Cherry Blossom Ten Mile: A Race Day Timetable

This weekend I laced up the shoes for my first big race since giving birth, the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile in D.C. I signed up for this race on a whim about a month ago, using their bib transfer site and bought a women's entry who had to drop out (entries to this race are bought through a very high demand lottery held in December).

I wanted to run it because: 1. I had to defer to the 5K last year because of morning sickness. I walked it with my friend Kristin, but was sad to miss a race that's widely known as one of the best in D.C. and 2. As a pacer for my half-marathon in three weeks, because I wasn't sure I'd get the miles in on my own before the race (before Sunday's race, the longest training run I've done is 7.5 miles).

The logistics for running this were a mess. My husband was suddenly told on Wednesday he had to work, and had no choice Sunday morning. So, now, I was needing to get into D.C. by 7:15, find a sitter for my son, and get us all out the door quite early. Luckily, my friend Kristin (who I walked the 5K with last year) has a 9 month old son, and she lives on the way to the race, and she and her husband offered to watch Austin. Yes, I still had to wake a baby in the wee hours of the day, nurse him, get out the door, etc. but having her help made life ten times easier.

My friend Glen offered to pick me up from their place as well (I had planned to ride with him originally) so I wouldn't have to brave the metro to get into the race. That was a huge weight off my shoulders again.

Here's a timeline of Race Day:

4:45: Alarm goes off.
4:48: Peel myself out of bed, eat oatmeal with peanut butter and mixed berries on top, take the dog out.
5:00: Get dressed from the waist down and brush my teeth
5:05: Pack the car
5:10: Wake up sleepy Austin, feed him, and get him dressed
5:30: Get dressed from the top up (because of feeding), put my hair up, get Austin in his car seat, and double check the house
5:42: Pull out of the driveway
5:50: Empty interstate on the way to drop Austin off at our friend's place, he's fast asleep again in the back seat, and I'm feeling good about my morning schedule
5:55: Red and Blue Police lights come rolling up behind me. "Better get over and get out of their way," I think and move to the right. The police lights follows me as I go right, and I look at my speedometer and realize, "OH, they're pulling ME over," and proceed to receive my first race day speeding ticket (and only second ticket ever). 
6:10: Back on the road, $90 poorer, but back on my way into the District. Austin woke up because we weren't moving and is starting to fuss, and now I'm running behind. Great.
6:27: Arrive at Kristin's place, park and take Austin upstairs (who is back sleeping peacefully, thank goodness). Good luck is back with me again, as I found a parking spot easily, and right in front of their building.
6:30: My friend Glen picks me up from Kristin's place, we drive to pick up our friend Maria as well, and then pull into D.C. with less traffic commotion than I thought.
7:10: Drop my bag off at bag check, and get in line for Porta Potties with Maria. The line is moving slooooow, and from my pre-race half a diet coke and water, I do have to go.
7:30: Ditch the Porta John line and head to my corral where I meet my friend Lynne who I'm running with.
8:03: We finally cross the start line. The course for this race did not disappoint. Although the cherry blossoms were not in full bloom, with the majority of them in buds, I wasn't too torn up about it because my allergies are already acting up, and the blooming trees would have made them even worse. Conversing with Lynne helped during these miles, it was hard to get going, and around mile 2.5 I thought, "How will I keep this up today?"
9:15: At 6.5 miles, I can't hold it anymore after not getting to use the bathroom before the race. I see a REAL bathroom on the banks of the Potomac, where the wind had been whipping off of, and would for the next 1.5 miles, and have to leave Lynne to go. I'm so glad I did, it made me feel a lot better, but disappointed with the 5+ minutes it took to get done.
9:22: Back on course, and feeling so much better while jamming to my iTunes, I'm feeling a good pace. My body is starting to get sore, but I can handle it. I took ONE picture Sunday. Only ONE. And it's because when I saw this sign, I thought, "Holy moly, I'm really going to do this!" and knew I was going to complete a ten mile race 5.5 months after having my abdomen muscles literally cut in half.

