Monday, April 29, 2013

Baby Wilson: 19 Weeks



How far along? 19 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: weighs approx 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches long; about the size of a mango
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I picked up a few tops on clearance this week that can work during and after pregnancy. I’m currently looking for a dress to wear to a client meeting at the end of May. I haven’t had much luck as most things I've found either aren't dressy enough or are way too expensive. I’m glad I started looking now so I have some time to decide.
Miss anything? I went to a baseball game over the weekend and I really missed having a hot dog.  I still got a brat, but it just wasn't the same. Those grilled onions they have to put on top are just the absolute best.
Food cravings? I had part of a Jimmy John’s sub when I was volunteering at a race on Sunday. Now, I have a taste for the full deal. I’ll probably have to go at some point this week. Yummm.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Smoking is still the worst.
Sleep: Because of my cold, I haven't been sleeping very well. The congestion isn't as bad but now I have a cough. On the plus side, I finally bought a body pillow this weekend! I used it last night and slept well (with the exception of my cough waking me up in the middle of the night…) Hopefully this body pillow is the new best thing ever!
Best moment of the week: I felt the baby kick! I was driving home from the grocery store and I felt Baby kick when I was close to home. Hubs was working on the yard when I pulled in the driveway and I had to run and tell him!
Nursery: Did a few small projects but nothing major.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? The flutters have become more frequent, and as I was typing this, I got to feel another kick!
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: I have another cold! It is really frustrating as I feel like I just got over my last one (I had my last cold about 6-7 weeks ago). Thankfully it hasn't been too bad to impair my sleeping too much. I had 1 bad sleepless night and the rest of the nights have been better.
Daddy is feeling: excited to be a dad.
Mommy is feeling: sick, but overall I’m feeling good.
Workouts this week: I did a 1 mile treadmill run and a 1 mile elliptical workout. Then, I got sick and I’m winded just walking so cardio has been on a break.
Looking forward to: Our 20 week ultrasound next Monday!!

Friday, April 26, 2013

Friday Recipe: Vegetarian Chicken Salad

Yesterday I had a taste for chicken salad. When looking for recipes, Pinterest was my go-to, naturally. However, it seemed like they had a lot of recipes for salads with chicken on top, but no recipes that were fitting what I was looking for. I told my mom about it and she emailed me a delicious sounding recipe that had all the ingredients I had a taste for.

3 fake chicken breasts
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1/2 cup granny smith apples
handful of chopped almonds
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (for your vegetarian/vegan Worcestershire needs, check out FakeMeats.com!)
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Rolls to put crap on (I opted for pretzel rolls versus the traditional croissant)
Makes 4-5 healthy servings

The recipe really called for 1 small minced onion, 1 cup chopped celery, and a 1/2 cup mayonnaise. The hubs hates raw celery so I omitted it. We also are not huge fans of raw onion either so I went with the onion powder instead. Also, to cut down on some of heaviness of traditional "salad" types, I halfed the mayo and subbed for Greek yogurt.


The best thing about this recipe is that it didn't really require much. While the 3 chicken breasts were cooking, I had time to dice the green apple, half the grapes, measure out the rest of the spices and ingredients in a bowl. Since the "chicken" only takes a few minutes on each side, everything was done and ready within 10 minutes.


I really loved that this recipe had the sweet aspects of the grapes and apples, but the savory aspects of the chicken and Worcestershire sauce. I highly recommend this recipe which is why I wanted to share it with all of you!

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Workout Mash-up and Other Random Thoughts

Right now I'm feeling extremely under the weather. What started as a few sneezes on Monday has turned into a full on head cold that intensified Tuesday night and has only gotten worse. I have had a bad cold twice in the past 6 weeks and it is not fun, let me tell you. This time, I asked my doctor what I can take for it. She said Mucinex would be alright so I took some last night before bed. Now that it is wearing off, I'm back to feeling exactly how I did yesterday. Fun times, fun times. Thankfully, before things got to be too bad, I was able to get in a workout this week. (I'm hoping to feel better by the weekend to get in another run, but we'll see.)

