Week 5: Is that a line??

Catchin up!!

November 19th:

Wow.  What a day.  I have to get this down while it's fresh, so excuse my rambles, but it will be worth it, I promise :-)
So.  Here we are.  Back story first?  Ok.
I've been a little evasive with you wonderful readers lately.  I'm sorry.  while I've hinted around that Greg and I were thinking about kids....well, we were doing more than thinking.  We wanted them.  Badly.  In early 2012, we started to get serious about the whole "baby project".  We had a sense of humor and went with it, but I sort of put alot of things on hold for this one wish.  There were a few complications (endurance training can do that to you), and after 9 months, we got a bit discouraged.  Who says a one night stand can be dangerous?  Meh.  (Just kidding-always use precautions...it just didn't happen with me!)  Anyways, after a few roadbloacks and crying jags (yes, I am a hormonal female sometimes..I admit it)...something amazing happened.  Now, (sorry for the TMI) but I don't happen to have a "normal" 4 week cycle.  OPK kits?  Bah.  Waste of time.  So I would wait 5 weeks, and if my monthly failed to show up, I would test.  Good thing those babies are cheap on the Internet.

Long story short....the Monday before Thanksgiving....a (very faint) second line appeared.  WHAT??  I thought it might be a reaction to a medication...or stress...or something I ate....but this COULD NOT be a positive test....right?  I ran out to the store and got the expensive "Early Result" test...and took it. Another positive line....(very faint).  Now, I've imagined two lines.  But this was legit.  So I called my doc, who sent me in for a blood test.

And waited.  The next day, I got a call back-no congratulations, no nothing, just.."Your HCG levels are low and we are not sure if this is viable.  Go get tested again".  Like an idiot, I asked....am I pregnant?  And the rude nurse was like, well...yeah.  (No, I never spoke with her again!!)
So I got tested again.  And again.  And 4 blood tests and a week later, was reassured that my little peanut was growing like a champ inside my belly.  Whew!
(Now, lest I sound annoyed at my own doc, I did speak with him about this nurse.  And it's moot-we're at a new OB GYN that came highly recommended.  I'm no dummy).
But here's the fun part.  Here I am with a positive test.  And we've been wanting this.  And now I get to do something that I've been dreaming of doing since we started thinking about kids.  I get to tell my husband!
So I found a little onesie that I had bought (okay, 9 months ago) with a picture of a beast on it (long, inside joke, but Greg refers to me as a beast.  It's tri related, and it truly is a compliment.  Swear).  I wrapped it up, along with the (capped) positive pregnancy test.  And then waited for him to get home (I was off that day.  Agony.) 
When he got home, we went for a walk to talk about our days.  I patiently waited until we were in front of the school, and then told him I had a gift for him.  I gave him the onesie, and he opened it (dropping the pee stick, natch) and just kind of looked at it.  I told him to pick up the test...and he looked at it...and looked at the onesie....and the biggest smile came over his face as he knocked me into a huge bear hug.  The rest...well, it was a beautiful night of excitement and sharing.  So wonderful :-)
And now comes the hard part...keeping my mouth shut for two months!  So excited!!!

The Big Reveal-FAQs

Awww....shuckers.  You guys are so sweet.  The number of comments, emails, facebook comments and texts from our "new training plan" announcement yesterday made me just about the happiest girl in the world.  Thank you for being amazing friends, and I can't wait to share this wonderful journey with you for the next 6 months!
But first, let's get down to brass tacks. I plan to blog my way through this pregnancy, and update with weekly posts (you know I've pre-written the last 8 weeks, I'll post soon!) but I do promise not to make this into a pregnancy or mommy blog.  Pinky swear.  I'll update once a week, but fully expect your recipes, training, and everything else that makes Tri'ing For Balance...Tri'ing for Balance!
Now, onto the questions.  Questions, questions, questions.  I got my fair share of them yesterday and today, so of course....I'll share with you!

How far along are you?

As of Sunday, I am 12 weeks along.  First trimester is almost done!  Greg and I struggled with keeping this huge secret from everyone, which was tough as heck!  We wanted to wait to share the news with people until the risk for miscarriage passed (even though it's always a risk).  So far, we've had an ultrasound at 9 weeks, and saw the heartbeat, etc.  and also heard the heartbeat on the 11th week.  My OB thinks everything looks wonderful, so it was time to pop out the champagne grape juice!

