Altitude: 1, Pregnant Me: definitely less than 1

Last week was a shorter week for me, work and work-out wise.. We left for our trip out to visit the folks at the cabin in CO early, early on thursday morning, so I cut back on my other workout stuff.. I did 2 spins, 2 swims, 14 running miles and I guess 5 crossfit workouts, but 2 of those were the same workout.. 7 minutes worth of burpees! You see.. the Crossfit Games has officially started. After initially feeling that my being pregnant would keep me out of all the fun, after a few weeks of working out and still being able to do most workouts without too much scaling, I talked with "the boss", which is what my son calls the owner/main trainer at the crossfit gym that I go to.. so I talked with him and he thought that, though it was up to me, I'd still be able to contribute to the team through the games, even if I gave my 'pregnancy effort', which really isn't too far off my usual stuff.. with some extra rests here and there and a few things scaled back on the weights.. But he felt that most of the games workouts would be more body weight things, which I'm able to do, and that I could get through them just fine.. SO. When the 1st workout was announced late wednesday night.. as 7 minutes of as many burpees as you can do.. I thought.. let's see how this goes! So I woke up early (I had to be up early for the flight anyway, so it wasn't too much of a stretch..) and gave it a shot.. 1st attempt was 89 burpees.. I really thought that was a pretty solid effort with only a couple 'breath catching' breaks, so I wasn't sure I could do much better than that. BUT. Of coarse, I thought maybe I had a few more in me.. So the deadline to finish the workout and enter the games was sunday night.. We got back home (I was NOT going to be able to do this at altitude.. more on that in a moment) sunday afternoon and I set after it again.. this time I pushed a little harder and got to 102! I was happy because I had kind of set 100 in my mind as the goal I wanted to reach. So I quickly signed up for the games and entered my score.. Due to a technical glitch (human error), we messed up the sign up and I may not be able to add to my team?! which was the whole darn point anyway.. I'll be majorly bummed if that's the case, but I'm hoping the good folks at crossfit can help me out with this.. Anyway, so that's the story of how I wound up signed up for the crossfit games open, or whatever, while just about 12 weeks pregnant! I promise to still be careful and mindful of the growing life inside of me and not to get carried away with the competition.. But, hey.. If I can squeak out a few good efforts and help the team out, I'm all for it.. lets hope I keep getting lucky with workouts that are well suited for a gal like me! As for the rest of my workouts.. nothing too exciting. The weather has been amazing lately.. little windy, but definitely easy to get out and get running when you get to head out in shorts (OK.. skirt..) in February in the midwest! Ain't nothin wrong with that. So though I've noticed my pace drifting downwards.. and my effort is far surpassing the output.. I'm hoping that as the 12 week mark nears, I'll start to feel a little more normal again and maybe some of that breathlessness will go away?? maybe?? a gal can hope?? either way.. if I have to slow it down, that's fine.. whatever I gotta do to keep on keeping on for as long as I can. As far as how things went in the mountains? Honestly. About how I expected. Given that I've felt pretty nauseaus around here lately. And that I usually experience at least a little altitude sickness when I go out there.. I could kind of see how this was going to go.. But it was a little tougher than I predicted. I was able to get out for 1 day of skiing.. leisurely skiing.. only had to take 1 extra break, but we got a slow start to the day, took a long lunch and left just before the lifts closed.. But we took it pretty easy. Mostly I felt OK out there. I think the fresh air was nice. But every time we drove, especially heading up the switchbacks to the cabin.. man did I feel awful. Usually sent me straight to bed, where I'd try to sleep off the nausea and get myself under control.. Sometimes that worked, but by the last day, saturday.. I was definitely not recovering well. SO. Lesson learned.. maybe wait 'til after 12 weeks before heading to altitude if you're not used to it? Pretty sure this is my last go at the whole pregnancy thing.. But just a mental note, should it ever come up again.. Anyway. So here we go into another week. So far so good, though my legs are super sore from yesterday's squat-heavy workout.. and spin and a windy run.. Today I had a decent swim, though I felt a bit 'off'.. not from the pregnancy or anything, I was just swimming funky.. Coach Kris helped me out and let me know I was arching up to breathe while I swam, which was making me funky in there (she used better terms). Not sure why the heck I was swimming like that, but I could tell something was off.. 1 little fix after talking with Kris and I was doing much better.. too bad that was in the last 300 of my swim! Better remember that tip for next time.. suck in my stomach/abs and tilt the pelvis a bit to keep your back straight.. maybe I was trying to get an early start on the baby belly or something?? Sheesh.. literally always something to work on in the pool.. that can only mean 1 thing.. I need to swim more often! Oh, boy..

