Bimbo Global 10k Race Report

The event itself: How long? When?

This event had two race distances. Both registrations were free, but they "sold out" in a short amount of time. They had a 5-hour window for bib pickup on Saturday, September 27th. And then they had day-of-race bib pickup starting at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 28th. In our observation, the lines for the bib pick-up never got too long.  

Course description and evaluation of event logistics 

The 10K started first at 8:30. You had to complete the first loop before the 5K start at 9:30. The start line was in front of the Rose Bowl stadium, The course went clockwise around close to the stadium, then out on a road, up and around a golf course, then a nice gradual downhill, a little out & back that was a steep hill, and then a little jaunt over a pedestrian bridge returning to the front of the stadium. We had a slightly late start, so I was rushing to complete the first loop before 9:30. The race organizers had stated that if you couldn't run a 15-minute mile, you would not be allowed to complete the second loop of the 10k. There were fewer than 8,000 participants, so this event had a hometown race feel.  

How did you train for the event? 

The training that helped me the most was running with VRLA from Venice Beach to Santa Monica every weekend in August. Running those beach miles, even though they were flat, gave me the chance to practice my intervals, fueling, race-day kit, and pacing. I followed the training plan for Every Woman's Marathon throughout the summer. Additionally, the Fit4Mom 10k training plan. Most recently, over the last two weeks, I switched to the LARR 2026 marathon training plan. 

Gear and Nutrition 

Initially, the race organizers announced that there would only be one water stop, so I decided to bring my Nathan Trail Mix hydration belt. I added a buddy pouch with an additional 6oz to the built-in 2 x 10oz bottles. The race ended up having two water stops, one at the back of the loop, and another one at the front of the loop. Carrying 26 oz was a bit extra, but it was just right for me. It helped me stay cool, as I would squirt water on my head whenever I needed it. I ate four egg bites at 5 a.m. I ate four pumpkin muffins with cream cheese at 7 a.m. I drank electrolytes prior to the race, I even skipped my second cup of coffee to focus on being hydrated.  I brought one Gu. Vanilla bean with aminos, electrolytes, and caffeine. I took that at 9 am, about 1.5 miles into the race. My calves were really hurting, and it did help. 

The night before the event, I ate a lentil and rice meal that contained avocado and turkey kielbasa. I started with the New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix from Aldi. Then I added an onion and mushrooms. I added 1 cup of dried lentils and about 5.5 cups of water. I simmered for about 30 minutes. It's mushy and not particularly attractive, but it packs a good amount of nutrition. You can serve with sour cream, yogurt, or Alfredo sauce. You can change the flavor with garlic or ginger. You can add other fruits and vegetables, such as peppers, tomatoes, spinach, celery, carrots, turnips, and fennel, or whatever you have on hand. Whatever you do, avoid adding more salt, and refrain from using bullion instead of water, as this can make the dish too salty. 

Specific experiences 

Before the race started, a large staging area was set up in the parking lot, where all the run clubs assembled. It was so fun to see all the friends and family members. There was a DJ. The music was good. The vibes were good. After the race, participants enjoyed a free massage, complimentary food, food trucks, giveaways, and yoga. The DJ was still spinning. Everyone was dancing, having a great time. The weather was perfect, with temperatures in the '60s and an overcast sky. At no time did I feel like I was overheating or getting a sunburn, and I didn't even need to wear a hat. 

Finish and associated emotions 

The finish was enjoyable for this race because there was a little out-and-back steep hill. As I was running down the hill for the second time, my playlist landed on "Go the Distance" from Hercules. I almost started crying because I was so happy; I knew the finish line was within reach. My playlist was only 1 hour and 33 minutes long, so since my music hadn't run out, I knew I would finish the race within the time I had wanted. Going through the finish line when they were handing out medals, the person who handed me my medal said all the medals were the same, but some medals said 10k on on the ribbon, and other medals said 5k on the ribbon. I ended up getting a 5k ribbon, but I know I completed the 10k. The medal itself was the same for both. The only difference was the color of the ribbon and the distance printed on the ribbon. 

