October Total

 76.8 miles down

823.2 miles to go before baby #4 arrives

This has been the first month I have buckled down and amped up my training along with getting pregnant. Talk about asking a lot of your body! However, it has been great! I have felt great, no morning sickness ( knock on wood) and I have stuck with my plan. 

Longest, Hardest, Slowest 5 miles

I am sure have may have worse runs a during this journey but tonight's run was the absolute worst run I have ever had. Thank goodness Gunner was running with me or I may have quit. However,  I completed all 5.5 miles. Honestly I have no idea what caused it to be so bad, but I got a side stitch half a mile into it and it got so bad I had a hard time breathing. It felt like my diaphragm had a charlie horse in it that would not release. It was so bad I was breathing all weird and making weird noises trying to push through the pain and Gunner kept looking at me asking "Are  you ok Mom? Do you need stop?" After a few minutes of the worst pain it eased up but continued to hurt throughout the entire run. I just felt off.
It was his first time to get to run through down town so he was thrilled and of course, thought he was big stuff. (Even I feel like big stuff when I run through downtown, over the pedestrian bridge and around the stadium.)

So even though it was a not good run, I can't call it a "bad run". It felt great to finish. I got an hour of exercise in. I spent quality time with Gunner and had some awesome conversations. And I got to be with him as he experienced his first downtown run.

shhhh. . . . Don't tell

I am so lucky to have great running partners. I love the friendships that form and the encouragement that come from having running friends. It can make a long run go so much faster by passing time with conversation and also just give you the motivation to get out there and do it.

I am having an extremely hard time keeping my pregnancy to myself. We decided to wait and tell our families when we are all together for Thanksgiving which means we also can't tell G and P until then. And I would feel guilty if I told friends before family so I having to keep my mouth shut.  There have been several runs where I just want to spill the beans to my running partner, because I am bursting with excitement. But, I am controlling myself and keeping my lips sealed.

The WHY . . .

My first thought when I see that second blue line come into view: 

Am I still going to be able to do the races I have planned?

After just getting back into training after a 16 week hiatus due to an injury, there is no way I am giving up my running. I do a little research and see there is absolutely no reason I need to stop training or cancel  my race plans (as long as my pregnancy remains uncomplicated.) It is actually good for me and my baby. I only need to make sure I get proper nutrition(That's no-brainer!), stay hydrated(Duh!) and don't overheat( Pretty easy too.) 

I am sure I will have to modify my pace 

as I get bigger 

and my blood volume increases,

 but what matters to me

 is 

being out there running. 

It is my sanity saver, my relaxation, a great start to my day or a perfect finish to my day, an emotional release,  my happy place.

It makes me feel strong and accomplished, happy and peaceful, energized and unstoppable, elated and invigorated.

I am sure I will be asked a hundred times by non-runners ( maybe, runners too) why on earth are you determined to run 900 miles while I am pregnant.. .  and this is why.