What is the due date?

July 22.  We jokingly are calling it "Iron Baby" because Lake Placid Ironman is usually the 3rd week of July.  Funnily enough, Greg's birthday is July 22nd.  Luckily (in the rare event that due dates mean ANYTHING!) Greg doesn't mind sharing!

Was it a Surprise?

Yes and no.  We were definitely in the family frame of mind, and had been trying for about 10 months.  We had almost gotten to the point where we thought we might not be able to conceive naturally (yes, of course there's a story there) when I was staring at a positive pregnancy test!  I found out right before Thanksgiving, which was such an unexpected blessing.  We can't wait to be parents!

Do you plan to find out the sex of the baby?

You can first find out the sex of the baby at your 20 week ultrasound, which will be in February.  Right now, we are about 99% sure that we do NOT want to know.  We think that it will be a beautiful surprise at delivery....and we both really like green :-)  This is, without a doubt, the number one asked question so far!

Do you have names picked out?

Yep, we have both a boy and girl name picked out, but we're going to see if it fits the baby before revealing.  I promise, though, that we will not name our child "Apple" or "Thor".  Although "Placid" might be a nice middle name for a girl.....I'm kidding, Greg (kinda). 

How are you feeling?

Mentally or Physically?  Mentally, I am over the moon!  I can't wait to be a mother and experience everything about pregnancy, being a parent, and yes, even childbirth.  It's so exciting and surreal!  Physically?  I feel like crap.  Ever since about week 6, I've been nauseous and sick (a few spectacular projectile sickies...tmi) the whole time, and in general feel like I'm walking around hungover.  I can't tolerate some of my favorite foods (oats, yogurt), and in general, eat because I have to.  I'm also exhausted.  All the time.  My mommy friends tell me this is normal.  I don't like normal.  Hopefully, according to them, it will pass by my second trimester.  Fingers crossed.  However, I always try to remember that my symptoms remind me that there's a little one doing some growing inside me....which more than makes up for it :-)

Are you going to stop exercising?

WHAT?  No, seriously, do you not know me at all?  This one kills me.  The assumption that I'm going to stop running, biking, moving, breathing, living...until July.  No.  I've spoken to my doc, and gotten the go ahead to do anything I want (well, except scuba diving) within reason.  I have to keep a certain intensity cap so I don't overheat, but I've been biking (indoors), swimming, weight lifting, and running.  I'm still running the Ocala half in a few weeks (confession-that's the reason I dropped to the half, cause I'm knocked up :-P) and still planning on running while it's comfortable, but being active 5-6 days a week.  It helps me and the baby.  I'm just slower.  And a bit more finicky about running unless I feel good (so I'm running twice a week now).  It works. 

Any cravings?

Meat.  Cheese.  Ranch Dressing. Pizza. Pretzels.  And most fruit.  Weird.  Chocolate is out for the most part, same thing with yogurt (makes me gag), bananas, peanut butter, and a few other things.  I didn't say it made sense.  I'm rolling with it.  Though I miss my Fage. 


Well, there ya go!  I'll just call it Preggo week here to get it out of my system....I'll post weeks 5-11 tomorrow-Saturday, then we'll start to talk about other interesting things, sound good?  Have a great day!!

2013's Training plan....here comes "the big one"!

It's 2013.  Time for a new training plan.

This year, we're going big!

A typical Ironman training plan is 37 weeks.

Go big or go home.

But what can top a 37 week training plan?

Hmmm.

First, you want to educate yourself-plenty of reading.

Focus on nutrition.

errr.....or saltines, cheese, and chicken soup.  Whatever works
Plenty of Vitamins and supplements.

Visualization/Motivation.

And one amazing "teammate" ( I love you, babe!!)

A 40 week "training" plan.

"Iron Baby" due to make an appearance in July 2013 :-)
 And we can't wait!!

Post Holiday Indulgences

Is it just me, or did this "short" week seem ridiculously long?  Yeah, that's what I thought.  Needless to say, it's Friday, it's all good, weekend around the corner, yadda yadda smackety.
So I hope that everyone's first week back was enjoyable (or at least tolerable) and that you're all on your way to satisfying your New Year's Resolutions of losing a zillion pounds, making a zillion dollars, and logging a zillion miles.
But just in case you need a break and something comforting (yet healthy(ish)) on a cold Friday night...I'm your gal.  Yes, I know the Christmas cookies just got put away.  But biscotti....transcends the holidays.  Especially with a mug of chai tea and a black and white movie.

