36 Weeks Preggo - Super Swollen Feet and Run Like a Mother 5k

Into my 36th week of pregnancy.  The final stretch!  Baby can technically pretty come at any time now.  I definitely feel bigger and I think my baby has dropped a little as I've been feeling more pressure in my pelvis.  I think I sometimes feel Braxton-Hicks contractions but I'm not too sure.  Nothing consistent to make me too concerned.

I'm still able to kind of run but it's definitely getting harder to do anything too long.  Things have been especially hard this past week because my feet, ankles, and calves have been getting crazy swollen.  I start the day off okay but by the end of the day, I definitely have gianormous feet!  My ankles and feet ache to move when they get so big.  The walking and running does help with some of the circulation and help relieve some of the pressure in my feet but they remain pretty fat.  

I can feel the extra weight I'm carrying in my calves again.  I try to take it easy and have easily been keeping my outings relatively short these days.  

I did start swimming again this past week hoping the water would help.  The swimming has been nice but it only mildly reduced the swelling.  But, I do enjoy being in the water.  Will try to swim a little more from here on out.  The tough part is the pool I swim at is in Rocklin and after a long day of work, especially when I have super giant feet, I don't feel like driving anywhere.  

A lot of people have been giving me advice, whether I ask for it or not.  And I've tried it all and nothing really makes it better.  I've been drinking tons of water.  I put my feet up when I can.  I soak my feet in my foot spa.  I've taken epson baths and even soaked my feet with apple cider vineger.  I've gone swimming.  I've run.  I've walked.  I've tried compression socks (which is the worse as I end up with muffin top legs).  I've iced my feet.  Some of the stuff kind of sort of helps but for me, there's
no real remedy.  Swollen feet is just something that some pregnant women get.  I sometimes feel like all the symptoms one could get while pregnant, I've gotten.  I think it's just the way it is and I just deal with it as best as I can.  

Mother's Day



On Mother's Day, I went to Davis to run in the Run Like A Mother 5k.  Sounded like an appropriate race for me to do in my late pregnancy.

I got to Davis and ran/walked a warm up which I'm grateful I did as it does take awhile to get my legs warmed up.  During the race, I ended up being able to run the whole race.  It wasn't fast but I felt good being able to run without walking for the whole race.  And, the last mile, I was able to pick up my pace and have a good finish.  I was glad the race was only 3.1-ish miles as I am not sure I could run much more beyond that.

I had set a conservative goal of trying to finish under 45 minutes, anticipating some walking during the race.  I ended up finishing in 36 minutes.  My finish time amused me as I am 36 weeks pregnant.  Not too shabby.

Not sure how much running I have left in me until the baby's born but I'll keep trying to get out and at least walk.  I think I may be pretty much done with the running races from here on out.

35 Weeks Preggo - Volunteering at the Canyons 100k & First Run with MRTT

Hit 35 weeks pregnant.  Feeling myself getting bigger.

Felt pretty good after doing the Miner's Revenge Trail Run.  Did a little more yoga at home this past week and that was helpful.  I enjoy doing the yoga stretches.  Always feel good after doing yoga but I'm not as consistent as I would like.

I put in some good miles in this past Wednesday and Thursday so I could reach 100 miles for the month of April.  I continue with my run/walk streak since the start of the year where I get out every day and run and/or walk at least one mile.  There are a lot more evenings of me just walking the dog for about 20-ish minutes.  But, it's  good to get out for a little bit every day.

Volunteering at the Canyons Race

On Saturday, I spent about 12 hours volunteering at the Canyons Endurance Runs 50k/100k.  I worked at the finish line inputting runners as they finished into the timing system.  It was a long day but fun watching the various runners.  I had fun day hanging out with the various runners and the UltraLiveTV folks, who were recording the race and providing race updates right next to me all day and evening.

I got to see Rob Krar have an amazing win, completely blowing the field away.  Sometime after he finished, he came over to my area and sat down and hung out for a bit chit chatting with me and other folks.  It was exciting for me to get to talk to him.  He even sat in my chair for a bit!  What I love about ultra running is that the elites aren't like elites in other sports.  You can interact with them and see that they're really ordinary people (putting aside their amazing athletic abilities).  You can have a normal conversation with them about running and stuff.

Other than seeing some elite runners finish strongly, I had fun watching the middle of the pack and the back of the pack finish a pretty tough race.  I stayed until late at night and watched some really tough folks endure through a long day and pull off a finish.  I met this one guy who said around mile 18-20ish, he had decided to quit since his foot was bothering.  He sat at the aid station for about an hour and a half waiting for a ride back to the start.  After a bit, he got bored of waiting and said to himself "Fuck it, I'm going to get going" and decided to continue on the course.  And, in the late hours of the night, he finished the 100k.  That story really amused me and was happy he didn't quit and ended up with a memorable finish.

The race is on much of the Western States course so naturally, it got me thinking about States coming up next month.  While I am excited about my baby coming in a few weeks time, a part of me just yearns for States.  And, I know some other year will be the year I get to really run it (and finish it).  Many friends think it'll be cool if I tow the start line.  I am hoping for a smooth labor and delivery and that I might be able to tow the start line.  To be there for the excitement and energy of THE big dance!

Run with MRTT
On Sunday, I had my first run/hike with the Auburn Chapter of the Mothers Run This Town running group.  Had a nice morning run with two ladies out on the trails by the Auburn Overlook.  We chit chatted about pregnancy, running, and various other things.  It's been nice meeting more moms who run and getting input with them about things.  I look forward to many future adventures with this group!  :)