Overall evaluation of the event  

Overall, I really enjoyed this event. I would totally do it again. I completely forgot to take photos near the flags of all the different host countries. This race is called Bimbo Global because it is in a different host city each year:  Beijing, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Bogota. It felt really fun to be a part of something even larger than the race that we participated in. You can even see how your results stack up internationally.  The first-place finisher for the men's and women's division won an all-expenses-paid trip for two to next year's race, wherever that may be. The sponsor, Bimbo, donates 20 slices of bread for each participant. They gave us a jersey, a headband, and a wristband with a small zipper to conceal a house or car key, or stash your earbuds. It was a lot of swag for a free event. 10/10 would do it again. 🏅🌍

August 2025 in Review

It's only a few days into September, but it's been a whirlwind the past couple weeks. I have to pause and remind myself that Albert has only been in Kindergarten for three weeks (as he reminded me today is day 14). I have only had one week of school so far. Since I'm teaching labs, there are no class meetings this week since it is the week of a Monday holiday (Labor Day), so that no sections fall behind. When I look back at what we did during August, I can see why I feel so whirly.

The month kicked off with the Dopey Strong 7 Dwarves Challenge. Each day, we were supposed to dress up like a different dwarf and add a few strength moves into our running plan. Then on the 7th day we were supposed to do all the strength moves. I'm not a big fan of run streaking but there were only three days in the month that I didn't at least walk a mile (Aug 8, 10, 12). Sometimes I wonder why I track everything, but then I remember that tracking helps me make sense of the pain I'm in when I can't understand or remember why my feet hurt so much.

  

There was also a collaboration between Valley Runners and the Goodr Cabana. A group of us from Glendale, Sherman Oaks, Northridge, Winnetka, Burbank (all over the 818) met in Venice Beach every Saturday throughout August.

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And to end the month, Crowned Athletics inspired us to dress up for World Princess Week.

I had fun with the challenge, and it got me to do some micro-blogging reflecting on what the Disney princesses mean to me.

CREATIVITY. As a mom, I get creative with my son as we paint, build, dance, cook, sing, and play. As a teacher, I find creative ways to incorporate all that into a college environment. Keeping everyone's spirits up while still enforcing safety rules and regulations. Chemistry doesn't have to be boring! I've got a dream. I want to make chemistry accessible to all students, allowing them to enjoy and learn. 👩‍🔬🥼🥽🧪 Rebel princess 👸✊ My first thought of creativity was Rapunzel, who had to pass away the hours locked away in a tower. But I think I'm a rebel princess at heart. Every day, finding creative ways to resist the empire. @crownedathletics #spacebuns #onebadmotherrunner

STRENGTH in motherhood is sometimes carrying your child, carrying your 50 lb folded stroller as you board the bus, bringing in the entire load of groceries from the car to the house in one haul. 🛒🛍️ Sometimes strength in motherhood is breaking generational trauma, escaping the unreasonable expectations of society, and giving other women a leg up. We all show our strength in different ways, and sometimes just showing up as the best version of you takes strength. 🥂 🙌 Here's a high five to celebrate all of the invisible unpaid domestic labor. Sometimes we carry the weight of the family on our shoulders, And even though every day isn't a ball, We still find big and small ways to sparkle and shine through. Thank you for being a part of my family, And thank you for helping to keep me inspired! #gratitude #strengthinmotherhood If I could add one piece to my Powerful Hermana set, it would be the Force Fighter flow tank top. 🛸💫🚀 I recently introduced my son to the Star Wars movies, and I was so inspired by Rey Skywalker. I'm not sure if she is considered a princess, but she is definitely a role model of strength. She never stopped fighting for freedom, and she never lost hope. No family is perfect, but finding your identity and drawing strength from your ancestors has always been a powerful force for me.

KINDNESS. The story of The Little Mermaid reminds us to practice kindness with our own bodies. There may be some part of your body that you wish were different. #bodypositive Ariel is doomed to want something she cannot have. She is willing to gamble her voice in exchange for the opportunity to experience her heart's desire, but only for 3 days. And if she is unable to achieve a nearly impossible task, she loses everything. The mermaid princess reminds us to appreciate everything our bodies can do. Today I am grateful for my legs. 🦵🧜‍♀️ 🐚🐠 Thank you, legs, for being my favorite form of transportation. Today I am thankful for my voice. 🎵🎶👩‍🎤 Thank you, voice, for allowing me to express myself. Staying inspired is sometimes a challenge. I have to do whatever motivates me to get out there and stick to my training plan. 

