Ummm...Aren't You Supposed to be Training?

I haven't been posting much about training lately and there is a very good explanation for that.  I haven't been training.  Because I'm pregnant.

When I first found out, I did a lot of research on continuing to train and if I could "complete" and not "compete" in the triathlon I signed up for.  But I'll be six months along by then.  And, it probably isn't the best idea.  Not only will I not be able to fit in a wetsuit by that time (it's very cold water), but I have no idea how much balance will be affected on the bike with a baby bump.  And, more importantly, crashes are more likely during a race since there are so many cyclists maneuvering around each other.  

I still did what I could for awhile.  I rode my bike, but avoided the hills to keep my heart rate lower.  I power-walked and didn't run.  And, while I didn't make it to a pool very often, I swam when I could.  I didn't want to pull out of the race until I knew that I was out of the first trimester.  Nick is still racing the same event, and there is a 10k going on at the same time, which I'll be signing up for instead.

As for the pregnancy, it's been relatively symptomless.  Weeks 6-10 I was incredibly tired.  Beyond tired.  But I gained back a lot of my energy.  And, when I did have the energy to ride or jog/walk, it was also harder.  All the blood is going to your abdomen which means less blood to send to your legs.  

As for the team, I've just been trying to support where I can.  We always need volunteers so it's really easy for me to fill those roles -- marking the course, roving SAG, etc.  This weekend, was the team's "All You Can Tri" where you do as many sprints as you can in 4 hours.  I knew the water was warm enough to not have a wetsuit so I was happy to get a swim workout in.  I ended up hanging in the water for 2 hours as water support and helping some of the new swimmers complete their swims.  However, I now have a raging case of Swimmer's Itch and look like I have the chicken pox.  I'll spare you the pictures.  

By the way, I do rinse as soon as I get out of the water and even bring soap to the shower at the lake.  But, I read people who get Swimmer's Itch, keep on getting it.  Kind of like poison oak...you have to have the allergy to it.  Hence, why this is probably the 5th (and worst) case I've had. Unfortunately, several other people on the team got the itch as well this weekend so I'm in good company. 

Thankful Thursdays

I'm starting to notice that I have a hard time finding things to be thankful about while working in Connecticut. It's unfortunate as I have never been in this situation.  But I really do not like this engagement at all.  The project is going to be challenging, but a repeat of a project I did previously, so I will be extremely frustrated and yet I won't be learning anything since I basically already spent 1.5 years doing this same project for another client.  Nobody smiles at this company.  The difference between this project and the one that was just like it was our project team had fun together both in and outside of work.  Lastly, the travel is a bear - 12 hours door to door each way.  The other project was in Los Angeles.   I spend an entire day of the week getting to/from the airport or in an airplane.  Despite having a direct flight, it's still 71 miles from JFK.  A terrible airport to drive into during rush hour.  I've never had to leave for the airport 4 hours in advance!!!

Fri - Getting errands crossed off my list that have been there for months.  

Sat - Supporting my team on their first ride up Mount Diablo.  I still haven't tackled this summit.  2014 bucket list?

Sun - Jet Blue entertainment makes a flight go by much faster.  And, having the bulk head means getting to get a lot of work done without someone leaning back on me.

Mon - A new laptop!  It's paper thin, super light, and has SSD.  I don't know when I will have time to set it all up and transfer all my files.  But I can't wait to start traveling with it over my bulky one I have right now.

Tue - Orange juice

Wed - Understanding my boundaries.  It was a really hard day at work.  And, when the other consultants went to dinner, I was completely comfortable with being anti-social and not joining them.  I knew that if I went with them, then we would talk about how bad the day was and most likely I would get bothered by it all over again.  

Thur - Google Maps 

Thankful Thursdays

Fri - My extremely wonderful and comfortable bed.  A very long week and long flight and so happy to be home!

Sat - The Voice.  With a DVR, I can watch 6 hours of TV in only 90 minutes!  I don't need to see any of the sappy backstories.  Just give me the performances and the coach's bantering back and forth.  I love the blind auditions.  

Sun - The law of attraction.  I really did not want to get on a plane today.  I was only home for 1 day.  And I guess the Universe decided the only way to do so was for me to get sick.  A trip to the hospital and a doctor telling me I couldn't travel for a week.  I never thought I'd be so grateful for being sick.

Mon - Rest

Tues - Grandma.  Since I was at home this week, I took the opportunity to visit with her.  It had been awhile.

Wed - The heat!  It's finally toasty enough out that I can sit in my cold family room without a blanket.  I will be grateful for it, in a few months, but it's just been too dang cold since November.

Thur - An upstairs laundry room.  My last two houses had the laundry right next to the bedroom.  This concept wasn't actually designed into homes until about 25 years ago.  That architect was a genius.  

Thankful Thursdays

Fri - Language of Flowers - one of the best books I've read in awhile.  And, beautiful San Diego!

Sat - Getting to cheer on 2500 athletes and some great friends and my husband at Ironman California 70.3 in Oceanside!  Will post some pictures and a recap of the awesome day soon.

Sun - Easter egg fun

Mon - my Samsung Note. It was a wedding present that's too big to use for a phone.  But it's great to catch up on TV shows while on the airplane.

Tues - free vitamin-packed delicious meals at the client's Leadership Center.  Breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks!  This is our last week at the Leadership Center which means we have to downgrade to cafeteria food starting next week.

Wed - fairly decent sushi in the Farmington Marriott.

Thur - forgot to set my alarm for the first time while on the road.  Thankfully, I woke up at 6am on my own.