Half Way Through Third Trimester

Summer is quickly approaching; and that means one thing…baby will be here soon! This past month has been very busy with triathlon clinics, visiting family and friends, and a few upcoming travel trips.

The month of May began with a guest appearance at Parkway Central High School.  I was the honorary speaker in the, “Let’s Move in Parkway”, day on May 5th.  I pepped the kids up with an opening speech about my start in Parkway and how exercise and healthy eating has been the core platform to my current profession and lifestyle.  I like to remind kids that my love to sport began in the Elementary PE class with the annual mile run.  I loved the challenge of improving my time year after year and it motivated me to begin run training shortly before each mile run.  After the speech, I helped lead the kids through a mosh pit dance (yes, although seven months pregnant, I could still manage the moves…although not very gracefully)!

The rest of the afternoon, I enjoyed seeing the healthy initiatives for kids at the various expo booths and games for kids in the gymnasiums.  Everyone seemed to be having a great time!

The following weekend, Nate and I had to opportunity to work with adult triathletes in New Town, Missouri.  We helped calm many first time open water swimmer’s fears; not just about the open water, but also about swimming in a wetsuit!  Nate and I shared our tips on how to navigate the open water efficiently and comfortably.  We finished the morning with a transition clinic.  Nate was the demonstrator as my bike mounts are my weakness while not pregnant!  With my vertical jump being about one inch right now, I don’t think I could make a pretty mount or dismount the bike!  We had a good time sharing our knowledge and tips with the community.  We have another clinic planned at New Town on June 8th.  The water should be much warmer by then, since this spring has been exceptionally cool.

This past month, I have had a few changes with my training.  Right around the 28th week, the running began to get quite uncomfortable.  For a couple of weeks, I modified my run training with uphill running on the treadmill.  However, I found that at times the uphill running also became uncomfortable and I realized how comfortable the elliptical was in comparison.  I decided I did not want to risk pulling any ligaments or causing unnecessary pressure, so I am sticking with the elliptical machine for 30 minutes about 3-4 times per week to take place of my jogging.  Although I do miss getting outside for some fresh air and running through a trail or two, the elliptical machine is able to provide a cardio workout without the bouncing and the stretching.  Soon enough, I will be able to swim outside again, so my current 100% indoor training (with trainer riding/ indoor swimming/ gym) will modify with the outdoor sunshine in the pool.

I have also been battling a cold for over the past week and a half.  I think getting a cold while pregnant seems to be amplified compared to my non pregnant self.  It started with a mild sore throat…sneezing…major sinus congestion….coughing.  I believe I am finally in the last stage of the virus and will be very happy to retire the tissue box.  The mild coughing over the past few days has left my lungs a little sore and that is compounded with the fact baby girl is pushing up on my diaphragm.

The end of the month Nate and I will be doing a bit of travel.  We spent May 17-21st in the Twin Cities, enjoyed an authentic German restaurant, baby shower, my mother-in-law’s retirement party at a Twins game suite, and lots of family visiting.  The four day trip was busy and action packed!  We had a great time and met our newest nephew, Mattias Jon Kortuem, who is just one month old.  It was precious to see him and realize we will have a little one of our own in just a few short months.

Next week we depart for a driving trip to Austin, Texas to work at the Toyota booth for the CapTex Triathlon.  The past few years I have raced in Austin, Nate and I have really enjoyed the city.  Although this is a “work” trip, we will take it nice and relaxed as possible.  We are planning to break up the twelve hour drive in two days, since I will be close to eight months by then and don’t think sitting in the car for six-twelve hours straight will scream comfort!

This Memorial weekend is the official kick off for summer, so I hope everyone enjoys some time at the pool or at a picnic or just relaxing with friends and family!

Last Trimester…Keeping Busy!

I have entered my last trimester of my pregnancy!  Hard to believe that our little baby girl will be here soon.  I feel her kicking often, although it’s mostly at night or after dinner as I’m relaxing on the couch.

This past week we have moved base from Florida to Missouri since I will be delivering in St. Louis this summer.  We loved our time in Florida this winter; not only getting to avoid the snow, but also enjoyed swimming outside, running in shorts and taking a few trips to Disney.  Missouri is now in full blown spring; which means one day of 80 degrees and the next day 50deg and rain.  Full blown summer is right around this corner.  In Missouri, we are enjoying catching up with friends, visiting family and preparing for childbirth with our classes beginning very soon!