Cranberry Biscotti
2 cups flour (plus more for dusting)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2 large eggs
 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon almond extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking liner.
In the large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
Fold in cranberries.  In a small bowl, lightly beat the eggs, applesauce, and amond with a whisk.
Pour in egg mixture.  Continuing stirring until the dough is well blended.  Scrape the dough on to an unfloured work surface. Lightly dust your hands with flour, knead the dough briefly, and shape the dough into 2 ,  2 inch by 10 inch logs. The dough will be sticky-feel free to add more flour!
Transfer the logs onto your prepared baking sheet,  and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until baked through. Allow the logs to cool about 15 minutes. (Leave the oven set at 325 degrees.) Carefully cut the logs on a slight diagonal into 1/2-inch slices (about 24 per log).   Place slices on the baking sheet cut side down. Bake the biscotti another 15 minutes, or until they are "dried" (breaks apart easily). 
Makes about 4 dozen.

Real fruit.  Low in sugar.  And dunkable in a hot drink.  Where's Casablanca and my fuzzy slippers? Sign me up for a wild Friday night :-)

Have a great weekend!  Stay warm!

A Birthday in the House!

Well, hello there!  I hope you've dusted yourself off from the holiday madness and are ready to get back into the swing of things!  Today was a hard start-after 10 days of holidays, family, rushing around...and then....pj time....it was super rough to hear the alarm at 6:30 and battle my way in to the office.  Blech.
Needless to say, it's been a long (seeming) day, but I got alot done, which is good.  Tomorrow it's off to Albany all day for meetings (such a charmed life I lead!) but thank goodness it's only a 3 day week!)

Well.  In other news, it's really a rather important day.  Today, "Tri-ing for Balance" is officially a toddler- it's 2 years old!  When I sat down on January 2, 2011, I really had no idea what I was getting into.  Two years later, I still am muddling my way through, but I've found such joy in writing out my thoughts and feelings, sharing training tips and recipes, and just in general, musings on life! 

It's kind of crazy to think about where I was in 2011 versus now....back when I started, I received about 15 hits to my site a day (I love you, loyal friends!)  Yesterday...over 200!
In two years, I've....


Source



Written over 600 posts.

Gotten up to 7,000 page views a month

Over 80,000 page views of all time

Pretty cool.  The one disconcerting thing is that the most often searched term on TFB is "Epic Fail".  Coincidence?  I hope so! 

So, what's coming up this year in the world of my little blog?  Well, I have some thoughts...

1.  I'd like to feature more recipes.  I really enjoy cooking, and I feel like I've been slacking on it a bit lately.  Some more weekend breakfasts, some crock pot recipes, some recipes for one....look forward to more in 2013!

2.  I'd also like to expand my "Playing for Less" series.  I really enjoy a good bargain, and I would like to share with you guys how I find my good deals, how to cut down on grocery costs, living costs, playing costs, etc.  What do you think?

3.  Posting 4-5 times a week. I started out posting nearly every day, just to get in the habit.  But I don't want to waste my time or yours by posting "fluff".  So I promise to post only when I have something to say, but to be diligent about it as well.

I think those are decent goals....what do you guys think?  Anything missing you'd like to read?  Anything I write about you hate?  Suggestions?  Tomatoes in my face?

As always, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading.  Without you guys, I'd just be a lonely little corner of the Internet.  You are awesome!!

Starting out Right

Happy 2013 to all my favorites!  How was your New Year's Eve?  Get a little crazy?  Have some fun?
We kept it pretty low key last night-hung out with Greg's friends and some family...ate much good food...and passed out by 1:30.  Partiers, we are!

Well, 2013 seems to be off to a good start.  Today was the last day of my ten day vacation (seriously, where did the time go??) so I did a little prep work for the week (meals, gym clothes, etc.) some laundry, some cleaning, and some relaxing. 
January 1 is a big day for resolution runs....and my butt wasn't getting out of bed at 8am, so I did my run at high noon instead :-)  10k at a nice easy pace, enjoying everything about the run and planning out my 2013 goals.

I'm still working through said goals...but with a little reflection on 2012, I think I have an idea of where I'm headed:
2012 by the numbers
Swim Mileage: 148,500 yards (holy cow!)
Bike Mileage:  3958 miles ( so close!)
Run Mileage:  785 miles (stymied by a stress fracture, but still not too bad).