BELLA IN SELLA. is a phrase that I learned from the cycling community 🚴‍♀️ #cyclomania. It means riding a horse or bicycle and looking good while doing it. Often, I wear bright colors while riding or running for safety purposes. If you're seen, so much the better, because it lowers the risk of getting into a collision. And a close family member of mine was killed while running because she was hit by a minivan. But sometimes, like this week, I enjoy dressing up just for the fun of it. I find inspiration in the stories I grew up listening to. I wanted to represent Belle today, who didn't start out as a princess, but through her kindness, she came to love the Beast. I identified with Belle because she loved books and was a gorgeous brunette, like me. And, like her, I fell in love with a man who had a great bookshelf. 📚 # Bibliophile: I get to refresh my memory on Disney princesses, villains, and heroines by telling bedtime stories to my son as he falls asleep. He doesn't consciously remember every story, but I know he hears me. He puts princess figurines all around our bedroom for protection. Loving the energy from @fit4mom_west_sfv this morning. Showing up and being surrounded by kindness, moms supporting other moms, makes the journey of motherhood so much better. #communityinmotherhood #raisekindhumans #momssupportmoms #ourvillage #motherhoodsisterhood #worldprincessweek

GRACE. If you are newly postpartum or raising small children, you've got to give yourself grace. It's going to take time to get your energy back. Motherhood has been a powerful motivator for me. I want to be able to keep up with my son, so I keep pushing myself to stay strong and ready. Initially, when I thought of grace, I thought of Mulan. I'm not sure Princess is part of her back story, but she was a strong influence in my childhood. I was a tomboy. I ended up in a male-dominated career field. I've always tried to keep up with men and fit in among them. To be just as smart, fast, and strong. Mulan did what she did to protect her father and bring honor to her family. She was an epic failure at being a #tradwife but an epic success at leading an army. She exceeded her family's expectations and ended up with an even better match than any matchmaker would have found for her. Mulan reminds us to gracefully pursue our destiny, even if it doesn't fit with society's expectations for us. I thought about the graceful movements of a swords(wo)man. I realize that the modern military is different than the fighting style depicted in Mulan. I feel grateful for our military service men and women. Thanks to our veterans and first responders as well. ⚔️ Finally, I thought about how some workouts are tough. You have to give yourself the grace to suck sometimes. The law of averages will balance it out eventually with a workout that kicks ass in a good way. Today I felt so strong, graceful, and fast. ⚖️ Keep showing up. #ownthecrown #stronglooksdifferent

BRAVE. The brave thing I did today was bring my kid to work. His school has a holiday but my school did not. Today's theme got me thinking about various times in my life where I took a leap of faith. One of the biggest leaps I took was when I moved to California. I knew the cost of living was going to be really high. But I also knew that ultimately it was where I wanted to be. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out, but I was brave enough to go for it with the faith that I would figure it out. The second biggest leap of faith that I took was going through IVF. It was so expensive with no guarantees. It was like going through puberty again at 39 years old. I had to confront some of my biggest fears and misconceptions about becoming a mother. Thankfully for us, it only took one round. I'm so grateful that I was brave enough to take these leaps of faith. Finishing my PhD at UC Riverside was such a significant moment in my life. Training for and completing the LA Marathon (while wearing my Changed Fate set) was no big deal after becoming a doctor and then becoming a mother. If you're thinking about chasing a big goal or taking a leap of faith in the direction of your dreams, consider this a gentle push in that direction. Be brave.

STROLLER MILES. On my way to inspire the next generation of chemistry and biochemistry graduate students with my stroller and kindergartner, I dictated a lot of these microblogs while walking to and from school. Thanks to my bestie, Mykel for reminding me that it's okay to parent in public and that allowing students to see the joys and challenges of having children is a good thing. It's essential to make the work-life balancing act more visible. And this is also a post of appreciation for @bobgearus. I brought all the necessary items for my child and myself, as well as the supplies for my students. We had a fun day on campus. I love this stroller so much. I'll forever remember this as the vehicle that made all of our Disneyland dreams come true. BOB is an acronym for Beast of Burden, which is also a great song by the Rolling Stones. My Changed Fate set gives me powerful mama bear vibes when I need to remember how being a mom is my superpower. I also love how Merida was the shot caller in her story. She repairs the strained relationship with her mother and learns how to be more selfless. Even though Fit4Mom now pairs with Thule as their official stroller, I will never forget the BOB as my favorite part of strolling with my mini-me. My stroller model is BOB Revolution CE = City Edition which weighs ONLY 23 lbs.

I tried my darndest to get through August without overdosing on ibuprofen. However, on August 31st, I finally took some ibuprofen, which relieved the pain in my feet. It was an increase in miles, too much, too soon. I forgot how school drop-off adds extra mileage to the week. But as I say, we're trying to ease into the school year, and it's okay if there are some growing pains. Albert asked me to make him a social battery indicator so that he can have time to recharge without us bothering him too much. He's always had a high emotional intelligence, and this just shows that he can ask for a way to communicate with us.