A few PR's despite PG

I have no idea if 'pg' is an official abbreviation for pregnancy, but I've seen it before.. never really liked it, but thought it worked for this title.. Anyway.. So over the past week, in a sea of cautious efforts, I have been able to put a few good trainings in for good results. I will say, though, that I find these significant not because I pushed myself and was stupid about minding my limits, but instead, I was able to achieve the progress while minding my current limitations.. making sure I don't get too out of breath, etc. So the fact that I was still able to perform well while being cautious I think shows real progress in some areas. These came with last weekend's 'mile marker set' with the TEAM. It was freezing out.. as in 1 degree (pretty sure that's weatherman sarcasm).. so we didn't have a great showing. But dedicated coach that I am, I was out there running with the few, the proud that also made it out. The plan was to warm up a bit, run a mile (out and back on the monon, which is super flat and has great distance markers every 1/2 mile, so perfect spot to execute this plan) for time to 'mark' your abilities at this point in time, then cool down. I was definitely going to run because it was WAY too cold for standing around, but I figured if there were folks going faster than me, I'd just turn back early so I could catch their time.. the set wasn't for me, after all.. BUT. In the warm up, I realized I could probably at least keep with the faster of the group, so thought I might be able to eek out the whole mile.. so that's what I did! I pushed, but not super hard. I was able to talk while there were people still with me.. and encourage folks on the 'back' part, so I know I was in control of how hard I was running. My time was 7:21, which is not earth shattering, by any stretch.. I'm pretty sure it's not actually a PR.. but I thought it was a solid showing given how tired and worn out I've been lately. I marked it down because this mile was done at 9 weeks.. can't wait to see how maybe 20 week me matches up! Then, on wednesday this week, I've finally been at crossfit long enough to start getting a repeated workout that I can compare to my time from a few months ago.. we did 'Filthy Fifty' again, which we had also done (my 1st time) on November 30th (it's all chronicled on the website.. I don't have anywhere near that kind of memory.. I was doing well to even remember I had done it before!). Now, as usual, I enjoy these longer, 'chipper' type workouts that usually include lots of different movements and mostly body wt stuff.. so I was happy to be able to do this workout again. I had to stop more than usual to catch my breath (which has become the norm for me these days), but I felt strong through the workout, though had no idea how my time was comparing to the previous workout.. I came in at 25:41 (I actually DO remember that one.. not bad! my memory, that is..) and after looking back at last time, I managed just under a 3 minute PR! Again..not because I pushed myself beyond what I should have or made myself sick trying, but just because my overall fitness has improved enough in the last few months. Lastly, we did broken 200's for time in the pool on wednesday (2 solid efforts in 1 day?? doc might frown on that.. if he knew about it.. Haven't seen him yet, but judging from last pregnancy, he was very understanding about continuing activities that you did prior to pregnancy, but to listen to your body, etc.. He's a pretty cool doc.. very willing to adapt to the more 'modern' thinkings on things.. ie: he'd let me try for VBAC, though he's not too confident that it would be worth it, given the history of what happened last time.. but he'd be willing to try! Which is pretty rare, 'case you didn't know..). This is where you try to go 'fast' and rest 10 seconds at the wall every 50, then get your time at the end, minus the rest time.. and there you have an idea of what an 'all out'..probably faster than I could really maintain for a 200, but I think the point is to see what it could be if you swam your 50 pace for all 200 meters.. Anyway.. it's a swimmer thing.. I just smile and nod and do the work.. SO. I was only able to stick around for 2 of the 4 broken 200's, but my times were 2:30 and 2:25... and if I remember correctly, last time I did this workout I came in closer to or just over 3 minutes.. so that's some improvement for swimming! Especially given that I couldn't push 'til I saw stars, which is how I would normally swim such a set.. So I felt pretty good about that. The rest has been pretty normal. I did get my 3 swims in this week. I'm only at 2 bike's so far this week, but think maybe I'll do one later today? We'll see.. I'm at 16 running miles so far this week and will do at least 4 more today.. So guess who has 2 thumbs and has figured out how to get a rest day this week??....THIS GIRL!! I'm pretty proud of that and find it telling that I'm actually excited about a rest day. I haven't had a full day off of workouts in a while and lately, I've felt it. Usually it's no big deal and I feel just fine.. I only do rest days if I'm training for something and, therefore, trying to have peak efforts in there, which going non-stop doesn't exactly allow for.. But with as worn down as I've been lately.. I think a rest day is in order. So I'll definitely stick to it.. I'm looking forward to a day of down time and hopefully will feel a little more ready to attack again next week? Attack within reason, of coarse.. For now.. It's off to get ready for my 'rolling hill fartlek' with the TEAM! Aren't runners cool with their fancy terms.. that make every non-runner go 'a what now??'

