35 Weeks and Pregnancy Brain

35 Weeks and Pregnancy Brain

As the countdown gets closer to Baby J the doctor has been real pleased with my health and progress. He was even encouraging my continued activity as long as I’m comfortable. Running/Workouts I had my running interview with the Champaign, IL news. I wasn’t sure what questions they would ask and I have a tendency … Continue reading »

Weeks 33 & 34 – Baby on Board

Weeks 33 & 34 – Baby on Board

If you’ve been reading my posts then you know that the last couple of weeks have included two 5Ks and a 10K (here and here). I had sent out some tweets over the IL Marathon weekend and the local news in Champaign, IL saw it and now wants to do a feature on me for … Continue reading »

IL Marathon Weekend – 8.5 Months Pregnant

IL Marathon Weekend – 8.5 Months Pregnant

This weekend was the IL Marathon events in Champaign, IL. This event has evolved and improved over the years. For my past reports on this race you can view those here: 2012 – IL Marathon – 3:46:03 2012 – IL Marathon – 5K – 23:32 2010 – IL Marathon – 3:25:05 2010 – IL Marathon … Continue reading »

Weeks 30 – 32 and Showered in Love

Weeks 30 – 32 and Showered in Love

I was trying to keep posts coming each week or two on the pregnancy, but with the news surrounding the Boston Marathon I’ve been preoccupied keeping tabs on everything going on than working on my blog. I’m relieved to see that in the matter of days the men involved have been killed and captured. I … Continue reading »

Thoughts and Prayers to Boston

Thoughts and Prayers to Boston

It was such a tragic event yesterday at the 2013 Boston Marathon. Our thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by the tragedy. Also, thanks to those who responded to those in need. Our thoughts are also with those who were displaced and those that are trying to travel home. We hope you have safe … Continue reading »

An Ode to Boston

An Ode to Boston

Since it’s April I thought I would write a post about the Boston Marathon. While I won’t be there this year, it is amazing how only just running it twice this race has imprinted upon my life and given me memories I will cherish forever. So for those of you heading to beantown for 2013, whether … Continue reading »

Week 27 and New Baby Pictures!!

Week 27 and New Baby Pictures!!

It’s week 27 and Baby J is moving around like crazy!! 27 bump pictures Black and white swing dress – ASOS Maternity, Black tights – Destination Maternity, Black open toed heels – Jessica Simpson Black and White Striped Top – ASOS Maternity, White Tank – Destination Maternity Black Leggings – Gap Maternity, Black Uggs Black … Continue reading »

Weeks 25 & 26 – 2/3′s Done?!

Weeks 25 & 26 – 2/3′s Done?!

I think how time flies in pregnancy hit me when I looked at one of my pregnancy apps on my phone and it stated “you are 2/3′s done”, what?! In an instant lists of to do’s and things to buy flooded my brain. I feel the clock ticking. 13 weeks or less now, crazy! Week … Continue reading »

Getting Fit A Little Bit

Getting Fit A Little Bit

Staying fit while pregnant for me means figuring out what works for me that day, especially in the last trimester. First a look back…. First Trimester The first trimester I was tired on a new level that I had never felt before. However, I was still able to run and completed a couple of half … Continue reading »

Weeks 23 & 24

Weeks 23 & 24

It’s been awhile since my last post because so many things have been going on, it’s been hard to make time to read blogs or write a post. First, some bump pictures. Week 23 Pea in the Pod, Modern Boot Pant Black – Gap Maternity, Black Open Toe Heels – Jessica Simpson Black and White … Continue reading »

Week 22!!

Week 22!!

Holy moley how does time fly by! In the matter of a week I’m getting bigger and our little baby girl is kicking more. I love every time I feel her kick! 22 Weeks of baby bumpin’ Black Ponte Knit Dress – Gap Maternity, Brown Boots – Ann Taylor Loft (a million years old) Neverfull … Continue reading »

Week 20, 21, and Nursery Progress!