   

Another thing Albert did recently was create two paintings contrasting a poor person's house, which was small, only one story high, and made of reclaimed materials. Versus a rich person's home, which he called the Eiffel Tower, which was multilevel, taller than trees, and made of gold. And for some reason, the poor person is during the day, and the rich person is painted at night, surrounded by stars. This is likely due to my lighter teaching load, which results in less income, and we often discuss this. We tell Albert that we can't afford some things because mommy won't be bringing home as much money. We discuss how we'll need to acquire more items on Buy Nothing, as we can't purchase them. September was a "normal" paycheck, but it will probably be the last "big" one for the next 6 months.

I saw the hashtag #RecessionCore and others, such as #economytok or #costofliving, to express a theme of economic hardship and austerity. We're not the only ones affected by this change in lifestyle. #budgetfriendly #economicanxiety #savingmoney #thrift #tariffs I've never been overly concerned with being trendy, and I know I'm talking about budget here, but here are some things I did buy this summer (or last summer) that I (still) love. 

• ENERBLOOM Women's Yoga Jumpsuits Workout One Piece Rompers with Pockets Bodycon Backless Bodysuits Padded Berry Red X-Large. I wore this on a run, and someone told me I was a whole vibe. I had a SheFit bra underneath and my sequin headband. $19.99 I also wore it to the pool as a swimsuit. I don't know why they don't make more swimsuits like this.
• Neely Gracey, the mom and running coach, recommended this product as the most comfortable item for summer, and I wholeheartedly agree. I bought one of each color and walked out paying around $50. I like them a lot. I'm glad I bought them when I did. This athletic all-in-one dress trend reached Crowned Athletics, and they sold each one for $118. I know, girl math, but I feel like I saved over $300. https://www.costco.com/elle-sport-women's-active-tank-dress.product.4000293912.html
• WEBGGER 12 Pack Sequin Headbands Elastic Stretch Sparkly Fashion Headband for Teens Girls Women Hairband Sport Head Band Party Favors Multicolored now $5.94, usually $9.99 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Z2TH288 Honestly, these are the best for summer. The airflow through the sequins is peak performance, and the sparklyness and color choices in this variety pack make my heart happy. I didn't bring one on my trip to Nebraska this year, but thankfully, I had left one the previous summer, and it was still there for me to use while I was visiting. Honestly, lifesaver. Somehow, the sequins are a great way to keep baby hairs from straying. I can't stand when my hair tickles my neck.
• IDALOP 20 Pairs Cute & Colorful Striped Quarter Crew Women's Colored Socks, Size 9-11 $19.99 So I'm midlife. I have mostly ankle socks. But I noticed when I wear a short skirt, it looks like SO MUCH LEG all the way down to the ankle. People nowadays say that ankle socks are out. So I got these crew socks. I wouldn't care fashion-wise but I do teach college-age students and I don't want to appear too out of touch.

I also found three pairs of jeggings at ALDI this week. Light blue, dark blue, and light grey. I have some Levi's jeggings that I purchased in the Spring 2023 semester for $27 each. They're finally starting to show daylight in the inner-thigh area after 5 semesters (2.5 years). So these ALDI ones are about half the price. I can't comment yet to their durability since I haven't even washed them yet, but I will use them to teach in for several years probably. I tried on XL and L and the large I couldn't even button / zip. There was a gap in the back of the XL but I guess I can wear a belt. https://www.aldi.us/product/serra-ladies-premium-light-blue-jeggings-m-0000000000072022 $12.99

My aunt noticed my Instagram is looking more colorful these days. I appreciate all the people who inspire me to keep being expressive. I'm glad summer is over, but is it really? We just had our AC fixed today, thank goodness. I know we're in for a few more months of heat. Sometimes it's in triple digits even through the end of October. Albert and I decorated the house yesterday for fall. He was insisting that it be fall but not spooky. Which means leaves and pumpkins, but not haunted houses and jack-o-lanterns.

Albert is dedicated to being a ghost for Halloween, and I've got 3 costumes already, so that the whole family can participate. I'm not sure we're doing the Boo at the Zoo or the Enchanted Halloweekends at the Discovery Cube. We've let all our memberships go. So we need to find a trick-or-treat thing we can do for free. I'm trying my best not to buy the Bath & Body Works Disney Villains collection. I know it will sell out quickly, but do I really need more lotion and hand soap?

