Soul Fever

The only parenting book that I've purchased. Look it up, you'll be glad you did. I haven't gotten much further than the first chapter -- I'm either asleep by 9:15pm or tearing up so bad I need to put the book down.

About two weeks ago I started picking up on subtle changes in Newt's personality. As his mom, of course I'm going to brag that he's a great kid, full of spunk and thoughfulness and a wacky silliness that can only come from his dad. But he seemed to be moody, prone to tears, quick to temper and sleeping poorly. I was getting burned out and so was my husband because we simply didn't know what to do. I was reassured by moms everywhere that it was just a stage and every kid goes through something like that.

Just a stage is not a good enough reason for me.

The best thing about pregnancy insomnia is that it's one of the rare times when my house is totally quiet and I can be alone in my thoughts. And thinking back over the last few weeks this "stage" really wasn't a stage at all -- just our son getting caught up in the busy stresses of our grown up lives without a lot of one on one quiet time with us. As parents we were letting our number one job slide. So we cut out TV, juice, overprocessed foods, put more than half of his toys into storage, started taking family walks at night and started bedtime 30 minutes early so the three of us could wind down and talk about our days and read stories. Four days later he's sleeping better, eating better, more cheerful and even though the loud teary meltdowns are still there, there's always a clear trigger (and it's usually an empty stomach -- that he inherits from me).

This is where the Soul Fever comes in. At the same time I was having this revelation that Newt was just overwhelmed, I found Simplicity Parenting on the shelf at my local bookstore. What a relief to find a book that reaffirmed exactly the nagging little thoughts that I was having and the source of Newt's upset. There is a chapter titled Soul Fever - which explains as parents we are programmed to pick up on all of the signs and symptoms of a physical fever but often overlook a Soul Fever because we get caught up in our daily stresses without (or forgetting) the impact those stresses have on our children. Often it's because as parents we're struggling with our own Soul Fevers (which is why my training NEEDS to happen). The signs and symptoms and treatment for both the soul and the physical are the same -- strip away what's not needed, hold them close and cherish them.

Treating Newt's Soul Fever often includes baking. Here we are on Monday night making Martha Stewart's cherry cheese strudel together. Cooked at 400F for 60 minutes ensures that anything on the wheels of his cars that were making race tracks in the strudel dough gets burned off (or disguised with other crunchy bits). I think strudel making is an essential skill for all 3 year old boys.

So this is the off season?

Off season for most normal triathletes is an opportunity to scale back training and plan for the year ahead.


Since Friday, I've logged more Ks in the pool and on my bike than I did during the entire race season. I am clearly not normal.


Motivated by a confession session and a switch up in my strength and core routine with my personal trainer, I cut cheques to my Masters Swim Club and Triathlon Team and jumped feet first into a chilly training tank on Saturday at 7am for a solid 2700M then was on my bike the next day for 90 minutes capped off with 30 minutes of core. And other than feeling a little sore (a long breast stroke set is to blame for the pubic bone pain) I feel fabulous.


The thing that I love about my Masters team is that no matter how long I've been away from the pool (roughly 3 years, give or take a few swims here and there) is that my lane mates always welcome me back. I've only dropped a lane in speed. I was able to still do flip turns. I even managed some fly sets.

The bike workout I was really nervous about - so much that when I woke up this morning I wasn't even going to renew my membership this year. Instead I showed up at practice and paid for a full membership with a plan to attend Sunday bikes and Thursday strength circuits. The bike ended up being very good and my fear of falling of my trainer was unfounded (but I also skipped the standing sets for that reason). But because my torso is about as short as my top tube, leaning over was very uncomfortable with a 25 week fetus in my way so most of the ride was spent sitting up -- definately hard work but on the bright side my core was engaged pretty much the whole time. The bike workout was topped off with 30 minutes of my new and improved core routine courtesy of the personal trainer (most of it is on all fours which I'm hoping will also be good to turn this breech baby around). My only big mistake this morning was not packing food or extra nuun. I was toast by the end of the workout and spent the afternoon with a dehydration hangover type headache.

What I need from the blogosphere are tips to keep as comfortable as a pregnant lady on a road bike can be. Do I need to raise or lower my seat? Buy a wheel rest thingamajigger that raises my front wheel up higher? Or sit up for the whole time? I've got another 15 weeks at a minimum (and a crazy goal to have my 15 week bike total to at least hit my run total) and I really want to minimize the number of lame excuses that I can make up to avoid getting on my bike.

