before getting pregnant. I miss that...</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Best moments this week:</strong> Feeling movement and knowing for sure it was movement! Hands down. It has been great to feel kicks. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Interesting Pregnancy Moments:</strong> Though I feel like my emotions are a bit more settled, crying uncontrollably over commercials has been sort of funny. I'm also starting to get a little shortness of breath when I lay back on the couch. That shortness of breath is odd. I have to turn and lay on my side to regain my breath. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Worst moments this week:</strong> Not much. I'm actually feeling pretty good this week!</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buying:</strong> Nothing so far. We're getting close to having decided on our nursery furniture. We're getting a crib and dresser from Babies R Us and hope we have success. We've heard a few horror stories of registries and products from Babies R Us. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dreaming About:</strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Still dreaming about our big 20 week appointment in two days. I'll share the gender and nursery ideas after that!</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Have you had a bad experience with Babies R Us registries or furniture?</span></div>
</center>
</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-14236375742169415862015-07-26T09:49:00.004-04:002015-07-26T09:49:56.792-04:0018 and 19 week bumpdate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We went home to visit my family in Chattanooga last week, so I didn't get a chance to do an 18 week bumpdate. We had a great time with them and the dogs were so sweet and seemed to know something was going on. My sickness has been calming down aside from a random rejection of breakfast last Friday morning. That was odd. For the most part I'm feeling better though and I've even come off the Dicelgis completely. I'm happy about that.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhCxPf8oeeuOCrRF4_L5ToNKg6RmgyBs6HP3YgbAruj4vbwjTvWCn9nL5FuT3ddUSKMQclXtBhnM0AsJ-NbV8lVusZ-WfaGRsccrE6aSTlxMWFVNfayKRAktU1Hh60fzkKRcJNohHqYb3/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-07-26+at+9.07.40+AM.png" width="276" /><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjIGgGcuRdpRPWaKlZTm2nhpY0Bs0wUR3KaBsCUqs2WEF17hzPBpZaxZv8HOFJ5iB1hANM6OcXUgDJ8h8Jz0QVMflJ1Dqu_KKg-cCCq3xurzxzDgkFRPrRShejgiKeTObuYaT0nuHsp957/s320/Screen+Shot+2015-07-26+at+9.07.56+AM.png" width="276" /></div>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Baby is now the size of:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> a tomato or a zucchini. One app says zucchini and then the sticker set I got says tomato. Either way, it's a marginal vegetable! I remember when baby was the size of a poppy seed or grain of rice only a few months ago. How quickly he/she is growing!</span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></strong></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Total weight gain:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> +14/15. It depends on the day and how much water I've had to drink, but again I'm happy with my weight. If I end up going a bit over the +25 suggested gain I'll be okay with that. I know that I am doing my best 80% of the time to eat clean and count calories and manage what I'm doing. </span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maternity clothes / preferred attire:</strong> Ugh. As I've noticed the belly has gotten a little bigger and a little more round I'm also finding that even my maxi skirts are getting a bit less comfortable. The dresses are fine, but the skirts are a bit tight. I bought a maternity v-neck shirt at Target, and as you can see in the photos above and my random choice to wear it for the photos to weeks in a row, I love it. I'll need to get a few more. It's more defining in the "I'm having a baby" way, whereas the other tshirts don't hug the bottom so it's still questionable if I'm just putting on some extra weight. I think that question is soon not going to be at all a question anymore.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sleep:</strong> I'm sleeping pretty well this week and have only been getting up once or twice for the bathroom. I don't think I'm drinking enough water, though. I need to up that. Last week I slept awfully. I woke up all the time and saw the clock every hour every night. It was awful. I'm glad that period went away, though I'm still waking up for good around the second time I wake up for the bathroom. It gives me time to get stuff done, though!</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cravings and favorite foods:</strong> I've been wanting a lot of soups, fruit, and salads this week. Yesterday the black bean soup at Panera made my day. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Food aversions:</strong> Nothing</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exercise:</strong> ...I always thought I'd be the one our running and pushing and working out like crazy when I got pregnant, but the heat in Florida and being pregnant is sucking the life out of me. I can't imagine being at the end of pregnancy in this heat. It's bad enough in the middle. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mood:</strong> I've been really emotional this week and there have been QUITE a few mood swings. I can't control my emotions at all. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Symptoms:</strong> Emotional. Tired. Occasional round ligament pain.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement</b>: I'm pretty sure I've been feeling baby move for the last 4 days. It's little flick feelings low in my stomach. I enjoy feeling it, but it's not that special feeling yet that people talk about because I'm not REALLY sure that it's baby. I have an anterior placenta that blocks a lot of the front part of my belly, so it muffles movement some. I know that is has made me excited for feeling it even more and regularly. I think Tim felt a flick last night and he was excited about that. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Missing:</strong> Not worrying. I'm always worrying about something. Is what I'm eating okay? Did I drink enough water? Is what I'm eating healthy? Is that baby moving? Am I doing everything okay? It's tiring, but in the few instances where my mind calms down it is nice to relax. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Best moments this week:</strong> Visiting my family was the best. I loved getting to hang out with my mom and dad and their dogs. It's always sad leaving them, and I wish they lived closer. Also, it was wonderful to start feeling what I think are movements. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Interesting Pregnancy Moments:</strong> Excuse me while I'm unladylike for a minute. I've been so gassy, and it's awful. I was talking to a parent this week and accidentally had one of those almost silent burps but it definitely didn't pass unnoticed. I said, "I'm so sorry. I'm pregnant and all of this stuff is just happening with my body that I can't explain." They laughed, so it turned into a funny moment.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Worst moments this week:</strong> Not sleeping last week. And being moody.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buying:</strong> We bought our diaper bag!! We got the <a href="http://www.shop.ju-ju-be.com/b-f-f-scarlet-petals/" target="_blank">Jujube B.F.F. bag</a>. I'd been doing research and knew it was the one I wanted, but on Amazon Prime day it went on a major sale, and we snatched it up. I can't wait to start packing it up! I liked it, but when it came I loved it even more. In person it's not quite so bright and some of the petals are grey. It's perfect.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS6crTLfEdvFBOOpFsYnKRYjNZF8bCxoV5q1DUshqFepo4zUb5mpLpc7m2jlI2hROETYXKAGLZw58BBmkZhALUsR7IwE4pu6qjcGNBJEdGSphNE4L_wpvXChvWtfyuEOTUHyM7mVseNVR/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-07-26+at+9.44.27+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghS6crTLfEdvFBOOpFsYnKRYjNZF8bCxoV5q1DUshqFepo4zUb5mpLpc7m2jlI2hROETYXKAGLZw58BBmkZhALUsR7IwE4pu6qjcGNBJEdGSphNE4L_wpvXChvWtfyuEOTUHyM7mVseNVR/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-07-26+at+9.44.27+AM.png" style="color: #767676; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: center;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dreaming About:</strong><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> We have our big 20 week appointment next Wednesday where they do the anatomy scan. We'll also see gender one more time (just to confirm), and then I'll share! I'm so excited to tell you!</span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And one more week to go until week 20 and the official "halfway point"!</span></div>
</center>
<center>
<br /></center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-10289842959284503122015-07-12T17:17:00.000-04:002015-07-12T17:17:00.463-04:0017 week {bumpdate}!As of Friday, I'm 17 weeks along! Just like everything else, time seems to pass slowly in the moment but quickly in looking back. Last week as a pretty good week, and it seemed like maybe the last time I was really going to get some good sleep {unless, hopefully, these last two days have been flukes, but I'll let you know next week}. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2CUpgeR8CMq0N_GmDd2rZuo8xy08xKkVSg2q90NSFxLKGvwBGvhxvucjHsVmWpaHBmm0pNhUk_QXGqgIz25vkJFpmdPabtA34hR02UTouUyPCWeu08Z6WJPV1FGKmfwSRvvOD70Bb7Zz/s640/Screenshot+2015-07-12+17.01.50.png" width="632" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<strong style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Baby is now the size of:</strong><span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> a pomegranate. Pomegranates seem large to me, so jumping from an avocado to a pomegranate seems like a big jump in one week. Baby is either growing quickly or I'm picturing a pomegranate as much larger than they are.</span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></center>
<center style="background-color: white; color: #767676; font-family: 'Century Gothic', CenturyGothic, AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: left;">
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Total weight gain:</strong> +12. I'm still doing my best to eat well 80% of the time, but this week I got a couple of cravings for less than healthy things that I fell to. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maternity clothes / preferred attire:</strong> All maxi dresses, maxi skirts, and the one pair of maternity drawstring Old Navy pants I bought a while ago. I'm going to invest in a couple of pieces this month. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sleep:</strong> Like I mentioned above, it was okay last week. Still up for the bathroom 2-3 times per night. I have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leachco-Snoogle-Total-Pillow-White/dp/B0000635WI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1436735252&sr=8-1&keywords=snoogle" target="_blank">snoogle</a> and sleep on my left side. I sometimes have to flip to the right side, but for the most part I'm on my left. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cravings and favorite foods:</strong> I wanted cookies 3 times last week and let myself have a couple. I also had three coke slurpees. I've been trying not to overdo it on the sugar, but that frozen drink tastes so so good when it's so hot out!</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Food aversions:</strong> No food aversions this week...</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exercise:</strong> I walked once...I should do it some more this week! </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mood:</strong> I've been feeling more like myself this week, but I still go through mood swings. I think that's inevitable. I cry at sweet commercials and get annoyed easily, but I'm really feeling better.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Symptoms:</strong> I still feel stretching in my stomach sometimes, but not always. I'm getting hotter and having to turn the air down more.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Movement</b>: I still don't think I've felt any movement. </span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Missing:</strong> This week I miss being able to take medicine when I don't feel good. I have been vigilant about taking prenatals in addition to my thyroid medicine and the anti-nausea meds, but I've pretty much decided against taking anything else. I'm an Advil lover, so not being able to take that all the time has been a pain. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Best moments this week:</strong> We went to Lowe's to get some storage containers for stuff from the extra room we're turning into the nursery, and we stopped at the paint colors. I was thinking we'd go with a neutral color, but I was excited when Tim picked a color that was more tied to the gender. It got me excited pinning nursery decor ideas. </span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Interesting Pregnancy Moments:</strong> I didn't really have any pregnancy moments this week that I felt were particularly related to being pregnant. Just being hot all the time...</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Worst moments this week:</strong> There also haven't been any "worst" moments.</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buying:</strong> We didn't buy anything this week, but I've been pinning stuff to buy and register for!</span></span></div>
<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dreaming About:</strong> This isn't something I'm "dreaming about" in the sense of looking forward to, but I've been having insane dreams. There are all sorts of bizarre things, and they're all related to me not doing something I'm supposed to or not being somewhere at the right time. I know that pregnancy causes crazy dreams, and I've certainly had them!</span></span></div>
</center>
</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-2100415677047752992015-07-08T14:58:00.001-04:002015-07-08T14:58:30.713-04:00{Getting through} the first trimester nausea...<center style="text-align: left;">
I'm feeling pretty good most of the time these days, and I'm grateful to be able to say that. I don't have the food aversions that I did, and I actually was able to go on a 30 minute walk on the treadmill today and feel pretty good! I know that my round ligament was tight the whole time, as I could feel it. It was weird to have a random twinge not in my foot or leg or running related area but instead in the side of my stomach. But anywho, today I'm here to tell you about how I got through the first trimester.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I found out I was pregnant at the beginning of April. We were really excited, and the first few weeks we kept it a secret from everyone. It wasn't hard to; I felt great! I even started wondering when I was going to start feeling bad. By week 5 of being pregnant, I even started wanting to feel a little badly, because I had read that was a good sign. And then, sometime during week 6 that wish was granted. And it was granted to the extreme! As soon as I started feeling nauseous I felt <i>really</i> nauseous. And this "morning sickness" thing was cute, but I decided it needed to be called "all day sickness". It didn't go away at any point. There would be an hour or two on occasion that I would feel a little better, but it wouldn't last. The only thing that made me feel better was eating. So, I ate. And I ate. And I ate some more. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
The foods that I could stomach were not what I would consider healthy foods. I could think about a salad or eggs or vegetables. I ate bagels and chips and crackers. I could handle soups and sandwiches, but it was things that were light and things that had carbs that aided. One morning it was a chicken biscuit and hashbrowns from chick-fil-a that made my life. One car ride when we went to visit Tim's family on the other side of the state, I just ate through an entire bag of salt and vinegar potato chips, because that was the only thing that kept me from just falling into a ball of tears from feeling so bad. I vomited on occasion, and sometimes I made myself because it made me feel better, but for the most part it was just the overwhelming sense of nausea all the time that was so awful. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I wish I could say I drank a lot of water or ate smart, but I didn't. I also couldn't workout. I came home from work for all of April and May and couldn't do anything but hang out on the couch. Even dinners were often a choice of soup or takeout. I found out in early June that my hypothyroidism had gotten worse and I needed to increase my medicine, so I think that was part of the reason I felt so drained. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
When I went to the "8 week appointment" I was almost at 9 weeks, and that's when they gave me Diclegis to take the edge off. It did take the edge off, and I felt mostly better most of the time. Now that I'm moving well along into my second trimester I can say that I definitely feel a huge difference between then and now. I have more energy and just feel generally better overall. I started eating salads and tracking my food 3 or 4 weeks ago, and I stopped with the bagels and carbs all the time, as the food aversions were gone.</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuD4XFgD7j5JWaWo7-GgjICI7gbyUk9yBENVtEdGtaKmZPum8P63aZSiyJKujhkH71meEt3WUgLWcV-T5WUlxyAY-OswXfHg32zrrOsi5MJZ6ZKiPKWsv2VyxNzm9NKRJUmSNs_8yj9_y/s1600/6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuD4XFgD7j5JWaWo7-GgjICI7gbyUk9yBENVtEdGtaKmZPum8P63aZSiyJKujhkH71meEt3WUgLWcV-T5WUlxyAY-OswXfHg32zrrOsi5MJZ6ZKiPKWsv2VyxNzm9NKRJUmSNs_8yj9_y/s640/6.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here I am at 10 weeks 6 days; I had a teensy bump. This was at night, when I'd obviously had more to eat, so that may have been a little part of it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Here's what I tried and how it worked to get me through the first trimester:</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirugaG69c6akBk3t8P3RrlMWpZn5lby4jZQWtJtQ0WxZm3tmp0VJaxKwJepfHykaTDqrJcQF7_mXGpbEaf-6jWtHvug7YyoFJH8fQ4ijQDvLiPTC1r4phj086urT6dJqc7y4wew6rR8AE3/s640/nausea.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From left to right:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.sea-band.com/" target="_blank">Sea Bands</a>: Some people swore by these. They're these bracelets you put on with pressure points on your wrist that are supposed to help. They helped me absolutely none. I stopped wearing them after three days because they looked ridiculous and did nothing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://gingerpeople.com/gin-gin-candies.html" target="_blank">Gin-Gins</a>: These ginger candies are very strongly flavored, and they helped me a touch more than the Sea Bands, but the taste was so bad they they revolted me a little more than they helped, so I ate two and didn't eat them again. </div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Ginger Ale: I won't link to this. You know what it is. This helped more than Gin-Gins. I drank a lot of this in the first weeks and it soothed me a little. I think it was a combination of the ginger and the bubbles settling my stomach.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Salt & Vinegar Chips: The sourness did more than anything else. Pickles helped also. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.diclegis.com/en/" target="_blank">Diclegis</a>: This is the biggest thing that helped. You take two at night before you go to bed and it's a time release pill that is basically a mix of B12 and the active ingredient in Unisom. It helped 75% of the time during the second trimester. It's sometimes hard to get covered by insurances, but my doctor gave me a sample that has lasted me up until this point. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
