Wow, long time no blog!

I've obviously been busy and/or distracted for the last several weeks. I apologize for the lack of updates. I've mainly been settling into the idea that I am actually pregnant and that we are officially going to outgrow our house come late November. This should be fun!

As for all the issues I was previously having, they've pretty much all stopped. I was the annoying pregnant woman who called the doc's office about once a week...if not more. I've just never had any issues with my other pregnancies and the bleeding really made me uneasy. At about 14 weeks it all cleared up and I've been fine since. Still no morning sickness and I am thankful for that. I'm tired from time to time and get winded if I try to walk and talk at the same time. Fun times while giving campus tours at work. One girl asked me if I needed to sit down!

I am currently 16 weeks and 1 day along. I'm definitely showing and my clothes are no longer fitting. My work attire is a select rotation of about 4 dresses and 2 pairs of pants (that work somewhat). My home attire is comprised of anything stretchy. Craig is really tired of all the elastic waste, loose fitting pants. I pretty much look like a slob as soon as I get home.

I pee all the time and hate having to get out of bed in the middle of the night to do it. I'm hungry all the time. I eat all day long, this, that, and whatever I can get my hands on. I was very pleasantly surprised to weigh myself Monday and see that I had not gained any weight since the day I weighed myself and was so disappointed that I had been running and the scale hadn't budged (down) at all. Of course that was before I knew I was pregnant.

I can feel the baby move (I think) a little here and there, but there are no big kicks and punches yet. I can't wait for the kids to start feeling them. I think they'll really get a "kick" out of it all. I've only had 1 OB appt so far and have my next one next Thursday. I'm very eager to get the next ultrasound scheduled so we can find out what we're having. I thought I would be able to keep it a surprise, but as we get further and further along I just can't wait to find out. At first my gut told me it was a girl, then I was thinking boy. Then I had a dream that it was a girl, and now I just don't know.

I've really been considering a natural childbirth this time and think I'll attempt it. Craig says this is our last, I'm not happy with this, and if it is that means its my last chance at every "doing it the hard way." After chatting it up with a friend who gave birth to her 3rd baby on her bathroom floor I am pretty excited and think I can do it...not have the baby on my bathroom floor, I think I can go the natural route.

Craig was quite skeptical to start but has warmed up to the idea of a natural childbirth if it is something I want. I explained that I could hire a doula but didn't really know if either one of us (Craig or I) would like a 3rd person in the room. Later on the same evening I told him how I'd research different massage techniques and pressure points that he could hit during labor to relieve some of the pain for me. He quickly piped up "I thought you were going to hire someone to do that?! I don't want that pressure on my shoulders!" So, who knows. I'm not sure I'm ready to talk to a doula at this point; however, I'm very excited to start reading some books and practicing some relaxation techniques.

Can I also say that the kids have been driving us nuts! If they keep this up I might be more on board with stopping at 4. Scotland still just keeps to herself and doesn't cause much trouble. Sullivan and Paislee, on the other hand, love to hate each other. They're constantly aggravating each other and us too! One is stealing the other's toys and mimicking everything the other one does. IT IS NON-STOP! I'm an only child...I had no idea that this is not just a stage/phase. I had no idea this will be the way it is until they're out of my house and on to college. What am I going to do with a 4th child! I'm a little distressed by all of this. Craig simply looks at me and says, "You don't get it. You were an only child. They act that way because they hate each other." I said, "No, they don't hate each other, Craig." He quickly responded, "ya, to a certain extent they do." Not really what I wanted to hear...could be a long 14 more years (til Sully's off to college).

Woo, I'm glad I'm not just getting fat...

This explains A LOT! Let's count back...

~GoSTL! Half Marathon on April 10th, totally sucked and I wanted to die...6 weeks

~Arise 5K Run/8 Mile Bike on April 23rd, bleeding ordeal at mile 1 of bike...8 weeks

~TriFAHL Sprint Triathlon on April 30th, not as bad but still not great...9 weeks

~Bridge the Gap Half Marathon this morning, valid reason for skipping it...11 weeks PREGNANT!

Yep, you read it right...the Clarks are expecting baby #4 in late November. And no, we weren't expecting this and we weren't trying.

Long story short, I've had all the signs and symptoms but have been thrown off by the fact that I've been bleeding for the last 2 months. Come to find out I've just been pushing it too hard with my training because I didn't know I was pregnant. So for now I get to just sit back and take it easy for a bit. I'm stoked!


For those of you who want the whole story:
At the end of March my cycle just kept going and was on and off for about 2 weeks before I finally called the doctor. I was due to my annual so made the appointment and figured we'd talk about my issues then. Then I had to reschedule because I was still bleeding. I finally made it in the next week. We discussed it all and figured I just needed to switch pills. They even asked if I could be pregnant and I said no. I explained that technically I could be pregnant but it was so unlikely that we just moved on. when I had finished the current pack of pills I was on I started my new pack...just a week and a half ago.