253.9KM

My 24.5 weeks run totals. Not bad for a pregnant lady.

On June 15, 2009 two faint little pink lines showed up on my home pregnancy test and I made a promise to the little person I'm baking to try to be as fit and healthy as I could be. I lived up to that promise - for the next 20 weeks I racked up 253.9KM on the running scoreboard, mostly through racing.

On October 31, 2009, at 24.5 gestation, I hung up my runners for the rest of this pregnancy - on a high note I add. The few runs I managed after my 22K trail race were good, but my last run on Saturday, fittingly with Ms. Caddywumpus, was not. From top to bottom I was sore and uncomfortable.

I'm glad that I was able to make this choice on my own -- instead of having to stop because of injury or doctor's orders. Now what? The triathlon off-season has started, I've got strength training sesssions lined up with my personal trainer and another 15.5 weeks left in this pregnancy to make the most of.

Keeping healthy

My Facebook status update this morning after getting the OK from my boss to work from home. I realize I'm lucky to have an employer and career that allows me this flexibility. And no, I don't have H1N1.

In chatting with several health professionals (my GP, OB and a public health nurse on my triathlon team), friends and co-workers, TriSaraTops summed it up the best: this is the last time I'll get pregnant during a pandemic. And no vaccination decision is ever easy.

I went through my first pregnancy blissfully ignoring the advice of my OB and GP and didn't get vaccinated for the flu, only to be hit at 36 weeks by some whacked out virus that put me in the hospital for a few hours hooked up to fetal monitoring and an IV with fluids and gravol. The nurses confirmed it wasn't the flu, only a whacked out virus. So going into my second pregnancy I hadn't planned on getting vaccinated at all.

Then there was this little H1N1 thing, which for the last two weeks has completely consumed my thoughts. Last Sunday I was awake and online at 3:30am researching the vaccine, the virus and everything else related. I wasn't going to get vaccinated. Then I was. Then I wasn't and neither was our 2 year old our son. This made for uncomfortable discussions around the dinner table because my husband strongly disagreed with that choice -- but supporting me no matter what I did. In the end our family has decided to get vaccinated against both H1N1 and seasonal flu. Newt is going this afternoon, I am going next week once the preggo vaccine is released and my husband is going next month once the priority clinics end (our province has staggered the vaccinations so that people at higher risk of contracting the virus are vaccinated first).

For me, it all goes back to this morning's status update: I know my body. I know how to take care of it and when to take myself out of the public when I'm feeling under the weather. I can't trust that everyone has the choice or flexibility or sensibility to work from home when sick and I'm thankful to have all of those things.

Maternity fitness gear for preggos who like to sweat

First off - if you live in a place where the words "windchill", "frostbite", or "minus" are included in your weather forecasts, you'll want to head over to Tall Mom on the Run to enter her Baby It's Cold Outside giveway contest where Mel is giving away hand and toe warmers. I have entered - windchill and minus are already in our daily forecasts.

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Finding maternity fitness and running gear that fits, isn't 100% cotton and looks decent has been a challenge for me, made worse by the fact that I am Canadian and I've been able to find 1 Canadian manufacturer (shipping, exchange rates and superlong delivery times to Canada don't encourage ordering from the US). And despite what the majority of maternity clothing manufacturers think, some pregnant women hate yoga and prefer to sweat. Inspired by the author of Runner's World's Baby Steps Blog, here is what I've found in pregnancy running gear and nutrition that works for me.

Nutrition
During the first 23 weeks of my pregnancy I trained for and completed 3 half marathons, and 6 trail runs ranging in distance from 6K to 22K. For 16 of those 23 weeks I combatted nausea, which meant I couldn't tolerate my usual Gu and that on long runs I needed more than just liquid carbs.

Gummy instead of Gu-ey. I switched to the slightly sour Carb Boom citrus chews from strawberry kiwi. On a run that would last longer than 1:20, I'd have to take them at 45 minutes and then every 15 to 20 minutes after that.

Starting on solids. I bonked at the end of a hot 17K long training run. Luckily that week I was introduced to Larabars at a trail race. I used to me a Lunabar fan, but have made the switch. There is no extra junk, preservatives, vitamins or anything in these bars. And the flavours taste exactly how they sound: Pecan Pie, Lemon Bar, Apple Pie....there's a new PB&J flavour out that makes me wish I had another 1/2 marathon to train for.