10:15: I cross the finish line with my arms in the air. My stomach feels like I could barf for some reason, my legs are tight, and my abs like jello, but my pride is beaming. I see Lynne waiting for me and give her a huge hug after I cross. I DID IT.
11:15: Arrive to pick up Austin after then walking nearly an extra mile with metroing to get him. My legs are officially SHOT.

It was invigorating to run this race , and do something just for me. I love my son more than anything in the world, and he and our family are the center of my life, but I think it's important to still have a few things I own, myself. I think it makes me a better wife and mom to step away from those roles and not let them 100% define me once in awhile, and situations like this allow me to do that.

The achievement may have been mine, but as you can see throughout the day, many friends helped me get there. Kristin and Suni watching Austin, and texting me pictures of him during the race to assure me he was doing great, Glen being nice enough to give me a ride in to avoid the crowded metro, Maria standing in line with me for the porta potties when she didn't even have to go, Lynne running with me and keeping good conversation flowing to keep my mind off of miles and times, and my husband who encourages me to take every training run and is such an amazingly involved Dad.

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Tuff Butt April

 First off, Weight Check:

-1.4 Pounds

Current Weight: 158.0 lb

I'm officially at a lower weight then when we moved to Virginia and I was tipping the scales of unhealthiness. The thing is, I still feel bigger than I did then because having a baby has changed my body so much. It's insane what this "natural" process did to the structure of my body. 

We'll see if that 158 stands after an eating filled weekend for Easter (candied bacon pancakes at brunch, enough said).

There is no doubt about it, this April is nuts for some reason. Ben and I have something planned nearly every weekend, and that, plus normal life, will make for a fun month.

Two things on tap: The Cherry Blossom Ten Mile and Nike Women's Half-Marathon. I am very nervous and excited about these races. My first long distances in quite some time, and training has been less than ideal because of life happening, but I've made it out nearly every weekend for a longer run, and done at least one other workout during the week whether it's running, strength training or elliptical.  My longest run was 7.5 miles this past weekend.

That said, I've decided to adopt this calendar for April for some simple strength training that even those with hectic schedules can fit in.

Tuff Butt April, and I need it!  Iowa Girl Eats had it listed on one of her Friday Favorites as a workout, and I thought, why not? My friend Ashley is doing it as well, so we've promised to hold each other accountable.

This month, we're also headed to the Midwest for a quick weekend with family, which I'm really excited about. I've been getting a bit antsy, and I think the getaway will be great for all of us.

Yesterday, I had an amazing trip to Trader Joes that you can only have at that quirky little store. Where you find things that are random gems to spice up your diet. So, coming soon, the common blogger post of, "What I buy at Trader Joes." Get Excited. =)

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March Madness!!

-0.8 Pounds

Current Weight: 159.4 lb

Two week update! Let me tell you, I'm happy to see the 150's, soooooooo happy. 

Last week, I was actually 159.2, but with the week I've had this week, I'll take the only .2 pound gain. Because, as much as I want to lose this weight to be healthy and feel good, it's good to remember your body is here for a purpose and some days that purpose isn't getting in a workout, and some days you just have to make it through and a few cookies are the thing that help you do it. 

And that  you can't obsess over every piece of food you eat, because at the end of this life, no one is going to remember if I took an extra two months to lose the last five pounds of baby weight, but I'll remember the experiences I shared with my little family during this time.

That said, with swimming lessons starting for Austin in May, both Ben and I are hoping to be down at least another five pounds by then to feel more comfortable getting into bathing suits (Side note: I need to buy a new one piece suit. I've seen some Speedos at Costco for a good deal, but maybe just a cheap one from Old Navy??). Ben is doing weight watchers with me, and down about eleven pounds himself, go Ben!

Honestly once the first day of lessons arrives though, I think our self consciousness will go out the window. as we'll be dealing with the madness of getting a little guy, plus ourselves, ready for lessons in a locker room,  and we'll only be focused on the task at hand. I am so, SO excited to get Austin the pool, as he's already a water loving maniac in the bathtub at home.