Overall, I'll take it.  It was a down year, no marathons or Ironmans, so I would say it was pretty consistent with a "step back" year.

So what's in store for 2013?  Well, I'm not sure yet.  There's the Ocala half in a few weeks, which I'll use as a springboard to feel out what I want to do this year, but it's another non Ironman year, so the books are wide open!

What races are you doing this year?  Any suggestions?

(Courtesy of Van's....awesome!)

Out with the Old, in with the New

In reviewing my bloggy from 2012, I have discovered a travesty.
No resolutions.
None.
What??
I was looking through the January posts last year, and I think in a fit of  "I'm good enough just as I am" type of self esteem exercise, I decided to forgo resolutions, and instead just work on some small things bit bit bit, sans the stress of public "I pledge to" promises.
Which is fine.
But....resolutions are fun.  I've failed at them, no doubt about it (evidence of one year, when I decided to stop cursing.  At a party.  Playing drinking games.  Yep.  That one lasted 7 minutes.  Oops).
I've also succeeded with them-using them as a kick in the pants to get to racing weight, get organized, and save x amount of dollars in x amount of months.
The road goes both ways.
2012 was a decent year-definitely full of it's ups and downs, twists and turns.  But it was sort of a year of transition for me.  Pulling the bike in from 2011 and just hangin out in T2 until I can go for a run.  And that's fine.  I think we all need some down years.  But I'm ready for some action in 2013, and with that in mind, it's time to be thoughtful about my plans.
No weight loss resolutions.  No PR resolutions.  And for the love of all that is good, no swearing resolutions (c'mon, why invite failure?).
Rather than focusing on "x" on the scale, "x:xx" on the time clock, or how I can stop acting like a sailor in mixed company, I've decided to go more global with my resolutions this year.
Here's to 2013 Goals:

1.  Enjoy being active.  Whether it's racing, a long swim, or a trail run, I'm going to just enjoy the process of what my body can do this year.  If I want to do a 5k because it sounds fun, I'm going for it.  If I've done a certain race for the last 6 years and I just don't feel like it, I'm not going to force myself.  Whether I PR or not, the races I have enjoyed the most have been the ones that I just can't wait for the starting gun to fire. Time to get back to the good ole kid version of triathlon (and running) - swim with my buddies, pedal around town, and run like a little kid playing tag.  Yeah!

2.  Stop and Smell the Flowers.  I'm a busy person.  I tend to make lists, check them off, and always have to be "doing" something to feel validated.  (Okay, I'm I'm not busy.  I'm type A. I understand and accept that).  This year, I resolve to be less scheduled.  To plan things, but be okay if the field of wildflowers looks just so pretty that I have to get out of the car and just enjoy the sunshine for 10 unscheduled minutes.  I truly believe that life happens when you're busy planning something else, and the minute beauty in something that is "meaningless" is really what it's all about.  Sign me up. 
3. To Play.  All Work and no play....much like #2, I tend to
consider a day a success only if I've "done" a certain number of things.  The workout must be done (and I love it, but it's still something to do).  The house cleaned.  Errands run.  Something off the bigger checklist accomplished.  Etc, etc etc.  Even blogging can make it to the "to do list" which really defeats the purpose of a balance blog!  Well, I don't plan to stop the list making, but I do plan to consider "playtime" functional.  A nice hike.  Making snow angels.  Coffee or shopping with a friend.  Making cookies.  Playing Dance Party on the Wii.  All fun activities.  All worth it....much more so than a clean kitchen (unless we're having company.  Then, I must clean! :-P)  So, more playing.  Less " have to do's".  I believe that it all balances out in the end, and more laughter and less "accomplishment" (word used loosely) is where it's at.

 4. To spend lots of time with the ones I love.  Self Explanatory.  I see my relatives way too infrequently...same with friends.  Phones, texting and facebook are great, but they're no substitute for catching up in person and spending time together.  Why wait for a holiday or a weekend?  Let's go running on a Tuesday or get some sandwiches on a Monday-life's too short.

 5.  To Relax....and soak in life.  To stop stressing out so much.  Make time for yoga, journaling, and other reflection time in my life.  It doesn't take much, but is so helpful in hustle bustle of everyday life. 

Well, I think that should keep me happy, busy, safe and healthy for 2013.  What's on your list?