I have still been feeling great for the most part in my exercising.  As I enter my 28th week, I take my workouts day by day.  I have typically been able to complete around two hours of aerobic activity a day; averaging three-four swims, three bikes (on the trainer), and three to four runs per week with a couple strength training sessions thrown in the mix.  A few times on my runs, I feel round ligament pain, but it’s only been a handful of runs over the past couple of months that I have had to stop and walk.  Most runs, I feel great and able to run 3-8 miles.  All my exercising has been low/ moderate to high end aerobic and I don’t worry so much about pace, just getting out and moving the body.  It feels great to get the heart rate pumping and enjoying a break from a typical rigid training schedule.

Since we have been back in Missouri, we have been busy!  Last weekend we ran a swim clinic at Parkway West High School.  We focused on open water skills with the triathletes and practiced drills the swimmers would be able to use in their training leading up to their triathlon season.  After the clinic, we had a two day shoot with my sponsor; Toyota.  The filming was focused on two parts; a Mother’s Day Special, and a Triathlon Tip Message.  The videos will be run on Toyota’s website and also at the Lifetime Fitness Clubs nationwide.  What was so different about this shoot, was that I got the opportunity to work with my family.  My mom got to experience some interviews under the lights and enjoy a professional makeover!  I am really excited to see the finish product, as everyone worked very hard on the shoot.  The video will be out next month!

I have posted a few memorable pictures taken by Nate throughout the shoot:

Triathlon Swim Clinics

Don’t miss out on a swim clinic in St. Louis, Missouri this April.  Get a jump on the triathlon season and brush up on open water skills and swimming technique.  Please click on the flier to find out more information.

Swimming Camp Youth

Swimming Camp

January and February 2013 Update From Clermont FL

This year has been a little different start compared to the last eight!  As normal, I am back at my training home of Clermont, Florida and enjoying the beautiful winter.  Different from normal, I am not in the pre season hard training push!  Currently, I am entering my 19th week of pregnancy and enjoying the time to simply exercise to stay fit; both for myself and my baby.  The past eight years I have really learned to become in tune with my body and listen to it.  That skill has been a valuable help over the course of the past four months.

The first trimester went rather well, compared to stories I have heard from other women!  I didn’t have too much morning sickness, with the occasional “evening queasiness”.  I learned to tailor my eating to larger breakfasts and lunches, so that my stomach would be happy with smaller dinners.  This past month, I have officially entered my second trimester, and with that comes a lot of growing!  Right now, I do have a visible bump (although it looks much smaller than it feels!).  I am still able to swim/bike/run/strength train comfortably.  I have slowed down over the past couple of months and don’t push above the aerobic zone.  I learned early on in the first trimester that if I did a little too much exercise, I would pay for it the next day with too much fatigue.  So far, I have been feeling good with averaging around two hours of aerobic exercise per day (usually 2 of the 3 disciplines).  I know that every pregnancy is different and each women has to listen to how her body is feeling.  For me, I noticed how high my heart rate can spike with exercise (especially swimming and running), so I have learned to embrace movement without worrying about pace.  I haven’t run with a watch in two months!

While I will not be racing this season, my husband, Nate, will return to the racing scene.  He finished his last race as a pro in 2007 and this year will race in the age group or elite age group division.  It has been a fun experience getting to accompany him and cheer him on at local 5k’s and duathlons…soon to be the full triathlons!  Nate is planning on racing a local race in Clermont at the end of March and then several 5150′s this spring and summer.

We are also planning to stay active in the triathlon community with getting involved in camps and clinics around the US.  We are hosting our first camp in Clermont this weekend.  At the beginning of April, we are attending a USAT Youth Development camp in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  We will also be hosting various camps this spring and summer in the St. Louis area.  We are looking forward to the opportunity to be able have the time and energy to use in other areas of the sport, since I won’t be putting forth the energy in racing in 2013.

My due date is July 10th, 2013!  Four months down, five to go…and I know that the months will creep up faster than expected (with the exception of months 8-9).  We are very excited about our growing family and can’t wait to meet our first child.  Lot’s of changes in store for the Kortuem household!  I have always had a dream of becoming a mother and feel so blessed that motherhood is upon me.  I know Nate is really excited about becoming a Dad!  We find out very soon if we are having a boy or girl, which will make everything seem so very real.

This summer I will enjoy getting adjusted to our new addition and as soon as I feel ready, I will be back at training in preparation for the 2014 race season.  Although I won’t be toeing the line this year, I look forward to being on the sidelines and experiencing the role as supporter and cheerleader!  See you at the races!

Sarah

Triathlon Camp 2013

Come join me in Clermont, FL to jump start your Triathlon Training for the 2013 season.

I will be running a 3 day camp over presidents weekend,  Check out the details below.

If you are interested in signing up please fill out the form below.