If you're pretty sick, I'd highly recommend the diclegis. It worked wonders.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Were you sick during your pregnancy? What worked for you? Did you take anything?</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-68067947165157400292015-07-04T18:02:00.002-04:002015-07-04T18:02:42.357-04:0016 Weeks!<center style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">As of today, we're 16 weeks along! It's crazy to think 16 weeks have passed, but at the same time it hasn't all been easy and carefree like I somehow imagined pregnancy would be. I'll share next week a little back story, but for today I thought I'd do one of the standard pregnancy updated that I have been enjoying reading and looking back on in the first weeks of my pregnancy.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPDk6y2X2maCslxM7f_4UiDM7zF_yQSi191xCghrAc7nKN0p60biTNzZXW0VFjRIWShsI9_k5LOf2uIum-yUNL2cFsOaxUa4bBUmzgZijQu8ry3ss2wuWiZ36z4YAgVSqw66AYvgTdoFq/s640/Screenshot+2015-07-04+18.01.43.png" width="640" /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">Baby is now the size of:</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d3d3d; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 21px;">an Avocado. It would only make sense that I'd do my first post when the baby is the size of one of my favorite foods. </span></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Total weight gain:</strong> +10.5 pounds. I was up A LOT more than I was comfortable with in the first 12 weeks, so I've been REALLY careful about what I eat for the last 4 weeks. I track everything and eat a TON of fruits. I eat an occasional treat, but I really limit my desserts, sweets, and fried foods. The first trimester was awful for food aversions and nausea, and the only thing I could eat was bagels, chips, soups, potatoes, etc. I had to keep eating to not feel nauseous, and I put on weight faster than I wanted. I've since cut the chips and bagels, etc. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Maternity clothes / preferred attire:</strong> I bought some maternity pants, but I've mostly been wearing plain v-neck T-shirts and maxi skirts or maxi dresses. I haven't really been wearing the maternity stuff yet.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Sleep:</strong> Pretty good, but I get up to pee a lot! I'm up 2-3 times per night, I think. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Cravings and favorite foods:</strong> I don't really crave foods too much. I've been eating a lot of berries and watermelon. I eat a lot of salads. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Food aversions:</strong> Luckily those have gone away for the most part; I'll have one occasionally when I don't feel great. I had food aversions so badly the first 12-13 weeks and wanted almost no protein. I couldn't stand the smell or thought of eggs.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Exercise:</strong> I didn't exercise at all in the first trimester, which is so unlike me. I would come home from work <i>dead</i> and between feeling like I had been hit by a bus and being sick, going out for even a walk in the 85+ degree heat didn't sound appealing. I went to England at Week 12 and did a lot of walking for the week, and since then have been meaning to start working out again. I just got out of the habit. As we've started cleaning the house out I ran across my swimsuits, and I'm thinking I'll start trying to swim or walk this week. There's <i>no</i> excuse not to. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Mood:</strong> I'm up and down. I cried through the first ten minutes of a dolphin show at the Atlanta Aquarium 2 weeks ago, and then I didn't cry at the wedding we were in town for (I always cry during weddings). Sometimes I feel great, and sometimes I feel like I want to throw anything I can get my hands on against the wall. I can't explain it, and sometimes I forget that it's probably hormones. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Symptoms:</strong> I get an occasional stretch feeling in my abdomen, and I'm starting to think it's the round ligaments, but I'm not sure. I have fibroids (something I'll talk about another time) that are causing me to measure ahead of where I am, and I think that's playing into the round ligaments.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Movement</b>: I haven't felt any movement I don't think. There was one time this week I stopped and thought I felt something, but then I didn't feel it again so I decided it was something else. There are so many random feelings I have in my belly that relate to other things (*cough* gas *cough*) that I don't know when I'll for sure know it's the baby.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Missing:</strong> Sushi. Venti Coffees from Starbucks. Not worrying about everything I'm eating and if it's "okay". Sleeping through the night. Feeling like myself. Even when I feel pretty good I'm only at 85% I'd say.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Best moments this week:</strong> We found out the gender last Saturday! It was really exciting and we went to one of those elective places. Now we're starting to get the house ready. Tim is cleaning out his office/man room that will become the nursery, but we're still weeks from having a blank slake. Having my mom come last weekend and help us clean and purge was amazingly helpful. We collected bags and bags of trash and giveaway, and I'm amazed how much junk two people can collect.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Interesting Pregnancy Moments:</strong> I started reading up on what we need to register for and buy for the baby, and it was a bit overwhelming at first. It's so different than registering for a wedding registry. You pretty much know you need plates and some sheets and a few baking supplies, but with a baby you have to start reading up on what stroller goes with what carseat and whether you want a one size fits all wrap or a wrap that comes in sizes. I spent a LONG time yesterday reading baby site after baby site for opinions and reviews, and I've come to some decisions. I will talk to my friends who have kids now and make sure I'm on the right track, but I'd also love feedback as I share our thoughts. </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Worst moments this week:</strong> I've been taking Diclegis because I was so sick and vomity in the first trimester. I keep testing and not taking it one night, but then I'm nauseous and pretty sick by the next evening. The doctor said the medicine is incredibly safe and completely approved for pregnancy, but I still am hesitant about it all. I also had the worst headache that I've had in years last weekend. I did everything and it wouldn't go away for over 24 hours. Once it finally faded I felt like a new person!</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Buying:</strong> Once we found out the gender I ordered a couple of outfits from Target, but we're currently saving and waiting to buy the nursery furniture once Tim's room is cleaned out and we have somewhere to put the stuff.</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3d3d3d; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Dreaming About:</strong> Our next sonogram in August. I look so forward to seeing the baby move and knowing everything is going well in there.</span></span></div>
</center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-88096811389576218152015-06-30T09:24:00.001-04:002015-06-30T09:24:21.342-04:00My {Our} Next Big Adventure!<center style="text-align: left;">
So, I'm ready to share what's up next for me {and Tim}. It has been a while since I've posted about running and triathlon, and it's for good reason. We're going to have a baby! It has already changed things a lot, and I'll share more over the coming months. I must admit, it's likely to become very pregnancy-centric around here, but I want to document the journey to be able to look back on! </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP3ko_fqcvxGrDAMxT2BBOAf8ZeozJRlOtf4w2U_imJ2sXgu_c46Li-XXVKWKlUKEIzBDq6P4x0eDd-Az1JRZgC330xVhZgj7jMBOUh0crAe2W6HSrSAX9Q46L3Pz5llmO75pGcQSfmwN/s1600/PicMonkey+Collagepreggo+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="900" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDP3ko_fqcvxGrDAMxT2BBOAf8ZeozJRlOtf4w2U_imJ2sXgu_c46Li-XXVKWKlUKEIzBDq6P4x0eDd-Az1JRZgC330xVhZgj7jMBOUh0crAe2W6HSrSAX9Q46L3Pz5llmO75pGcQSfmwN/s640/PicMonkey+Collagepreggo+%25281%2529.jpg" width="554" /></a></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I'll share some more details soon, but in the mean time, could you please tell me some Pinterest boards that you know of that are good for being pregnant and new moms? I haven't been pinning a lot in this category, and I know I need some good stuff to look through to learn about this new path.</center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-43775202592126602482015-01-19T01:00:00.000-05:002015-01-19T01:00:05.229-05:00Challenge Team Summit and race planning<center style="text-align: left;">
Last weekend I went to Jacksonville for the Challenge Team Triathlon Summit. I didn't get to go last year because of when it fell on the calendar and a work commitment the week after. I didn't know what it would be like this year, but I was looking forward to it with a little nervousness. Because I had met a lot of people and talk to them throughout the year I was excited to see them, but anytime I go to a big social gathering with people who I don't know all that well I get a little nervous. Maybe that's a little strange, but oh well!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I got there on Friday night and headed straight to Maggiano's, where the team dinner was, and sat down at a table with a whole bunch of people I hadn't met before. And instantly, all the nervousness melted away! I had a great conversation with some teammates from Minnesota, Maine, Georgia, Massachusetts, etc. Already I knew it was going to be a fun weekend.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
The goal of Summit is for everyone to get to know each other and also to tell us all about the season and what the races are going to be like! After hanging out and talking for a little bit back at the hotel, it was an early bed time! We volunteered at Best Damn Race Jacksonville starting at 6:45 on Saturday morning. We had to get up at 5:15 to hit the road. </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRp7ySxUtKhfq2AMh35P8SMpQ3g0uX4SltQg4AC2SzqayYOs7FaAtPx2JJw8mExQa6c1uedd-q77gA5c4ZgGGWdPWNvk_2f8K_nbd8rcQM8Wukr0dquyNTYLSAbbUYAdd0TyiPdl2Hw9-/s1600/BDRJAX.png" height="457" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I ended up at an aid station that fell about a mile before the end of the race, so we got to see the 5k, 10k, and half marathoners run by. It was so cold, but it was a lot of fun yelling for the runners and having fun with teammates. There's nothing like boding over frozen hands while pouring water and cheering. I enjoyed volunteering and seeing a race from the other side. Though I've gone to races to cheer before, I've never volunteered. I definitely will smile and thank volunteers more as I'm running; it made a difference in our spirit at the aid station. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After our aid station was done we had a quick lunch and then went back to the hotel to learn for the afternoon. There was a lot to talk about, but it was good to understand the Rev3/Challenge merger and what the goals for this racing season are. The Challenge races are going to keep the quality of the Rev3 races, and they're going to do a great job combining the "big race" feel with the family friendly atmosphere that Rev3 has always been known for. I was glad to learn that the spirit of the races will remain, though we're racing under a new name and company.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also picked up some swag from our sponsors for the year. I'm looking forward to another year being fueled by <a href="http://www.powerbar.com/">PowerBar</a> and not stinking like chlorine because of <a href="http://www.sbrsportsinc.com/triswim.html">SBR</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwGgFr-ORGnPc64RfH28Sxj0Aj1C81vWw9Q3vo2K49wHnFujCksVYKiSY4ds4rEwSJ62-VeJaw2ZVftf-7pUr62wT2xn3-cQ2C_6ZH2OgVF474K046HREYmy0jsqeV2MdkVfXddcDw5fu/s1600/Screenshot+2015-01-17+16.44.07.png" height="396" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After we were a done a few of us went to dinner and hung out. I had fun talking to Sarah and Nicole, whom I had talked to a little bit at Rev3 Williamsburg and Rev3 Florida last year. I look forward to seeing them as some races this year. The best part of being on the team is knowing that I'll always know people at the races I go to. Saturday night was a lot of fun, but I still got up and got in a run on Sunday morning!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY45ZgqJxWhFuLYrMQVJ9O3M73NnOTmb_2WrQAiOTkZN2ntToyMMeoRxsgyiQPwlpKVbChXmUuBvzuofZtuRPm25rk7v6wcQF3Mi5HJdNZ-AVpwxkx3E4Hd29_E9RT4MyNj1Xr-WVcn4su/s1600/SATJAX.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had been back in the groove with Camp Gladiator and a little but of running, but when one of the girls that I shared a room with woke up Sunday and wanted to go for a run, I really think that helped me get back into my normal routine even more. Sarah and I ran 6 miles in really perfect running weather, and since then I've gotten my groove back.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I left Jacksonville after some more meeting on Sunday ready to have a fun triathlon season this year. I don't have any goals meant to surpass last year, as I still am ready for a bit of fun versus focus. I can't wait to race some great Challenge races this year and have fun along the way!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It also got me thinking about what my <i>race calendar </i>would look like, and I think I've got some ideas penciled in. As far as Challenge races, I'm definitely going to do <b><a href="http://www.challenge-familyusa.com/challenge-venice/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Challenge Florida</a></b>, and I'm thinking I'll do <b><a href="http://www.challenge-familyusa.com/challenge-atlantic-city/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Challenge Atlantic City</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.challenge-familyusa.com/kingsbrae-challenge-st-andrews/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Challenge St. Andrew's</a></b> as a whole trip. I'll talk more about that as I piece it together, but I have some really great ideas if they work out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm also really excited for a 5k I'm running in February. I'm so so excited that Tim has signed up to run his first 5k, and I'm running it with him! I have been waiting for this to happen since I started running, and I can't wait to do it together! We're doing Best Damn Race Safety Harbor, which has free race photos, so I'll have plenty of photos to share! It's going to be so much fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>If you're planning to race a Challenge race this year, leave me a comment and your email address and I'll email you my discount code for 10% off the registration price. </b>I'm so excited for this season!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Have you ever volunteered at a race?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
What races do you have on your schedule already?</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-54059023724534887432015-01-05T03:00:00.000-05:002015-01-05T03:00:01.627-05:00Stitch Fix January ReviewOver my break from work I did some blogging catching up and playing around on Pinterest, and I ran into a couple of posts on with <a href="http://goo.gl/B0D2GH">Stitch Fix</a> reviews. Between that and re-organizing my closet and seeing some areas that needed a few more pieces, I scheduled a fix in the middle of December and it was supposed to come January 7th. Much to my excitement, it came early, and with great pieces!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4fi5yrH9O1oy_51NoAG7GqSjBO8AU_lmEk4wKitW-3xm8pD4s20h-VnAufz3sTLiBJbH5xqbIBFLeJH9puQ1Va_MG4ZCRFTLKr2dMUtHFt9aEpY9L7pHRYF7TgXL22SeMcoVHqzMC7cp/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+-+343.jpg" height="452" width="640" /></div>
<div>
I wanted to share my actual items with you before I tell you why I think this fix improved for me over ones I had gotten before. Though my fix card said this was my fifth fix, I can't for the life of me remember more than two I have gotten before. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>What is <a href="http://goo.gl/B0D2GH">Stitch Fix</a>?</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's a styling service! You pay $20 to have a box of 5 items shipped to you. The items are selected based on a style profile you fill out, notes you give your stylist, and a Pinterest board of your style (if you want to leave that link). You can pick what items you don't want to receive (I pick no jewelry or outerwear) and also what price ranges you're comfortable with (there are less expensive and more expensive options, based on your clothing budget).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When the box arrives, you try the items on and decide what you want to keep and what you want to send back. For whatever you keep, the $20 styling fee is applied to your total, and then you pay for the rest in online checkout. If you keep it all, you get 25% off the total cost of the box. If you keep nothing, you do lose that $20 styling fee.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>What did I get?</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
In my notes to my stylist I mentioned that I wanted something bright and was hoping for a long sleeve shirt of some kind. I didn't want any accessories or outerwear (because, hello, it's 75* in Florida right now). I explained what I didn't want, and then I left it up to her. And she did great!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Item 1: Pixley Kathy Striped Fit & Flare Dress, Small, $68</b></div>
<div>
I had pinned this dress to my style board, and when I saw that it was coming, I was super excited and just <i>knew</i> that it would be a keeper. I put it on and suddenly wasn't nearly as sure. The scarf I put on to accessorize; the dress is more of a boat neck of sorts. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATaRH8pJqvmadpz7F_IJyRF5kame80zmopgghxf7-OWwa6J7xteJb1TptcoPZdDZj0TYDS_HE-m5qmq_4S_5azEiKCsz4mE59Js-2sw5Tz82cplq8eFbx5W_DMe6OaHRerFO31L6L7hCL/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated+-+344.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The fit and flare is generally something that I like, but the thick material of this dress flared out a little more than I was expecting. I think because I have curvy hips it made the material go straight out instead of falling down to the side like it should have. I don't hate it at all; I just questioned it a little.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At first I was going to think about it a little, but after uploading these pictures I just decided no. I am only going to keep items if I'm sure about them and feel great in them. I don't want something else hanging in my closet that I like the idea of but don't feel good in it when I put it on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Verdict: RETURNED!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Items 2 & 3: Loveappella Oliver Faux Leather Trim Striped Top, Small, $58</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Liverpool Rizzo Pull-On Skinny Ponte Pants, Medium, $98</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I saw this shirt coming, I hated it immediately. I didn't like the wide stripes and I knew it wouldn't look good. I don't like 3/4 sleeves, so, yeah. The pants I had seen some positive reviews of, so I was hoping to like them as I like skinny or straight legged pants.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FTqv39IPnHnlm54egIcNYixkQ8R6BPqV_kGYIINFlUPz8FpVXPZShgeucdZb24tPwLvRxlwjRolNxQeqoSYGZbZIMbGVorWq_LOiQaqlA6gBfXoBgUPh5DD2Hl8b57iBkjH7G6BmcTaO/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+347.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But then, I put the pants and the top on together, and I liked them both. I immediately loved the thick material of the pants that would be great for work or wearing out when I pulled them out of the box. I can wear them with heels, tuck them into boots, or wear them with flats. I mentioned in my style profile that I'm curvy on the bottom compared to the top, so I was happy that she picked pants that fit me so well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was the top that surprised me the most! I don't know how to explain the material, as it isn't cotton. The trim is a faux leather detail, and I think it can be dressed up if I put a blazer over it or worn comfortably to a lunch with friends. It just fit me well, and I really like clothes that fit me well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9PpIsfwOIdHt2IwM1jkyJ4_WBctUOgEZN-5n2IGFdlYsSRf-g1oY1NGs0ono9x1ie1tk4mGaKPjnxnXHXH9RWItA8kYBC-cO-HhrjxDNIlY1ePNK0JephnMQ8za2aOnYqrxH74vVBSqME/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+350.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Verdict: KEPT BOTH!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Skies are Blue Devon Lace Back Blouse, Small, $48</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This shirt has a really cut lace detail in the back, and I really liked the blue color when I took it out of the box. I was hoping to really love it when I put it on, because it was a good price for the material and unique detail. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGLQ_050UlOSek4wfsv1rjilBhdQ457LJ7871hMCEE__eXPl6RTo6CShRxmloCLibxmkIKYO8Vi5rXNAKaU0WoATjBB1gEFVSxeNqcN_6LR-vw2vDQB_p-29j-QMq9dyu9qX0kz-JXWC-/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated+-+346.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Unfortunately it was a big no once I put it on. It was a bit short, and I hate short shirts. It ended up looking a little boxy on me, and the collar detail was sort of sailor-ish. I tried to take a photo of the back detail, but after a few failed attempts and photos of my hair, just take my word that though the back is cute, it doesn't make up for the front.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Verdict: RETURNED!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Honey Punch Layla Striped Elbow Patch Detail Cardigan, Small, $48</b></div>
