First World Problems....

Lately I've been feeling like I've been kinda... hmmm... how can I say it...  Ok just a brat!  I've been a little whiny.  That might be a reason I haven't been posting quite as much because I don't want you guys to get tired of me.  :-)  Well my body has just been going through changes that I'm not use to but it's ok.  I may be bigger and I may not be able to run fast but see here's the thing it's all temporary.  So today I was reminded that I should be grateful that I can still run even if it's slower and I have food on my table to feed the growing baby that is going to join us soon.  I'm not sure if I've mentioned on here before that I'm originally from Colombia, South America.  I still have a lot of family that lives there and I get to go visit them soon!  Well today is Dia Internacional Contra Las Minas and some countries are putting on a race to help raise awareness and funds.

Which translated is a day against mines. 

One of my favorite artist from Colombia has made it his mission to raise awareness of this problem: 

Juanes started the Mi Sangre Foundation to help victims of anti-personnel mines, and is a Goodwill Ambassador for United for Colombia.
He performed before the European Parliament in 2006 as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the use of land mines around the world. The Parliament donated €2.5 million ($3.15m) to demine Colombia and to rehabilitate victims of the landmines.
Juanes has received numerous honors for his humanitarian work, including:

• An escopetarra (a decommissioned AK-47 converted into a guitar) by peace activist César López, which he later sold at a fundraiser for $17,000.

Why am I bringing all this to light?  Well I think it is a worthy cause and I need to stop complaining about my first world problems!    I'm going to practice being thankful this week and hope to make it a daily habit.  So first and foremost I am thankful that I can still run and that I don't have to worry about possibly going out into a field and stepping on one of these.   What are you thankful for?

Ok to lighten the mood just a little a few first world problem memes I found.

5 months and counting

Hello! 

First of all if I could ask a favor of you to go click "like" on the photo I posted for my dad to enter the Quintana Roo contest he would greatly appreciate it.  I had to help him a little since he still posts to his own page instead of other people's pages and thinks it goes to the right page :-)  So you are supposed to like QR's FB page then like the photo I posted for him on their page.  The link is here.   Thank you so much! :-)


The photo I posted for him is this one it's him on his QR during the IM in November, he's even sporting their temporary tattoo!

As for me?  I'm still trucking along.  I'm at 5 months now and we find out next week if it's a boy or girl.  We are getting excited for that.  Instead of calling it "Little A" we can actually call it by it's name! :-)  I'm still teaching my 5k class and my Boot Camp class and as you might have seen in my last post it has been very motivating and inspirational to see the progress the people in the classes have made!!  I feel HUGE but I keep telling myself it's not that bad at least the constant nauseous feeling is gone for now and I have a long ways to go so I better not start complaining too soon cause I'm gonna get even bigger, Ahhhhhh!! :-)  As for myself I still exercise 6 days a week but of course it is at a much slower pace or less intensity.  So I try to throw in extra walks where ever possible.  My goal is to remain fit even though I know I can't push my self too hard.  I liked a photo CTER posted on FB today and I could relate to it so well for both our chosen sport of TRIathlons as well as now that I'm counting TRImesters.  "Success is about enduring suffering"  and yet we keep coming back to it to prove to ourselves that we can endure!

BTW I've been having horrible shin pain any time I try to run on the treadmill, does anyone have any experience with this and how did you fix it?  I've tried playing around with the incline and the pace and it is just excruciating.  I usually only get about a mile in on the TM but when I'm outside I'm still running 4 miles no problem.  HELP!  When it starts to get hotter I may be stuck on the elliptical. :-(

HAPPY TRAINING!!!

Sometimes we just need a reminder of why we do this! I had to share...

Hello Blog World!  I know I have been MIA lately but I promise I haven't disappeared.  I'm still reading your blogs and it has helped keep me motivated during this time.  I know that even though I am not able to do as much it will still keep me ready to bounce back once this journey is over.  Sometimes as someone who has been use to pushing their body and never having to say "NO" to a physical challenge I get a little down during times I do have to say no and that I am forced to take it easy.  I know it is all worth it in the end but it sure is nice that just when you are at a low point somehow the universe knows just what to send you.

I have kept teaching my 5k and Boot camp classes even though I can't always do the workouts with them and the progress I have seen with everyone has been amazing!  I also love seeing new faces and the motivation I have been seeing from these individuals.  It just gives me life and keeps me going.  Because I know that it is this that keeps me going and will always keep me active.  I will never stop moving my movements may just take different shapes from time to time.

So why this sudden revitalization?  We just got this email today:

Good Afternoon Fitness Gurus,

I am really hoping that we do not lose these wonderful classes here.  I have to stress to you all, how these classes have really changed my life for the better.  I have had medical issues that were deteriorating my mind, body and soul for many years.  If it wasn’t for these classes that are held here, I know would not have the time or the money to get myself to join any fitness club. 