Week 20, 21, and Nursery Progress!

Week 20 was momentous because we got to find out we are having a baby girl! Plus, the best part is she looks healthy and everything looks good! Here are some week 20 pictures: 5 Months!! Green Top – Ann Taylor Loft, Black Tank Top – Liz Lange Maternity Black Skinny Jeans – Heidi Klum … Continue reading »

Week 19 and Getting Organized

Week 19 and Getting Organized

We’ve come to week 19 and I have to give a shout out to our friend and runner Drew for completing his first Goofy Challenge!!! We are so proud of you Drew and I wish we could have been there to run too! Here are some week 19 bump shots: Wine colored pleated tank – … Continue reading »

Week 18 and I-Challenge

Week 18 and I-Challenge

We are past week 18 and it’s not too much longer know until we know what we are having! Here are some outfits from the week: Purple Sweater – Liz Lange Maternity (Target, on sale for $10!), Black denim skinny jeans – A&G Angelfish Slip-On Boat Shoe in Black/Houndstooth – Sperry Black Studded Pintucked Pleated Top … Continue reading »

Week 16, 17, and Monumental Decisions

Week 16, 17, and Monumental Decisions

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!! I’m behind in posting because we were enjoying a little time off and a chance to kick off some projects around the house. Here’s some of what has been going on: Just at the end of 15 weeks. Since maternity clothes can be hit or miss, I … Continue reading »

15 Weeks and Cutting Back

15 Weeks and Cutting Back

I had a really good 20 mile run on Sunday, December 16th. Little did I know it would be my last long run for a while…. We are past 15 weeks and had our next big doctor appointment. The good news is everything is going well with the baby. We got to hear the heartbeat … Continue reading »

14 Weeks

14 Weeks

Time for a little 14 week check-in. Our schedules have been crazy busy between work, other friends baby showers, holiday events and running. Everything has been great, I just feel like I could sleep three days straight from so much going on. Bump watch continues. I’m still mixing pieces of my wardrobe with maternity wear. … Continue reading »

3 Months and Counting

3 Months and Counting

We are past the first trimester!! Me and baby bump at 3 months. Since bump changes will probably start being more rapid now, I’m going to try and take pics each week. Me and baby bump at week 13. I wasn’t sure how to break down the pregnancy experience into categories, so this may jump … Continue reading »

Da Bears

Da Bears

Sunday Rob and I went to our first Bears game! I got us tickets as a part of Rob’s birthday present. I like to get Rob presents that are something he wants and something we do. I think it’s fun to make memories, especially new events like this. Me in my Bears hat with baby … Continue reading »

2012 Festival of Lights – 4M – 30:16

2012 Festival of Lights – 4M – 30:16

Race Takeaway: Even pacing feels so good! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, filled with time with family, friends and good food! We enjoyed having family over and cooking for everyone. Saturday (11/24), we went to Peoria, IL to run the Festival of Lights River Trail Classic 4M race. This race is a … Continue reading »

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Deep in the Heart of Texas

About a week ago I traveled for a work conference to Houston, TX. While most of the trip was work, I thought I would share some of the restaurants and my short experience visiting. One of the first things we experienced upon arriving at the Hyatt Regency Downtown was learning about the Downtown Houston Tunnels. … Continue reading »

2012 Canal Connection 10K – 48:57

2012 Canal Connection 10K – 48:57

Race Takeaway: Running pregnant feels empowering. Sunday Rob and I drove north to run the Canal Connection 10K in Utica, IL. This race is between two towns along a canal path that was used for moving barges along the water with mules pulling while walking along the path. This point to point race is scenic … Continue reading »

Things I Couldn’t Say At The Time

Things I Couldn’t Say At The Time

Background – I thought I would keep a blog of when I knew I was pregnant to the time I announced it. I anticipate a lot of changes and feelings along the way and I don’t want to miss out on capturing them. 10.03.2012 – Day 1 of Knowing Officially Agh! This is so amazing!!! … Continue reading »