Staying hydrated. Hydration and the pregnant runner - like our bladders need more punishment. My long runs and now even my 5Ks need to have at leasat 1 bathroom on the route. But all through my training it was all Nuun all the time. Nuun - how I love thee. It was key during the Maui Half Marathon.

Gear
Chasing skirts. No where has a product or customer service as good as Running Skirts. Worried about chub rub I emailed for information about inseam length (8" for the maternity skirt) and was responded to within an hour. I joined their Facebook fan page, ordered when a free shipping promo came up and within the week I had my Fit Mama maternity running skirt ($69CDN). The belly band can fold down or all the way up and over the bump for complete coverage (which is what I prefer). There are 2 velcro side pockets that don't flop around when loaded down with Kleenex, Patt Straps, chews, Nuun tabs and everything else that I crammed in there. The fabric is amazing and it's easy to tell that a lot of thought and product testing went into the Fit Mama skirt before they put it up for sale. I got a 15% coupon code with my order and as soon as I'm back on the road post-partum I'm using my coupon to order my next skirt. And the best part? They're Canadian. Refunds and US shipping available.

Tight squeeze. I live on the frozen tundra. I hope to run to at least 30 weeks and add some skiing or wogs and walks beyond that. Finding tights has been hard. I placed an order for fleece maternity running tights ($60USD) from Fit Maternity, a US company. Delivery took three weeks but their customer service department was quick to return my call when I asked about the delivery status (it was help up at the border). I got them yesterday and I'm underwhelmed: since they're not much more than a really heavy pair of black sweat pants. Since they don't offer refunds I'm going to exchange them for a technical shirt and a nursing bra.

Tight alternative. Still pantless, I went to City Park Runners, a Winnipeg running gear shop and explained my dilemma. The woman that helped me is a mother of 2 and understood exactly what I needed. The first pant she pulled was a loose fitting North Face tight with a full wind break panel on the front and a wind break panel on the bum (what I've been looking for forever).
Right now I only need compression shorts but there is lots of room for a base layer when the weather drops. They have a wide elastic waistband that I will push down when the band no longer goes over. $80USD. They're a new product, other wise I'd post a link.

Taking care of The Girls. So far I have only gone up one cup size, but my ribs have expanded so that my usual sport bra no longer fits. I am in a Lululemon bra that has a very forgiving chest band. I'll eventually grow back into the Champion bra that got me through nursing Newt. And now that my long runs are done until next spring, I don't have to worry about stuffing nutrition down there and looking like I've been attacked by rabid spider monkeys. A PS on the spider monkeys is that my husband no longer looks shocked when I come back from runs covered in bizarre blisters and rub marks.

On top. Ditto for shirts, I'm still in my pre-pregnancy techshirts but their days are numbered. I have one short sleeve shirt and one tank that still fit. The tank will hopefully survive indoor track sessions until February and I'll order another maternity shirt with my Fit Maternity exchange. My heavy weight tech shirts that I save for anything under -15C should continue to fit. Until then I have a pair of Sugoi arm warmers that do the trick (and got me through last Saturday's 22K trail race).

It's what's on the outside that matters. I have limited space left in my running jacket. City Park Runners has an amazing sale rack that I'll likely hit for when the day comes. Unfortunately only the men's jackets fit, which mean I can choose from black or black (when all I really want is pink). But at more than 50% off the regular price, I'll suck it up.

Race Report: Trail Run Manitoba 22K

Time: 2:40.02
Weeks gestation: 22.5
Pregancy placing: 1/1
Overall placing: last
Total distance for the day: 23K


This race is by far my proudest running acheivement. And there is so much I want to say about this race and my experience:


Pre-race

• Never once in the weeks leading up to the race did I doubt my ability to complete the distance.
• Getting dressed was a challenge. It was 2C and -2C windchill and the only running clothes that fit properly were my skirt and tank from Maui. I bought up the last set of arm warmers from my LBS which combined with a swwet pair of North Face tights saved the day.
• In the TMI column: I think I'm the only pregnant lady who doesn't suffer from a slower digestive system. My pre-race meal was stuffing and cheese. And it worked!
• Recruiting another runner - I love sharing my favourite events with friends.