Another big victory for me today was putting on a pair of per-pregnancy jeans. Yes, they're loaded with stretch, and I may feel like a stuffed sausage by 3:00 p.m., but I did it!

Rocking the jeans and both Austin and I rocking our Gopher gear to cheer on the U of M against UCLA in the big dance tonight. Tomorrow, we'll switch it up into Gonzaga gear for Dad's team.

Speaking of Minnesota, we have visitors here this weekend, and we're taking a shopping trip in Georgetown at some point. I'm already pumped to get a cupcake from Georgetown Cupcake (who has a lot of new gluten free varieties!) or Sprinkles. Whoever has the shortest line (I'm guessing Sprinkles).

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Weight Loss and Gain with Celiac Disease

More than anything else I've wrote about, I get a lot of e-mails from people who stumble upon my post about being diagnosed with celiac, and have either been diagnosed with themselves, or think they have celiac and have the atypical symptom of not being able to lose weight like I did.

Then I get the usual question, "were you able to drop the extra weight once you were diagnosed with celiac and stopped eating gluten?"

The answer is yes, and no.

As I spoke about when I first went on Weight Watchers early in 2012 before I got pregnant, I wasn't being great with healthy habits after I was diagnosed.

Initially after going gluten free, I lost the bloat in my abdomen, and from my what my GI doctor told me, it was because my intestines were no longer constantly irritated, although it would take quite awhile for them to be at a normal state like a non-celiac sufferer. I also lost a few pounds, and was feeling good.

However, I fell into a trap of eating quite a few gluten free substitute foods. Things I thought I HAD to try, because I couldn't have the normal version, so I needed to take advantage of having a gluten free option. There were a few things, I never would have eaten the normal version of anyway, but then felt the need to have the gluten free version because the forbidden fruit aspect of things suddenly made those foods more appealing. For instance, Glutino's version of Oreos and Fudge Sticks.

Gluten Free Snacks, Source

And, although many people mistake gluten free to = healthy, that isn't always the case, especially when it comes to sweets. These snacks are loaded with sugar and butter to make up for the lack of gluten taste, and often made with Rice flour, that has little nutritional value, but is a true belly filler.

The point of this post is to hopefully answer the question for people who do come to this space looking for answer on whether you do lose weight after a celiac diagnosis, and the answer is yes, you can. However, you still have to watch what you eat (unless you're one of the very rare, lucky ones, who never have to do that) and make good choices, and keep your activity level up. But, hopefully with a healthy lifestyle, and the right diagnosis, you can be feeling better than you have in a long time. 
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On the Verge of the 150's

-3.6 Pounds

Current Weight: 160.2 lb

This is a two weeks update, as I missed last week, not because I had a gain and didn't want to post (the opposite actually happened), but because I've just been so darn busy. Over the past two weeks I've lost 3.6 pounds, and couldn't be happier. Last week, I was surprised to see a .4 pound weight loss, since the week before I had lost 3.2 pounds, but something was working in my favor. 

I'm hoping to see the 150's when I weigh in this Friday, but we shall see. Baby Cush and I are both suffering from minor head colds that irritate us more when we're trying to sleep. I got in a run Saturday, while Ben walked with the little guy on the trails, of 3.2 miles, then walked another mile with them. 

Disappointing, as the last two weeks I've had invigorating runs on Saturdays, and this weekend my goal was to do five miles that day as I train for my Ten Mile and Half Marathon, but it wasn't going to happen with how I felt, even with gorgeous, 50 degree and sunny weather. Next week, I've committed to run six miles with Lynn to make sure I get it in, even if she has to drag me down the trail.

What's really saving my ass I believe, is meal planning. I pack my lunch nearly every day for work, and create lists for the grocery store based on meals I want to make. Plus, I have the best grocery shopping assistant!