On Tuesday I hit the treadmill with a goal of finishing 1-2 miles. After a mile, I wasn't really feeling it anymore so I headed to the elliptical and did a mile. I actually didn't hate the elliptical as much as I remember. In fact, I rather enjoyed the variety in this workout. Maybe because now things are different for my body. I move differently and my joints react differently. This pregnancy has really given me a new appreciation of what our bodies are capable of. It is quite remarkable.

And I don't think I'll be able to wear my "I Run with Fast Women" tee much longer. It was a bit tight in the abdomen/baby bump region! :) At 18 weeks, the bump is finally starting to emerge, just a tad bit. And I apologize for those that aren't familiar with me talking in "weeks." All the books and websites refer to pregnancy according to weeks. Once the baby is born, it seems like the books and websites refer to infants according to months. This is one of those things I'm learning along the way! A typical pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks and the 20 week mark is considered half-way. Since my due date is September 21st, I'm at about 4 months with 5 months left to go. Almost half way!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Baby Wilson: 18 Weeks


How far along? 18 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: approx 7 ounces and 5 ½ inches long; about the size of a bell pepper
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I had to return some things this weekend that didn’t fit, but I made some additional purchases, negating the return. Oh well!
Miss anything? Seeing everyone in their Boston Marathon jackets and seeing all my friends out there crushing their PRs and stuff, I miss spring racing season. It is always a great time for PRs.
Food cravings? Brownies. I’ve gotten my fill though this weekend so I think the craving might move on this week. We’ll see what’s next?!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Smoking is still the worst.
Sleep: I’ve had some wicked dreams and just haven’t been sleeping very well. I still can’t get comfortable when not sleeping on my back. I have 22 more weeks to go. Hopefully my body will adjust to sleeping on my side!
Best moment of the week: Finally purchasing the “My Dad is Turtely Awesome” baby onesie at Old Navy. Hubs loves turtles so it really is the perfect onesie for us. I got a bigger size so hopefully Baby will be able to wear it in the spring.
Nursery: No progress again this week. Oops.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? I've felt a few flutters here and there. I’m happy and excited to start feeling real kicks!
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: I’m feeling really tired most days. I gotta push myself to get motivated to do things. This probably has to do with the sleeping thing. My skin also remains super duper dry!
Daddy is feeling: excited to be a dad.
Mommy is feeling: good, overall! Just tired and excited. Sometimes when I get up in the morning, I forget I’m pregnant until I go look in the mirror on my way to the shower. Lol.
Workouts this week: I ran the Quarryman 5k last weekend, and didn’t really get in many workouts this past week. I got on the stationary bike for about 20 minutes, but I did a lot of walking. I haven’t been very motivated to run lately so those days may be numbered.
Looking forward to: Feeling Baby’s kicks!!

Friday, April 19, 2013

Runner Survey Link Up

Kelly the Culinarian is doing a runner survey link up. I liked her round of questions so I thought I'd participate this time around. Enjoy!

Best Run
I'd have to go with my first marathon finish. It was such an amazing experience and I'm ready to toe the line again, mentally... whenever my body and the rest of my life is ready to coincide.


Three Words that Describe My Running
Always fun to compete with/against my BRF, Maggie
Social, Competitive, Fun. I love the social aspect of running and have a lot fun at group events and group runs. I also have a bit of a competitive streak and I love having some friendly competition while not being too serious about it. The most important part about running is that it should be fun. It is a hobby! Once it stops being fun is when it is time for a break.


My Go-To Running Outfit
Oh man, this is a tough one. I run for Oiselle so I'm partial to their gear, naturally. I love the distance shorts and they are my absolute favorite. I've worn them for all of the major races that I did in the 2nd half of 2012. They have multiple pockets (both internal and external). When I run another marathon, I know these shorts will get me across the finish line with everything I need.


Quirky Habit While Running
I have this bad habit of not running in a straight line. I'll get deep in conversation and not realize that I'm running my running partner off the road. Oopsies!


Morning, Mid-day, or Evening
Gotta have the right gear to run at night!
I used to be a morning runner, but now I would rather do mid-day or evening. I would have no problem pounding out a few miles, stretching, and heading to bed.


I Won’t Run Outside When It’s
icy or thundering. I would normally run in any sort of conditions but now that I'm running for two, I'm a little more conservative. I'm not going to push it when there is a chance I could trip and fall or if conditions are just nasty. I've given up running in the freezing cold and rain until next winter/spring.


Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It
I had some knee issues when I first got into running. I was told it was because I had a weak core and my knees were taking the brunt of the force while running. Once I strengthened my core, I didn't have knee issues anymore. I've kind of fallen of the core-strengthening bandwagon lately. I should probably get on that. Probably...


I Felt Most Like a Badass Runner When
I'm running for 2. Although I'm a turtle pace, I gotta say, it feels so good to be out there moving!! :)


Potential Running Goal for 2013
I don't really have any running goals for 2013 at this point. I don't know if I'll be fit enough for Turkey Trot season, but I'm hoping to fit in a Christmas themed race and be ready to roll at the Shamrock Shuffle 2014! :)

Next Race Is
I'm volunteering at a few upcoming races, but the next race I'm actually running is the Two Rivers Meet 5k. It will be over Memorial Day weekend and we are raising money, as a family, for the Hazelden Foundation. I ran the 10k last year and we had a blast!

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Quarryman 5k Challenge Race Recap

Last year I signed up for the Quarryman Challenge 10 Miler, ready to run. Mother Nature had other plans and the race was cancelled. This year, they made a few changes: moved the race to April, modified the course, and offered an extreme discount to all participants from the previous year. I was debating whether or not to sign up when the discount was first announced last year. All things considered, I'm glad I waited. I decided to sign up for the 5k and bring along my favorite running buddy. The race didn't have anything on their website about not bringing dogs so I decided to just bring her and hope for the best.

I got to the race about an hour early and was able to pick up my packet and shirt. I always love local races and the possibility of race-day packet pickup! The swag bag contained tons of leaflets on other 5ks in the area, a unisex long-sleeved tech tee, our bibs and timing chip. I left Pepper in the car while I went to pick up the packet. After dropping things back off at the car, I picked up the pup and headed to the start. We met up with the FNRC and got a nice pre-race photo.

I got a special one of me and the pup in our race day outfits too.

My strategy going into this race was to take it easy (obviously). I was going to walk up all the hills and see how I felt on the flats. I liked that the 5k and 10 mile races had 2 different start times. It helped avoid confusion when deciding paths. We also didn't run into the 10 milers on the course which I thought was helpful and kept things nice and organized. My Garmin didn't feel like working so I don't have an elevation map of the course. There were a lot of hills, but I felt like it was a comfortable amount. If I was running the course for time, I probably would have been pretty frustrated. Since I was running it for fun, I had a good time. The volunteers along the course were helpful, encouraging, and all really nice. Then again, it might have been since I had an adorable furry four-legged pal keeping me company. There was a water stop about halfway through and then another one near the end. As Pepper had to take care of some "business" close to the end of the race, I'm glad that water stop was there so I could use their garbage can.
Pepper and I mid-race
Source

Fitting traditional pregnant lady stereotypes, I had to pee about a mile into the race and there weren't any port-a-potties along the course. That certainly made the 2nd half of the course interesting. Lol. Some members of the FNRC were there at the finish to cheer us all in as we finished. The post race party had some nice perks including water bottles, orange slices, juice, pizza, and beer. I was a little disappointed I couldn't partake in the beer (it was Summer Shandy, my favorite), but I did enjoy a piece of pizza. As I know most of the runners hadn't yet come in from the 10 miler, I only grabbed 1 slice (and gave Pepper my pizza crust. She totally earned them). Maggie's husband Robert and I hung around with some other FNRC members while we waited for the 10 milers to finish.

I ran into Erica who did an amazing job on the course (despite accidentally driving to the wrong location before the race). I was also able to see Maggie chick a few dudes and finish strong! I would have hung around for the raffle, but it was just too cold and I really needed a warm beverage. Before we had even left the parking garage, Pepper was sound asleep in the back seat.
Maggie & I after the race

All in all, I'm glad I did this race. It is a nice, well organized event that I would recommend for anyone looking for a challenge or to switch things up. The 10 miler is definitely the flagship event and many of the local fasties soak up the age group awards. I would still like to maybe do the 10 miler at some point in the future. This race was very dog-friendly. Pepper was one of 3 dogs I saw participating in the event. There were also quite a few dogs on the sidelines. All the dogs were well behaved and I was really glad I brought her. I would highly recommend this race if you live in the area or not. I think the challenge of this fun event is worth the drive.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Pepper's First 5k

Since Pepper had her very first 5k over the weekend, she wanted to share her own thoughts of the race.

