This week marks the 18 week point in my pregnancy. I find myself comparing this pregnancy to when I was pregnant with Camille. I remember I found out what I was having, was starting to show, and starting to feel pregnant. And I have to say that things are going just about the same, but definitely exaggerated. I'm bigger with this one (or just have more fat) and absolutely feel more pregnant. We don't have our ultrasound until 20 weeks so we don't know what we're having yet.
I'm still running but have cut down quite a lot. I can manage about 40-45 minutes, but know that if I want any extra energy for the rest of the day I should keep the run around 30-35 minutes. If I want a longer workout, I do the elliptical. It's much less jarring and takes less energy in general. 30 minutes just seems so whimpy. I mean, I'm used to running 10 miles any 'ol day, so this 30 minute business is quite a shift. The running itself isn't so uncomfortable, but the pace is really uncomfortable to me. My stride is short and my feet barely leave the ground. I'm not even sure I can call it running. But still, it leaves me feeling powerful and I enjoy breathing hard, so I continue to crave and need it.
Some would say that 18 weeks is just about half way through the 40 week pregnancy. But I view it more like a marathon. The second half is much more difficult than the first, and especially week 35-40. Those weeks are like mile 20 in a marathon. You could feel great all the way up until then, and even then, but it can turn very quickly. Just wen you think you couldn't feel much worse, you do. And just when you think your belly couldn't possibly get any bigger, it does.
So right now, I guess I'm about at mile 10. I still feel pretty good, but really need to start taking care and paying attention to the task at hand. I still have a lot of work to do growing this little baby! And finishing the marathon...