And then Nausea joins the party..

If you haven't noticed, my 'training and racing' blog has morphed a bit.. but I guess that's what happens when the blogger's life takes a turn. Anyhow, this week has been pretty rough, since I feel like I could hurl at any moment pretty much all day every day. Lucky for me (and everyone else around me) I don't typically actually lose my cookies.. but that feeling is not exactly a great one to carry around with you all week. BUT. Life must go on. I mean, this should likely continue for at least another month, so it's not like I can sit in bed for a month eating saltines with a bucket next to me 'just in case'.. So I've been able to carry on pretty much 'as usual'. Only thing I opted out of was the soccer game that was another late one AND the hurl really was threatening to make an appearance.. Much like the ball to the face, I took that as a warning sign of what might be to come if I didn't heed the subtle signs to 'slow down and rest'. So I did. For the night. Otherwise, it's business as usual, though tapered down a bit.. My swims have been tougher than they should have been. I'm able to maintain speed fairly well (speed, of coarse, is very relative in my swim.. what is 'fast' for me is terribly slow to 'real' swimmers.. ), but it wipes me out so bad & I need more rest. So I feel like a wimp cutting the sets short to take longer rests.. and then letting my lane mates barely get to the wall only to have to take off again while I'm looking all rested and 'fresh as a daisy'.. But I gotta do what I know is best for me. So that's what I do. I've gotten my 3 swims in for the week, though I've had to go on days where I have to leave early to get home to do the 'tag team' thing with Matt.. (tag.. you go to work, I hang w/ Mason 'til I have to go to 'work', then you pick him up.. etc.. Make it work, right, folks!).. But the shorter workouts (45-50min) has actually been a good thing for me right now, given my exhausted state and all. I've had 2 trainer rides thus far and plan on 1 more this weekend. As of this moment on friday morning, I've only gotten 7 running miles in thus far, but I will get 3 in at some point today, then I have my TNT run tomorrow am, which I plan to get about 4 miles there and then head over to the trails at Eagle Creek to meet with my trail running buddies to get a few more in.. So I think my 20mi/wk goal will remain in tact. With the removal of soccer on tuesdays as a run day, I'm going to have to work a bit to keep up the running without over-doing things. I really need to find myself a rest day some how.. Why is this so hard for me? I'll figure it out somehow. So I guess that's my next goal.. find me some rest while still getting in the workouts that I want to get in! Crossfit has continued as well.. Nothing too exciting for me to report there. I still am doing fine on most of the 'movements' and haven't had to adjust too much.. just less heavy lifting (no max efforts), but all body wt stuff, I'm good to go! How big do you think I'll have to be before I give up pull-ups and handstand push-ups? Maybe we'll take bets on that.. let's make this thing fun! Not that growing a baby and adding to the family isn't 'fun'.. but 10 months (yes, 10) is a long time.. gotta keep things interesting!

Dizziness Increases..

So this week I've been feeling the 'effects' a bit more.. just really out of breath, when I wouldn't normally be out of breath (you know.. like after standing up from a sitting down position? yeah..). I've also been a little more dizzy, light-headed and nauseous this week, too.. BUT, that being said, it hasn't been too bad. I've been feeling pretty worn out with all the coaching gigs going on, so we'll have to see how that goes. It's just a lot of setting up and taking down gymnastics equipment, running around, jumping, occasional cart-wheeling and such (which seems to elicit seeing stars these days..nice).. takes a lot out of a gal after a bit, ya know?! But this week has really been crazy, nice out, which has been awesome and I could totally get used to this.. BUT.. I know better than to do that. Every day that is sunny with high temps as we head in to February.. I love it, but I almost look at it with fear about what must be to come.. I mean.. something must be ready to come crashing down on us any day now, but until then, I guess I'd better enjoy it! So I've been able to get outside for most of my running this week, which is nice. I haven't been on the trails at all this week, which is different for me, but I'm liking the switch up for now.. loving my new minimal under armor running shoes, which seem to push me further up to the balls of my feet, though I still think it's a mid-foot.. but at least I'm not heel striking anymore! It's still all just cruising miles. I did have the 1st TNT tri training this saturday.. it was just a 30 minute run, but it went well, I think! Wound up getting a pretty good run in and negative split the out and back to avg an 8:15 pace.. not bad for running for 2! (I know.. it's about the size of nothin' in there, but it sure is zapping my energy these days) So this week I came in right at my goal of 20 running miles. I also got 3 good swims in and only 2 trainer rides.. 5 crossfits.. and that covers it! Looking forward to seeing the doc tomorrow.. and hoping to keep up the solid workouts.. for as long as I can.. TNT swim workouts start this week.. should be fun!