So my issues continued but I never really considered pregnancy. I had been tired, I had been hungry, I had done poorly in my races, my boobs had even started hurting the last week or so. Logically, pregnancy was the answer; however, I was thrown off by the bleeding. Finally I called the doctor again to explain that I was still bleeding and he recommended an ultrasound.

This was not a pregnancy ultrasound...this was a diagnostic ultrasound to find out what was going on with my uterus that would cause it to bleed for so long. I went for the ultrasound and was chatting with the tech when I thought I heard a heartbeat but figured it was just my own. The tech quickly turned down the volume and we continued talking as we were. Then she says, "well, Amanda, are you ready for your news?" I knew this was going to be exciting as techs usually can't tell you much when you're having diagnostics done. She says "You're 11 weeks pregnant!" I won't repeat my first few words...

I immediately called the doc to find out what needed to be done because I was still bleeding. Craig and I were quite concerned that something was wrong. The doc got back to me later that day and explained that everything looked great on the ultrasound and that if there was reason to worry we would...but at this time there wasn't. I just need to take it easy and stop training so much! Duh, if I had known I was pregnant I wouldn't have been training so hard in the first place.

I guess I'll schedule an OB check up in the next few weeks. Since this isn't my first rodeo and everything looks good the doc said there was no rush...and he swears I'm Catholic...I can repeat that, its ok because he's Catholic!

So that's the whole story...apparently after a 3 year break my radar was OFF!

I "Tri"ed, so you can now call me a Triathlete!

Yep, I did it. I competed in my first triathlon, TriFAHL. It was a sprint triathlon, which means the distances of the 3 events were shorter. TriFAHL was a 150 yrd SWIM, 6 mile BIKE and 2 mile RUN. I was quite nervous and skeptical leading up to the race. I was sure I would drown in the pool and not even make it to the bike or run.

Funny story about the swim...my expertise of swimming does not go beyond know how NOT TO DROWN. I have never swam laps (other than the 2 times I practiced before the race, which totaled an hour tops), I have never swam in a race...I've never really swam...more just float or jump off something into the water. I was sure it would take me a good 8+ minutes to swim the 150 yard. I could do 50 yards (1 down and back) in 1 min but I then had to stop and catch my breath for another 3 mins before doing another down and back.

Just before the race started they had us all line up according to how long we thought it would take us to swim the 150 yards. They started at 1:30 mins or less, then 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30, 4:00...and that was it. Sorry Grandma, but my first thought was "SHIT!" Not one swimmer was still standing there looking for the 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 or even 8:00. Well, 4:00 it was. I was quite happy to get near the back of the line (only 3 ladies behind me) only to find out that we weren't the 4+ min group but the "we have no idea how long it will take us" group. I was happy! I didn't want to be the very last person, so I pretended to be somewhere between the 3:30 and 4:00 min groups. Yes, I was unsure of how this was going to turn out.

So the first swimmer got in the water and they yelled "GO!" There were 20 secs between each swimmer as we started and followed or passed (in some cases) the swimmer ahead of us. I did not pass or get passed...again, very happy. Come to find out, it only took my 3:32 to swim...WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT! I'll admit, it wasn't pretty. I did the traditional freestyle with my face in the water, freestyle with my head above water gasping for air, a breaststroke or two, and the backstroke. Oh well, I did it nonetheless.


This was at the registration table before the race even started. They did a safety check on all the bikes. I was asking if my tires had enough air...I'm a clueless novice!


Then I was out of the water and running for my bike. I took my time during the transition so I was sure I didn't forget anything. I had to dry off a bit, put on some shorts, jacket, socks, shoes, and helmet. I also knew I needed to drink some water and eat some of my Sport Beans (sugar and caffine fill jelly beans, and for long races they make the world of difference for me). So I thought through everything to make sure I was fully ready to jump on my bike and hit the road. I had remembered everything; however, my transition time was not stellar. It actually took me 2 more seconds to transition from swimming to biking than it did to swim the 150 yards...FAIL!


Here I am on my bike. Not much else to report. Don't you love the pasty-pale look?! I look a little tense...it's because I'm thinking "don't wreck, don't wreck, don't wreck".


The 6 mile bike was just that...6 miles on a bike. Although most people count the bike portion the fastest part I don't. Biking is where I lose ground on my fellow racers (see my post from the bike/run I did a couple of weeks ago). I'm just not a fast biker and the mountain bike instead of road bike makes it even worse. It took me 30 mins to bike 6 miles, while most everyone else was between 22 and 27 mins...again, oh well. I biked back to the transition area, jumped off my bike, grabbed another drink of water and handful of Sport Beans and headed off to run the final 2 mile stretch.


