Running Update
At 31 weeks running is hard and not hard at the same time…which probably makes no sense. It’s hard when my shins tense up and can’t handle the weight of my growing stomach. It’s not hard in the sense that all I need to do is propel myself forward – set the wheels in motion – and then I’m good to go. I swear the weight of my belly pushes me forward. So the added 20+ pounds is both helpful and a hindrance at this point.
I can no longer run 5 days per week. My legs can’t take it. Running 4 days is manageable and I usually pair a “longer” run (6 or 8 miles) with a shorter run (4 miles) the next day. Then I add in a day of walking – 3 to 4 miles – and it brings me to about 25 miles for the week. I’ll take it.
I have one more “race” on my schedule before the baby arrives. I’m running the Rothman 8K – part of Philly Marathon weekend. I was originally planning on running the Philly Half but then reality set in. I will be spectating the full and half so if you’re running, let me know!
Glowing? Not me.
Our gut feeling all along is that we are having a girl. In fact, I’ll be quite surprised if she is really a he! I haven’t paid much attention to the old wives’ tales regarding gender prediction…until recently. Around 28 weeks I started looking haggard. Like really haggard. Puffy face and bags under my eyes – despite 9 to 10 hours of sleep (I’ve been sleeping great – knock on wood). I don’t feel haggard but I just look awful. Don’t they say that girls steal your beauty? Case in point…
7:30PM at Pearl Jam last week. I wasn’t tired (yet – they did play for 3 hours) but I look…haggard.
This past Saturday – post 8 mile run. Isn’t running supposed to leave you looking refreshed?!
Another sign pointing to a girl? I’m the very definition of carrying high. This picture makes me laugh because it’s so ridiculous.
Other perks
*Cankles – the reward for sitting on my ass all day at work. The more I am on my feet, the better off I am.
*Picking something up off the floor is impossible without loudly grunting and feeling as if my head might explode.
*I have maybe 2 inches to go before my belly rests on my legs (a perk of carrying high?). My friend Sara warned me about this. I’m still freaked out that my boobs rest on my belly. Now belly on legs?!
What other perks can I look forward to over the next 9 weeks?
I think you look great and are doing really well! I think I was running around 4x/week at the end with both of mine, too. All slow and short. It all helps, though, for bouncing back after, which you will. The only thing I remember from the end was heartburn–ugh! Enjoy the rest of it!
I’m carrying a girl and she is LOW and has been most of the pregnancy. I definitely have the haggard look but I don’t know if it’s because she’s a girl or because I wake up 4 times a night to use the bathroom. You are lucky you are sleeping well! Way to keep up the running!
You look great although I would say you look a bit tired — definitely not haggard! And I remember being tired at the end of my pregnancy, too, despite getting tons of sleep. Completely normal … I still say boy just because I carried the same way you are and I had one but, like I said the other week, 3 nieces are better than 2! 🙂
The running and walking will serve you well–keep at it in whatever fashion you can. I had heartburn at the end and felt like a whale, but I don’t think that will happen in your case. You look great!
Stay active until the end (run, walk, whatever movement you can!) and you will feel SO much better!
I can’t believe you’re still running 8 miles. Majorly impressive!! I’m lucky if I get in 3-4 these days. We’ll see how long even that lasts… But yes – definitely feel better when I’m moving and NOT just sitting around all day. After a week of work, everything just aches.
Also jealous of your good sleep. Everyone keeps saying that restless nights/insomnia is good practice, but personally I’d rather just take the extra sleep now while I can (thankyouverymuch! haha).
So excited to see what you end up having! I hope your gut feelings are right (But you know, I’m just a little biased about it now :))
I was CONVINCED i’m having a boy. All my symptoms were “boyish”. Well, and then we found out it’s a girl. I have never been so sure and wrong of something at the same time 🙂 You look great!!