It's the weekend of the Santa Monica Classic and the Disneyland Halloween Half-marathon. I'll be sitting these races out and preparing for the Bimbo Global 10k on September 28th. I haven't done that one before, but registration was free, and it's closer to our house. I received a free sample of Ever&Eden Premium Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, but I'm not impressed with it so far. These are more of my favorites that I buy again and again and use daily.

• Sun Bum Baby Bum Mineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick - Hawaii 104 Act Compliant (Without Octinoxate & Oxybenzone) - UVA/UVB Face and Body Protection - Unscented for Sensitive Skin - Travel Size 0.45 Oz $12.50
• Eucerin Sun Sensitive Mineral Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 with Zinc Oxide Protection, Hypoallergenic Mineral Sunscreen for Babies, Tear Free and Fragrance Free, 4 Fl Oz Tube $20
• Banana Boat Kids MAX Protect & Play Sunscreen Spray SPF 100, 6oz | Clear Spray Sunscreen, Kids Sunscreen Spray, Kids Sunblock Spray, Kids Spray Sunscreen, Kids Sunscreen SPF 100, 6oz $14
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Mineral Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 50 & Zinc Oxide, Water-Resistant, Hypoallergenic & Tear-Free Baby Sunscreen, 3 fl. oz, 3 pk $37
• https://thinksun.com/products/think-everyday-face-sunscreen-2oz-naturally-tinted  $16.50

In my efforts to save money, I also cleaned out my cabinets and put all my backstock of personal care products in rotation. Our good friend used to work at Paul Mitchell and would always gift us products whenever we visited him. So I have some shampoos, conditioners, and gels that will be on our bathroom shelves until they're gone. I lived so frugally when I started this blog, while in grad school. I know how to do it, I just wish I didn't have to.

Finally, I realized we're only six weeks away from the Mission Inn Run. I'm totally looking forward to that. I haven't thought about my outfits for race day. But I have time to come up with something. 

10 things I have learned from being a Disney mom

It is rare for me to have an original thought these days. Even less likely is that I actually write it down. And further, following up on that thought is the rarest event—like seeing a unicorn. Speaking of magical, I wanted to formalize some things Disney has taught me. These lessons translate into other areas of my mom life, so I wanted to share them in a list format.

1. On time is late. Early is on time. Way early is best. 

For Disneyland, I love doing rope drop. The first hour of the day is the most efficient. You want to be there as early as possible. If there's a virtual queue, join it. This extends to registering for after school programs, summer camps, marathons, whatever. Find out when the registration opens and know exactly what you want to purchase beforehand. Have your credit card ready and check out quick!

2. Having a magical day is your responsibility. Make a plan. Do your research.

Coming to the park with your top three already decided is really helpful, like what attractions and experiences are on your bucket list. This applies generally to prioritizing your life. You can be happier if you know what your goals are and celebrate when you achieve them. I'm not saying obsess over every single thing, but you don't want to be feeling FOMO when that holiday parade you saw last year just happened yesterday because you forgot to plan this year.

3. Bundle and save, but don't sweat the spending. If you are on a budget, use gift cards to limit your spending.

Buying in bulk at Disney isn't a thing, but you can save money with an annual pass (magic key). You can also save by purchasing a promotional 3-day ticket with flexible dates. Waiting until promotions are available will save you money in the long run. I'm not into unlimited spending, but I'm more of a 50-50 strategy. Bring 50% of the calories you plan to consume and plan to buy the other 50% while in the park. Same with toys. We try to stick to a $100 budget for each park day. We've used gift cards to restrict kiddo's spending too. I'm doing reverse budgets for our runcations to see how much we spend; that way, we can make a plan for 2025.

4. Bring enough hats and sunglasses for everyone. Make a packing list and stick to it.

Prepared is armed. If you forget a hat, you'll be paying extra $$ for a hat in the park that is more expensive than it has any business being. Likewise, with sunglasses, even if the day starts out grey, it will probably get sunny by the afternoon. Being outside all day leads to eye strain and fatigue. The best idea is a one-to-one ratio of sun hats and sunglasses to people in your party. This goes for any function like a beach day or a hike.

 
5. Stay ready so you don't have to stress while getting ready.

We have a corner where we keep our suitcases, park bags, toiletry bags, and diaper bags all packed. We copy and paste from previous packing lists and check off items as they are loaded into bags, which are loaded into the car. We keep track of when we leave the house, get to the parking structure, and get to the park. That way, we will know next time if it's worth leaving sooner or if we can try leaving later, and we don't stress about it. We even load up the car the night before so that in the morning we can just make coffee, get dressed, and walk out the door.