On the home-stretch. Just climbed the last hill and straight for the finish line!


Not that I'm a fast runner, but running seems to be where I can make up some ground. I was able to pass a fair amount of racers who had passed me on the bike. This made me happy yet again. The 2 miles, although there were several hills, felt really good and I was able to keep up my pace. The run portion of my race was 14 mins and change. Although, I must admit that I was surprised that I had run 2 miles at a 7 minute/mile pace...so I mapped the run online only to find out it was more like 1.66 miles. Once again, oh well and who cares. I had finished my first triathlon and I felt fantastic.

This race was just what my ego needed. It had been bruised by the Go!STL Half Marathon and the Arise 5K run/8 mile bike races that I had done just weeks earlier. I was really starting to question whether I should continue to race. Now I'm back on track, training hard (somewhat hard or hard for me) and registered for my next half marathon in Quincy, IL on May 14th. I'm continuing my swim training, as this is a terrific way to do extra cardio work on top of running. Let me just tell you, SWIMMING.IS.HARDWORK! I plan to keep my training up all Spring and Summer and am "considering" the NEMO Triathlon on September 11th. The only issue with this is that NEMO is a full triathlon...this means 3/4 mile swim, 18 mile bike and 5 mile run. If all goes well I will be a finisher of the NEMO Triathlon!

Last Place=1st Place

Well, not usually but somehow in my case it does. Yep, that's right, I managed to survive my hellish ordeal with the 5K run/8 mile bike, while coming in dead last...and still earned a GOLD medal for 1st place in my age division. How awesome is that?! For now we'll pretend that there were more people than just me in that division ;)

Last place, not exactly what I had in mind...

Let me start by warning all MEN to turn back now. This post will definitely be TMI for you!

So yes, I attempted my 5K run/8 mile bike race today and I, not so proudly, got last place. I guess someone had to, but I had always thought I was more of a middle-end of the pack type of gal...guess I was wrong. I'm quickly coming to the conclusion that I am not the athlete that I thought I was. I'm just not sure how all of this has happened. I don't know if I'm not training as much as I should be or if it has more to do with me properly fueling my body. Trust me, I'm not starving myself!

Here's a breakdown of how the race went today: AGAIN, MEN TURN BACK NOW AND SAVE YOURSELVES!!

I had decided to just ride my bike to the race since it was just downtown and not far from my house. I didn't want to have to load it in the van, drive it there, and then have to unload it. This might have been a mistake or it might have helped, as it was a least a little practice on the bike prior to the race. I arrived only to realize that I had left my registration form and check at home. FANTASTIC! What a great start! Luckily they allowed me to race and bring the check afterward. So I headed over to the rack and, again not so proudly, placed my rusted mountain bike (NOT A FANCY RACE BIKE) among all the fancy race bike. There were, thank goodness, about 2 other mountain bikes there so this helped the ego a bit. Then I stood around waiting for the start while watching all the pros practice their transitions in their heads. They would stand at their bike, gears in their minds turning, making sure that everything was just right for the fastest transition from running to biking. I'm not so worried about my transitions, as the transition won't be what causes me to lose a race at this point...its more of the actual race that does it for me.

So finally the race began and my goal was only to finish. We started with a 5K run (3.1 miles) before transitioning to the 8 mile bike. I, once again, got caught up with everyone at the start of the race and took off a little too fast...I quickly realized and slowed to the pace I wanted. Then came the hill, but I survived. At mile 1 I was surely huffing and puffing but kept pushing on. All in all it was alright but not great. Next came the biking portion... (and let me just add that by the time I reached the bike rack mine was only 1 of 3 bikes left)

Like I mentioned earlier I'm not too concerned with my transitions. It won't be the transition that keeps me from winning a race, at this point anyway. I grabbed my bike, strapped on my helmet and hit the road pedaling. I made it down the big hill and started up the HUGE hill when...GUYS TURN BACK NOW-LAST WARNING...I realized I was facing every teenage girl and woman's worst nightmare...I had "sprung a leak" (and I don't mean potty). Sheer panic set in and I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I was less than 1 mile into my 8 mile ride. I didn't know whether I was going to have to quit or even what my other options were. Thankfully I work next to the hospital (right on said HUGE hill) and have gone to the cafeteria for lunch several times. I knew there had to be a bathroom close...

So I veered of course, noticing that the next to last biker was right behind me, and headed straight for the bathroom. Like all other bathrooms there were no FREE "supplies" so my only option was a wad of paper towels. Yep, you read that right! So I ran back out of the hospital, jumped on my bike - which was less than comfortable given my situation, only to be steps ahead of the last place biker and the follow car...CRAP! This was not exactly what I had planned.

