a life beyond running shoes.

stef is in the lottery for the NY marathon to run with TNT- of course i am in the lottery as well but that means diddlesquat! thankfully she is still game for some slow runs around the park with pregers here. this morning: 6:30AM, 48 degrees - what, you say, 48 degrees - yes......it was cold and we both had no idea how to dress. funny thing about getting used to the warmer weather - it is hard to go back. well, i can say that i made it up the hill but didn't really want to go much further. it was a slow but tough run for me. i gotta keep getting out there but it is such a mind game cuz it has gotten harder. that is not as much fun..... but it was a great run with stef! thanks for the partnership.....

john and i got to go to a black tie fundraiser on saturday night for the midtown pregnancy support center . it was a great evening with some friends that had moved away. it was nice to get all dolled up for the evening.....even if we didn't stay for the dancing because prego here was "too tired." it was worth it for the salad and the dessert - dinner did not appeal to my pregnant stomach.

i had a great run this morning. thankx, stef. what a great way to start the day (that ended up being grey and chilly). with great news, a good run, and good conversation that you just don't want to end. i guess i really do like you, my friend, stef (wink, wink). thanks for letting me share your life, for the joy of sharing your excitements, but also for when i get to share your lows. it was good to talk about my fears with this change in my life but also the ones that you share. what if we never see each other when it becomes to hard for me to get my growing behind up that hill or after the baby comes if i can't get back to where i am now..... i guess we just cross that bridge and just as life's circumstances have to change - we will have to navigate the changes that it creates for our friendship. i think we can do it - why do you think i suckered you in for the book club. i guess instead of pavement we can always connect over coffee.... yet, i will miss the sweat...

our very own brand, spanking new jog stroller!!! ours is in a much cooler orange. i took it for my first loop this morning with stef. i don't think the stroller and me prego go well with group running. the hill was a true challenge, but it was still a great run with sassy stef and her new haircut. it was 60 degrees and sunny. i am loving the shorts and tee thing. there were a ton of people out - i have that small moment of pride when i think how none of them were out pounding pavement three months ago - I WAS!!! a moment of gloating that is well deserved. shout our to my gals for an AWESOME race on sunday.

i went for a sonogram just to make sure everything was okay due to some spotting last week - and there really is a baby in there. not that i doubted it in the least (actually i totally still did not believe that sweet baby #2 was on its way) - but i heard the heartbeat and have a picture of a kidney beans shaped baby. holy cow! i do have to hit the pause button on my running regime until my doctor can look over the sonogram.... i guess that lends the question i was pondering last night about having started to really identify myself as a runner. i can think back over the last couple of years as see that i have really struggled with identifying myself by what i "do" teacher, new mom, runner. i have gotten a lot of satisfaction out of those titles, particularly that most recently acquired, or acknowledged, title. i am having a hard time with the thought of putting "her" (that lean, mean, running machine) to rest for the next year or so. it really brings to the su...