Saturday morning started just like any other day of the week, except Mom put an awful t-shirt on me. I hate wearing t-shirts. After going outside and eating breakfast, I got to go for a ride in the car. Mom seemed really excited so I knew it was going to be a fun day. When I got out of the car and started walking, there were tons of people everywhere! It was so great! I got so much attention an so many pets! It was the best morning ever!

After a little while, we lined up in a big crowd. I still didn't know what were doing until we started moving. We were going for a run! This is my favorite activity! I always like to go up ahead but Mom always stops me. There were lots of hills so I didn't mind the walking. I didn't understand why we were running in the street. I kept trying to go on the normal sidewalks but was led into the street. As a good dog though, I did what I was told.

All of the people helping during the race were so nice. They smiled and gave me encouraging words. It really helped keep me going!
Source

As we were running most of the time on the street, when I saw grass, I just knew I had to take care of some business. Luckily Mom was there to clean it up because it was pretty stinky. More volunteers gave me a pat on the head as I ran by and I knew we were getting close to the end. I tried to sprint ahead and finish strong but Mom held me back as usual. That's okay though, I still had fun. After the race was over, I was happy to sit and relax for a little bit. But then more and more people came by and I was just so excited to see everyone! I loved that they had pizza at the finish line since pizza is my favorite. I tried to sneak a slice when no one was looking, but someone was always looking, unfortunately. Luckily Mom and one of her friends gave me their crusts. They were delicious!

I had such a fun time at my first 5k and I hope to run many more! It was perfect weather too! I never got too hot. Well, all this typing has got me tired. Time for a nap.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Baby Wilson: 17 Weeks

I'm very saddened by the events that took place in Boston yesterday. I can't help but tear up thinking of my own family waiting at the finish line as I finished my first marathon. It was a tragic day. I hope everyone has connected with their family and friends that were in Boston yesterday, and I pray for those that have not.  The Chicago Running Bloggers are working on putting on an event to help the victims of the violent acts that took place yesterday. I will post more when I have more information.

Time for this week's Baby Wilson Update! :)

How far along? 17 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: approx 5 ounces and 5 inches long; about the size of a turnip
Maternity clothes: wearing them? Yes. I got bought some more summer things at Old Navy over the weekend, including a few little onesies for Baby. I couldn’t pass it up! :)
Miss anything? Sushi, I just might have to get some non-raw stuff this week!
Food cravings? I’m still loving bacon egg and cheese biscuits. I just might have to get some real bacon so I can make some more this week. Yum!
Anything making you queasy or sick? Some cologne has really got my wanting to hold my nose.
Sleep: I forgot to buy a body pillow this weekend, but I have gotten some better sleep this weekend compared to others. Laying on my back is pretty much a non-option at this point so I either sleep on my side or don’t sleep.
Best moment of the week: Hearing baby’s heartbeat again! There really is no sweeter sound!
Nursery: Meh, no progress this week. That’s okay, we got some time.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? I’m pretty sure I felt my first flutter last week, and felt another one over the weekend. We’ll see though as I should probably start to feel something in the next week or so.
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: I’m just hungry all the time. I’m trying my best not to count my calories, listen to my body, and just make sure I fit in a balance in some way!
Daddy is feeling: Not nearly as nervous as mom.
Mommy is feeling: Much more confident after hearing the heartbeat. I feel like I’m actually starting to show a little bit. I feel pregnant; it is nice to know that I’m starting to look the part. Lol.
Workouts this week: I ran a 5k with Pepper but didn’t do much cross training. I was pretty sore from the Shamrock Shuffle so I gave my body a rest. I think I’m going to keep the running to just 2 days a week.
Looking forward to: Our ultrasound in 2 weeks!!!

Monday, April 15, 2013

My Favorite Spring Gear

Spring is finally here and there are lots of spring races around the corner! The sun is shining and the flowers are (finally) starting to bloom! Here is my list of my favorite must-have spring pieces for your running wardrobe!