He's become obsessed with holding things, so while navigating Trader Joes just him and I this weekend, and little room in the cart because of his car seat, I thought, "Why not let him check out the goat cheese and polenta?" He was eager to explore, and he'll be a little foodie before we know it, as he tried his first "solid" food with Oatmeal this weekend as well.

The above ingredients, helped add to this dish:

Polenta, Goat Cheese, Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Sausage and Red Sauce, 7 Points Plus

In my usual fashion, I made a double batch of what I made for dinner last night, with a portion for lunch the next day to help make eating healthy and affordable at lunch easier. I have the attitude now that if I'm putting in the effort to cook, it has to be a portion for more than one meal. 

This was SO good, and pretty easy. I think I'll make it again later this week. I use the term "easy" pretty loosely, because meals that some people call easy, now that I'm working and parenting full time, are NOT easy at all on weeknights.

I'd love to hear others easy recipes, however, as I'm always looking to spice up my selection. I think I've started to reach my limit on eating soups and chili's that I make large batches of and freeze. 

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One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

 OK, let's cut to the chase, here's the stats from my weight in Friday morning:

+1.2 Pounds

Current Weight: 163.8 lb

Well, everything I lost the week before, I gained back. I cheated in a little, and didn't move as much thanks to craziness at work, so I know that's a bit of the issue. I was also having some milk production issues and I ate extra calories certain days, working that the lack of may have been what was affecting my production. I'm not really sure what it was, but I've also upped my water intake and started taking some supplements that are supposed to help. I won't get into specifics, but I've never had an issue with production, so I kind of freaked when my levels dropped early in the week, and providing Austin strictly breast milk for his liquid food source for at least the first six months of his life is my goal above anything else. 

That said, if I'm going to eat extra calories, they don't have to be bad ones, so need to remember that. 

I wouldn't feel right if I didn't tell you all about an amazing recipe for Chicken with Honey-Beer Sauce. I stumbled upon and made for Ben and I this weekend. Oh my goodness. It was amazing (minus the parsley, not a fan of that, didn't include it). I make a lot of recipes that I enjoy, that are easy, but this was just downright freaking good. I was literally licking the extra sauce off my plate with my finger after I was through with the chicken.  I didn't even remember to take a picture, and I remember thinking, "I really need to get a picture of this for the blog," but before I knew it, it was gone. 

I promise to snap some pictures of my meals this week, as I've become a super meal planner and meal freezer for easy weeknight meals. 

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Weight Loss Update

An update from my weigh in last Friday, just a few days late, due to, what else? Craziness! Here's where I stand weight wise:

-1.2 Pounds
Current Weight: 162.6 lb

I was so happy to see a loss this week, there were some days that were great and right on track, and others where I really used my weekly extra points to the max. I really need to stick to foods that are naturally gluten free, and not use gluten free substitute foods too much because of how high in carbs and calories they are. Sometimes these products save me, and sometimes they are my worst enemy. 

This past weekend we went to Raleigh to visit my husband's sister, her husband and their 20 month old daughter, and had a great time watching she and our little guy interact.

Cousin Love

Ben's sister used Weight Watchers while losing weight from her first pregnancy, hit her goal weight, and now looks fantastic with this second pregnancy. Being that she's been in my shoes, it was great to visit them and not completely derail my diet (or at all really). For dinner Saturday she made turkey burgers and sauteed broccoli, and we also went to the gym Saturday morning where she walked on the treadmill and I walk/ran for 25 minutes. It was a great time to get away and get my workout in while the dads hung out with the kids. 

For breakfast Sunday we walked to Panera and I finally tried out Panera's Hidden Menu that I had heard about through a Hungry Girl e-mail. Let me tell you, it's awesome! Easy on the points, easily gluten free, high in protein to keep you full, and tastes great. I had the Power Breakfast Egg White Bowl with Turkey (five points), and my Sister-in-law had the Power Breakfast Egg Bowl with Steak (six points). This menu makes me want to frequent Panera even more. I'd like to try the Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad next time I go for lunch.

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