Half-Marathon

After a couple of months of training, I felt sufficiently prepared to run my first post pregnancy race. I trained with 3 other girls, it was nice because with out them my Saturday long runs would have been dreadfully lonely. Not to mention the Greenbrier river trail got eerie with the cold and the fog that rolled in from the river, people started claiming they had seen bears. We were accountable to each other and we'd often check in with one another during the week regarding our runs.

On Friday, we made our journey to Richmond,VA which is 3.5 hours away. We drove directly to the Expo to pick up my race packet. I like to walk around to find the latest items for runners. Each race I discover and purchase something new. I found both my Hydration belt (which I can not live with out) and running socks at pre-race Expos.

This year I found this:


Uh huh...I sure did spend money on these gloves (only $3.00) because I really do dream of being as fast as a Kenyan! How nice would it be to just glide through the finish after 26.2 miles and look like it was the simplest task ever?

After the expo we picked up some Greek food and went to our Hotel. Acalias for once looks tiny on this huge bed...actually, no he still looks like the very big boy that he is. A woman asked Derek if he fed Acalias bacon and eggs during breakfast. When he told her that he was only 4 months she gasped and said Acalias looked very healthy. We're used to that response. People want to tell us that our son is big in the nicest way possible as if we don't already know.


We were so giddy to take him swimming because he loves taking baths so much.



Our trip to the pool didn't last too long because the water was too cold.

I had a sleepless night as I typically have a night before the race. I get paranoid of sleeping through my alarm and missing the race. The morning of Derek dropped me off at the starting point and he went back to the hotel.

There were over 16,000 runners including the Marathon and 8K! We were all crammed on this street and it was impossible not to nudge or push others as you walked through the crowds. I imagine China and other heavily populated countries are similar to the crowd we were in, no room for personal space.

I ran with my friend Amy the entire time. It was nice to talk to someone. Along the route there were live bands, cheerleaders, choirs and radio stations blaring music and shouting inspirational things to keep us runners going. As the miles increased, my talking decreased. I had to put on my headphones to avoid hearing the pounding of my feet. Mile 12 seemed to last an eternity until we saw the finish line at the bottom of the hill. My last words to Amy was "Labor is much worst than this". I guess it inspired me because I was hurting at the time, not sure if it inspired her. Amy and I seemed to instinctively know that it was time to push harder the last mile towards the finish line. We did and it was so nice to hear the husbands cheering for us on the sidelines. Then we were done! It felt so good to be done. We were awarded our medals and offered pizza. I couldn't eat right away so I walked around and stretched.


All of us after the race.

We stayed to cheer on the first place winners of the Marathon... and yes, they were Kenyan.

Derek and I. Acalias was asleep in his stroller.


We had to take a picture of Acalias and I. Notice my bib, it says "New Momma!". I was so proud of it as you can see. Training for the Half-marathon helped me shed my baby weight.

I told Derek to zoom up on my bib, hence the reason my head got cut off a bit.


Love this little, big boy.

Just received my race results in my email, here they are:


There were 644 finishers in your age group and 5548 total finishers. Your overall finish place was 3962, your age group finish place was 441 and your gender finish place was 2084. Your chip time was 02:01:08 and your pace was 10:37.2 per mile.

Here are more photos from the Half-Marathon:
brightroom event photography

Quick weight loss update:

I received my 25 lb circle charm today.


My overall weight loss since having Acalias is 46 lbs, since joining Weight Watchers 26 lbs. I lost 5.5 lbs in October, this month my goal is 6 lbs. Monthly goals help me stay focused. I'd rather not get overwhelmed with how much more weight I need to lose.

Childbirth Classes

Derek and I started attending the only class that West Virginia offers for childbirth. I really wanted to find a Lamaze class but unfortunately this tiny town doesn’t offer it. The class offers 5 classes on basic information from breastfeeding to managing labor pain.

I thought I knew it all based on the endless episodes of A Baby Story, Bringing Baby Home, Birthdays , Amazing Deliveries, Teen Pregnancy & Teen mom all of which the TLC and VH1 channel offers. I know it sounds like all I do is watch TV but I’ve been keeping myself occupied “nesting” for the most part, when I take a break at least one of the baby related episodes is on TV.

My plan is to deliver naturally. Most think I’m crazy when pain relief is so accessible. I figure, child birth is a natural part of life, many have done it before me (including my own mother) …so why can’t I? One of the main reasons I’d like to deliver naturally because I want total control. I’ve never been drunk, but I have been given medication that has made lose my sense of control and I hate that feeling. My entire pregnancy has felt uncontrolled (due to sickness) and I’d like to at least feel like I’ve had some control during part of my pregnancy. The thought of not being able to feel my legs…or feel if I’m pushing hard enough once the epidural has been administered terrifies me!

At the last class we attended, there were about ten other couples. I often forget I’m in West Virginia until I hear the Southern drawl that the majority of the locals’ possess here. It was interesting to hear the introductions and what other couples plan to name their children. Imagine a southern drawl to following double names (these were actual names from the class): Eric Dickenson….Sarah Lynn…Anna Belle. When It was our turn for introductions, I told them what I’ve told many of you…due to unwanted opinions and the likelihood that someone will take offense that he is not named after a family member we have chosen not to share the name until our son is born. I can’t imagine what kind of response we would have gotten because our little boys name is very unique compared to the names we had just heard.

We were taught breathing techniques and relaxation methods. Honestly, envisioning the calming sunrise as I hear waves wash ashore doesn’t calm me at all. The breathing techniques were hilarious because my husband was intentionally trying to make me laugh. .. I need to figure out some relaxation method fast or else I’ll be screaming for the epidural. Running and journaling are calming to me, both of which will not be conducive to relaxing during childbirth. Suggestions anyone?

My First Marathon-Part 2

After running 26.2, I was ravenous with hunger. The "Runners only" area was offered fruits, breads, juices, ice cream. I looked around, walked a bit but I much rather lay down and relax. The food didn't seem appetizing at all. My family found me and we took several pictures, boy was I sweaty and stinky. My uncle-in-law (is that the word) Jim who had completed the marathon earlier, suggested that I sign up for a free massage and to get some fluids in me. Throughout the race volunteers shouted "water or poweraid", I drank plenty of fluids and that was the last thing I wanted.
My bib number was finally called and I received a massage. I was so thankful they didn't seem to mind how stinky and sweaty I was. It was such a great massage, it was just what I needed.
Afterward, we headed to my brothers house in Syracuse. I took a long hot shower and tried to sleep but the pain started catching up to me. I didn't notice that my sports bra had been digging into my shoulders and how soar my knees were and the chaffing I received-ouch! My body was so exhausted, I know I needed to sleep but I had a hard time trying to sleep. My husband tried to give me something to eat but I still had no appetite. I ate a piece of bread and my throat seemed to react immediately. I thought I was having an allergic reaction because I felt like my throat as swollen. We concluded that my throat was raw from breathing so hard for 5.20 hours.
By the evening when we returned home, I could barley walk. My stomach hurt so bad but I still had a hard time eating because of my throat. I took Tylenol PM and hit the bed. I woke up so soar I could barley walk to the bathroom. I eventually improved but I'm going to take it easy. I read that recovery time for another rest is normally a month.
I have proudly hung my marathon medal in my car. I even considered wearing it to work I was so proud Lol. Many people have asked about my experience hence the really long post...and YES, I would gladly run another marathon!