1. Rain Jacket
"April showers bring May flowers" as the saying goes. Rain is inevitable throughout the spring and sometimes it can be more chilling than refreshing. I would suggest getting something light without a thick or fleece liner. It is always easier to add more layers and sometimes just the jacket is enough on a rainy day. Plus, you want your gear to be able to translate to summer too.I highly recommend going up a size in a rain jacket so it can double as a snow jacket in the winter months (with a few extra layers of clothing underneath).


2. Capris
This may seem obvious but I feel like I never have enough capris. I have plenty of shorts as far as they eye can see, but sometimes a girl needs to have her thighs covered up with the chill in the air. Capris are perfect and I love to have a few pairs with a few different lengths. Be sure to snag a pair that has at least 1 pocket for your keys, etc. otherwise you may be left with an inconvenient problem of where to put your stuff.


3. Short Sleeved Shirts
It seems like more and more races are giving out short sleeved shirts so you may have an over-abundance of these. However, I do have a few favorites that I always like to have around (and some that are worth doing laundry for). It is crucial to find one that is comfy, wicks sweat appropriately, and doesn't ride up!


4. Baseball Hat/Visor/Sunglasses
I ran my first marathon in a visor and I hated it. I don't know why. I made the switch to baseball hats and I feel much more comfortable. Maybe it comes from my youthful days of playing softball, but I much prefer the baseball hat. Either way, you probably want to get something that shields your face from the sun. If you get it for spring, it will translate to summer seamlessly! Also, don't forget the sunscreen!


5. Arm Warmers
Some spring days can be surprisingly cold, especially in the morning. That is why arm warmers are so fantastic! You can wear them up when you're cold and push them down when you get warm. I've gotten lots and lots of use out of mine on race days and on training days! Be sure to try out a few brands to find out what works best for you.

6. Smile!
Winter is behind us! This is the perfect time of year to start getting out there and get moving! The weather is warming up, the snow has melted, and the trail is calling your name! I'll be out there smiling, that's for sure! :)

What are your favorite spring essentials? What would you add to this list?

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Shamrock Shuffle 8k Race Recap

The Shamrock Shuffle... One of my favorite races of all time. This race is nostalgic to me for many different reasons. This was my 7th time doing this race! It is crazy to think that much time has gone by since my first Shuffle so long ago.

This year, however, my "race" strategy was quite different. I didn't plan to run the whole thing, I just planned to finish. I had changed my goals a few times and in the end I decided to run 2 miles, walk 2 miles, run the last mile. I've run 3 miles before and felt fine so I thought that would be a good strategy for the race.

The expo was held at Navy Pier as usual. Maggie and I were unexpectedly late for our blogger meeting at the Bean with Eric. He was gracious enough to wait for us so that worked out well. Why were we late? We were stuck by a drawbridge, no joke.

We finally made it to our destination and took a few quick pics (obviously).

Expos really aren't what they used to be. Perhaps it is because the sport of running has become so popular? Either way, I always have such high expectations for the freebies at this expo. And the past few years just haven't been the same. I did get some frozen keifer (yum) and I got to try a few flavors of Nuun and Clif bar... but nothing really outstanding. We did run into a few FNRC members there, go figure!
Maggie and I outside the expo

Later that day, I had been texting my friend Kate discussing my race "strategy." She was debating not doing it because she has been feeling under the weather. I asked if she wouldn't mind sticking with me at my pace (as she is usually much faster) and we can keep our streak going. (This was her 6th Shamrock Shuffle.) Kate graciously agreed so I was happy to have a buddy to share the race experience with!

Sunday morning, Maggie came to my house and we carpooled downtown together. We parked in the typical $2 lot and headed to the Hilton to meet up with the rest of the FNRC. (Can you spot fellow local bloggers Amanda and Amanda?)

Ready to shuffle in my Oiselle singlet and Sparkle Skirt!

I said goodbye to all my Wave 1 friends and wished them luck on a great race. Kate met me at the Hilton soon after and we hung around there before heading to our start in wave 2.
Kate and I, in wave 2, waiting 45+ minutes to start the race!