<div>
This is the one that I struggled with the most. I put it on without being in front of a mirror and instantly didn't like it. SO. MUCH. FABRIC! When I asked Tim to take photos, he said it was fine and didn't hate it as much as I thought I did. Even in the mirror I thought I didn't like it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx3jfAtBUkOkQVtppZ1s7Kn9bx98QzHfn8CL12OYgJBQjXrTv3_f8K-o9Gm2GZsxlX66hBedME89TAsjUqRZk5SKapUxGCzT7dVYwu_geo_rpxmc3p5TU39x4OkvqVEwLtmlMP7fxUO6S/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+349.jpg" height="400" width="282" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLo7OFWEFpiIKXHJe0i0SdRCbXOCBKjUQyEgFMJRnLz0uxiTuYZtpT6OkyddvXjRKhuHZ6bgfr-0rFrUfeFpQT5jTDxhbhqJcfaTB-QNKUDTPCGLlveb425sehZWxy5scjhywGsf_UyXM/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+352.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The elbow-patch detail is cute, but it didn't make up for all the fabric for me. I just felt wide. But then when I saw this next picture I thought it was kind of cute from the front if you stand the right way. I thought maybe I should keep it just for casual outings or to add a cute detail to a simple outfit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjTARLRzg05YSDEablNXOc1J7ywALwc4l22EvXWga6HR4vjM3xgRdRLQDPtYuPi3Xrb2k1splhdkmBF-X6KB6l4KWuyOi0QgIb_4yy3IGMEiN6P93QCPtgyBxTvY3ggfAlZWA2_oWv2UK/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+348.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></div>
Ultimately, though, I went back to the thought that I had no reason to buy something that I sometimes thought was cute. I decided to just quickly checkout on the <a href="http://goo.gl/B0D2GH">Stitch Fix Website</a> and pick the pants and striped top and hurry on with it so that I didn't change my mind.<br />
<br />
<b>Verdict: RETURNED!</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
All my items are packed in the pre-paid shipping envelope that is sent with the box of clothes, and I'll drop it in the mail tomorrow to make it's way back to the Stitch Fix HQ!<br />
<br />
<b>What would you have kept and sent back?</b><br />
<br />
I will say I was A LOT more pleased with this fix than <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2012/05/stitchfix-review.html">my last one</a>. And I know why I was...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bqzyM75AdhrAe8Qj4PCrdPzID-6P-mLBrjGRi18yNjpCRLXZq4lE1Wo2SchX1m6WydXnNcyBIf0mwcoc6QW5ldwkYMC6xvL244mTXiyHIigrvTe0BHtA8m0sPcVrsms-0Ma_VQ28azOo/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bqzyM75AdhrAe8Qj4PCrdPzID-6P-mLBrjGRi18yNjpCRLXZq4lE1Wo2SchX1m6WydXnNcyBIf0mwcoc6QW5ldwkYMC6xvL244mTXiyHIigrvTe0BHtA8m0sPcVrsms-0Ma_VQ28azOo/s1600/January+Stitch+Fix+Updated-+342.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I read a few blog posts about how to improve your Stitch Fixes, and I followed their advice. So here's my translation of that advice and what I think worked for me!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li><b>Be detailed in your Stitch Fix requests</b>: Don't leave it blank or just write a sentence or two. Tell your stylist what you're looking for and what you're not. I said things like "no jeans" "I'd like a bright colored top" "I want a long sleeve shirt". I got everything that I asked for!</li>
<li><b>Keep your Style Pinterest board updated</b>: I had been pinning outfits throughout December that I saw other people wearing. I searched for Stitch Fix Reviews and pinned outfits from those that I liked. I wrote little notes like, "Stitch Fix Stylist, I like this color but not the cut," etc. I know my Stylist saw it because she included in her note to me that she had seen a pinned a lot of skinny black pants. She also mentioned that I had the same dress pinned. </li>
<li><b>Update your Style Profile and add a note</b>: Go back and check it every once in a while to see if it still applies. Your style changes over time, and so does what you wear, so keep it updated when you schedule a fix. Also, add a note there too. I noted here where I normally shop and what I look for in clothes in general. This is where I noted that I like quality clothes that fit well and look tailored. </li>
<li><b>If you want something specific, ask for it</b>: If you really need a dress for a special occasion or a wedding, explain what you're looking for. Ask for options. They don't care if you send items back, so if you want multiple dresses to try, ask. If you want all tops, note that. They listen to the notes in the fix requests.</li>
<li><b>Give feedback on what you keep and send back</b>: When you checkout online, it asks for feedback on why you kept what you kept and why you didn't keep what you sent back. I was especially specific in these notes, and I look forward to seeing how that helps with the next items I get sent.</li>
</ul>
<div>
I went ahead and scheduled my <a href="http://goo.gl/B0D2GH">next fix</a> to come at the end of this month, and I asked for a critter print top in this one. I can't wait to see what I get sent!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
Have you tried Stitch Fix? If you haven't and are interested, I'd love for you to use <a href="http://goo.gl/B0D2GH">my referral link</a> to sign up!<br />
<br />
Let me know your thoughts on Stitch Fix in the comments, too. How has it gone for you in the past?meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-26882867720593112922015-01-02T10:33:00.000-05:002015-01-03T09:21:43.835-05:00What motivates you?<center style="text-align: left;">
<i><strike>Before I start, I'm looking to update my blog design but don't want to spend a fortune. I've been out of the blogging world for a while now, and it seems like all the prices I'm seeing are outrageous. Anyone have any recommendations for blog designers in the $100-$150 range? I'm looking for clean and simple. Thanks in advance!</strike> <b>I'm working on this now!</b></i></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Okay...</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
As I mentioned in my 2014 wrap up, I didn't really make any big goals or resolutions for 2015. That said, I of course want to stay active. Since I spent a lot of December thinking about working out and only a little time actually working out, I decided I needed to start January on the right foot. After lazing (is that a word?) around and having breakfast and coffee, I decided I couldn't just skip a workout again on the first day of the new year, so I put my running clothes on.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
On days where I don't feel like running (which are sometimes more frequent than days I do), it's easier to pretend I'm just going to put on running clothes and think about it. Once the running clothes are on it's easier to get out the door because I already feel more motivated by wearing workout clothes. Just a thought...</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHABYubn7ez6UC2CBFJg0ZRo5m_ii3X7-FMOsrTlQ4c69dUI4PVBc1oCqf-3tgiJtpZhozKqY_JhrMtJxPlnDhg3jzkcgAPgfCIIbEQlwf0pakD6lH3MhYUSn6MAB-2OQcBMkMVIL2IEn/s1600/serial.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I had heard about <i>Serial</i>, the podcast, and needed something to listen to, so I started that with the intention of running 4 miles. The first episode was 53 minutes long, so I thought if things got good with it I might run 5 miles. <i>And things got good indeed</i>. If you've heard about Serial but not started it, just listen to episode 1 and decide. It's a true story told week to week of a man who was convicted of murder and is in prison but the only thing the jury made the decision based on was another man's word; there was no evidence. A former journalist is telling the story because she did a lot of investigation into the details. I'm only on episode one so I don't know how it continues or how the story unfolds, but I'm looking forward to getting there...</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I ended up running 5.25 miles at a pace I was pleased with considering my time off. I'd like to thank Serial for the motivation.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
And it got me to thinking...what are some things that keep me motivated or make me workout when I don't necessarily want to? </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<ul>
<li><b>Having something that I want to listen to on a run or watch on the trainer </b></li>
<li><b>Making a commitment to a friend to be somewhere to workout with them </b></li>
<li><b>Wearing new workout clothes (I bought some from <a href="http://goo.gl/jI9RTF">Fabletics</a> yesterday and will do a review once I get them...) </b></li>
<li><b>Trying a new workout (I'm getting ready to start <a href="http://campgladiator.com/">Camp Gladiator</a> Bootcamp on Monday) </b></li>
<li><b>Sometimes it's just getting on the scale after a few days of eating badly (hello holidays!) </b> </li>
</ul>
And now I'm going through these motions all over again today...</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I'm also enjoying my last weekday off before heading back to school on Monday! Happy last Friday of vacation to those of you that had extended holidays!</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<b>What motivates you when it's hard to get out the door or get your workout started?</b></center>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-70174850527369077132014-12-31T11:39:00.001-05:002014-12-31T11:39:53.828-05:002014 in Review<center style="text-align: left;">
2014 has been a memorable year that paid dividends on a lot of hard work. Though the last month and a half has been filled with rest and relaxation, for most of the year I was constantly working my tail off training for the <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2014/10/ironman-chattanooga-race-recap.html">race that I knew would take up my life for 2014</a>. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
In the <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2014/01/reviewing-2013-goals-and-sharing-goals.html">first post for 2014 I listed a lot of goals</a>, like I have done consistently for the life of this blog, and I accomplished most of them or was close enough that I'm willing to check it off the list. My biggest goal was, of course, crossing the finish line of Ironman Chattanooga, and that I did. The year fell into place around it, but it was much of a blur. </center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
My numbers for 2014 are:</center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<b>41.76 swimming miles</b></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<b>3349 biking miles</b></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<b>1220 running miles</b></center>
<center style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
I'm pleased with these in every way. Though my swimming numbers are far lower than the goal of 150 for the year I set, I've come to accept that I will never go to the pool as much as I "should". I'd rather spend my time on my bike or running.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<br /></center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
This was the first year I maintained injury-free status for the whole year, and it's the first time I got over 100 miles for the year. I'm really excited about that. And for the bike? I don't want to even think about how much time that is in the saddle. My butt hurts just thinking about it.</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
Pictures tell the story better than words and numbers, so here's a little year in review photo overload:</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjygThJjiAISFd2YZtvPYsmQEgNcq0hM7WzW0knOJly6YQs-0xhE-e4l92YJL2udMLICEk5-h5LEWHba-5soFDnsfbvJML3uzyLntX5zjXUjFUEqTq5uwkHr6H83Y64uS9C4RvS4ZpeoqNU/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.17.36.png" height="400" width="278" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGSgD7syOb4VhTqRFEW-MEogmNEzGSxYjIUc2s6A3swGjjwgwfBG_fS6u7QUrgBATt5ejCUNB7p3kjvH6lKM-osbxWOGeuv9MKLOOgirXhI3Eznr4PnPb8GyhVtjFYVaJyIQKOYpbaRcz/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.17.02.png" height="400" width="267" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyjGM4jBA1F1ItaPt2h9gr2C0yUPuo9Qi0I7WHyakGppvwQB8JN_q0Kswn8lG1m_8TvTADj3ApYLD0cDysObZZa6-m_dLn97KepgSHhotmfd8s2xB2gBb8KpGZl55aJDugT9sPVfAJyvJ/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.15.10.png" height="422" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPWRb7htGwR0X03ky8IxftqYBBV3vczgkpzDfTSKt1iIDlxexWeqqr_W0d_xMTIsUSmXc2DFMi_nJBWFGRIPvA6R-h6gAHTQWNH5RFwuyWoqF5UhsPzjAWwpkCQQlWSyrAf2vQc_unoH2/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.14.54.png" height="349" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqReakvIh4rur4alOVeUM7qT7O8BKx2wwLVTtlIXSvkY9kxRLN8QR_3UaFicYChjhRKHddqOKka_iZ61siT1FFh3ubJXmAPR8FLfaDoR1dn2ADyKbF8vqSthluMe50yFSEyaWrNv1JvW8u/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.14.37.png" height="369" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaapZqlA92V2MEWbx6FlNGyWBZXa0EqQrD2V3aT52B7BnbF3OuSBifN9jxo73UG4KgWzLVyWcv87YU34BPddcuFqAebnUofeuA0wB9tWHl0zJ2EJh0K2n2A1Bb-cdKNbqnPP32CbG6TWER/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.14.07.png" height="330" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWiVD-fIbGQ_qtIftiGW6nUjM-TBZbH8U0DVkjnHRtzsVOEJBxJmgYneD7hGH0ScNMU4h-mG3fSkVnhlzKyQa43BUl1FUUomCiiwm-huynqi4jkNwAqjw6vuzmyxfyb6GPZTKhj5b_1N7/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.14.24.png" height="356" width="271" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlABMQjDwt4QfciSZqCv9sQaeY2Ic8SQNfoKtsb3L81tEB-_MnMInfBSSZ8pIsNjqMceaR1cfZtyhlE9PByQnY0WbQFsuSFUYEY1XuqGk3CbaO0x0Ic8A3Y25qRXSDIYf3zLOfyvLhhNj4/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.13.28.png" height="356" width="274" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8d1Pp67WfaNz5OzOAuRCjr3oGdQHFGUmRrnJ1WNpNclXo1R5xQD_dTmKV6e-LNAIgUjNQAq_9V5pV3Z3UdOHgSShD-Idcm2dCbGxu-Cl3sosdToiQhicmGZzcoX8sbu_QoQ2liHwR4Hm/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.15.40.png" height="439" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHaobe3gYgiqgz7C_yn-5Itk7yULmbfeIDwQDz2gMAAzBuOCQi9dldtghRKnA7kygUMZW-0MN5gmztuPXUL-2hQ0hhYKAwQQ0XXxCAd8tITeER931uYMdMtDmTue7tIdzVssi1_K7wd9B/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.13.14.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHaobe3gYgiqgz7C_yn-5Itk7yULmbfeIDwQDz2gMAAzBuOCQi9dldtghRKnA7kygUMZW-0MN5gmztuPXUL-2hQ0hhYKAwQQ0XXxCAd8tITeER931uYMdMtDmTue7tIdzVssi1_K7wd9B/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.13.14.png" height="436" width="545" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX1ZbjV4gJQ_QyxQYkbSxgNGh45KDAhG0ODfp5a4otSKXF1a1iyPClEdAiF6BfVw8D_9QZyevfbNhyphenhypheneu-76YbI0TvMsdmFyJcZBAWvJeYTxt7E7QHjdnHFFFno3e-5OM0qfRZnRW3joiC/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.12.55.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlX1ZbjV4gJQ_QyxQYkbSxgNGh45KDAhG0ODfp5a4otSKXF1a1iyPClEdAiF6BfVw8D_9QZyevfbNhyphenhypheneu-76YbI0TvMsdmFyJcZBAWvJeYTxt7E7QHjdnHFFFno3e-5OM0qfRZnRW3joiC/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.12.55.png" height="406" width="545" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTEDTVqk34ydgvaDbQvaD5dLo6Kt3HKoqqwg5ing0wjN5RLj-O0ld3zoPOirGzOKe4di1_wG6R_Kz9xdN7bAlGJ65ZoMMoFrk0I6jNEO2a3A-b88-b7WGBEiaWqDpgQkGsjqInR5pP45z/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.12.36.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLTEDTVqk34ydgvaDbQvaD5dLo6Kt3HKoqqwg5ing0wjN5RLj-O0ld3zoPOirGzOKe4di1_wG6R_Kz9xdN7bAlGJ65ZoMMoFrk0I6jNEO2a3A-b88-b7WGBEiaWqDpgQkGsjqInR5pP45z/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.12.36.png" height="311" width="545" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-nwSjeh1kZCt3Xd4cxolg08pPHMVilAXMN7seG8f2wRio7l6t6GsmIOobzx4wNWIlzc2YTj9deSWeTsIPWtFoSVgsNwjFX6ovFmOv9zgsuaeYa-oAj6VGk49Js-p-00gZHpqZrTG9xyS/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.11.40.png" height="305" width="240" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdjE6FOzzNSIzcK7gkFZT5DHEUUZZQJ_ygXdXJp0xlUDpRFswfRGXlcqIw7wxR6gbYVB6m4pIyVv6caOJKAmrDsSm9KahfGeAgHZceI32A3ZPNv3wwcEgImaQ1sBC2bmzm-zzv6xceL-1/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.12.17.png" height="305" width="305" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_fP49hliXfIP4A6sqcuGsOj7G2IHNjEta2PmfD70tkfZ5QsFHXBZ_UMhyjScEjOa-BUx1yuvjS22Ns6CGhDuHWq7KBIZPsjFhjjq8GF1pfuwhYgubM_5Pj4wf5K38bSC_ayU_ktwbeY7/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.11.59.png" height="433" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR5vqKrHiBg4oeaVLEZY5hoW4UFDr_tumoz1IBbv6d-iDYKNqtMCaAy9EUyLzkL6LL4Lui8N50UQqJI2o1rlmmyGipJjS3biVhR3TeM64nS87q_t4M152X9CeXgkasis09iYEKHbq_obS/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-31+11.35.32.png" height="497" width="545" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I couldn't be happier. I don't plan to post specific goals or resolutions this year, which will be different for me, because I'm taking this year as a "come as you may" year. I plan to continue swimming, biking, and running at my own rate. I'd like to lost some of my Ironman weight. And I want to keep working hard and being happy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy New Year, friends! I can't wait to see what 2015 brings for us all!</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-85677213684788265402014-12-28T15:39:00.000-05:002014-12-28T15:51:24.217-05:00Oh, hey!<div style="text-align: left;">