You & Me

You & Me

  You & Me  Wanna pack your bag, something small Take what you need and we disappear Without a trace we’ll be gone, gone The moon and the stars follow the car And then when we get to the ocean We’re gonna take a boat to the end of the world All the way to … Continue reading »

2012 – Chicago Marathon – 4:07:25

2012 – Chicago Marathon – 4:07:25

Race Takeaway: I finished and sometimes that’s all that counts. Sunday morning Rob and I got up at 3am to run the Chicago Marathon. We both slept well, got our things together and met up with Drew with no problem. It was marathon business as usual for us. The only snafu was the coffee shop … Continue reading »

2012 Chicago Marathon Expo

2012 Chicago Marathon Expo

Today was the Chicago Marathon Expo. We had an easy time getting our packets and bags. We found out that a “Spirit of the Marathon II” movie will be coming out in March 2013! We also went by the Disney Marathon Series Booth and got to see the 20th Anniversary Disney Marathon Medal that we … Continue reading »

A San Francisco Treat

A San Francisco Treat

This post may be a bit longer and all over the place because I want to share all the non-work highlights (other than the SF Giants game in previous post) that we had in San Francisco. First the most important – running! Rob and I ran on the hotel treadmill, but one of the mornings … Continue reading »

They Might Be Giants

They Might Be Giants

Rob and I traveled to San Francisco for a work event. While the days were filled with work events and trying to keep up with emails while being away, we did manage to get out and do some touristy things, including going to a San Francisco Giants game. We had club seating right by the bay. … Continue reading »

Fancy Pants

Fancy Pants

Rob and I had a big trip planned for work. Before we left we were getting our house spruced up for our Coco and Kitty sitter. I finally got our master bedroom repainted. The paint we used was Behr in Dark Ash, which is one shade darker than Grey Area that we put in our … Continue reading »

2012 Morton Pumpkin Festival 10K – 46:45

2012 Morton Pumpkin Festival 10K – 46:45

Race Takeaway: You don’t use it, you lose it. I’m behind in posting so this is a catch up. Rob and I ran the Morton Pumpkin Festival 10K on Saturday, September 15th. It was perfect weather, low 60s and no breeze. The race is flat and the mile splits are well-marked. While I was not in … Continue reading »

Making Room

Making Room

Rob and I have been working on various home projects, one of which was finally finishing one of our guest bedrooms. It’s one of those rooms in our house that really just got ignored soon as we moved in. I threw some paint on the walls 8 years ago and we put a bed, computer … Continue reading »

My Three Cents

My Three Cents

Workouts: Sunday (8/26): 18 Miles Long (Const Trail, 2:38:27, 8:49 Pace) Monday (8/27): 6 Miles Easy (‘Hood, 54:59, 9:10 Pace) Tuesday (8/28): 3 Miles Easy (Treadmill, 23:44, 7:55 Pace) Wednesday (8/29): Rest Thursday (8/30): 12 Miles LT w/7 Miles @ HMRP (Treadmill, 1:32:54, 7:45 Pace) Friday (8/31): Rest Saturday (9/1): 11 Miles Easy (Treadmill, 1:29:55, … Continue reading »

Give me a “J”!

Give me a “J”!

It’s been a while since my last post. Things have been a bit crazy mayhem lately and my training took a dip in mileage because of it. First the good news: I got a leadership development opportunity at work to be an IT Architect.  I quickly realized the new level of responsiblity that I will have. … Continue reading »

2012 Danvers Days – 5K – 21:21

2012 Danvers Days – 5K – 21:21

Race take away: I’m getting comfortable again with a faster pace, hopefully it continues! This morning it was really hard to get up. No sleeping in this weekend, we had another 5K to run. We were out the door at 6am to drive to Danvers, IL. The weather was perfect: about 68 degrees, light breeze, … Continue reading »

