Our kind of playdates

We've been really lucky to have met some really amazing people here. The other day we invited everyone over to the pool for a play date and I couldn't helped but feel blessed with such amazing friends, adorable children and incredible weather.

They definitely make Saipan an even more wonderful place to live.

And my 18.5 week belly.
The little man is quite the kicker lately! I started to feel him move about 2 weeks ago and this week I noticed I can see him move as well! It's my favorite part of pregnancy and I was thrilled that it's finally here! I've been feeling pretty good still. (Thank Heaven!) The fatigue hasn't really gone away but with the heat and humidity here I am doubting that it will. Running has started to get a bit difficult this week but I'm pretty determined to go as long as I can. 

I've been craving:

Fruit. Any kind of fruit. Oranges, Apples, Mangoes, Grapes, Pineapple, anything.

Vegetables. Carrots, and LOTS of salads.

Beyond that I have to really push myself to eat meat. It's just so darn hot!

Silver Streak.

I ran in my first race since high school this weekend and it felt amazing. I'm excited to do another!

It was kind of a weird run. Originally it was a 5k but they partnered up with a relay marathon race as well so they changed it to 4.2 miles. On the actual race day they changed it again and we ended up running 4.8 miles! 

Registration

Getting numbered. Felt very official! :-)

Erin and I before the race. We both started running again around the same time and she's the one who talked me into running this race even though we found out about it a week before!

Saipan-da even showed up!

And because I'm crazy Asian I made her take a picture with me and the Panda.

Right before the race began. We were both so nervous that we didn't sleep much the night before and the added distance scared me to death!

Go!

I ended up doing well for my goal. I ran the 2.4 miles to the turnaround point, drank a cup of water, caught my breath and ran the entire way back as well, even sprinting the last 500 yards or so. I felt like I was flying (minus the fact that I couldn't breathe). It was such a good feeling.

 Tim was there with the kids waiting for me at the finish line and I was DRENCHED in sweat.

*Admittedly, I'm not the most photogenic person after all that running and sweating. Tim even verified (to my horror) that he could hear me breathing as I came down the finish line.

p.s. That guy behind me is incredible! He finished a mile and a half before me but came back to run the rest with his daughter. I was right behind him for about a half mile until he said, "I can see the finish line! Go!" And I went for it. 

They awarded everyone who finished with a t-shirt. I was so proud of my XL t-shirt! 

End result: 4.8 miles in 48:32 

Average Pace: 9:30 minute mile

Fastest Pace: 3:20 minute mile

 Next goal is to do a 10k! Wahoo!

Run.

I got back into running a few months ago (with a big month and a half break during vacation) and I finally felt like I was ready to take it further than just for fun. (and one day a tight caboose, right?) I mentioned this to a friend of mine who also started running again recently and we decided we'd start doing races in the fall when they're back in full swing. (Saipan has LOTS of outdoor competitions but usually not in the summer). A day later she tells me she found a race and it was in a week. Yikes!  We decided to bite the bullet and do it. The race used to be a 5k but they are partnering up with a relay marathon team so it's 4.2. Thinking about it usually makes me super nervous and I either want to cry or puke so I decided I'm just going to try to run it today. I had the kids in the double jogger so I didn't finish fast but the fact that I finished while pushing 60 lbs of kid what a HUGE relief to me.

Someone carved this into a tree along the trail. LOVE it. 

Strangely enough this guy was pretty motivational. I knew I didn't want to be him so I kept going.

(p.s. he's asleep, not dead.)

The scenery on the way is so beautiful.

I ended up running 2.5 straight through, walking a mile and running the last half mile. Pushing a double stroller with two kids in it--I was pretty proud! I couldn't believe how good I felt and how much I was sweating! At one point I felt water dripping on my leg. In my altered state I thought a passing dog was taking a leak on me! Then I realized it was actually sweat dripping off my back onto my legs and ankles! When I got home and saw my t-shirt I felt more validated that even though I finished it slowly I was still working hard. Regardless of time I just really want to have fun. Wish me luck this Saturday!