It has been a very long while since I've even logged into blogger to begin thinking about writing a post, but as this year is coming to an end, I've realized that I do miss it and do want to keep it up. Taking a mini and unscheduled break from blogging was quite nice, and it helped me take some of the pressure off that I put on myself--blogging for me had somehow become about writing because I was supposed to and thinking of things to write about just to get a post up instead of writing because I felt inspired or genuinely had something to share. I will continue blogging more in 2015 with thoughts on fitness, life, and style. It will be more balanced as I again find more balance.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In reflection, 2014 was quite the year for me. I grew in a lot of ways and learned a lot about myself in training for and completing my first full Ironman distance triathlon; I also had three good months of reflection post-race to really focus on what is important to me.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After the race I did partially train until the beginning of November for Rev3 Florida where I raced the Olympic distance triathlon and got second in my age group and sixth female overall. It was a great way to cap off the year of triathlon for me. After that, all bets were off. I did some nothing, a little running, some workout DVDing, and a lot of trying to think about what I like to do.</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have since found more interest in things that I used to enjoy and didn't get to do much this year (Ironman training does not allow for life balance). I have started hanging out with Tim a lot more, I've spent more time reading, we've gone out to eat more, and I've had time to enjoy being with friends. I have started reading life and style blogs again while also trying to figure out what new goal I'm going to put in front of myself in the workout world. 2015 will be the year of working out by doing the things I like to do; that will entail (of course) swimming, biking, and running, but it will also entail classes and group fitness and sometimes just missing a workout because I won't have the same tunnel vision on one goal. If anything, my one goal right now is to drop a little weight and better manage my eating habits. </div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But, to recap the last few months I've been missing from the blogging world, here's what I've been up to:</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was named to the <b>Challenge Triathlon Age Group Team</b>! </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxQ6pw4vSTlGoM9kpBRdb98OJmJgYJVKaglaIgc0Yk2HepFr1B4lLz2t_tSYDyC8Au0FEOSz1Sh7_Ax46AOwXremIyS-0VBwO8nhKCh9pPAHxJGVLoBSbMM2_PjwPdshdUpp9th-A-rHG/s1600/TEAM.jpg" height="351" width="640" /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'll be picking my 2015 Challenge races soon and would love to meet up at one of them. If you want to do a Challenge race and want to get 10% off, email me and I'll share a code with you!</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been <b>cooking</b> once again and really enjoying it!</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_sJKpemAWqlHvrEcyP46IWCSlzjHtQ2nglXKO8QnvsHN1TQwiC4eXAIjQbIWffj1Ud_31pIGK_QHMV1E8Z2602B9uIsOqhl527XZSQYIye_mr91hmvRpup4zvHsZyfNC0elKZuw1FTqe/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-28+15.23.26.png" height="309" width="320" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodLQTllgxjWN1ex1lNIc6RXfM9egS-Cs6dnwG9DjCIngsx0l3NDBIDCgWThaOBnnc__m_5u4V5UGUe6N97Ih7i_qQp2CLEghMQvumGx5ZlmVaHZIHwi1L4RQJTi-WHYE8kvVweDquMjQX/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-28+15.23.41.png" height="309" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm working on cleaning up our eating, but the holidays proved so hard! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tim and I <b>visited my family in Chattanooga</b> for Christmas.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m-I53yR7dS3gU4Z7Sm-5DItFKY4qpdWprt0TRcaEwlVQ6r6r_B161jm193SGv4BEyHI2-dObILYgXl751Egd4JQxqoe02FcOPoM-N9z00rB0nVf-l8TzXFIvbS2o97Z9jJBsvT0bDv34/s1600/Screenshot+2014-12-28+15.28.55.png" height="474" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's always so nice to go home, but to be there when my sister and her boyfriend and Tim were also there made it even better.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got my <b>hair cut short</b>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe9c703Oa4G4OM3iyBvdeXLYaIwOYbo1jDUdJkrB9V1BmbkZydZ99mmk3KAPSUfVoYuyqpaUtYndoIPkpr821nJ5EvGJnjjSUtx2mlp3eoXRvkSDRlFcV9Yyc370I-sRpS4fS0XWgPlm7/s1600/HAIRCUT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIe9c703Oa4G4OM3iyBvdeXLYaIwOYbo1jDUdJkrB9V1BmbkZydZ99mmk3KAPSUfVoYuyqpaUtYndoIPkpr821nJ5EvGJnjjSUtx2mlp3eoXRvkSDRlFcV9Yyc370I-sRpS4fS0XWgPlm7/s1600/HAIRCUT.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I have always had a hard time with my hair because it's so thin and breaks off, so when I went to go get my hair cut (something I do very rarely because I hate dealing with it), I just decided to have Amber cut it off. I love the outcome, and I've decided that one of my only stated goals for 2015 is going to be to do my hair everyday. I normally wear it up and not fixed nicely 95% of the time and hate how it looks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We've watched movies, tried new restaurants, hung out with friends. I've read a book or two and spent a lot of time working. My job changed this year, and I'm really finding my way in it. I love that it's different every single day that I go to work. I hate when things stay the same. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones and are ready for the new year! I cannot believe how quickly this year passed!</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-53707470444982173102014-10-05T22:40:00.000-04:002014-10-05T22:49:32.724-04:00Ironman Chattanooga Race Recap<div style="text-align: left;">
I am an IRONMAN! Last Sunday I completed
the race that I had been focusing on for over a year, and it was
everything I could have hoped it would be and more. Instead of writing
it out in sections, I'm just going to post one post with all of my
thoughts and reflections. It won't be short, but then again, neither was
the race. <i>I'd like to add here, after having finished this whole post, that it defines the word 'lengthy'. If you read it all, thank you. If you're looking to skim, just be sure to read the last half of the run section. It's my favorite.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Heading to Chattanooga</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
weekend before the race Tim and I drove up to Johnson City for one of
my high school best friend's weddings. I took my bike up then so that I
knew it was safe and could stay at my parents' house in Chattanooga for
the week. It proved to be a smart idea, as I was able to drive a lot of
stuff up then that I wouldn't have been able to carry when I flew back
up to Chattanooga on Thursday.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
week before the race was spend being nervous about anything and
everything. From twinges in my foot to sneezes to nutrition to liquids, I
stressed about it all. When Thursday came I couldn't have been more
thrilled. My school did such an awesome send off and called me up to the
stage in front of all my students and gave me a bunch of school stuff
to wish me luck. I did tear up, and I felt really special.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My
flight was on time, and my mom and dad picked me up in Birmingham for
the drive up to Chattanooga. We just missed athlete check in on
Thursday, so we just went home and hung out and ate dinner and sat
around. I went to bed early to prepare for an exciting day on Friday.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Pre-Race Preparations</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On
Friday morning, Tim and I went down to athlete check in at 8:30 to get
in line early. If you ever plan on doing an Ironman, one thing I'd like
to note here is that you should always expect a line everywhere. When
they opened at 9 I suddenly realized I had forgotten my ID! I had my
insurance and USAT card, but I had to panic and solve the ID card
situation before I could get checked in. When I did get checked in I
read a waver far too long for comfort. And when I say I read it, I
really mean that I looked at it and assumed that it meant if I died they
wouldn't take the blame. I knew I was going to have to sign it, so I
just took photos of the paper in case I needed to refer back to it
later.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWt0JgKcVBkF99XkMBUgJmI9YWCVrL1O7uvas6K-g7w1v7Cs3C-ymOSIETfz3aSHXGbKTEeT9QbLQcFOZbrw8ZTljfkL8a7tx21d7AuTtHQjKmZCo_PU7i6usQW-zx3QA9ApuvgLZs22k/s1600/3.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
waited in line for my bib and swim cap, and I saw a family friend
Carolyn, who was volunteering for the race. It was so nice to see so
many familiar faces all weekend, and I think it really helped this race
feel even more special than it already was to me. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After
that I waited in another line for the backpack and then grabbed some
non-finisher's stuff to purchase. If I hadn't finished I still would
have worn the gear, because I trained my butt off for it and would have
been a competitor in it. That was all the rationalizing I was doing in
buying some early.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdg1kALHQtCGtX4sRYkx3k8y_LMOr5Kr7hVEAF5fzApadXwe8qfWp5WNj6BzjhsInJnfa2FBcTPAdnzQB7_uF9YXNuSLPV3EUHxdF1N3v_PcY0igfQNrmHLDYiBjTusik2mlyRhaKfunZK/s1600/8.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
then met up with Beth and Nick and met a few new faces here. We walked
around the tents, got some free stuff, and then I made the biggest and
best decision of that day: <b>I bought an aero bottle for my bike</b>.
That will be mentioned time and time again later, but I thought it was
worth noting here that, though they say not to do anything new on race
day, I knew this was going to be a good decision.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Beth
and I walked over to a tent where a pro was signing autographs, and we
asked him every question under the sun. As he was finishing writing out
his mile by mile nutrition strategy (kidding...but not my much) we
decided it was time to give other people a chance to <strike>accost</strike> talk to him. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It
was time for the athlete meeting! We heard from one of the announcers
all about cut offs and rules and times and information, and we each had
our own freak outs about the things we were nervous about. Beth noted
bike cut off times, I noted run cut off times, and we assured each other
that we really did definitely want to get to the race at 4:15 before
transition opened so that we could be in line early for the swim start. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwkWOhoEZF99zisjvfZMbdCxyybFJFCa-vsA6rCTNNzQrvEN-EEQfO3t9QrUlVVX-BSKCuT5-dMj0SD3Ptt9kV-ba8p7WxCpRN1Ahmf7B3omhF0Kkc6F0dIb-rmhZKoQsdBGtqytfzaDO/s1600/IMG_3489.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After
that we were off to drive the bike course. The course was nicely marked
so we didn't miss any turns, and I was glad we took the opportunity see
(for me the second time) what we were facing on race day. It was just
like I remembered it; the hills were rolling, and there wasn't anything
that was any worse than hills we trained on in San Antonio. I knew we
were well prepared, and Beth didn't get more nervous, which she says is a
good thing and shows that her mind was in the right place.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
dropped Beth at her hotel and Tim and I headed back to my parents house
to get dinner. I also spent a lot of time eating over the course of
those two days. I ate lots of carbs and salt, and I drank a lot of
water. I ate my biggest meal on Friday night, because I knew I wouldn't
want much sitting in my stomach Saturday night. I went to bed early
again because I've also heard two nights before race day is even more
important sleep-wise than the night before.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On
Saturday I went down to ride my bike before bike check in and make sure
all my gears were working. I went for a little 1 mile run in my
neighborhood, and then Beth and I checked our bikes in. I had strapped
my aero bottle on, and it was ready to go. I put it in transition, said
goodbye, and knew the next time I would see it would be when I was
running out of the swim and onto it for a long 116 mile ride. Beth and I
went and had our last big lunch and then headed over to the practice
swim to hop in and see how the river felt. We had to walk .25 mile up
river to jump in and swim, and once we jumped in the water felt great!
It wasn't wetsuit legal at the time, and I was starting to feel like it
wasn't going to be for raceday either. The swim was quick, and I was
hearing everyone chatter about a strong current. Good news for everyone!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4__K_ZTLopiSnvZzbIU3kdUUudt9f9j-BcdTm9RZ_31tOzRpBAUYLqujfBdEyjHEnzDHQiIDeFzhTw6pFkt_SyMgSpEfpdk5Vi9lmpEt7GtRlwdZDNnvTygBuKho6ao5MHVgGJyEVWcX/s1600/16.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After
that we parted ways and I headed home to relax, panic, and make sure
everything was in order. My gear bags were check in with my bike, but I
still had access to them on Sunday morning, so I double and triple
checked that there wasn't something I was missing. I also packed my
special needs bags with more than anyone could have possibly wanted! I
ate dinner of pasta around 4:45 and went to bed at 8. I knew 3:00 am
would come early.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I woke up in the middle of the night with stomach cramps, and that made me nervous for what the morning would be like</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Race Day!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When
I woke up on Sunday at 3, I spent a lot of time in the bathroom. I
never get a nervous stomach, but I was having all the nervous stomachs
from past races catch up to me all at once here. I was so panicked about
it. I took Immodium and Advil and hoped and prayed that it would go
away. I only ate a piece of sourdough bread that I brought with me in
the car and finished waiting outside of transition. Luckily, my stomach
started to settle with the second Immodium, and I hoped that would be it
for the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<b>Setting up Transition</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Beth
and I did meet at 4:15 as agreed, and we were early enough to be some
of the first 100 or so people into transition. We got our arms and legs
marked, and it felt real. I teared up a few times, as that was the theme
of the weeks preceding the race, and then I high tailed it to my bike
to setup my water bottles and nutrition for the race. I taped two
PowerGels to my bike tube, crammed more stuff than necessary into my
bento box, and dropped the rest of my stuff into my bike gear bag. I
setup my aero bottle with skratch/carbopro and had three other water
bottles, one each of skratch/carbopro, gatorade, and plain water.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO6OA-taiuNCNUMUx7KatVaEphWtmeZHN65NFJDLipNsB_SYoj00tft7fKecFkpzeHjsEGnWarBmMOSUEQT7Ji6hKgVetF0k4Z5YkGAgUt1w7sZJcvHPHN6SC88yZh0pOzD9ws-lmh-OP/s1600/21.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
asked a man to borrow his pump, and he came and helped me make sure my
tires were okay. I asked him if this was his first, because I had told
him it was mine. He said it wasn't and that he had done 27 other ones. I
asked if he was excited for Inaugural Chattanooga, and he paused.
Because there was so much controversy surrounding the race's long bike
course, late swim start, and sub-17 hour cutoff, I was waiting to hear
him mention something about that. But instead, he told me that his wife
had passed away six weeks prior and that this was his first one without
her there by his side. I bit my cheeks to keep from crying, but as soon
as he walked away the floodgates opened. I walked over to Tim and Beth
to prepare to board the shuttle to the swim start and hugged Tim and
cried. They didn't know what was going on, but I told them and they
understood. Tim and I said our final goodbyes before I started my
journey, and Beth and I boarded the shuttle.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It
was a 10 or 15 minute ride up 2.4 miles to get to the swim start, and I
got teary part of the way just thinking about the man, the fact that we
were about to do what we had spent an entire year preparing for, and
because of nervousness from the day. When we got off we found that we
weren't too terribly far from the beginning of the line, but we weren't
as close to the front as you'd think we would have been considering that
it was 5 am and the race didn't start until 7:30. We spent the time
chatting (not about the race...we had done enough of that), using the
bathroom, and meeting people around us. Everyone was excited, and as the
line inched forward as they consolidated us it became more and more and
more real. Before we knew it we were taking off our outer clothing to
put into morning clothes bags, putting on our cap and goggles and
heading down the ramp to jump off a dock and get our day started.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
kept looking at Beth and squealing and squeezing her arm and saying
"This is it! Good luck!" The line moved very quickly, and right as I was
about to jump in I looked back one last time and said, "Bye Beth!"
Then, I started my 144.6 mile journey (I'm tearing up just writing
this).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Swim</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
swim was the part of the race that I was the least nervous about
leading into race day. It's my strongest discipline, and this swim had
very little to be nervous about. It was straight down river for 2.4
miles, and there were no sharks, which for some reason still make me
nervous when swimming in the ocean. I knew I'd just be going straight
for a very long time and wouldn't have to worry about too much besides
keeping the buoys on my left.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
So,
I swam. And swam. And swam. And then I looked up and was a little far
to the right. So I swam left. And swam left. And swam left...and then,
magic happened. I was right back in the pack and a girl swam up next to
me going not too much faster than I was. For the most part the swim was
well spread out and I was able to find paths around people really
easily. When this girl came up and we swam next to each other for 15 or
20 strokes, I thought to myself, "Alright! This is your chance to take
it a little easier." So I eased up for a few strokes, let her get in
front of me, and then drafted for the next ten or so minutes. I never
touched her feet and did my best not to annoy her, but she never kicked
too hard or turned around and clocked me, so she either didn't know I
was there or didn't care because I wasn't bothering her. Eventually she
got a little too far ahead and I let off and kept swimming at my pace.
We were going under bridges pretty quickly, but I always resisted the
urge to look at my watch and see my pace or overall time. I didn't want
it to affect how I was swimming. We passed by the dock we had used for
the Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon I did in June, so I knew I was .9
from the finish. It seemed to come pretty quickly at that point. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There
is one turn to the left to head to the swim exit, and when I got there I
saw a clock that said 58 minutes on it. I didn't know if it was started
when the pros started ten minutes before age groupers or when age
groupers started. I also didn't know how far back I was from when the
first age grouper got in the water, so I picked it up a little bit
hoping to make it to the swim exit in under 1 hour. That had been my
goal for the swim. Much to my shock I was very far under one hour. I
swam the swim in 46 minutes. Thank you current, you made me feel like a
rock star!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_7j5OYq0NnKh993kHor4JsDpnpRvp7rUWle3NKQ396PUZtcFwzZvrLA4ga8NE1vTNterTlsFL3oQKsa1U96GbY5C9zh5ocVHxZgK5z6UEsrUrVlPu-yTwyg9ViPIwEUrukOFqzippnRVQ/s1600/26.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Swim Time: 46:34 Division Rank: 3/35</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Transition 1</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
ran a bit to transition along the Riverfront Path and saw SO many
spectators. That part was awesome. The whole run there was lined with
people, and they were three of four rows deep. I saw Beth's boyfriend
Nick, my family, and everyone I was looking for. It was exciting to get
to see them all through so many people.<b> </b>I then ran past the gear
bags and grabbed my bike bag and ran to the transition tent. Because I
had lined up in the front part of the line and swam past a number of
people, there weren't a lot of people in the transition tent, and I had
two volunteers all to myself! They were incredibly helpful. They helped
get my swimsuit off, get sunscreen off, get socks on, get all my junk
shoved in pockets, and before I knew it I was on my way. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
called out my number, but 803 was coming through at the same time, so
the volunteer thought that the initial number had been a mistake calling
out 813. I ran past my bike a little and backtracked. Someone helped me
grab it off the rack and I was on my way. I ran down a chute and saw
Tim and my mom at the end, turned the corner, jumped on the bike past
the mount line, and I was off!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3nxoqQpd00lP7eryYpk4GHTTtSN7ufCOPJ6K5aE4SSfSs7vmlOj74HjL7Zwh3AIeCES38byNYZrKMAA-o1TfuokcTasXV4GchVTG1hGRy9q6PMd_gIH5tIQKOglBlE2pOyVRO4Rpy2fOZ/s1600/29.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Transition 1 Time: 7:06</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bike</b>:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After
starting on the bike I immediately felt fantastic. My legs felt so
fresh, and the weather was perfection. There was a small hill coming out
of transition to wake the legs up, and then I hunkered down and got in
aero. There weren't a lot of people near me, but I knew the normal game
was about to begin. Because I'm a stronger swimmer I always get passed
on the bike for the first 20 or so miles of a half distance triathlon.