2012 Flanagan Fest – 5K – 21:41

2012 Flanagan Fest – 5K – 21:41

Race take away: Progressing in the right direction! Saturday morning it was hard to get up, but we were on the road by 6am to get to Flanagan, IL to run the local 5K. The temperatures were very mild, low 60s and perfect for racing. Rob and I did a warm up to remember the … Continue reading »

The Gift of Time

Workouts: Wednesday (8/1): Rest Thursday (8/2): Rest Friday (8/3): Rest Saturday (8/4): Yoga Class 1 Hour AM – 12 Miles Easy (Treadmill, 1:33:26, 7:48 Pace) PM – 4 Miles Easy (Treadmill, 34:17, 8:35 Pace) Weekly Totals: Run: 52 Miles, 7:23:46 Bike: 7.1 Miles, 30:00 Strengthening: 1 Time, 1:00:00 Sunday (8/5): 17 Miles Long w/11 Miles … Continue reading »

2012 Evergreen Lake – 5K – 22:13

2012 Evergreen Lake – 5K – 22:13

Race take away: Racing is fun again! Saturday morning Rob and I headed out to run a 5K at nearby Lake Evergreen. The weather was cool and in the 60s. I was so chilly that I even opted for long sleeves for the race, but short sleeves would have been fine. Rob and I went … Continue reading »

2012 July Recap

2012 July Recap

This month is the start of finally feeling back to normal! It was also the highest running mileage I’ve had in four months! Run: 183.6 Miles in 25:18:19 Bike: 27.1 Miles in 1:58:42 Strengthening: 2 Times in 1:05:00 I’m so happy for the increase in mileage from the 81 in June, but that it’s been … Continue reading »

It Was a “Who’s Who” of Running

It Was a “Who’s Who” of Running

Workouts: Thursday (7/26): Rest Friday (7/27): Rest Saturday (7/28): .9 Miles Warm Up (Bix 7, 9:48, 10:54 Pace) 7 Mile Race (Bix 7, 57:07, 8:10 Pace) Weekly Total: Run: 44 Miles Sunday (7/29): 17 Miles Long (Const Trail, 2:33:09, 9:01 Pace) Monday (7/30): Brick – 7.1 Miles Bike Easy (Trainer, 30:00, 14.2 mph), 5 Miles Recovery … Continue reading »

2012 Bix 7 – 57:07

2012 Bix 7 – 57:07

Race take away: Being out racing feels good again!! Saturday morning we woke up at 4:30 am and I witnessed a sight I have never seen, Drew beaming awake! He was not only up, but really peppy! We all slept well and were on the road by 5:30 am. We found parking along the riverfront … Continue reading »

2012 Bix 7 Expo

2012 Bix 7 Expo

Friday Rob and I left work early to hurry up and pack to get to Drew’s house. We drove up to Davenport, IA to grab our packets for Bix7 that would be the next morning. It’s a small expo with some booths for shopping. We didn’t need anything so we were quickly in and out … Continue reading »

Onward

Workouts: Monday (7/16): 8 Miles General Aerobic with 10 x 100M Strides (Treadmill, 1:03:31, 7:57 Pace) Tuesday (7/17): Rest Wednesday (7/18): 11 Miles Easy (Treadmill, 1:26:25, 7:52 Pace) Thursday (7/19): Rest Friday (7/20): 5 Miles Easy (Treadmill, 39:55, 7:59 Pace) Saturday (7/21): 6 Miles Easy (‘Hood, 51:36, 8:36 Pace) Weekly Total: Run: 30 Miles Bike: … Continue reading »

2012 Rock and Roll Half Marathon Expo

2012 Rock and Roll Half Marathon Expo

Saturday I got in a run outside at home then we packed up the car to head to Chicago for the weekend. The 2012 Rock and Roll Half Marathon Expo was easy to navigate as with most RNR events and we got our packets and shirts with no problem. Once again, the RNR tech shirt … Continue reading »