6. Comfortable over cute every time.

If you have two pairs of shoes, choose the more comfortable one. Don't even think of wearing something new that you haven't worn before for an extended period of time. Consider bringing a poncho if it's raining. It's not cute, but you'll enjoy the day more if you're not stuck in wet clothes. Make sure you have a pocket for your phone that is easily accessible because you'll need it often and quickly to capture those magical moments.

7. Cast members will move your stroller. It will not remain in the exact location where you parked it. Do not panic. Personalize it.

One of the best things we did was to get a stroller sign with our name on it. When you get enough different strollers in one place, the odds of someone else having the exact same model as you are finite. You need to be able to find your stroller when it's not where you left it, and you don't want anyone walking off with yours accidentally. This could be extended to any piece of luggage for travel. Also this can be extended to life in general, it won't always go to plan. Remain calm. 

8. Any moment is perfect for a sing-along, parade or dance party.

Leave your inhibitions at home. This is the time to make memories with your kiddo. Sing out loud if you know the words. March along with Mickey and friends. Dance in the street. Seize the day. Nobody cares if you look ridiculous. Just have fun and be in the moment. The biggest thing kiddo says is Mommy stop looking at your phone. So if you can, just be immersed in what's happening right now.

9. Calories don't count when you're walking all day.

We typically walk 7 miles or so in the parks. That's about 400 extra calories. Yes, I know Disney treats can be very caloric but as long as you stick to your budget, there shouldn't be too many extra calories involved. Enjoy what you do eat. Don't worry about it. Choose something fun and memorable that you can't get elsewhere.

10. A kiss goodnight is sweet.

I don't know how people stay all day until the nighttime events. I think I've only seen one night parade. But I think this is one of the nicest things about the parks, in concept. To say goodnight with music and fireworks. Or a dancing fountain. Or projections set to music that tells a story. I think this can be generally extended to parenting. Kind of like the saying, "don't go to bed angry." Kiss and make up. Go ahead and apologize for losing your temper at 2pm when you were dehydrated, sunburned, and exhausted. Tell a bedtime story. 

Everything we program into our little ones is stored in their amazing brains. I find it fascinating to see what pours out of my kiddo. I can see that those long days and nights of investment are already starting to pay dividends. Albert is an impressive storyteller. He remembers Disneyland and wants to go back.

Bigger and Smaller Races

I have to admit, the number of runners in the Santa Monica Classic freaked me out. It was so crowded I almost had a panic attack right before the race started. It got me thinking about how many runners registered or finished each of the races I've already done and the races I have upcoming.

An example of a smaller race is the Corona del Mar Scenic 5k, which has a very hometown feel. The starting line is a simple balloon arch. There are no fireworks.

• CdM Scenic 5k = 1,010
• Men's - 601
• Women's - 409

A few others with a hometown feel I used to do that I really liked were

• Glendale Downtown Dash 5k = 1,033
• Riverside Raincross 5k = 591
• A Run Through Redlands Half = 476
• 10k - 802
• 5k - 1,731

Getting into larger races, you have the three events leading up to the LA Marathon. Together these events make up the Triple 5k Tour of LA / Conquer LA Challenge.

• Santa Monica Classic 5k/10k - 2415 + 3046 = 5,461 (race is in September)
• Rose Bowl Half = 9,207 (race is in January)
• 5k - 1,632
• LA Marathon = 20,475 (race is in March)
• LA Big 5k - 6,545

Students Run LA is a program for students in public schools to train alongside their teachers to run the LA Marathon. The Holiday Half Marathon is part of their race schedule.

• SRLA Strength 10K & 5K (race is in October) in La Puente
• SRLA Endurance 15K & 5K (race is in November) in Woodley Park
• Holiday Half Marathon = 4,147 (race is in December)
• Half open - 916
• Half SRLA - 3231
• 5k - 842
• 10k - 310
• SRLA Friendship Run 30K & 5K (race is in February) around Hansen Dam
• SRLA Spring into Summer 5K (race is in May) in Boyle Heights

Run Riverside County Challenge

• Mission Inn Run = 3,950 (race is in October)
• 5k - 2040
• 10k - 1091
• Half - 819
• Citrus Heritage Run Half = 516 (race is in January)
• 10k - 492
• 5k - 805
• Palm Desert Half = 541 (race is in February)
• 5k - 599