Well, this was a world of difference. I pretty much spent the entire
bike ride getting passed. I may have passed 5-10 people total over the
course of the whole day that would be a permanent pass. I passed people
going up hills, but they'd soon repass me on the way down, as the
descents aren't my strong suit. The people that passed me at first were
riding monster bikes with insane wheels and helmets; I was waiting for
someone with a motor to come by. People were flying!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
was really glad that those passes didn't start happening in big numbers
until I got out of the city, though. The roads in Chattanooga on our
way down to the loop was a little technical, so I was happy to have
clearance to slow a little for turns. When I finally got out to the loop
(about 12 miles in), bigger and bigger packs of people were passing. I
felt like I must have been going so slowly, but I wasn't going to let it
change my goals or how I was riding. I was averaging around 18 or 18.5
at that time, so I didn't get discouraged. I did, though, get a little
annoyed with some of the packs that were forming. That was helping a lot
of people! I just sang "I'm a speed bump! Speed bump!" for 10 or so
miles to myself. Occasionally someone would say "On your left!" and
occasionally I'd feel witty and would respond "You and everyone else!" I
meant it to be funny, and the two or three times I said it the person
got a laugh out of it. People complimented me on my swim, because they
knew that must have been why I was out in the front early.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
ate a Gu in the first 5 miles of the bike to make up for swim hunger,
and then I drank my aero bottle full of Skratch and Carbopro. I didn't
dilute it enough, so it was a little strong for my liking. As I passed
the first bike aid station on the loop, I added a bunch of water to my
aero bottle, and I was immediately thankful for having purchased that
bottle. I won't mention it again, but I pretty much refilled it at every
aid station. I drank A LOT on the bike. I also ate quite a bit. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
first loop was moderately uneventful until I got down to the bottom of
the loop. I started seeing a lot of people flatting in one area, and I
didn't think it was normal for that many people to get flats in one
place. I wanted to ask someone, but I wasn't really close to anyone so
just watched carefully where I was going in case there was something
wrong with the road. I got down to the Hog Jowl turn that was really
sharp on a down hill; I had been worried about that turn for a full year
since driving that course, but luckily I yelled "Slowing!!" and the
lady behind me yelled "We're clear! Take it easy! I'm not trying to run
over anyone today!" It worked out perfectly, and I was so glad to be
around that. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
hills were never anything bigger than what I rode in San Antonio, and I
felt like it was much more rolling. The back half of the loop felt like
we were going downhill a lot of the time. I loved the feeling of going
fast and the wind blowing onto my face. I knew special needs was going
to come up around mile 52, and I didn't know what that was going to be
like. As I got closer it made me a little nervous, because it was just
on the side of the road. Someone told me "813 you're in the front!" But I
didn't know what she meant by the "front", so I went to what I thought
would be the front like a car's front, furthest down the road. I guess I
was wrong. I had to wait 20 or 30 seconds on my bag, and my watch
autopaused (this will come back later). I grabbed a few things and made
it on my merry way. The climb out of Chicamauga wasn't too terrible, and
the descent was FAST! I made the turn onto the second loop, and I was
still feeling pretty good!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
knew now what to expect, so when hills or turns came they didn't
surprise me. They did seem to take a little extra push this time,
though. I was getting close to what I thought would be the Hog Jowl turn
again, when all of the sudden a different turn popped up in front of
me, and I realized I was about 10 miles behind where I thought I was.
Crap! I didn't want to be there. And that was when I started getting a
little tired of being on the bike and also a little nauseous. At the
next aid station a girl that I went to high school with shouted out to
me, and I took a banana and a water, and it started to settle my stomach
again. I rode the rest of the second loop and made the final turn to
head back to transition.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It
was about mile 80 when I was really really tired of being on the bike. I
kept telling myself things that were longer that I had done than what I
had left. "This is shorter than Anderson Snow and back!" "This 20 miles
is the same as a weekday ride." Etc. But when I got on the flat stretch
back to the final hills in Chattanooga, I realized that my eyes were
really burning. I hadn't worn sunglasses the whole time, and I was
worried that I had windburned my eyes. I don't usually wear them during
training because they made my vision a little messed up, so I didn't
think it would effect me any. I put them on for the last stretch in
hopes that covering my eyes would stop the burn and I wouldn't be
effected on my run. I guess they were just dried out, because by the
time I got back to transition they felt better.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
last bit through St. Elmo was really fantastic. Though hilly and
dragged out, the people were energetic and fun. It made me nervous when I
passed a girl who had crashed at mile 112 of the bike and was face down
on the road not moving. Medics were there and people were helping, so I
didn't stop or do anything. I found out later that she had run into a
telephone pole after losing control of her bike going over railroad
tracks. She is okay now. I had four miles left, and I knew that if
anything happened in those last 4 miles I'd just run back or ride my
bike on flats back. 116 miles is a long way!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As
I made my way down the hill back to the dismount line, I saw my family.
They were waving and taking pictures. I hate the dismount line, so I
dismounted a little early. A volunteer came running and asking if I was
okay and said I needed to go a little further. I wasn't riding my bike
any further (I stopped maybe 15 feet before the dismount line because it
was crowded), so I just got off and ran it to the volunteer who took
it. I was not sad to see it go.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Bike Time: 6:28:41 Division Rank: 13/35</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Transition 2:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Transition
2 was more crowded and a bit different than transition 1. I had run in
with my bag and found a spot, and I had heard a volunteer yell, "Holler
if you need some help." All the volunteers were busy helping other
people, so I just dumped out my bag and starting doing my thing by
myself. For some reason I also got a little sad that no one was helping
me. It was an odd moment. Eventually someone came and helped me. I also
am now thinking I was a bit looney because I actually put my socks and
shoes on before changing from bike to run shorts. I can't explain that,
and it was awkward making that change. Soon enough I was done changing
and was heading out onto the run course, but first I had to stop at the
port o potty. I was hoping this was going to be the only time. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Uh. Yea. It wasn't.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Transition 2 Time: 5:23</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Run:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Shortly
after exiting transition we went down a ramp to the riverwalk that was
the same ramp (I think) we had come up from when exiting the swim. I was
worried about slipping, and my parents said they saw a few people slip.
I saw them cheering there, and they told me not to fall and to be
careful. Then they cheered me on. Soon I saw one of my best friends from
high school cheering on the Riverwalk. I was so bummed that I had
shoved a water bottle in my sports bra and was doing my hair, but it did
make for some funny pictures. I then saw her husband a few people
down. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDasqDvBpn-fyu5D1YoI1yAjLwPd5V_zT8FeCpOEAzAZsFuPXRYVyF0PlwOqFG6LPvoeuD0LBCjdsDy4A0qNR17E0n1hp7sulHBHloW34WgwKKXB-3RNe2SDJ7-9a8X6S3zu0ERr6IJBZw/s1600/hair.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
first mile out of transition went by so quickly! I couldn't believe it,
because we also had to run up a hill (the first of many). I turned left
at the first aid station to stay on the Riverwalk, and then I ran the
first half the two loop course. The first 8 miles of the course were
fairly flat, though even they had some slight inclines and declines
compared to what we Floridians define as flat. I talked to a guy for a
few minutes about his favorite triathlons, and he told me that though
Chattanooga was fast, the Hudson River was a lot faster. That got me
through mile 3, I think. Then we drifter our separate ways after an aid
station. I was keeping my friend Hugo's advice; he told me not to make
friends on the run course--it could slow me down.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
kept running along the Riverwalk and took salt tabs every mile or two,
and I drank water at every aid station. I was running right around
10:00/mile for the first 5 or 6 miles, and I felt really great. Running
the back half of that first loop on a highway wasn't fun, as there
wasn't much scenery to look at. I ate some grapes and kept running and
focusing on just keeping everything steady. I don't remember what I was
thinking through this period of time, but I think I was getting to the
point where I was having to go to the bathroom again, because somewhere
around mile 6 I stopped again to pee. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At
this port o potty I ripped the hole of my bib from my race belt, so it
was flapping; and true to form, I was so concerned that I was going to
lose my bib, not for legal or race purposes, but for sentimental
purposes later. I kept tucking it into the race belt and hoping it would
stay. Soon enough I was turning onto the Veteran's Bridge and saw my
parents, sister, and Tim for the first time. That was uplifting! They
cheered and took photos, and I kept running. I met a Rev3 teammate,
Susan, as I was running over the bridge, and that was nice! I also saw
my cousin Matt while I was crossing the bridge too. Seeing people was so
helpful!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOhzXmimyk-U_HwIyWm82PyBOdszMho8WwaUmA06RxgOdFNyZkgBTUrYqsrplRKuJkapvM7hqonUrNM9jUJi7nhffgw-925h7Ah-bEaBkF38RPtmjoFbWyUtnGndKD9Y-BMY4hdKmY5IR/s1600/33.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The
next five miles were really hard. It was the massive climb up and down
Barton Avenue and then through the Riverview neighborhood. I had run a
17 miler in training through some of it, so I knew what to expect. That
was beneficial. I also started talking to another guy during this period
that was running at a pace close to mine. I yelled over to someone
cheering asking if they had a safety pin (to fix my bib) and they said
they didn't. The guy said he'd stop at the next aid station to give me
the one he had on his timing chip, which was really nice of him, so I
picked up my pace a little to stay with him, because I really wanted
that chip. He was trying to hold a 9:30, but he said he was fine with
the 9:45-10:00 we were at. The next aid station came, he stopped and got
the pin, then I said thanks and sent him on his way; I knew I couldn't
keep his pace. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Running
through Riverview was cool, because we ran past the pool where I
learned to swim and the swim team I had been on from the ages of 6-18. I
also ran past one of my mom's best friends who was cheering and also my
middle school swim coach. That was uplifting. A guy said to me, "Are
you from here? You know a lot of people." So that sparked another short
conversation that lasted a mile or two. He was from NC, but he had lived
in Tampa before, so we talked about that. He said he was going to go
ahead when we got to the hills, but I kept up with him and he
complimented me on being good on the hills for running all the flats in
Florida. I then explained to him the bridge loop that Beth and I did
every weekend. We were prepared!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFuPzuphQvhmiofwFByeYmUn-SjejSer5C4q75nYnNZmlLC3UNj8ir2JqeGWozs50B8q9g2JyyapooIKfwRPJBnokgsVo2cMyQS6OZcjXD4IqdtSX0G2Mh0POiMQVjlR4G5Q0DkhyphenhyphenmvkK/s1600/riverview.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
split with that guy when he stopped at special needs and I kept going. I
soon came upon my safety pin friend and chatted with him again for a
mile or two. I learned that he is a preacher from MS and all about his
training with working on Sunday mornings. That helped keep my mind off
of running. By this point I was at mile 14 or 15. I was starting to feel
a little less comfort in my legs, so I told my new friend that I needed
to slow a little to keep from walking. I had still been around
10:00-10:30 for most of the first 15 miles. From that point on, though,
the pace felt just as hard, but it was slower.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
walked through my first aid stations on the Riverwalk, and I also
stopped to pee again. It was here that it hit me that I had been
drinking too much on the bike and on the run. Still, though, I took
water at every aid station. I made the turn onto the highway, kept
running, and I saw a girl with a 29 on her leg! I love chasing people
down that are in my age group, so I just focused on that number and
picked it up EVER so slightly. Eventually I caught her, but as soon as I
passed her she picked it up, dropped the person that she had been
talking with, and caught me again. I decided not to be competitive and
instead decided to just chit chat with her. We talked about our training
for a bit and that it was both of our firsts. Then, because I wanted to
just enjoy the day, and also because I had to pee again, I stopped at a
port o potty and wished her luck. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It
was then that I made a decision not to worry about being under 12
hours. I thought I'd have to push too hard to make it, because I didn't
know how long my watch had been autopaused at bike special needs, and
also my math wasn't happening correctly at this time. I thought I'd have
to hold 10:30s, which was a push at the time.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
saw my family again in the same place, and I mentally readied myself
for the last 5 miles of serious hills. I hadn't walked anything besides
aid stations to this point, and I said I wasn't going to walk any of the
hills on the back side either. I took shorter steps and put my head
down and ran slowly up the hills. I got to an aid station at mile 22 and
saw a girl hold a foil pack of kettle chips, and I said, "THOSE!",
grabbed a handful, and went on my merry way. They tasted amazing. By the
time I got back around to go over Barton for the last time, I just
really wanted to be done. I started thinking maybe I'd just walk a
little bit of it, but as I started up it, after seeing two friends from
high school Rachel and Blaes, I heard Eye of the Tiger, which was my
high school's pump up song. It inspired me to keep running. It was the
last hill!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0jnL-V2XHzXMGj2sJpKWrcqvnjHLMjrkZ0V8_CaX8WZoD_47KV6GQackv5tJOX6HcvSVVAZe9PZ8aFdg8N6gzEZIbdRR_knZGSWeB2JG1cG1m7fWFTGgNqoha5hlqQQJg09yw2tIWjno/s1600/34+also.JPG" height="640" width="360" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So,
I made it to the "summit" (it felt like that because it was that big of
a hill), headed down, made the turn onto Frazier, made my way over the
walking bridge, and I turned left. This was where the split for second
loop or finish line was, and this was when I started beaming! I turned
left at the split to head down the hill to become an Ironman! Everyone
was cheering and shouting my name, and I felt famous. I had half a mile
or so to go, and there were so many people cheering along the way. It
was my favorite moment of the whole day; it made the hundreds of hours
of training worth it. Adults were high fiving and telling me they loved
the smile on my face. Kids were high fiving, and parents were sticking
their kids' hands out shaking them so that we would give them high
fives. I hope some of those kids know they can do this one day. I hope
we inspired them. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
got to the chute to head to the finish, and I was overjoyed. Everything
around me was silenced, and I just high fived and ran to the bright
lights and the red Ironman finish carpet. I didn't hear anything; I
looked around to make sure I was going to be able to finish by myself,
but I couldn't hear much besides my thoughts. It was surreal. This was
my moment. I have watched so many people have theirs on the live stream.
This was my time! I raised my hands up and was so thrilled. I shouted
"YESS!!" as I crossed the finish line. I had done it! I was an Ironman. I
am an Ironman. And then Erik, my friend Emily's husband, was there as
my catcher. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RxkkimOQsU2yzT0EUSSH2bMoB820ylhd4DpuUVUq6TZ6hq-UzjPbbdlWfzTEtejpf-zEI9OwxBYfgR1k74e686yMfSVqXQGInvmnqn90h5E-Hkrfv_ArIS2PVW6R1GqHbas4hsTxKken/s1600/35.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
That
was weird. After rushing forward as fast as physically possible for 12
hours, having someone come up to you and stop you is strange. It took me
a minute to realize what was going on. I looked and stopped my watch
and saw 11:59. I was excited but also nervous for a minute, because I
knew that it had autopaused during bike special needs, and I also didn't
know I was going to be this close to 12 hours. I got my finisher's
shirt and hat, got some chocolate milk, and got a piece of pizza.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I
made my way to the end of the finisher's area and saw Tim and my
family, and I went and immediately started crying and hugged Tim. I
said, "I did it! I did it!!" I saw my family, and they were so thrilled for me. In a little bit I asked, "What was my time?!" and they were so excited for me; they knew I beat my goal by a lot. They
said, 12:00:36! I was insanely happy; I had wanted to go under 13 hours
and I had just gone 12 hours. For a second, I still thought, "All those port o
potty stops! Those darn 36 seconds!" Ha!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqarFAGdhCAQVV7wmd2UbRKY5kx6poP8VzQ-wpXUQIjGnrL1M05IBVPFrJopaUs9pwCe1tiYs3JrVqFmCOO9HM0mte3tOgKd53wIRRU_jaP3c7b-lV_VhhhtYrFhe13UAYuryh8ZtF-tO/s1600/P1020498.JPG" height="640" width="360" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Run Time: 4:32:52 Division Rank: 13/35</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And
I guess this is where it ends. It seems strange that after months of
training, over a year after signing up, days of counting down, hours of
anxiety, tears, nerves, panic, and excitement that this is it. It all
just stops. The sun rose on September 29th, and I didn't have this
monumental life event in front of me. I drove home; I returned to work; I
continued living. I am an Ironman.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnK1mmFiXJR547CufPxk0VqS-dbT-UIAjCKrWiehr8WJLX09H4Ockdo_6WoiAl72GiQRvf1-gQzTs9BiHy8Eo0ZYEZmKMX_G-q8oL0jcvJVk7c7Eybl2VaxqGo-5lYOr6Kq7e1yTshBFm/s1600/IMG_3513.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Total Time: 12:00:36 Division Rank: 13/35</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm going to post separately with the things I learned, what surprised me, and what my biggest tips and takeaways are. <b>If you have questions, let me know and I'll include them.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Thank yous</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tim, I love you for "letting" me sign up
for this and go through this whole experience. I'm sorry that I loved it
as much as I did and that I want to do it again. I know it was tough. I
know that the long hours on weekends that I was gone made it difficult
to spend time together, and I know that I wasn't always carefree and
upbeat when I was home. Thank you for putting up with me (most of the
time) and also for not ever taking me too seriously when I would panic
and ridiculous things. I'm very lucky to have you as my partner, and I
appreciate your patience with me and also your support. You're a
tireless cheerleader and my number one supporter; I love you.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There
are so many people that helped me get to where I did. I can't say thank
you enough for the support I got from the blogging community and from
friends and family. Though I didn't blog through most of the training, I
tweeted and posted photos, and I got such great support. Thank you!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To all the people that I trained with through this mess, thank you. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Chris
and Heather, thank you for coming to San Antonio for so many training
rides and providing fun stories and camaraderie along the way. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hugo,
Kari, Pete, and Teresa, thank you for planning rides and bringing some
fun to some fairly miserable weekends. And thanks for the advice along
the way. Teresa, thanks also for the several bridge runs. Sorry about
that light incident. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stephanie,
thanks for texting non-stop anti-panic messages after you completed
IMMD with pictures included. And thanks for meeting us to run or bike or
both. Congratulations to you on an amazing race at Maryland! I'm
looking forward to training together more, but first to sharing our
experiences.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Tori,
thanks for being a constant source of calm through this training.