At the race

• Getting a special shout out by the race director for 1) being one of about 6 people that have completed all of the races in the last 2 years and 2) for being 22 weeks pregnant. It was really nice to get cheered on by strangers on the course and to be hugged by volunteers at the end.
• Late leaving the city combined with a detour through a residential neighbourhood meant we missed the pre-race meeting. A course marshall was also missing which lead to
• All racers running madly off in the wrong direction (a repeat of last year's lemming episode). I only got .5K off course before the RD realized what happened (advantage of being a back of the packer)
• The course was 2 loops of a 7K and then an out and back. With my running recruit the first loop went fast. The second loop was a strong one for me even though I was completely alone. I took the time to enjoy the run, talk to my baby, and enjoy the time alone.
• The last out and back was slow going. The footing was terrible and my feet were starting to hurt. The relaxin that loosens everything up also loosens up my feet and it was like my shoes had no support at all.
• Good hydration and nutrition during the race (nuun, 1 Larabar and 1/2 a package of Carb Boom gummies) keep me going strong.
• Even better socks masked 2 large blister on the arch of my feet.
• The volunteer ski patrol/medics were great company and my offical escorts since I was the only one out on the course. They cracked jokes and kept me motivated. We were chatting about my race season and one of them asked if my next step was a marathon. I said it was giving birth in February. I think one of them nearly fell of his bike.
• Being greeted by my boys and friends and the RD and volunteers at the finish line, and not being embarrased by my time (2:40) or placing (dead last).

Post-race

• The best thing about being a female runner is that we've got an extra storage space down our bras. I had an extra Larabar and 2 packages of gummies down there. The downside is that over that amount of time and distance it looks like I was storing a rabid spider monkey down there instead -- lots of of chaffing and blisters from the packaging. But I wasn't hungry or worried about where my nutrition came from.
• From the waist down I am a wreck - sore pubic bone, feet, knees and quads.
• From the waist up (Girls aside) I feel great. I am so proud of running that distance at this stage in my pregnancy.
• Being called an inspiration by people on the course and my friends and family (other than the ones that think I'm insane) is a label I feel funny about. I guess I just want to say and show that it IS possible to have a fit and healthy pregnancy. It IS possible to do anything when you've got the right attitude.

With this last race of the season completed I've promised my husband that this is the last 13 miler for the year. My runs wil probably top out at 6 or 8 now. Instead of running its time to focus on my strength and core with my personal trainer. And enjoy the off season (which ends approximately 17.5 weeks from now).

That explains everything

At today's pre-natal appointment I received my ultrasound results which explains a lot of things to me. Like why my pubic bone hurts all of the time and that it looks like I'm smuggling surfboards under my clothes.

At 22 weeks, my baby is breech.

On the downside:

• There was no time machine present, at this pre-natal appointment that magically moves up my due date like it did last time. Only moved 2 days back to February 20, 2010.
• I'm kind of freaking out.

On the upside:

• The baby has 18 weeks to wiggle its way into the proper position (and wiggle is does, especially after I drink chocolate milk or turn on Funky Cold Medina).
• My placenta is where it belongs, there's no fetal defects, amniotic fluid is at a normal level.
• If the baby doesn't turn, I'll know what to expect if a C-section is needed (Newt was delivered via C-section and I had a great experience and easy recovery).
• I've only put on 10lbs so far this pregnancy (I was up 30lbs at this stage last time).
• The weekend weather forecast calls for only sun for my 22K trail race on Saturday.

So - I'll take a deep breath, do some research and load Tone Loc on to my iPod and strap headphones to my belly. Because as far away as February 20 is, it will be here before I know it.

Running makes me better

Pregnancy insomnia is good for one thing only: making sure I get up and get a run in. Unfortunately all last week I was awake at 2:30am. This morning I woke up at 5am and instead of laying in bed listening to my husband snore (jealous that he's asleep) I got dressed and went for a run.

While there are so many advantages of being fit during pregnancy, the biggest drawback is your legs and lungs want to go fast, but your core and belly just can't keep up. I had a super fast (feeling) 2.5K and had to dial it back for the last 3.5K because my lower abs protested. It reminded me of Tamara's conversation with her OB last week (read the post - it's very funny). Yes, my core hurts because it's carting around 22 weeks worth of fetus and The Girls Above. That said, it would be far worse if I hadn't been sticking to my pre-natal personal trainer's workout plans. I've also got a bead on a belly support that will hopefully help out.

But here's the point: I came back energized and feeling great about my body (a tough thing for me during pregnancy). Newt woke up with a terrible cold and in an even more terrible mood, but with a clear head and positive attitude I was mentally better equipped to give him hugs and cuddles instead of rushing him through his morning. And instead of having a commute with a wife that scowls and doesn't talk, my husband and I had a great time on our drive in to work this morning.

Running makes me a better wife, mother and friend. What does running make you?