WHOMPed upside my head

Sometimes the universe literally has to smack you in the face just to get it's point across.. Last night my team had a soccer game at 9:40pm.. I've been super tired lately, so was already not exactly jazzed to head out for this late game, but thought to myself.. "self, you're not going to get to play much longer for a while, and you made a commitment to the team, so saddle up and get out there". So after that inspiring self-talk, I made it to the game.. not a minute in to play, I got the daylights knocked right out of me. I had been marking/defending this fella.. we were a fair distance away from the goal and he really didn't have a shot, so I was hanging back a bit trying to force him 1 way of the other.. well, before I knew what was going on, he decided to square up and take a shot.. RIGHT at my FACE?! What the... Rattled my brain, for sure.. blood dripping from my nose and lip, dizzy and unable to see so well, I stumbled around and got myself off the field. SHEESH! Seriously.. I just did NOT need that. It would have been slightly funny, but for the blood spurting from my face.. There were also tears streaming from my eyes.. tears I don't even remember summoning, they just came on their own. The kind of tears your body just spits out because it doesn't know what else to do with itself.. So I was a mess. I took off for the powder room, amidst well-meaning, but ill-advised inquiries of "are you OK?"... uh... I'm sorry, but do I look OK?? didn't think so.. Anyway, I cleaned myself up and got back out there.. blood stained shirt and all.. and the rest of the game was fine. We actually came out with a win AND I had an assist to another gal on the team, which was nice. But here's the thing.. I know that stuff happens in soccer.. balls can fly around and hit folks unintentionally.. But when you know a person is a few feet directly in front of you.. and you aim right at them? I'm going to go ahead and give you responsibility for the inevitable reaction that happens there. I'm sure he didn't 'mean' to.. he doesn't strike me as an evil fella.. I think that, though he's a good player, he's an aging player and suffers from some of the same side effects as any of us aging soccer players.. I call it a 'mind/foot disconnect'.. where you 'see' yourself making the ball do 1 thing, but what happens is entirely different. I'm sure he thought he was somehow going to magically curve the ball around my head and into the goal and be some kind of hero.. But no, sir.. ya hit my face. Hard. And though I'll smile and nod and say it's all good.. I still think you're kind of a tool for doing that.. So I guess that's all I have to say about that! Yesterday was a pretty good day with a swim, a crossfit and the soccer game, which I count for 4 miles, since it's at least 40 minutes of interval running.. Today, wednesday, was another good one. I started with a crossfit workout that, as a fellow crossfitter noted, was kinda made for endurance folks like me.. it was a mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups and 300 squats, then another mile run. I actually enjoyed this quite a bit and felt pretty good. I feel like I was able to put in a pretty good effort (finished in just over 35 minutes), despite being pregnant and all.. I think the only thing that lacked slightly was I probably would have pushed harder in the run, but that might have only taken a minute or 3 off the time, so I'll take it! After tuesdays workout, which was more wt based.. I gave a good showing, but I knew I could have done heavier wt AND more reps, had I not been having to monitor my 'exertion' and keep my HR/breathing under control.. So even though it was still a good workout, it left me feeling like I hadn't given it my 'all'.. even though I know this isn't the time for max efforts.. it's still hard to know there was more to give, but just not at this time. Anyway.. So after the crossfit workout, it was too nice out (still 50 something and it's FEBruary, folks.. that's crazy. Officially crazy) not to get back out there to enjoy it, so I went for another 4mi run. And that was it for the day.. and now my quad's are a-burnin! So let's see.. brings me to 13 miles of running so far this week? Feeling good.. even though I'm pretty much sticking to steady, easy efforts on the run.. might get boring when I get sent back to the 'mill.. We'll see! So now the question is.. do I sign up for one more session of soccer??? I think it would be OK for a couple weeks, but after the belly starts showing, I just think it's mean to the other teams to put me out there.. No one wants to be the one marking the pregnant lady.. or maybe they'll just keep chucking balls at my face til I go home? Not cool, man... Not cool..