Thinking of other glamorous events that I may want to do in the future:

• La Jolla Half Marathon = 3,568 (race is in May)
• Starts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds - Finishes at La Jolla Cove and this has been on my radar since 2013
• Run Malibu Half = 2,763 (race is in November)
• 5k - 1,509
• Mountains 2 Beach Marathon = 1,689 (race is in April) in Ventura
• Half = 1,544
• 10k = 192
• 5k = 174
• Ventura Marathon = 977 (race is in February)
• Half = 1,691
• Malibu Moves (race is in October)
• Seaside Marathon (race is in May) in Ventura
• 12th annual will be in 2025
• Valencia Half Marathon (race is in June)
• Pride of the Valley 5K (run is in August) in Baldwin Park
• 29th Annual was in 2024
• Mardi Gras Madness 5K/10K in Valencia (run is in February 2025)
• 15th annual will be 2025
• Chinatown Firecracker 5k/10k (race is in February)
• 47th annual in 2025
• Hope the Mission - Drumstick Dash LA (race is on Thanksgiving)

I'll make a special category for trail races, which I think are great for some people but maybe not for me unless someone special talked me into doing it.

• Red Rock Rumble (trail race in June)
• Chesebro Half Marathon in Thousand Oaks (trail race in April)
• Catalina Island Half Marathon & 10k (trail race is in November)
• Moorpark Mammoth Run (trail race is in October)
• 11th Annual in 2024
• Verdugo Mountains 10k (race is in May)
• Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay (race is in June)

SoCal Triple Crown is a race series in San Diego. I've been wanting to get back down to San Diego and I asked my mother-in-law for recommendations and she suggested the San Diego Half but I'm not sure which one of these she was referring to. She said it was a point-to-point run where you start at Point Loma (a high elevation) and you finish at Balboa Park (a low elevation). 

• GOVX San Diego Half Marathon = 3,355 (race is in March)
• America's Finest City Half Marathon = 3,631 (race is in August)
• This has been on my wish list since 2012
• Carlsbad Marathon = 997 (race is in January)
• Half = 3,411
• 5k = 1,166
• Double Down Challenge is 5k + half (16.2 miles)

Beach Cities Challenge is a race series in Orange County which my nephew recently mentioned that he would like to complete. I've done the OC Half but not any of the other ones.

• Surf City Marathon = 1,544 (race is in February)
• Half = 8,341
• 5k = 3,587
• OC Marathon = 2,916 (race is in May)
• Half = 9,589
• Long Beach Marathon = 2,511 (race is in October)

Then you have runDisney races, which are just on a whole other level. We don't have the Tinkerbell Half marathon weekend (which was a women's empowerment event) anymore but we do have two race weekends here in SoCal now.

• Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon = 11,162 (race is in September)
• 10k = 7,802
• Disneyland Half Marathon = 11,186 (race is in January/February)
• 10k = 6,601

what constitutes swimwear

And why show ALL the skin? I was purchasing a swimsuit for my son and looking for a long-sleeved rashguard or onesie. It hit me that I should be purchasing a long-sleeved suit for myself, too. I'm tired of putting so much sunscreen on and possibly missing a spot in the middle of my back that I can't reach or forgetting to do my chest and getting severely burned, hence accumulating new skin damage.

At my Fit4Mom workout, we discussed what swimsuits typically look like and how impractical they are for motherhood. I was feeling really good about wearing whatever I would wear to a workout (yoga shorts and a sports bra), but then I came across an infographic that said you can't wear non-swimwear to a public pool. Luckily, we usually go to the beach and to the private pool in our condo complex, so there are no lifeguards telling us what is acceptable and what is not.

Here are some of the recent purchases I've made that make me happy.

Barbie Tank Hot Pink https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SPXZYD7

Barbie Tank White https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C9JZ1JPZ

Adult Rash Guard Swim Suit with shorts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNPWXQJX

CRZ Yoga Shorts with pockets https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C9C34NFY

The Heartbeat Powder, Magenta Purple, Light Grayish Blue, Black

High Waisted Full Coverage Swim Bottom https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XFLZ66N/

https://latchedmama.com/products/latched-mama-high-waisted-swim-bottoms-with-pocket

https://latchedmama.com/products/latched-mama-maternity-postpartum-gathered-nursing-swim-tank-1

https://latchedmama.com/products/latched-mama-lace-up-nursing-swim-top

https://latchedmama.com/products/latched-mama-ruffle-nursing-swim-crop-top-1

https://latchedmama.com/products/latched-mama-long-sleeve-swim-zip-nursing-cover-up

https://latchedmama.com/products/latched-mama-sporty-swim-skirt-with-boy-shorts

Hot Mom Summer!

