Unexpected Bumps in the Road

We received some really great and exciting news at our mid-pregnancy ultrasound. We also received some not so good news that I hope you will pray through along with us.

First the good news...

It's a BOY!

The ultrasound revealed a healthy baby BOY! Everything was accounted for and developing normally. We are THRILLED!!

The bad news is that the ultrasound also indicated a complication. I'm upset and nervous, but we are also so excited and relieved that things are developing normally for our baby boy. Due to this complication, I've been restricted from running for the rest of the pregnancy. Boo!!

We would be so grateful if you would pray with us that this complication will resolve itself, which is a possibility. They will do another ultrasound around 32 weeks and we are praying and hopeful that things will change.

In the meantime, I'm still encouraged to exercise and I've been walking in the mornings or evenings around the neighborhood. I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. I love to run, but as I get bigger and slower, walking is much easier and still a great workout!

22 weeks and growing!

I'm still planning to sign up for a 5K, but I will be walking it instead of running. Maybe I can walk a 45 minute 5K? Just this week I came across an article discussing why walking is better for you than running. I still intend to pick up running again post-pregnancy, but it is encouraging to read all of the great benefits of walking since that is what I'm stuck with for now! For me, walking relieves pain I've been feeling in my back, relieves stress and makes me feel happier, and it provides all the benefits of cardio exercise that are important for everyone.

Cody celebrating his little brother!

We are so blessed to have so many people share in our excitement and anticipation during our pregnancy. I also hope you will join with us and pray through the complication we are experiencing as well. I am a firm believer in the power of prayer, but I often struggle with my prayer life. There are times when prayer feels like the most natural thing, and other times when I feel like my prayers are forced. Recently someone reminded me that one of the greatest gifts we can give others is to pray for them. We have this amazing offering that we can share and use anytime we want or need it.

Old Wives Tales

Pink and Blue for our Gender Reveal Party

Have you come across a great book or study on prayer? Please share in the comments below!

Running with a Bump

Running isn't very easy when you're pregnant. During the first trimester I felt too nauseous and tired to run, but since I've hit the second trimester my nausea has completely gone away for the first time in several years! I have finally hit the halfway mark in this pregnancy and that growing baby bump is heavy, especially when I run! I know I will only get bigger from here, but I feel huge already.

Babymoon at Dauphin Island

My goal is a 5K in the second trimester. I'd like to leave it at that, but I really want to finish it with a 10 minute/mile pace or faster. Fortunately there are lots of 5K races coming up to choose from.

There is one in Franklin, TN, also a 10K, on Labor Day:
 

Franklin Classic

The Go Commando Half Marathon is October 21st. There is also a 5K. I'll be in my 3rd trimester then so might not be doable:

Go Commando

Things I'm learning about running when you're pregnant:

 -It's safe to do. My midwife gave the green light on pretty much any exercise, as long as I feel comfortable doing it. Beginning in the second trimester you should avoid anything you're at risk for falling. That means no bike rides, but I actually didn't find that comfortable in my first trimester, maybe being hunched over? Plus I got tired way too quickly. Luke and I went for a ride and I was done after 4 miles!

-It's not the time to push yourself. A 10 minute/mile pace feels painfully slow to me, but it's better than nothing! If I start getting out of breath it just doesn't feel good, so I'm running at a slow and easy pace where I can easily talk and not feel winded.

-It's harder, but it feels so good! Each step feels like I'm lugging a set of weights around with me, and I get tired more quickly, but running gives me more energy during the day, helps me clear my head, relieves stress, and helps loosen up some aches and pains.

 -It's nice to have a goal. I like having something to focus on and know what my body is able to do. Gaining weight is actually kind of exciting for me because it's fun to think about the little one growing inside me! However, if I just sat around and ate all day I would feel like a fat cow. It's nice to get up and accomplish something.

Team RWB Monday Running Group

Luke has been running with the RWB group at Ft. Campbell. He also joins them on bike rides. I'm just learning about RWB, but they are an awesome group. According to their website their mission is to "enrich the lives of America's veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity." They have several different running, biking, and other exercise meet ups throughout the week. They also participate in all kinds of volunteer activities in the community.

Yesterday we did 100s, which were done at the track to work on speed. You sprint 100 meters, then walk/slow jog 100 meters, then repeat. We did 16 reps which is about 1 mile sprinting and 1 mile walk/jogging. I couldn't sprint (not pushing myself that hard!) but I found this workout perfect for being pregnant. I would jog 100 meters and then walk 100 meters. Add the 1/2 mile warm up and cool down and we ended up doing 3 miles total. That felt great! I had a different goal in mind than speed work, but it was a routine that worked really well. It reminds me of Tabata Training, which I've always enjoyed. Here is a good website explaining Tabata, but basically it is pushing yourself hard for a certain amount of time and then resting, then repeating. You are able to workout longer because of the rest breaks in between, but your body still achieves the same benefits.

Anyone want to do a 10 minute pace 5K in September?? Let me know if there is a good one you know about and let's sign up!