Though I know you went through a lot this summer, you were always the
first one with positive words of encouragement and a voice of calm when I
was freaking out or worrying about one of any number of things. I
wouldn't be a triathlete without you. I remember when you took me to the
mock triathlon in Dunedin last year and had to essentially teach me
everything about how to do anything with triathlon. Thanks for helping
me get to that start line and finish line in Chattanooga. I am so
excited for you for IMAZ so soon. You're going to blow your expectations
out of the water. I'm glad to have you as a friend.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Beth, I could write a book of jokes and events from our training. I have
never gone through an experience like this with anyone before. Thank
you for not killing me any number of times. I'm so glad to have
experienced everything we did together. I am glad we mutually hate
bridges in Clearwater and hills in San Antonio; I still do want to go
drive them though. You have been a constant motivator to me, and I
couldn't have done this without you. I'm thankful that we signed up for
this race, trained together, and became such good friends. You are such a
strong person, and I'm so glad that you demolished your goals. I look
forward to seeing this next marathon training cycle and the end result. It will be great. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that. Is it. Thanks for reading! </div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-65851389227220360572014-09-24T01:00:00.000-04:002014-09-24T01:00:00.707-04:00Ironman Training ReflectionsI have been incredibly absent from the blogging and social media world in the last three months. After racing <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2014/06/rev3-williamsburg-703-race-recap.html" target="_blank">Rev3 Williamsburg</a>, I did go up to Chattanooga and race the Chattanooga Riverfront Triathlon (to get a sense of what I'd be facing when the Ironman came around) with Tori. I didn't get a chance to write that up, because, in truth, I was ready for a break after Williamsburg. I came home from that event and I was tired and was having a hard time stomaching the thoughts of the months to come.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEGyf9XZ4moNLzVYt4Jg5VaHWYrL1MtrPmzSSddJBX-ehgor6hhyphenhyphendGF0vuchY0XyvIN9ZskvwLumBI1SyGQ_mRP1dfP4I3mc51aPr5Dli3Aw0Dwux198Atg56DFj-kdjDRMY9PZP60M3t/s1600/choo.jpg" height="640" width="352" /></div>
July, August, and September were quite a whirlwind for me. Before I do any kind of goals or thoughts post for the pre-race, I thought it would be only fair to give some idea of the past three months that I've been so absent from here. Instead of the workout recaps that I became so good at posting in the past, I'm going to share more generalizations, thoughts, and experiences. It won't necessarily be organized, but it'll be better than nothing for my own memories.<br />
<br />
I'll break it into four categories: swimming, biking, running, and life.<br />
<br />
<b>Swimming(31 miles from May 1 to today)</b><br />
True to form, I didn't swim as much as my training plan suggested I should. I did, however, swim at least once every single week from July to now. For me, that is a win. I did a lot of longer swims, and I did an occasional 10 x 100 to check my paces. I swam a 4400 for time at my coach's insistence. I didn't do any open water swims.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghzRH1VjsS9nz5ZWViAmx_O7NA-2mGD3DyoNMAGyWDXwLWQ-etPgSB6I72gL311g4GzT1Ht3Wc9o0AH5NeK9EEj0qmCRkCtcT0IbvovLXh8vYFTf2Dpbjl9eLAXsci8gKzRjdUQPR78BZh/s1600/swim2.PNG" height="320" width="319" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQVpA9QWXLwQc5mYBCuEii4_jUEMNtoOQeEufQY3XhzctvUZBcWLgJ9FfBheuCOnyx0LNbktjOOm30vrQJLzA5zZkc0VPCGT1LyaQalxwBSTKHhl-LsPjh-PLQHwvdvotk_TXmbUwsBc_/s1600/swim.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></div>
And how do I feel? I feel fine about the swim. It's not something I'm overly concerned about come race day. I normally felt pretty good in the water, and I think that the swimming I did is enough to keep my swim fitness in line with where it needs to be. The long sets I did have prepared me mentally to swim 2.4 miles, and I'm looking forward to that part of the race.<br />
<br />
<b>Biking (2,093 miles from May 1 to today)</b><br />
I biked like a crazy woman in my training. Chattanooga is sounding like it will have around 4000 feet of elevation gain on the bike, so I knew I needed to prepare for it. And prepare I did! I rode 100 miles four times, and I rode 80 miles quite a few times as well.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gnyuJnWPSGf99BCX6E9zJmnW7VATJ5VZ58NYMhShyphenhyphenSAcyvlw7epPjd9lgv0BcZrROEuZwTZ581vtf9jazDAz5tW_ZRFue6eSOhv44qxXooWGbIltYCVLXhLhlM-EwTGKTS1S8EUElf7z/s1600/bike2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
The 100 milers weren't ever fun all the way through, and I was always glad to be done; I did, though, generally enjoy much of each of those rides. 100 miles is a long way. 116 is going to be even longer (in case you haven't heard, they extended the Chattanooga course).<br />
<br />
I did a July 4th century ride that scared the life out of me. It was my first 100 miler, and I was riding in a group I didn't know that well. We only stopped twice, and after drafting in a pack of 40 cyclists going around 20 miles per hour, I didn't know if I could do it for the whole day. I shed a tear in the bathroom, but luckily Stacey was there to make me feel better. And I did do it. I rode 100 miles for the first time that day throughout Tampa, and it was a confidence booster.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_NRqnYkkdTVxJPw6TWMl0zzDOLHLUnmY1f5BTnv5cJtx83EykVDtR9qhyphenhyphenp3V2qfrGKMDNYpyGnlbIrZmt8ivLccULokzbYs8i4L3dxwEdTMH7RBxSRvktWQIprbSedJtt86eeT9r7G0ya/s1600/bike3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></div>
The second 100 miler was half on the roads and half on a trainer. It had started pouring, as it did on every 100 mile ride I did this summer, and none of us wanted to continue. So, at mile 60 I head home and jumped on the trainer for the last bit. That's when I started having some knee issues that lasted me a couple of weeks and a new bike fit.<br />
<br />
The third 100 miler was in San Antonio with Beth. San Antonio is 45 minutes Northeast of Tampa, and it's really the only hilly place near us. We spent far too many weekends biking those roads. We had a loop that had around 2500 feet of elevation gain in 56 miles, and we did that more times than I can count. Sometimes we added sections on a flat trail for part of the ride if we needed to extend it, and sometimes we just rode more hills. Ultimately, though, we're sure we know the roads of San Antonio, FL well enough to offer weekend tours, not that anyone would take them. I will say, though, that it's because of these weekends that I feel confidence in my race.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiik1uS6gQji8i6wUHvV-4h89yfe7o-6jvZGITFioqqKERuTGTw5QOH0ki0kHlWbRQUOA1i0_6mbsc5yo7WHVl3tn8JUQmqe6RHZzsryCWieF4jqVVC7EZS65qi4Z2NuXRZOIkKjf7SUDA3/s1600/bike.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
The fourth 100 miler was in Sebring, and it was a supported ride. I enjoyed it the most of all of them, because it was also a little getaway. It was also the ride I felt the strongest on. There's not much to say about it, because there wasn't a lot of drama, but we got it done.<br />
<br />
And how do I feel? Pretty darn good! I feel that I am at least as strong on the bike as I am on the run, if not a little stronger. I am confident in what I can do on the bike as long as I ride smart. I'm looking forward to seeing what this training has done for me. I just need to remember not to cook my legs.<br />
<br />
<b>Running (592.5 from May 1 to today)</b><br />
This will be my favorite part to talk about, because even though I spent a lot more time biking than running, it's the running that sticks out in my head. Beth and I ran bridges every weekend to prepare for a marathon course that has 900-1200 feet of elevation gain. We got to know gas station attendants, Beth had a drink thrown on her, and we even saw the police investigate a man parked on a bike trail. There was <i>never</i> a dull moment. I told Beth that we laughed, we cried, and we're better off for it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha8d456Jyu5d2Gg4n1F1TpLePYuacuUqnZV2p7g37hs3L_TgOIaBPOsyna48TJ7Bo7Vg0TuTwd-99bk6jEza3MqGqZ5Pzv0BZgjPhEwqxZUiSotwnHXcohsbB6j7l_SGlY3_1KdEyqdai9/s1600/run.jpg" height="500" width="640" /></div>
There were good days and bad days; there were restaurant owners yelling at us that his restaurant wasn't open, even though the door was unlocked; there were port o potties and locked toilets; there were sprints up bridges and bridges we were close to walking. But, we did it. It is done.<br />
<br />
I ran 20 miles three times, I ran 18 miles at least five times, and from July 5th to September 13th, I never ran less than 15 miles in any weekend. I'm ready to run.<br />
<br />
And how do I feel? Ready. No way around it.<br />
<br />
<b>Life</b><br />
This is the part of the story where things get less upbeat. Maintaining a life while training for an Ironman is impossible. My husband is amazing and supportive, and he's incredibly sick of this training. I was gone for hours and hours of Saturdays and Sundays to long rides and runs, and after long running 20 miles or long riding 80-100 miles, the last thing I wanted to do was anything productive or exciting. I would sometimes attempt to go be social or do things to be productive, but between this training and working full time, I had a really hard time managing anything else.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63nAtZk7IsZk4xikCAuPn9rFQ5a45UmqX06hdEeZTb5e0PJyquyLSjwJYapTvYqlyw0mKmDxfeKx_WIk70WFtzqxHdWoMLJ15_elCEI_TBOp88p1qf739viN9vR8lNeVnKpZ_T4rxpzRh/s1600/life.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></div>
This was a strain on my friendships and my family. I started going to bed between 8-9 most nights a couple of months ago, and by 7 I was beat. I didn't go out with friends or make an effort to hang out with people. There was ALWAYS a workout to think of. I took Mondays as a rest day, and I needed every single one of them for my mental state. The two-a-days and long training sessions wore on me. Ironman training is hard. And it isn't just hard on the athlete; it's hard on all those around you as well.<br />
<br />
I always thought about how our water bill must have doubled. Between the laundry, the showers, and the hydration, I was using double what I normally do. <br />
<br />
<b>Thoughts</b><br />
If I could go back, I wouldn't change anything. I missed some weekday runs or rides here or there, but I think my training is right on point. I didn't miss a single long ride or long run. When I get to that starting line on Sunday, I will know that I did everything necessary to get to the finish. If something goes wrong or things fall apart on race day, I will smile and stay positive and know that it isn't for lack of preparation.<br />
<br />
I will post one more post before race day with my thoughts and plans going into the race. Thank you all for your tweets and comments on Instagram. I have really appreciated and enjoyed this community.meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-86738882568214082552014-06-23T04:00:00.000-04:002014-06-23T04:00:00.946-04:00Rev3 Williamsburg 70.3 Race RecapSometimes I feel like I make a decision about a race and count down to it for so long that it feels like it is never going to get here. This happened with <a href="http://rev3tri.com/williamsburg/news-va/">Rev3 Williamsburg</a> without a doubt. I ended up at the expo on Saturday thinking to myself and saying out loud, "I can't believe I'm actually here!" But I want to back it up a little bit first.<br />
<br />
I was in Atlanta the week prior to the race at a great conference for work. I loved every second of the conference, but as an entire week of intensive can be, I was extremely tired by the end of the day on Thursday. It was hard to fathom at that point doing another day of learning and then a long drive to race a 70.3. Though I had planned for it to be an A race, there were small thoughts of "just have fun" floating in my head. And on top of that, my bike spent the week at a bike shop in Atlanta that had come by recommendation but that I wasn't as familiar with as the one that I go to in Tampa. All of that together made for an interesting week before an A race.<br />
<br />
As I was thinking ahead to a 9.5 hour drive from Atlanta to Williamsburg split up over Friday afternoon and Saturday morning, I started thinking of other options. I talked to <a href="http://www.gahornet.com/">Brittany</a>, another Rev3 teammate, to find out her driving situation, and it worked out that we could drive together! I drove the 2.5 hours to her house in Augusta on Friday night, and we left from Augusta on Saturday morning for the 7.5 hours to Williamsburg.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCFYuDP8Y1hVD8mUPAbSeRNKZWkzNeDIBB1a4kLOnHff2oAFHB38dTuqzDA4S75POd_GQgBnrUTwQTi5Cd_W2cnLCAOEe8uxr0nLRW3jVEpH8rsD4NP03tk3zprHRWn9pQfMW6b1j2R6s/s1600/IMG_2497.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></div>
We went straight to the expo when we got to Williamsburg, which I was so excited about. I didn't get to go to summit, so this was the first time I got to meet some of the other members of the Rev3 Age Group Team! They were all so nice and welcoming, and it eased some of my nerves about meeting new people. I wish I had gotten more pictures with them and at the expo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhykIlvkOfvLI2Rh2iJIoLnyIds229J_vS6B_TFwr9EZGkLlxxv-aTE9BNdQrqXIEUcSeqTW7XrFFSYodi-gwZi9ZhtiNFsT9ZzsMzpuUKM2qHocMIyvdpGae3FHQ5wYhkdNryeomiVTJqr/s1600/IMG_2504.jpg" height="640" width="456" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After we picked up our packets and timing chips, we headed over to bike check in at the swim start. Williamsburg was a two transition race, which was a first for me. We got a chance to see T2, where we'd rack our bikes after the bike portion of the race, but we wouldn't be setting anything up there the night before. T1 was about 9 miles away at the James River, and that was where we had to check our bikes for the night. Brittany and I did a little bike warm up to make sure our bikes were riding smoothly, and then we did a little one mile shakeout run. Everything felt great! I got wind of the fact that the water was 80 degrees, so we wouldn't be swimming in our wetsuits. Since I first learned of the advantage of swimming in a wetsuit I've gotten very excited about any race that potentially means I get to wear it. Oh well, it wasn't that big of a deal!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We headed to dinner with a group from the team and then I rode to my hotel with <a href="https://twitter.com/MMinAVL">Maggs</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/frayed_laces">Laura</a>, who I'd be staying with for the night. We set our stuff out and got ready for bed. With an early call in the morning we were in bed and quiet by 8 PM. We turned the lights off by 9 and I slept amazingly!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was nervous race morning because I wanted to do well. I had mentioned to a few people that my goal was around 5:30 for the race. The Olympic started before the Half, so <a href="https://twitter.com/TriRacer429">Ed</a> came and go me and Laura from the hotel, because Maggs was doing the Olympic. Ed and Laura had coined the term "funning" for this race, so they helped me keep my mind off of how nervous I was. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We drove to T2 to set up our bike to run stuff then caught the shuttle to T1 to set up our swim to bike stuff. I got to meet <a href="https://twitter.com/pam_mcgowan">Pam</a> getting onto the shuttle, who was also hoping for a PR and is training for her first 140.6 this year as well. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The time to head down to the start came quicker than I expected. I wasn't really ready, but that wasn't my choice to make. I made it to the bathroom quickly then walked over the the swim start to wait with the other under 40 girls for the last wave to get in the water. I heard the swim was partly with the current, so I was thinking it wouldn't be as hard as I had heard it was in 2013. We were called to head out into the water, and I was happy that it was an in water start, even if we could stand up in the water.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>The Swim!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When the horn blew I started swimming at a fast pace to try to gain a lead, but just like happened at Rev3 Florida, people took off! I've never found faster swimmers than in Rev3 races. There were quite a few ladies from my age group who took off ahead of me, and in fact about halfway through the swim I decided I must have been going unusually slow for me. I had my first obnoxious swimmer interaction on this course when a girl swam up next to me vying for position and swam as close to the buoy as she could, thus forcing me to stop and get behind her lest I swim into the buoy. I was so frustrated with her that I just swam on her feet for the next quarter of a mile; I knew she had done the buoy maneuver on purpose.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA2x-HPkU5ZxSAhP-duZArmKK2KQKTvzV03OSc5VUE1NxtdYiqjoisjsczFXVPdpA17wP6RrKxMoohsDQQ1nvJUdopnTjuAeJ465xS0uxvOD2mjRAWtq7sWQlDhCU7sVK60XfK_SEZDdfW/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-20+at+5.41.24+PM.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we rounded the last buoy heading back to the shore I got really confused. Some people were taking it <i>really</i> wide and others were keeping it narrow. It was amazing how spread out the swimmers were in that last stretch. I was so concerned that I was making the turn too tightly that I popped up and asked a kayaker if I was going the wrong way. She assured me that no I was on the right course. The water got really shallow pretty far out from the shore, so a lot of people had stood up to walk. Once my hands brushed the bottom twice I stood up too with the intention of walking, but I was still probably 1/4 mile from the swim exit, so I threw my goggles back on and swam more just keeping my hands from touching the bottom. I was passing people that were walking so I knew I was making the right choice. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwwaKPjCi5kdllcMe6cmJ3kT6CQewKsaccgrmb0TqJzoxTcd6l3OfYOUNFkJukWOhLCXgAv0Jfx17e_yKIsir1hk9CzHvH2sKUlQUjXH-zS1XzIWifqeH6zr1ylRDo5sc0Zch2dvLH_al/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-19+at+9.01.35+PM.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once I got closer to the shore I got up and ran to the timing line, hit the split mode for the autosport function on my Garmin and saw that I had broken 30 minutes. That was by far the biggest surprise of the day. I did not think I was having a good swim!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Swim: 29:49 (1:33/100 meters) 4/18 Age Group</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>T1</b> included a .3 mile run to my bike, and though I was running, my heart rate always gets so high in that run and in transition that I didn't push as hard as I could have. It was a long way and I wanted to start feeling good on the bike. I took my time in transition getting my hair put up in the helmet and getting my bike shoes on. In addition, I also had to put all of my stuff into the swim to bike bag so that it could be transported to T2 for me to pick up at the end of the race. There was no getting back to T1 when we were done. That added a little time as well. Once I got settled I ran my bike up to the mount line and waited until I had a little bit of space to start. That first push off always makes me a little nervous when there are lots of other people around.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>T1: 4:54</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Bike!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The bike course started off flat, and there was just one slight turn in the first few miles, so it gave me a chance to shake out my legs and my nerves and get into an aero position. The roads in the first few miles were nice, and people weren't too close together. I spend a lot of the first miles of the bike getting passed by the multi thousand dollar bikes with disc wheels that belong to the swimmers that I passed in the waves ahead of me. The early bike miles always remind me that having a swimming background is about as useful as having a background in bowling. I sometimes think about waving to the people in my age group as they pass me, knowing that I won't be catching them on the run either.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The first half of the bike was really enjoyable. The weather was still cool, the roads were well maintained, the trees were beautiful, and the roads were pretty flat. There were some small rollers here or there and one bridge, but overall my legs were feeling good. At the 25 mile point there was a train crossing, and I must have jinxed myself when I joked that I hoped it would stop me so I could get a break. Sure enough, when I pulled up to it the bars were down and the little two car train flew by. I was unclipped and had put my foot down right as the arms were coming up. I'd say it cost me 30 seconds or so, but it wasn't a big deal. I did notice, though, that I wasn't listed as receiving credit for that time that I was stopped as some other people had received. Maybe it was fewer than 30 seconds and the timer didn't catch me.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEAL7i2UdBsdhvS8kIivwonx24ojZWtVwr5tSsR37Ze9oNPLxob4B0z0h09l7nWGdT7Huligj8cOZywltp1UW5uNbzqrcxlP2n950vjA4YmlruoCLkQmFoojsy1_hB7vR-MkNvb5hL9g1/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-20+at+6.07.32+PM.png" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5KhiBlbcqmnZgXSQ4d9fDqlvh53J2esRAVIMSDF_q2zd3FA9IzsvSyE6djBRYh9xWQqH0y6ItBEYhzo-tVx2aaqCmgkJgTtT8gJ2pxBDEckANSH5RkSJh5iyRZcmPMi8WUxol2vWv01H/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-20+at+6.07.58+PM.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The
second half of the bike course was far more hilly than the first half.