I pedaled on and realized that things were bad. I was still highly worried about my "situation", very uncomfortable, totally spent on energy and still have 7 miles to go. I wanted to quit so bad but didn't want to be a quitter. So stupid me, I just sucked it up and kept going...not knowing what the next 7 miles would hold.

I made it to mile 3 of the bike portion before the last place guy passed me. Then after a hill I had caught him and quickly realized that we were "racing" for last place. Well, I held him off for just a bit and then he past me for the last time. The moment I realized I had no energy to catch him was a bad moment. Although I knew I wasn't going to win this race I really didn't figure I would be last. But I was. Now it was all about just finishing and taking care of my situation. One of the biggest things on my mind was wondering exactly what the severity of my situation would be once I finally reached the finish line...

Well, last place was all wrapped up by yours truly and then I headed straight for a friend to ask for help. She quickly directed me to the bathroom where she knew there were "supplies". Thank goodness! My situation was taken care of for the time being. Now I only had to ride back home, not the highlight of my day with my already sore butt, tired legs, and dehydrated everything else. I reached the front door, explained the horrid ordeal to mom and hunted for the check...no check to be found. Great, I must have lost it on the way to the race. Wonderful! Now a $30 race would cost me $60 because some cricker will have found my check and gone ahead and cashed it. Awesome!

Mom and I decided lunch was a good idea and would take the kids out somewhere...on the way we would stop by the race area and drop off my payment. We took the same route I rode just in case the check had fallen out of my pocket...I was doubtful. I'll be darned, there it was. Right on a hill that I had skipped (by taking another route home b/c I was so tired and didn't want to ride the hill again). Mom jumped out, grabbed it and we delivered it.

On top of all of that I had to hit the pool later in the afternoon to practice my swimming skills. This Triathlon next weekend is gonna be rough. After the struggle of running and biking during the race and now realizing just how spent I will be after the swim portion (the first portion of the triathlon) my goal will be to finish and I pray for anything other than last place again. I'm a good sport but last place is hard to take...my ego is severely damaged. Might I also take a quick moment to add that the guy who beat me was probably 25 years older than me, a little thick around the middle and on a bike that appeared to be too small for him. But really, what can I say, he did better than I did. Kudos to you, big guy on a little bike!

Disclaimer: I'm tired and don't feel like proofing this right now. If there are typos I am sorry. I hate typos but right now just don't care.

I've been a little less motivated

It has been 8 days since my horrendous half marathon in STL and I have yet to even jog a mile. I just don't feel like it. I don't know if I'm afraid of how badly it might suck or if I was just burnt out and need a break.

Today I hit the gym for some weights. It had been quite a while since I had just picked up some weight and got to it. It was a nice change. I am definitely burnt out on workout dvds too. Not that they're bad, I just need to mix it up a little more.

So the gym was great, except:
~I forgot my printed out workout sheet
~I forgot my iPod
~Creepster was there grunting, groaning and sounding inappropriate while he tried to lift too much weight
~I was forced to listen to Creepster because I had forgotten my iPod

But I survived.

I managed to remember all the different lifts that I was supposed to do and I left feeling accomplished and ever so slightly sore. I expect to be quite sore tomorrow...but that is good. I need firm up and weights are the way to do it.

I'm back to really trying to eat healthy and in moderation. The moderation part is what gets me. If it tastes good I want a lot of it. And CHOCOLATE! I can't get enough. I can only imagine what a chocoholic I will be when I get older...my grandma likes the sweets too!

So really, that's about it. New game plan...I like to switch it up...I get bored faster than a 2 year old watching the 60 Minutes.

I am a VAGINA WARRIOR

I am a proud Vagina Warrior. Here's my shirt to prove it!

I had known that a student group at work was holding a reading of The Vagina Monologues but it wasn't until I received an email about these awesome "Vagina Warrior" t-shirts that I really started to look into what it was all about.

www.vday.org And don't you love their logo ({}), yep, that's what it looks like.

I snooped around the website myself and am now a proud sporter of my new tshirt. Craig got one too...they were only $5. Now, considering that fact that those words are the only words on the shirt, no website, no info, no nothing, only the words VAGINA WARRIOR across the chest in bold red letters pose a challenge. I think I can pull it off without looking like a perv but I'm not sure about Craig. This will be a challenge for him. Even if he just wears it around the house it was worth the $5 for a good cause. Please visit their website and learn more about the movement to stop violence against women and girls. Just to save you some time here is their mission:

V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.

V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.

V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.

V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.

V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.

V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.

V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.

V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!