Life and Running Update

So, I can’t believe it’s been four months since I last blogged! Life has been busy, and I haven’t had much to say. Or maybe, I’ve had stuff to say—I just couldn’t tell anyone yet! BIG things are happening around here…

These last few months have been full of life and fun and exciting new things—and a lot less running. I did end up running the full at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in November—I think I was contemplating whether or not to run the half when we last left off. I took it somewhat easy and I ran a 3:57 something, I think 3:57:15, but I am far too lazy to look it up right now 🙂

I felt pretty good the whole race, but it was definitely a battle between my legs, which wanted to go faster, and my brain, which knew I needed to take it easy. It was a great race though, because I wasn’t aiming for a goal time. I just ran.

A few days after the race, I found out some exciting news—Actually, I’ll let Max tell you:

We’re beyond excited to be adding another baby boy to the Sharp family! And of course, this development is why I haven’t blogged. I can’t keep secrets very well, and it would be hard to talk about running when there is something huge that’s affecting my running!

Pregnancy has changed my running a lot this time around. When I was pregnant with Max, all I had to do was work and run. I could work all day, come home and rest for a while, run, and then rest some more. Now I have a toddler to look after, and that’s really magnified my exhaustion. Through my first trimester I tried to keep up the early morning wake-ups, but I was struggling to keep my eyes open in the evenings with Max. I now only get up early a couple of mornings a week, and the other days I squeeze a quick workout in at lunch or after Max has gone to sleep.

Holy Bump – and ridiculous bun 😉

I’m also running a lot less mileage and zero intensity. I’m having more aches and pains than I did while running with Max, and I’ve had some issues that may lead to me having to stop running through this pregnancy completely. That’s yet to be determined.

What would my blog be without unrelated pictures mixed in with lots of rambling?

In the meantime, I’ve added in a lot more cross training and rest days. You know, things that I should have been doing when I was marathon training. I got a bike trainer so that I can ride my bike inside and it’s really starting to grow on me. Cycling is certainly in my blood, as my father did the Race Across America a few times in the early ‘80s, my brother is a cyclist and manager at a bike shop, and my sister is an ironman. I basically grew up on a bike, so I know my dad is thrilled that I’m finding my way back to it!

Max is showing off how fun cross-training can be!

I also have found that walking on an incline can be just as heart-pounding as running, and I like to mix that in as well. I’m doing yoga a couple of times a week with some modifications to the poses, and I’m lifting light weights a few times a week as well. Even if I quit running completely until after I deliver the baby, I think all of these things will make the return to running that much easier! Why didn’t I do any of this stuff before?

Anyway, I will do my best to check-in here and update on my workouts, pregnancy and one day—my return to racing!

And because I am a proud mom and am unable to stop myself – here are more pics of my favorite little dude: