5k @ 20 Weeks and Some New Gear:-)

Don't get too excited, I didn't race it.  I just ran one on my trusty TM after work yesterday.  My plan was to do my new normal of two miles, but it seemed like I hit a groove and the hubs was playing with Braxton, so I pushed through to see if I could still comfortably run the 3.1.  I managed it in 35 minutes, which is by no means speedy, but not horrible considering I started at a more than comfortable 5.0 mph and played around with it from there.  I even finished at a 7.0 pace, which even for non-prego Gina means my legs were a movin';-)

I bought myself a pregnancy support belt last week and took it for another spin today.  Due to my belly getting bigger, running just feels different.  It's hard to describe, but I think the belt helps take some of the pressure off and do notice like others have said that after a mile or two my running body feels better.  Towards the end of today's run, I actually felt somewhat normal.  As time goes on, I'm just going to get bigger and will be re-learning to waddle, so I'll take any "normal" feelings I can!

Not me;-)

This is the one that I got, which is sold through Motherhood Maternity/A Pea in A Pod...apparently the two stores are one in the Mall of America, where my mom & I went shopping this past Friday.  One of Minnesota's perks:-).  On the scale of cheap to fairly expensive, this was on the cheap range ($18), but came highly recommended by HR Girl, who was nice enough to respond to an e-mail when I inquired as to what she had used.  That girl responds quickly and she's got like a billion readers, gotta love her!

We also stopped at Tri Fitness, which is a running/biking/swim (tri sports) store in between where we live north of the Twin Cities and the MOA, which is south of the TC.  I managed to spend more money than I wanted to that day and it included a new pair of running shoes.  I was past due though, as my Mizuno's were bought about this time last year and I'm pretty sure they have way more than 250 miles on them!

Etonic Brand

These are close to or the exact shoes I bought.  $115, more than I wanted to spend, but I felt bad writing their suggestion down and then googling for the cheapest price, so I bought them there.  My quick google search a minute ago didn't yield much cheaper results, so I don't have to feel too bad about overspending I guess.  I think I'm going to keep them inside until after the Spring thaw though in order to try and keep them "clean" as long as possible!  They're a bit white and will probably get dirty fast.

I also ended up with some large running capri's, a maternity hoodie, and an XL built in bra running tank.  Normally I'd be a S/M in pants and the tank, but since maternity workout clothes suck (at least in the budget I'm looking for, which equals cheap), I figured I'd just up size, which seems to be working out okay for now.  I read on someone else's (smarter) running blog that it's best not to stretch out your workout clothes as you keep getting bigger while pregnant; rather buy a few pieces to get you by, so as not to ruin all of your good stuff.  Not that any of my stuff is particularly expensive, but it's a good point nonetheless.

I bought a few other maternity shirts and a pair of jean capri's, which I may be rocking all Summer and am happy with my purchases so far.  The belt seems to be helping and I can really tell the difference with my new shoes.  The guy that sold them to me said their brand (they're from overseas, can't remember exactly which country, Finland?) is gaining popularity here after an Olympic athlete just won 3 gold medals or something wearing them.  I'm willing to give them a try, especially as I tried on a few and the guy that fitted me is a podiatrist from Canada...super nice, guy moved here after meeting his wife here traveling.

The fitness theme continues...now if I could just get back to doing some fiction writing;-)

Any new fitness related purchases for you lately?