I have to say, I was really glad I had a buddy in the corral with me. We waited a long time for the race to start (over 45 minutes) as we were in J, the 2nd to last corral. Once we got rolling though, it was fun to be moving! I don't think I've ever started this far back in a race before and I felt like there were definitely some big differences. I did feel a few times that I might get run over by someone that was doing the "sprint and walk" method of racing. When we were walking, we moved to the side to not inconvenience the other runners, and for our own safety. We actually ran into a few other friends on the sidelines and running the race! Its crazy what a small world the running community can be! I didn't run into Anne at all, who was also in corral J. But with such a huge race, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. We kept to my strategy and I had to tell myself not to kick it into high-gear as we were heading down Michigan Avenue, near the end. Lol. Kate and I smiled for the finish photo and hopefully it is a good one!

Now that the race was over, it was time to find some of my other friends that were running the race! I met up with Maggie and ran into local fastie Nicole. They both ran PRs and had a great time. It really was beautiful weather and a great day for a race!
Photo courtesy of Maggie

And then, it was time for brunch! Thanks to all my friends that supported me and waited for me as I was out there! I had a fabulous time and will definitely be back again next year!! :)

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Baby Wilson: Week 16



How far along? 16 weeks
Baby’s size/development this week: approx 4 ounces and about the size of an avocado
Maternity clothes: wearing them? yes. I’ve just started to get a few pieces here and there… work pants have been my main gripe! Thankfully I have a few pieces to get me through the next month or so.
Miss anything? Craft beer
Food cravings? Bacon egg and cheese biscuits. I still haven’t gotten the one I was craving last week. I forgot to make one over the weekend.
Anything making you queasy or sick? Cigarette smoke, but that was a thing before I was pregnant
Sleep: I’m no longer able to sleep comfortably on my back. I can feel the weight of the babe pressing down and it is very uncomfortable. I am not a side sleeper so I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I want to get one of those “pregnancy pillows” or just a body pillow to make this whole sleeping thing a bit easier.
Best moment of the week: Finishing my 7th Shamrock Shuffle, complete with mini baby bump!
Nursery: I’m still working on the closet project but I made some headway this weekend. Of of the clothes that were hanging in the guest closet are now in my normal closet. Next up, I have to tackle the shoes project.
Wedding rings on or off? on
Movement? I have been feeling gas bubbles that may or may not be the baby. Lol. I’m excited to start feeling movement in the next few weeks!
Weird pregnancy thing of the week: My skin is soooo dry! Although, we’re starting to get some rain this week so hopefully that will help with the dryness.
Daddy is feeling: Excited in general about being a dad.
Mommy is feeling: Nervous all the time. I haven’t had a doctor’s visit since 13 weeks. I haven’t felt any movement or seen an ultrasound so there is just some anxiety over everything being okay. I have an appointment on Thursday that will put me more at ease… (I hope)
Workouts this week: More than I would have thought. Walked a ton and got in some running, including two group runs and a race!
Looking forward to: Our ultrasound next week!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Scones: The Perfect Weekend Breakfast

The other day I was talking to my cousin and she gave me a scone recipe. She said her husband has become a scone junkie since she started making these so I just had to give them a try. The recipe is simple enough with only a few ingredients.

Ingredients:
2 cups flour (I'll probably try whole wheat flour next time)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder (note: baking powder is different than baking soda)
1/2 tsp salt
1 pt (16 oz) whipping cream
toppings or whatever you'd like to mix in

I made mine with pb2 (but I didn't add enough and the flavor didn't come through), bananas (I probably could have used 2 bananas instead of 1) and chocolate chips (I used half the bag and this is the most dominant flavor)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all dry ingredients. Next, add in toppings until evenly distributed. Lastly, add in all of that whipping cream. Mix until there are no dry pockets. The batter will be very sticky.

Plop dollups of batter onto a greased baking sheet (I just spread a little olive oil around a baking sheet with a paper towel and that worked out well). Feel free to place dollups close together as the scones do not rise or expand while cooking. They pretty much keep their shape. Toss into the oven for 20-24 minutes.

The smaller ones were ready by about 20-22 minutes where I let the bigger guys cook for a little longer. I used an oven timer as it was hard to tell by looking at them if they were done.
Lay on a cooling rack for quicker post-cooking consumption.

This recipe was SUPER EASY and delicious. The only thing I didn't already have on-hand was whipping cream. I had one for breakfast this morning and will probably have one every day this week!  I think next time I'm going to try mixing in some frozen blueberries. I will let you know how they turn out! If you make this recipe, please let me know what ingredients you try and what works best for you!