Since I have started, you all have given me the strength to push forward.  I am glad to say I have added the Boot Camp class to my workout.  These classes are not just a convenience, but they have enhanced my mind, body and spirit beyond what I could have ever expected.  I attribute that to all the instructor’s attitudes and passion for the motivation and making it fun.

I wish that the program that would allow us to invite our families to these sessions, this way I could pay for them and make it a family affair.

By the way, I am actively recruiting folks to attend these classes.  I haven’t missed a class and I pray that we do not lose this privilege.

Thanks for all you do!

Random Thoughts

I find now that my longer runs are only 3-4 miles I don't have as much time to think my random thoughts so they tend to sneak in during times I wouldn't normally have them.  I'm hoping I don't revert back to my ways when my mind use to keep going in overdrive as I was trying to go to sleep turning into insomnia!  But I don't think that will happen considering I fall asleep every time my booty hits the recliner chair.  YES I have been falling asleep in the middle of the day on weekends or by as early as 8 on weeknights, GEEZ! 

*   This Sun. after my 1 hour spin class I came home and I thought I'll just lay down on the bed and pet my dog for a minute before I start laundry and cleaning, about 30 minutes later I woke up.  I fell asleep with my legs hanging half way off the bed and it took a while to get the feeling back.  My dog was happy to nap with me though! :-)  Pregnancy makes a 1 hour moderate workout feel like I just got done with a 3 hour IM training workout....  And for that matter cleaning just 1 bathroom felt like another major workout!

*   My doc said my Iron levels were fantastic and to keep eating whatever I was eating.  So take that doubters!  I once had someone actually tell me that my hair and nails would start to fall out and my skin would turn yellow because I was vegetarian (and to top it off they were in a health care profession).  Yet I'm still healthy and every time my iron and protein levels get checked out they are just find and dandy!  I say the key is variety, all the colors of the rainbow!

*  I get to put a training plan together very soon for someone near and dear to me and I am super excited that I am going to get to coach someone to their first triathlon and live vicariously through them during my mandatory season off!!!!  cheer them to the finish!  I can't announce who it is just yet but SOOOO excited!!!!

* I already have a half iron distance planned for November 2014 and all the races through out the year before that to help me get there.  I'm going to try a HITS race it's cheaper and less people.

* I had a little bit of a scare at my last appointment and almost started crying when the doc said I wasn't going to be able to exercise at all for the next month... but it turned out to be a false alarm and everything is progressing perfectly and I get to maintain my current levels of exercise.  After it all got cleared up she laughed and told me she was a little scared when she saw the look on my face when she mentioned possible no exercise.  I explained that's the look I get when I'm trying not to be emotional in public... It's the only thing keeping me sane right now!  Even if it isn't much and at way lower intensities it still gives me a break, stress relief and endorphin rush that I so need.  

*  I love the extra sunlight we get and am super excited for spring.  Already got a lot of my spring cleaning done! 

* My dog has been acting out lately and sometimes reverting back to her old ways like eating couch cushions or making me have to drag her across the street before we get hit by a car because she gets super excited when she sees cars and reacts but chomping down on her leash and trying to play tug with me! In the middle of the street!!!!

Ok I think that's it for now! Happy Monday and Happy Training!

P.S. Have any of you tried a HITS triathlon?  How did you like it?  I know less people enter was it too lonely on the course?

Running on Campus....

Since I work at a University I spend a lot of time on campus and it ends up being where I get some of my workouts in.  My 5k class is for staff but we run at the field just outside of the campus gym, it's perfect because it's well lit at night (luckily with daylight savings this weekend that won't be a problem anymore) and it's 1/2 mile each time around.  Well I usually get there before my class because I get off work earlier and I do my own run while I'm waiting.  The other day I had to laugh as I was running because I so often fool myself into thinking I could still pass for a college student then it's times like this I'm reminded, nope probably not!

 

As the college girl passes me smelling all fresh and clean and like she actually bathed just to go for a run, wearing perfectly matching outfit that even matches her shoes, full makeup, shorts so short I'm pretty sure you can't wear underwear with them, and a perky ponytail (did you think I was going to say something else?) that bounces with every step.....

I think I remember those days when I actually use to "get ready" to go workout! :-)  Now it's been about 10 years since I've been out of college, I'm not single, and to top it all off I'm now pregnant.  So I consider myself "put together" if I manage to find a shirt that doesn't make my eyes water when I sniff the armpits, and have matching socks and my shoes on the right foot.  My ponytail is usually falling to the side before I even get one lap in and I'm wearing wind pants that I've owned for over 10 years!  Remember when Adidas first came out with the 3 stripe wind pants?  Yup those!

Dear Hubs, I promise I'll put more effort back into how I look in about 9 months 2-3 years?  Ok so I still make an effort sometimes.  :-)

What's your favorite running item?  Do you have matching outfits or do you grab whatever is available?  Was going to the gym ever a social event for you?