It was during this time that I had to really check in with my legs to
see how they were feeling. I was using the multisport function of my
watch for the first time and actually couldn't figure out how to see my
speed, so I just judged by feel. I took water bottles from three aid
stations and otherwise drank skratch from my downtube bottle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKpdFSfOvb9SaZccQ_bbMzs43dz8U3WjnDHzRwasBGWMiM3v-gdvF0B-OER7wVojfR9Z-at0Sfp14-mer_Ucmcro_6xlc_aMuMoHx_CnG2w3EOQCjSuE7tiuCqxjaGJgcH1whyphenhyphenFHEvtSf/s1600/Rev3WilliamsburgBike.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When
we were on the long stretch at State Road 693 there were a lot of
rollers with a few more steep hills, but the two biggest hills of the
course came after mile 40. The one out and back stretch had a big
downhill on the way out which then turned into a big uphill on the way
back, and at mile 48 or so there was a huge downhill where we couldn't
see the bottom because of the curve. As soon as I got to the bottom I
looked ahead and saw a very steep but short hill, so I dropped into the
small ring and pushed. All the people around me were struggling and a
guy ahead of me had unclipped and stepped down. I'm not sure if it was
just such a surprise to me or if it was really that steep, but it was
the hill that I had the most trouble with on the whole course. It took
me a minute at the top to recover and bring my heart rate back down.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
From
there to T2 it was pretty smooth sailing. There were still slight
incline and declines, but I've learned that people outside of Florida
wouldn't call them hills, even though we here in Florida would have.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Bike: 2:56:36 (6/18 Age Group)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
T2:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
got to T2 and saw that there were a handful of bikes in the racks
around me, so I knew I wasn't in the top 3 for my age group. I still
wanted to have a good run and didn't feel like I had burned my legs out
too badly on the bike. I was tired, but I thought I still had a really
solid run left in me. In my head I had hopes for a sub 2:00 run. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Run!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
started out on the run and turned onto the trail they had told us about
beforehand. We were told it was hardpacked trail, but in my head I
viewed it as being flat. It was four loops of the same course, so I knew
what I was facing with each twist and turn would come back around three
more times. As I got onto the gravel and dirt and climbed up hills and
twisted and turned onto more hills, I started thinking that this was
going to be harder than I had expected. It was really nice that the
first 1.6 miles of each loops was shaded, but the elevation gain wasn't
small. When we got out to the pavement there were more slight inclines
and declines. Again, I don't know if people outside of Florida would
call them hills, but they were hills by my definition. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
liked that it was a loop because I knew what I was going to be facing
each time, but by the third and fourth time that I did it I was tired of
it and feared what I knew was coming around each turn. I'd say the pros
and cons balanced themselves out. I definitely wasn't able to keep the
paces that I had planned, though. I blamed it on the hills and the
trail, but I'm thinking that it was also partly because of my higher
average on the bike. On each loop the first mile would be the slowest,
and then they would descend over the next two miles. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By
the end I did let myself walk through the aid stations on the fourth
loop. Otherwise I didn't walk at all, which was a mental victory. I kept
wanting to walk on the uphills when I saw many others doing it. But I
also kept repeating the saying from Beth, Tori, and Steve, "Don't be the
carnage!" So I just pushed up the hills and kept going, knowing that a
downhill would be coming soon.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6saJJg1JzKCAbkQWSfSXkiqoIdEQGRm8qm_lhbVIi0LMmJpoF2OYEJ3w5hgY0SCkIZiX4iH6cby2mxkrx3b4soHjlAWvKaLefgWvn0EPU8QtTbyN840Qd3HlLkHJJo8xn52cARu2tSFno/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-06-22+at+8.55.27+PM.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was nice to see people out cheering, and my Rev3 Teammate <a href="https://twitter.com/saraheschreiber">Sarah</a> was with her dad on the run course, and he got this picture, which I really like!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As
far as nutrition was concerned I took a PowerGel starting the third
loop and a PowerGel starting the fourth loop. I also carried a pack of
chews with me from transition and ate those on the first loop. I took
water and/or gatorade from every aid station. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When
I was coming in to the finish I was running near a Team RWB member who
took a flag from someone cheering for her. He told her she makes a right
turn then runs around a track and we were done, and I almost just
stopped racing. I could not have run around a track. I didn't see how it
would be possible with the distance we were at, but I hadn't seen the
finish line before so wasn't sure if maybe he was right. When I got to
the turn up ahead I saw the finish line just down the chute and was so
so happy! No track to run around!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was fun to run down the chute and have my name called as being part of the Rev3 team! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Run: 2:07:36 (5/18 Age Group)</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Finish: 5:40:51 </b> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
didn't get that 5:30 that I was hoping for, but the course was a bit
different than I was expecting. It was still a 14 minute PR from Rev3
Florida, which was a flat course, so I'll take it as a big win!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigMct0diktCgxYO6JjRSw-gfcA5NkJfjWmMo7VWm1gwoQuQV4vg9xmsXH5bTN-N3ipIRTHSGMokS96V0LWEBoF4NfcOQ3vFv9nrNUeJtPFwWnvGYlxred_Vx_FVOd4_Vcfe1TGPfLQr1eO/s1600/IMG_2512.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
hung out with Rev3 teammates for a little bit before hopping right back
into the car for the 7.5 hour ride back to Augusta. I then drove the
last 7.5 hours from Augusta to Tampa on Monday morning. It was a heck of
a weekend following a busy week.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKlj_YybjFfTOs5JR2qdxiRLK0eP2sBW7nA_EDx3IITnoxdHTswhhAFfvEsw2QcWRzaLO-2aUyt3iQQjP0Vg0pb9D64FBKvrdeMbYU8jLMJhs5cntv_h_KEJAbiZaq8cd5qP9jVAKAKOGS/s1600/IMG_2524.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My thoughts overall of the Williamsburg course were very positive. I would absolutely do this race again. The <b>swim</b>
was fantastic, and I think part of the course went with a current,
which gave me a nice time. I'm not sure on that, though, because part of
it would have also been against the current. The <b>bike</b> course was
outstanding. Though hillier than I expected, I liked it a lot. I was
very happy with everything about it, and besides being a good course it
was also good training for Chattanooga. And the <b>run</b> course was fine. It wasn't my favorite, but the part in the woods kept us shaded, and the hills were an equalizer for sure. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I
had a wonderful time meeting my Rev3 Teammates, and I'm so glad I did
this race! It was my first out of state triathlon, and it was the
perfect one to start with!</div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-18173983372883171012014-05-29T16:29:00.003-04:002014-05-29T16:29:22.186-04:00currently.<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not promising I won't talk about workouts at all, but this isn't one of the standard workouts posts that I've been so good at generating for the last few months while simultaneously posting almost nothing else. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Though I've been in a bit of a blog funk and haven't been posting much, I haven't been in a life funk. Things are going really well! I thought I'd use <a href="http://sweetsweatlife.com/">Erin</a>'s currently posts as inspiration for my own currently-style post. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>currently entertaining</b>: My parents! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They came down to visit from Tennessee for the Memorial Day weekend, and they brought our (I say our even though I don't live at home and hadn't met him until this weekend) new puppy Fitzgerald. We had a lot of fun eating out, grilling, walking Fitz, and just hanging out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9vSeUG6Gt-L3FGZrrXmXnQsdRDD9G7nnotlsSqp9HTBMS0dgcCmOtjEETEKov_4kVS6Da8zf8_kMNIV9zw6d82SNr1kIHZWKPYykdQuyaVx3qHxuEU6GMaNswExwmkQPr3czPw3dWQeg/s1600/IMG_2408.jpg" height="320" width="320" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIW7alG0NqUuvGnRG9YvFIxpeoDCiwNP4Mn5TMbPeomJhqU6X2d-pgxWv30zNqLYUQydzg1jpRSIdR-a9_hbGKS30FZmPzuJC02UWgkgCV8qrZYNPGAYFjy0edVMkQP0CuYoXtMMhoOZUs/s1600/IMG_2419.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApYgg4PWMhgKsHmIMBTw_wU1uFQUwKqSRl3ypD1lUwth1j3lSpyR0E5j8ziw9qi_h-ZuaZRorvN3X1nw5TDKDXeBvwk2U-sk1V3lSFbKKdcy1O1pfpomrL560TFqeYgKCNih7p7Gm3Wmh/s1600/IMG_2427.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>currently loving</b>: working out with other people during the week!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had a really hard time getting up early when school was in full swing, but lately I've been meeting up with people to run and swim (and ride on occasion) in the mornings more regularly. I don't have to get to work as early, and I am more motivated to get out of bed when I'm meeting others. I found a group that runs in my neighborhood two mornings per week, and I've already run three times with them since meeting them a few weeks ago. They hold close to a tempo pace for me, so I'm trying to figure out how to fit those runs into my weekly workouts. For now, I'm not thinking and am just enjoying them. I've also met up with Beth and Tori to swim; that will become more regular.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrciShGnV55__VoXph2e5rbFEd_GACUnfb7Pw2Ljx-EM1adxpuHdDNT3RC5ufACBrRBOYYTAADqJRlnplN4OqxQSdVnExmGQdTb0-gp7duR2tr54BfqD4MfbXnQA_SgLx7xs_09d4ltE6/s1600/IMG_2382.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>currently working on</b>: my new job!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now that this year as wrapped up, I'm moving into my new position at school. I'll be at the same place but will be taking on a different role as the technology coordinator. I've already started working on some stuff for it, and I'm loving it. It's going to be such a perfect position; I can already tell! I won't have the whole summer off, but I get to spend a lot of time researching and learning, which is pretty much my favorite thing to do.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>currently thinking</b>: I love Ironman training!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Though I'm only a few weeks into it with the big weeks looming in the future like sleeping bats in a dark cave, I can say so far I'm loving the intensity, and my body is responding well to the loads of workouts. I'm trying to get in 5 runs and 3 bikes per week, but I'm also trying to fit in some swims. That's the part I really need to get better at. I'm loving the group rides, time to catch up on shows on the trainer, running with friends, and starting at a blue tile line at the bottom of the pool. Right now I'm holding steady at around the same intensity I was at during peak 70.3 training...and I'm finishing week 4.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qNlJe5QvvQJrGrfhmQmPayOCsjT-foQ0cR_CMTDgfVTV4BuyZkLWJuI2HeaYlLxvrcg8rT3sExywm567xiO91zXAY3JDNvUuSQxgQ5AFdAsBn4hQ8tBb6CxvynPRDDYo3iZIyFHODvHv/s1600/IMG_2392.JPG" height="320" width="320" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDqEPSt0z6WHvgPg79Pp2zU2ByqxWlpRV61TnK_tqUSJckU3utlstMIyw3k2hFMbAVUKCW7EbS1JiBq4N8-p3lZobWo381TIzCzlbvfL68LzrwFVAWbMPNrFvmLwZGRyEj04a9afx2m0bg/s1600/IMG_2400.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>currently looking forward to: </b><a href="http://rev3tri.com/williamsburg/news-va/">Rev3 Williamsburg</a> on June 15th!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm headed up to Atlanta for a conference in a couple of weeks, and then I'm driving over to Williamsburg to race the 70.3 distance! I'm planning to race it like a goal race, even though I won't fully taper for it. I'll write more about my goals at some point before the race, but looking at the courses is getting me really excited! Williamsburg is so centrally located; I'd love to see you there! You can still register for it, and if you're thinking of it, let me know!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYeW4XmSdUOlZbOKmPQZLlB3s-auDpi-RUdp9Fkl18AA91XlIbzSffN1McpUDzWMmQpL6YdPPkbNzTijxVxxVKigYsvwqi-Ssp4aRcEfVbYOQ9dFa85omofLeGcVVEFc5nzI8inlq8vaFF/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-29+at+4.10.42+PM.png" height="240" width="640" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>currently wearing</b>: Target!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Though it's no designer chic, I'm finding myself responding, "Target!" lately when people ask where I got something I'm wearing. Between following @targetdoesitagain on Instagram and perusing the aisles on occasion, I'm able to find a few cute pieces every now and again that are well priced and cute! It definitely helps me diversify my wardrobe as I pour money into this less-than-cheap sport I've taken up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLAT2BXrL2G0xaAjExWHgoE4Oe2n2nhZzFpOHZbQJw3bpaMGa2Q2T5WZstqF_Kywoyco_R1k-x4tRgOa7UPx6LO4xQyR8R-FdcbCf-l6OXbTbE8fE3u0rvgMZqsZKdrAHNxjRl_JYpxgZ/s1600/IMG_2396.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>currently reading</b>: Not much!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I need to start a book, but I have so much trouble picking what to start. I really dive into books once I start them, and then I get nervous that the next one won't be as good. I've got a few on my list of books to start next (in Goodreads), but I can't commit. Anyone have a favorite between <i>The Goldfinch</i>, <i>Eleanor & Park</i>, <i>Sharp Objects</i>, and <i>Where'd You Go, Bernadette</i>? Reading seems to pass the time on the trainer almost as quickly as tv.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>currently watching</b>: Game of Thrones & Scandal!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've got three episodes to go to be caught up on Game of Thrones, but I've just started Scandal. Somehow I think I already watched a whole season. And holy cow! That show is good! Everytime I start one of these shows, I think to myself, "what took me so long!?"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>What would you add to a list of things you're currently doing?</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>What aspects of Ironman training do you want to hear about? </b>People have mentioned they're excited to follow along, but I'm not sure I know what you really want to know... </div>
<br />meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-73524337993010584682014-05-20T21:02:00.002-04:002014-05-20T21:02:25.250-04:00Ironman Training Weeks 1 & 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ironman training as officially begun, and as the training has started, the school year has been wrapping up. Excuse my absence and lack of posting, but I will make every effort to keep up better with what I'm doing. I know I'll want to look back at this in the future for my own purposes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Week 1 was fantastic, and I did a great job getting almost everything in. I think I missed a run and a swim. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmmnz2hzi213VT0OtpY3pDXVnrLUYaArFZMR9FMSAbNDKejOVn_A_klC0ogyls-nIBC2o31b6b7s-kay4Ey6_jecMlGK5iipJfMffNLmtiXnrXjMwXt_74e0n6MgXxn73LT5OoTNU6pOK/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-20+at+8.49.46+PM.png" height="252" width="640" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm not going to list out those workouts since it was a week ago, but in total I had:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2500 yards swimming</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
92.18 miles biking </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