Monday, April 8, 2013

Weekly Cardio Summary 3/31-4/7

Miles Walked: 10+ miles
Commuting miles: 7.2 miles
Expo weekend miles: ~3 miles
I did a lot of walking this weekend at the expo as well as during the race on Sunday. It was a busy week for sure!


Tuesday: 2 miles at Road Runner Sports
This was the first week I had planned to run 3x in one week. I wanted to get back into a regular schedule and making running part of the routine (as long as I still feel comfortable doing it). The run was a lot of fun and special thanks to Maggie and Amanda for sticking with my "pregnancy pace." (Recap of the RRS event)


Thursday: 3 miles with the FNRC
In retrospect, I probably should have only done 2 miles in preparation for the race on Sunday, but I didn't really think things through. But... I felt great and had a great time seeing my FNRC friends for the first time in (literally) months. Hopefully I'll be able to make more runs throughout the spring. And special thanks to Diane, Jill and Melanie who stuck with me at my comfortable pace! Much appreciated!


Sunday: Shamrock Shuffle 8k
My original plan was to run with Anne and keep the pace nice and easy. But the more I thought about it, I didn't want to run the entire race. I didn't want to run more than 3 miles because I hadn't gone that far before. I wanted to take it easy and be on the conservative side. My friend Kate is getting over a bad cold so she agreed to run/walk with me at my pace. I'll have a full recap of the race later this week so I won't get into too many details. But, I will let you know that I crossed the finish line of my first race this year and it felt fantastic! :)

This upcoming week I'm going to take it very easy. My body is sore from the shuffle so I may focus more on lower impact workouts this week including the rowing machine, the stationary bike, and prenatal pilates. I also go in for a doctor checkup this week. Looking forward to hearing the heartbeat again! Also, I have another ultrasound due in the next few weeks and I'm sure I won't be able to help myself from posting a photo or 2. :)

Friday, April 5, 2013

My Thoughts on Food and Pregnancy

Alright folks. As a fair warning, things are about to get real. I'm going to talk about some of my issues with food.

I've eluded a few times on my Facebook page that I have had my previous battles with food. I was in college and I didn't "technically" have an "eating disorder" but I definitely had an unhealthy relationship with food. I was going through some things in my personal life so food became something that I obsessed over. It was a major control thing. I had to have total control over my body and what I was eating. It was something that was starting to spiral completely out of control. There is one photo that I saw, of me at my thinnest, that really scared me and helped me realize that I had a problem. I also had some friends at the time that helped open my eyes to my issues (they actually talked to me frankly about it). I was able to retake control of myself and my eating and figure out the balance that I like to talk about from time to time. I added cheese and butter back into my diet and allowed myself to indulge in french fries occasionally. (I also found out how easy it is to gain weight. I ate a hot dog before bed every night for a week and that helped out a lot.) I also re-discovered running around that to help with that balance as well. I no longer worried about the number on the scale, but it was more about how I felt. It was about how I felt in my clothes and how they fit as opposed to how I looked when I didn't have any clothes on. I had a few points here and there over the next few years where I would catch myself starting to do some of the same things or obsess over something. But I was able to recognize the symptoms and make adjustments accordingly. I felt like I finally had everything under control, consistently, for years. I got married, ran a marathon, and did lots of other stressful things without falling into the same old habits.

And then I got pregnant

All over the baby books, websites, and everything else is all about eating. What foods you need to eat, how much of this vitamin you need, how much of this vitamin you need to avoid, eat this, don't eat that, listen to your cravings... all the while you have to only gain this much weight, stay within this range, this many weeks along you should only gain this many pounds... IT IS EXHAUSTING!! I am constantly thinking about food. Am I eating the right things? Am I eating too much? Am I eating enough? I ate some unhealthy things the other day(s), am I outside the normal weight gain range? I have little to no self control anymore; I am almost always clearing my plate. And I'm not even halfway through the pregnancy yet. I know all the stress I put on myself isn't good, so I try not to stress myself out. But then I'll weigh myself and see a number 1 pound outside the "normal" weight gain range for my pre-pregnancy weight, and that sends me into an emotional state that I'm not doing this right, etc. etc... I have a calorie counter app that I try to only half-heartedly use (to not become too obsessed) but then I still end up obsessing over it when I'm not using it.

