Coming Clean

My last entry was on February 3ish, just days before Corey's funeral.
What I didn't disclose at that time, was that not only were we grappling with our grief, we were also in the midst of fertility treatments, tests, etc. All of which aren't exactly conducive to a regular running routine. We were experiencing emotional whiplash from the ups & downs. I should mention that the fact that we were even revisiting IUI was a miracle in itself - not 6 months prior we were informed that it was IVF or nothing. This was a gift in our eyes, a chance that we had to take even  though our hearts were broken and the world just didn't make any sense.

February 4th there was an HSG that left me crampy and in no position to run. February 9th was more blood work - I have amazing veins ;), February 10th was the IUI procedure. February 17th - more blood work, thank heaven their phlebotomist is an angel, and also an ovary check and the plan was to have a pregnancy test yesterday. During the "two week wait" after the IUI and before a test you need to, well wait.
Take it easy, rest, etc. Especially me. My sister-coach is also an anxious aunt-to-be and was adamant about the fact that because I have only been running for a few months - my body isn't as used to it. So I was benched. I have not forgotten about my blog, my blog followers, or my goals - however incompatible they may be.

I did cave and ran on the GORGEOUS February 18th afternoon where temperatures reached 70 degrees and made us remember why we love love love Spring so much. I ran Old Farm (alone), and my time was 12:42. I ran in a T-shirt and Capri work out pants and found that the warmer temps actually hindered my performance. Maybe those of you who insisted 40 degrees is the optimal running temp are on to something. Of course not four days later we were once again buried in 6 in. of snow here in York. So as Winter refused to give way to Spring I remained sidelined even though I had come to the realization that the IUI procedure had not been successful.

But today is a new day, and I'm doing my best to put the events of the last week, well month really, behind me and start fresh! This morning as Shawn prepared for work at the tax office (is tax season over yet?!), I dressed, and stretched and prepared myself to be reacquainted with the squishy track. I can't believe it - but it had been since my 1st solo mile run w/out a stop since I had been there. The unseasonably awesome Friday that I ran - well, the track was over taken by students with Spring fever - but this morning it was ALL mine :). I was back, and with a vengeance too - a personal best of 11:48!

That's new numbers and probably a new regimen. Sister-coach had informed me that once I was under 12 minutes I would move up to 2 miles per run. And though my breaths are still belabored and the runs are by no means easy, I'm kind of excited about it. Milestones are good...across the board.
Of course I am keenly aware of the fact that another round of IUI is looming, we take things one day at a time around here. We embrace small victories, and though actually completing a half marathon will have meant that we remained unsuccessful in conceiving, it will make the blow less difficult to bear.

So, I thank you all for your continued support, I need it!