27.08 miles running </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfDbYwe_UUDpOScTy5LxAfitbTsKLUBIElfhBIwj_UseDySKgbOU9n-KqQtjQFT2UkTnJ28wF_kaUwskiIJDW0bdNQnaAhYXJWIrpqFBg1TRn2sOgECQFYIcQiCZdd5GrtpMoElT7qaLB/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-20+at+8.49.29+PM.png" height="252" width="640" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Last week I missed two swims, but I got in all my bikes and runs. I did cut the tempo short by a mile because it was hot and I couldn't push another mile out, and I cut my brick run in half because I had somewhere to be and needed to get home. Here are my workouts:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Monday: OFF</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tuesday: 6 miles tempo run with tempo miles around 7:55 pace</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Wednesday: 20 miles on the trainer with hard intervals</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thursday: 17 miles moderate on the trainer in the AM, 5 miles easy run at 9:25 pace</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday: 5 miles easy run 9:29 pace</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Saturday: Clearwater Bridges 12.19 at 9:24 pace. I did pickups over the bridges</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sunday: 52.79 ride on the Suncoast with Beth at Tori averaging 17.8 pace followed by a 2 mile run at 9:00 pace</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My body is definitely a bit sore. These numbers are about equivalent to where I was during peak 70.3 training, and I'm only in week two. I've lost all grip on reality and have no real perspective for what is normal anymore. I don't want to list out how my view has changed in fear of coming off wrong, but suffice it to say that I have mentally started preparing myself for what I know is coming in future weeks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In total last week my numbers looked like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Swimming: 0</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Biking: 90 miles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Running: 30.19 miles</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you're all doing well!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-281155522765562128.post-23594511811219132732014-05-02T00:30:00.000-04:002014-05-02T00:30:03.434-04:00St. Anthony's Triathlon RecapSt. Anthony's is a big Olympic Distance triathlon that is held in St. Petersburg each April. I didn't realize quite how big it was until I experienced it myself, but I had been told in advance that if I was in town then I pretty much had to do it. I signed up a few weeks before the race, and I decided as it was approaching to give it a solid effort. I hadn't planned it as a goal race weeks and weeks prior, but as it got closer it seemed like a good race to have a <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2014/04/pre-race-week-workouts.html">mini-taper</a> for. <br />
<br />
When I knew it was a big race was when I realized we had to check our bikes in the day before. I've never had to do that besides at <a href="http://www.littlegirlinthebigworld.com/2013/11/rev3-florida-race-recap.html">Rev3 Florida</a>, and I thought that was just because of the 70.3 distance. I headed down around noon on <a href="http://www.discombobulatedrunning.com/">Saturday</a> with Beth to check in our bikes, pick up our packets, and do a little swim at the finish line.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXOFIMj4VgkDmaNvUtXiy6sOuyut9YFNGhL3O7BgWTASCOb7J29yxFrUNgsytDBTrtaZe8F6UiGIpBNxyqjPP3M_eh3pLfF1D4FHBrTKUhnMQYlGm8dHM1xg8mgXhyphenhyphenmR1MXXfl2I1lQDL/s1600/IMG_2180.jpg" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirinda Carfrae was at the expo right at the time we were there, so we waited in line for a second and snapped a photo. I got a little starstruck for some reason and couldn't think of much to say. PS She's very small.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgxugawDIICvzrNaLyNCYsaLLRxQT-kR7wfOYf6vnMZiDDpeiBzCa760NZpSwedqKRB4vaFRTLDz5ytFx21SMuzs9HzpPCujrIg0oy-94XRIZ5HOg0Cmh9KI22pgFs90fFx8YfRSSKWWlL/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I racked my bike and enjoyed the fact that I had a sticker where I was supposed to put it. I didn't have to fight for space. I had a mini issue trying to figure out how to let air out of my front tire, because there wasn't an extender on the tube. Eventually someone at TriBike Transport was able to help me when no one at the race knew how.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Cph_ljNej2GeP1ttcE67GjULznGhqqTD96J7auITEV91UnuMHz1EZy0UtYUjHMVAbTpy6_TAqXEyTsZcssaYL6bzVxpkGDdjscIvzef-UPTCmgKgXFkDi_DMPud4qFK8JOG-9le-Wszy/s1600/IMG_2184.jpg" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We saw Genna after we had donw our warm up swim. The swim exit is right behind us in the photo. There are metal stairs leading us out of the water.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After some swimming and a little shopping (where I just bought a couple more <a href="https://polarbottle.com/" rel="nofollow">Polar Bottles</a> I probably didn't need but really wanted and found a good deal on) we headed back to the car and went to drive the course. I had been having some nervousness about all the turns and two of the U-turns on the course, so I knew that driving the course would help. It definitely gave me a better sense of what I was heading into on Sunday. And yes, there were a LOT of turns. I was so, so appreciative of Beth for taking a big chunk of time to drive the course with me. She's done it several times so really didn't need to do this. It was really nice of her.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXrx2iW0ZB2L3ryrC0uwuk6BCJCvdbLgbYLaq-oEiFb4eNUk2Jg1X5-Xq8EZuXIuav1QJcKy1SAnWwQr9R84uGGhkKTz40lsQ5odsw0gwj5aRYTxDTdgysgdUumJKoICePgpR5znBmpEi/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-01+at+9.30.10+PM.png" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I headed home that afternoon to wait for <a href="http://runningwithmemphis.com/">Jaclyn</a> to get there. She's also on the Rev3 team, and she did the sprint on Sunday and stayed with us the night before. It was fun to chat Rev3 and summit and find out more about what I had missed. We ate Carraba's and went to bed early. We had an overly early alarm set for the next morning. I wanted to be out the door by 4:15 to get down to St. Pete to find parking and get setup in transition.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9g6cNd74I6zugo1wZGQcjVOtYwLR8mNoaRbLmzl99Tg9KvbVcx8Z-q07gw740ZFAKlodhuyyrcm3tRIJT1W83ar4Ow3VT6DlYBw9K9uatBt7SfmpxuWenrsnmjMGTnSjFGCchlTV8rIbX/s1600/IMG_2193.jpg" height="640" width="426" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Though my wave didn't start until 8:13, transition closed at 6:45, so I had to get everything setup and ready only to wait around for a while. In the mean time I found Susan and Jaclyn and we chatted some more. I was glad to finally meet Susan, another Rev3 teammate.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-uV8rmXwGmXxvKopRq8rBFITZKwNIXqsr69RHxjtem32sOgEsZ4POmNFFrRuUyDtS7DuYfU8fX952iqhV-Kh9fEIJ14S11E8t673pKLyGrQtuTC_xlgoh-ctFoKC0WdiuXw1dZbfT2kK/s1600/IMG_2198.JPG" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Transition was MASSIVE! I've never seen so many bikes in one place. This photo doesn't even touch on it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj__ukljn_cEovatqxc61RbNGjYoVeERqeTSftm16N6DYIezhicuseSUNmGaLN-CvqsV9aO3gewot6HG5mqmDqrj0KXGLEp_FFPkoiR-ESgkgjT_ja7-kA9jfagUQQ3bhYCPZxY0iw8eUV2/s1600/IMG_2197.JPG" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfpRRxcGsm62Zr5-OBuxXZJM8BCb_5FUJQ5-bWQAwO5TAqrsEtGzl2IiL8HF0d2FMUEIu3UIpFfIgMZU2kQz6mECJPCf9AUnvkZ_ZSfqSTdoxBYhqqVPl6PUsO28_-MocyCNnJEZoKfaA/s1600/IMG_2200.JPG" height="426" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise was beautiful to watch as I watched all the waves go off. You can see one large group going off in the distance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Tim and I sat around waiting and waiting until 8:13. I got in and warmed up a little bit, but I didn't do too much. The swim was wetsuit legal, which I was super thrilled about. I had heard that it get cancelled quite a bit because it gets choppy in the Bay. It didn't look bad out there, and I was glad to have the full swim. I had also been told by my coach this the Olympic Distance is good for strong swimmers.<br />
<br />
As my wave was walking out I positioned myself front and center at the starting line and waited for the gun. Finally, at 8:13, I was off. On the map above you can see the swim course, and it was odd. The first part wasn't bad, but when we made the first left turn we were suddenly swimming against swells, and by the second turn to the right, I thought I was going to be sick I was getting so nauseous. There was a girl ahead of me that I was trying to stay on her feet when possible. I thought she was in my age group, but I later looked and found out she's 17, so she wasn't in my age group after all. By the end of the swim we had caught several waves, and I was ready to stop dodging people and big waves. Finally I reached the medal stairs and hopped out of the water!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn67EIbpyV-WgWDsZFBRw7wNjyS88_CjLXmHF4490sNjA8X5BfnfXTUinuIlLHxzn48HVlBV6Z5guBvv8Wr1AgNROmpnAnwAKAU5vMs2xRpsSTvEK1BSpaHcUbrQ90hmO6UguKL8J-bOjU/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-01+at+9.19.50+PM.png" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Swim: 24:32 for 1500 meters. 1st out of 44 in my age group.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Transitions are always what I have the hardest time with. I sat down, ripped off the wetsuit, put on my bike shoes and helmet and started regrouping to head out on the bike. I beat the 17 year old out of transition, so I was the first one from my wave to be out on the bike course. That was fun!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
T1: 1:59</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The bike was what I had been the most nervous about because of all of the turns. As I started I just kept repeating to myself to slow on the turns and all would be fine. My goal was to hit an average of over 19 mph. I'd be riding in the high 19s and low 20s, but then I would slow down an insane amount for the turns, so the people I had just passed would pass me right back. Luckily there were plenty of straightaways to gain speed and pass people on.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofOe1URUcvc1u_9uoRr5oC3p4Q3jwUy4wK_Nbh4Pd6P5g-GdtlkzdxjjVwLVdD7GyMuulP7kXsrZLWFwRQ9mogWrx5vBDx_Q2-Y3Kgi9AoblG8yFei_YLbjfbWOK08oNEA2NUryxiNbdS/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-01+at+9.19.24+PM.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I took a gel in the first five miles and kept reminding myself to drink water from down below. I still haven't gotten an aero bottle for this bike, which I need to do. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As the turns kept coming I know people were getting annoyed with my slowing, but I did the signalling and yelling like I was supposed to. Turns are definitely something that I need to work on on the bike. As the two Uturns came and went, I was glad to see them behind me. And as the course drew to an end, I was happy to see the transition. I had been worried also about getting a flat with the tubular wheels. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bike: 1:15:56, 19.6 MPH, 10th out of 44 in my Age Group.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I moved into T2, I knew I had plenty left in me to do well. I had worked hard on the bike, but I still had energy left. I grabbed all the stuff I needed and started to run out of transition. I made it a bit away from my rack and realized I had grabbed a big water bottle that I definitely didn't need. I had to run back to throw that down, so I know that lost me some time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
T2: 1:58</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Onto the run! My goal was to be in the 8:15-8:30 range, but I really wanted to be closer to the 8:15 side. It had gotten HOT by that point, and the sun was beating down. As I made my way out onto the run I ran past Stephanie and the XP group volunteering and yelling for me. That was fun! I started to set into my pace, and the first mile ticked off around 8:15. Perfect! I could do this for 5 more miles!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I was nearing mile 3, there were people having a yard party and trying to get people to take a beer from them. Though I didn't take that, I did have a massive berry from a lady that had a big, beautiful bowl of strawberries. Thinking back on it, it probably wasn't smart to take, but they were so pretty, and I so love berries. It was so big that I held it and ate it like an apple in bites. I loved that strawberry.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii65O2zw65DhazJkY3xDMFAtV09jIRhZdB5ODC12FCJls2EKySroE_Ts8PX0TkEDj47rN1X6Rp79YpAQZYpolKhHk_TS0-cCP7Z8W2pXm97BpxdBaUQsRULQXAbtdMREX-jirSB96kB-uX/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-01+at+9.18.45+PM.png" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the turnaround, it was a mental boost to know that I was headed home. I had taken a gel around mile 2 and I took a couple of salt tabs a couple of times as well. There were one or two miles that had splits a little higher than 8:15, but I never felt like I couldn't do it. I kept finding motivation in seeing people ahead to catch and pass, and ultimately I pushed a bit at the end. Because you had to turn off of a road to get to the finish line I didn't surge as much at the end as I probably could have. In the finish chute I saw Tim, and that put a smile on my face.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn3qAarhTBU8O1YdJgBfwd1VNQW4UmbpvwsK2V9sm5eThpsXbOkL23dfhZYDZSB2Q2HLK5Lc1oej2rb9H-zj_8Sa9V0xw8il6ikVn2Ub80BL1dYz8pLctKcU8Ij3WaJw1i6Qf9WTgBveD/s1600/IMG_2224.jpg" height="426" width="640" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And then, it was finish line time! I was definitely ready to be done running!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspcsRhfieRxUudODba8-r2-MNnhHaYaucy-Yta-Pp9PkTkUKS5J0X2hNh4jgYkVzcr7zqdOwUIvDk9l06fm8muiDkDTaaxK8qVNhX6FDeeTV9HcTGMZtqT0ps3gPr967kwJ5pktRltgxX/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-05-01+at+9.19.02+PM.png" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the finish, I had no idea what my time was, because my auto multisport had messed up on the bike and I had to reset it. I kind of did some mental math and thought I might be somewhere in the 2:30's.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Run: 51:21, 8:17/mile, 9th out of 44 in my Age Group</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Total: 2:35:44, 5th in my Age Group </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I walked through the finishers chute to find Tim and eventually got over to my coach and to Beth. Everyone had great days! It was then that Tim pulled up my time on his phone. I had finished in 2:35:44 and gotten fifth in my age group! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was fun hanging out with everyone after the race and hearing about the stories of swimming survival in the rough chop and all the funny stories people had along the way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NF7HAJYZgTgzUpK3PC8OaFy0sBt3ZjJM8Bbe4zZCEbEq7lrpY1eeVwlf8gaSB2CamQqhcmgvpPsXiaMkEvmf3X5r9kh3cKucRaAs4euC-QwXj44wFMb4_VhiN8Gbpf-SffLHMaA7I_Q7/s1600/IMG_2211.jpg" height="400" width="266" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl875LwKHgrXRg8ceggRjJWcEAmLoZL4k0skt8SdToLL8MezVtVbVrPR3iJLEo5ZiyIBUbMuVb5_KQQmXEDVBqJ1uDokedG99UiAGRKspHAKkfZwKXUODN8VoQLt2hs9B4rD3kI-gprhXi/s1600/IMG_2213.jpg" height="400" width="266" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tim was a wonderful spectator, and he was so nice in waiting around until the end of forever to get my award. Since I was so excited to get 5th in my age group we did wait a couple of hours on the awards. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBkJnnXwdRcAlVfDGnOHlJUfnJiIEVvvNrNZwgoeD0qcNjBBjvojqck8p7HgWLtWy6ATgXV35lYE_QdK91lj63D7vJZGHk99hsRCmT8k-ftfQZ8sERSUPjkc36AJednxQkgM5T-aDhcsrH/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ194Kn6GRxeQu4T6mkBzlOpI8SFldSdSt9K2yOyWkBQ5R7o_1ZoUm10S1qSWcgpfZW9yIOsShk8NXhMspraT8m-MzgImzVi33t16PrTBIpwOHWaqZoRLLACSQvfGGl6lKwBri0p9pt0E/s1600/IMG_2236.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were so many people at this race that I knew! It was so much fun to walk around and say hi to everyone and hear how well everyone had done. Though it was warm, it was a great day for a race! And what a fun race St. Anthony's is. I loved the people out cheering in their yards on the run, and though the bike course was extremely technical, it was a good experience.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_KGZOLubzwuSUyyl2GZPH-74dm8F97keiBagTvT4J1IvQfJlbm0yXE7u7fOLDm7jyuqxhZqBlIvlBwYzj0zRxMyq06TI6CToMXaYYhxTPi4Zfkc4D0TbAe2j2bca0ToHnMlf3-dNizF5/s1600/IMG_2215.jpg" height="640" width="426" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And after a long but wonderful day, Tim and I grabbed my bike and stuff from the ghost town that was transition and made our way home. I was so pleased with my entire experience and the day that I had. I love the Olympic distance, and it makes me excited for my races coming up! </div>
meghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12465250692644738996noreply@blogger.com14