Walking a Race. . .Living a Dream!

Yesterday was a huge event for me. . .The Soldier Field 10 Miler.

Held around Memorial Day Weekend, it is usually more of a tribute for the fallen soldiers of the past. It has become more of a Chicago Bears thing too since Soldier Field is the home of the Chicago Bears. Being that I am so sentimental it was a big deal for me. (and I am a Bears Fan) I initially signed up for this race in December 2012 for a good price with the notion that I was going to train for it and it would be my last stitch effort to see if I had the stuff for the Chicago Women's Half Marathon a month later. I signed up for both in December and took a deep breath and pressed "send" twice while thinking in my mind how I was going to have to train for all this. Once February hit and we got the positive pregnancy tests all my training had flown out the window as the first three months was loaded in sleep. After visiting an expo before the Shamrock Shuffle I was told these few valuable words. . ."You can walk this race." And that was EXACTLY what I was going to try and do.

It was the first time ever that I had a bib with my name on it. I loved the shirt since it had Bears colors on it.

What I was not expecting was how hard it would be.

But I kept a smile on my face regardless

Walking was just as hard as the running I think. I walk way too slow and so I ran a little here and there. If I ran too much though I had to use the bathroom and it seemed like I was running to the port-o-potties more so than trying to finish. But, what I didn't expect when I ran through the North East entrance of the stadium was a big wow factor. There were people in the stands cheering and huge jumbo trons with YOU on them running into Soldier Field. . . the floor of Soldier Field as if you were a Chicago Bear. Of course, I ran in with such enthusiasm and took pictures of me with the bump.

The look of a happy 19 week pregnant lady

Who was right behind me but a happy 22 weeks pregnant mama! Us posing with our baby bumps.

After the glow of being in Soldier Field, I walked around to the more outer public area and there they were. . .

ACTUAL SOLDIERS!

In their hands were the medals. They put them on you and I wanted to cry so badly but I had to hold it in since I was supposed to be hard core with it. WOW! Was it amazing! Soldiers in Soldier Field presenting us with medals. Sometimes I wish it was the other way around but this is cool too. A photographer was there to take pictures of you with your medal near the soldier statues in the stadium and gift bags were given. I was so sore yesterday but it was totally worth it!

My medal is gorgeous! Does it look better than the other ones I have. I hate to say it but yes.

  Would I do this race again next year? I would if I could find a babysitter and I would love to have hubby do it with me. I think he would really like this race. It was well organized and thought out. The route was full of hills but every race has to have at least two hills right? It was beautiful scenery as you would see the factories and smokestacks in Indiana with great lake views within the first five miles and coming back you would see a great view of downtown. I also ran into old and new friends. Such a beautiful event and I hope to do it again. Next up and possibly last on the list is the Chicago Women's Half Marathon which I must get a good walking training routine going next week because I was so sore after the Soldier Field race!

just do it!

Pregnant and Running

I have yet to announce it on this blog but many others, facebook and pinterest- I am currently pregnant. I have signed up for races before finding out. See how this blog will be modified to fit the pregnant workout gal!

5 weeks pregnant and the day before I found out.

Side Workout

This weekend, I participated in the Chicago Cinco de Miler. Amazingly, when you finished you were awarded a medal. I got two- one for me and one for the little fetus. My next event is a 10 miler but I am actually going to walk this race as I am not in the capacity to train  for a 10 mile race being as I am currently in my second trimester. But, that does not mean that I do not try to work on speed walking.

This picture was taken when I was 12 weeks. I did not PR (as I do not plan on PR'ing at all this year.) but I did finish in an hour. This was an 8k. Pretty pleased with myself I thought I could keep going and training but my breath has been getting pretty short within each week.

This is where I have begun to train with more yoga and walking. I still try to run but my distances are much shorter and my pace is slower. I currently have two yoga DVD's which I have been trying them out and seeing about them. Here are my reviews if you are more of a novice athlete like myself.

Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea

This video is 70  minutes and is full of gentle stretches and practice yoga for preparation of delivery. I must be honest, I do not regularly go to the yoga studio to do yoga since I feel like a whale and there is a lot I can not do with the instructor's commands even though they tell me before I walk in, "No twists, inversions, or being on your stomach." And, I can't go to the extreme hot classes because why would I do that? Don't want to hurt the fetus. Pros of this video is that it is gentle and safe enough to do as a beginner. Cons of this video is that you need tons of props. You need a rug or a carpet or something like that, a block, a strap and a chair. I bought this video at a second hand video store for $1 but I had no idea I had to spend even more money for props. Well, in my case just the chair.

Pre-Natal Power Vinyasa Yoga with Meghan Coy (Core Power Yoga)

This video is currently 60 minutes and offers a different style of yoga than the prior video. While Shiva Rea focuses on Iyengar yoga which is more stretching and gentle, Meghan Coy is a Core Power Yoga gal who is more into what I am into pre-pregnancy; Vinyasa or "flow" yoga. Vinyasa is more intense than Iyengar but both flow with breath. This was faster and had no props. If you are a beginner, this video is not best to begin with as you are doing chaturunga (at your choice), sit ups (unless you are farther along like myself), and arm balances like crow pose. Pros of this video is no props unless you want them to enhance your practice. Cons is that it is not for someone who is just trying yoga for her first time. This video cost me about $12 and I see it every Saturday when I am working the front desk.

Enjoy the pregnancy and the modified working out!