The whole "balance" thing while pregnant is much more difficult than I ever imagined.

I keep reminding myself that I just have to try my best--that's all I can do! Many women go outside the normal pregnancy weight gain range and still have perfectly healthy babies (and also lose the weight post-pregnancy). I just need to not stress about the small stuff (1 pound, really?) and just try to have some fun. It isn't just about me anymore! I have to put my own issues aside and think about what is best for Baby Wilson! I want nothing but the best for this little bundle of joy, and I just have to try my best in doing so. :)

I guess this post is really just me venting about something that I've been thinking about and struggling with A LOT lately. As women (and human beings), I'm sure we all struggle or have our own relationship with food and every person's experience is different. I guess, I never thought I would be running into these feelings all over again. I'm lucky to have a supportive husband who never ever makes comments about what I'm eating or how something fits (in a negative way). This pregnancy stuff is hard work! But I hear it is all worth it in the end!

I feel a little better having just shared my thoughts with all of you. Thanks for reading/listening. :)

And in case you were wondering, here is what the bump looks like these days. I can barely notice a difference from week to week in these photos, but from my view, looking down... things have definitely gotten bigger. Also, all my dress pants fit terribly and I'm starting to venture into a few maternity things here and there. I'm open to suggestions on where to shop if you have some. I'll be putting a post together about my maternity clothes experience in the weeks to come!

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Road Runner Sports Blogger Meetup

A few weeks ago, Maggie (who organizes Chicago Running Bloggers) coordinated with Road Runner Sports who put together an event at a local Chicago store (1435 N Kingsbury St.) inviting all of the Chicago Running Bloggers. We met up for a fun run to test out some new Mizunos. Apparently we all (with the exception of Lauren) need a stability shoe and are wearing the jazzy blue Inspire 9s. (I have a pair of Inspire 8s that I really like.)
Thanks for the pic Amanda!

As I am moving slower than the rest of the group these days, Amanda and Maggie volunteered to run with me at my current "pregnancy pace." As I haven't been to the area in a long time, I was thankful to have some buddies with me! Little nugget felt great on the run and I did a total of 2 miles (although the rest of the group went out for 3 miles). We took a group photo upon returning, while waiting for more bloggers to arrive. There was water, beer, and pizza waiting for us to enjoy.
L to R: Lauren, Erin, me, Amanda, Maggie, Sierra
Photo courtesy of Amanda

The local store manager went through the ShoeDog process that Road Runner Sports offers, including gait analysis, custom orthotics, along with shoes and socks to match your foot. It sounded quite interesting and I would have loved to try it... However, I'm sure my gait will change as I grow in the next few months and it might change completely after giving birth. Either way, I think I would like to come back after Baby Wilson for the total set up.

They also had a local chiropractic company offering up free massages. The masseuse I had was certified in prenatal so he did some simple "shake out" moves on my legs. After our long drive home from New Orleans over the weekend, the massage felt amazing! They do offer prenatal massages so I may be back, we'll see. :)

They also had a few raffle prizes including free entry to a local 5k as well as a free massage. I won free entry to the 5k but it is the same day as Ragnar. However, there may be a giveaway for said 5k in the future for all of you!... I'll keep you posted, of course. There were talks of a bigger raffle but it never ended up taking place. I'm not sure what happened there, but since I won free entry to the 5k, I was unable to win anything else anyways.

A nice perk was that VIP members were given 20% off any purchase made in the store (instead of the usual 10%) and I believe that included shoes too. I ended up purchasing a Honey Stinger Waffle (I've never had one before) and a new Nuun flavor I've been eyeing (cherry limeade).

All in all, I had a fun time hanging out and chatting with some other local bloggers. I got to meet some new faces (and pass out handy dandy fancy blogger business cards). I think Road Runner Sports is a nice store in the city and a better alternative than the big box all-sports retailers with a friendly staff and better customer service. I've always favored my local running store but I like the idea of the extensive ShoeDog gait analysis.  Have you ever been to Road Runner Sports before? I know they have locations all over the US. What was your experience? Did you like the ShoeDog program?