Still Pregnant

Karen is still pregnant. We both thought she would have popped this thing out by now. Nate was 5 weeks early, so we're +4 weeks from the day where we started saying "could be any day now", yet still one week away from the due date.

Haven't said much on names lately. I like Katherine for a girl. Also liked Kieran for a boy. Karen's not too crazy about either one, I think. We're going to have to meet this one before we decide.

This 50 mile training plan is a bit ridiculous. I ran 30km on Saturday, starting in Repulse Bay, via Black's Link to the Peak on the Hong Kong Trail. I ran the Action Asia Sprint Race in Discovery Bay on Sunday. Only 12 km, but 800 meters of climbing. I was pretty happy with a 15th overall (3rd in 54-39 cat.), especially with a big effort on Saturday. I won a women's GoLite top. Printed on the prize envelope was "Give it to your girlfriend."

So I was feeling pretty good about the mileage I put in over the weekend, and then checked the plan. While I am currently on the right training load, more or less, I'm a little put off by the middle of this plan, which has me doing 4-hr (Sat) and 5-hr (Sun)runs back to back on consecutive weekends. Still a few weeks away, but a few light years from where I am at the moment.

And we're about to have a baby...

What's Harder?

Running a 50 mile race or giving birth? These are the things being contemplated in our house, of late. Karen being 8.5 months pregnant leads naturally to discussion of the latter. My obsessive-compulsive running bent gives rise to the former.

I've been thinking of running this 50 mile race (White River 50) for a few years now. The training hasn't really come together, yet. Maybe this is the year. So I'm one week in to the plan. Back to back 2:25 and 1:40 runs over Saturday and Sunday this weekend.

A close call with Typhoon Neogiri made Saturday's run most enjoyable - seriously. The rain on the ridges hurt (blowing sideways at 50 mph), but the mudpuddles made it all worth while. I dragged my buddy Philippe up and down more hills than he's used to, and he had me sprinting the flats. Run stats: 21km with 745 m of climbing.

Sunday went out for a slow slog up the hill. Yesterdays saturation made for a very hot very humid day today - also could have something to do with the fact that I left the house at 12:30. Lots of little niggling pains accumulated this week from playing football (soccer) Wednesday and from yesterday's run. Run stats: 17km with 350m vertical.

Karen is being a good sport putting up with this brand new neurosis. She is definitely fed up with being pregnant, and every day we wake up wondering if today is the day. Well, maybe tomorrow will be the day.