Awesome Sauce

It's hard to put into words the magical mama's visit I had with my sister and aunt recently. It was just so wonderful that it's hard to describe. It was the first significant get-together that we've had since the pandemic, and it was like an ointment or salve to heal my loneliness and isolation that had overshadowed most of my son's life.

We didn't have an agenda for the parks, but we did way more than either of us thought we might. Baby Evelyn's favorite ride was definitely the Little Mermaid, and we rode it twice without having to get off. It was amazing how the little ones were able to sneak in their naps between strolling and babywearing. We explored some things that were familiar to me and did some new things that I'd never done before, and everything was frosted with nostalgia.

We got Genie+ for our second park day and used it for Haunted Mansion and Small World, and it might seem insignificant, but it helped us skip many lines, especially in the afternoon. The parade was so great we both wept for its beauty. I don't want to minimize the whole experience by listing how much everything costs, but I am curious because I want to budget for the rest of the month and next month, and the month after that, haha. Summer is here, and I am trying to plan what we will do to stay busy, keep learning, and incorporate arts and crafts into our daily routines.

• 5/12 - airport pick-up, lunch, last lab ($5 for parking, $103 groceries)
• 5/13 - waffles, campus walk ($13 stroller hooks, $13 Mickey's ears)
• 5/14 - french toast, train, bus, hotel, downtown Disney ($12 pretzels, $27 sweets, $4 fruit)
• 5/15 - DCA, Disneyland, magic key terrace ($24 milk stand, $72 dinner, $65 Genie+)
• 5/16 - Disneyland, Tom Sawyer Island, train, van ($328 hotel, $6 milk, $12 fruit, $38 grey stuff)
• 5/17 - end of year celebration, groceries, meal prep ($24 toys, $32 toys, $151 groceries)
• 5/18 - tie-dye, dance medicine ($95 groceries, $72 gas)
• 5/19 - beach day, tie-dye ($6 parking, $98 for flowers)
• 5/20 - tie-dye breakfast, painting day, IKEA, thrift store ($72 clothes, $42 food)
• 5/21 - yoga in the park, pickup Fitlicious, painting day ($20 yoga, $135 food)
• 5/22 - packing, garden play, downtown Disney day 2 ($24 McDonald's, $22 corndogs, $15 parking, $13 sweets, $19 sweet potato fries & milk)
• 5/23 - airport dropoff ($69 gas, $3 parking)

I really do think we balanced low or no-cost stuff with pricey experiences. We also balanced gogo days with nogo days. For example, we kept everything simple the first two days (Friday and Saturday) and stayed home. It was our Mother's Day to spend with our kiddos at home. Then the next three days (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday), we got caught up in go-go-go and nearly outdid ourselves. After returning home, we had a couple of chill days (Wednesday and Thursday), where we stayed home and did some cooking, cleaning, and domestic stuff.

The tie-dye was fun, relaxing, and also exhausting but memorable. We were chatting and tying in my garden, which I loved because I love spending time out there. I put in some flowers just to make the space colorful and inviting. It was like a Mother's Day gift to myself to make that space exactly what I wanted it to be for us to enjoy it. Everyone agreed the beach day was a fantastic idea (Friday). Good thing my ladies are all big fans of sunscreen, and I don't think anyone got burned the whole trip! We had a brunch on Saturday to send our aunt off with a full belly.

We really enjoyed all the flowers, trees, bushes, grass, and everything around us as inspiration for the painting with a twist at home. Over the weekend, my husband was helpful in watching the kiddo so that we could do a girls' trip to IKEA and a thrift store (Saturday and Sunday) and finish up our wishing well princess paintings. It was very fun to do yoga in the park, although my sister did the entire flow with a baby napping strapped to her body. We didn't make it out to any Fit4Mom workouts, but that's how it goes sometimes. I'll get back to it tomorrow...FriYay!

Finally, we packed on Monday and did another Disney trip to pick up some souvenirs. It was fun to try to fit in everything we didn't get to do, like corndogs, churros, Mickey cupcakes, popcorn, dole whips, and beignets. We didn't get to everything, but what we tasted was 100% worth the extra trip. We enjoyed different areas of downtown Disney, the Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian, and the Pixar Pier Hotel. Again, we did some things I had only heard about but didn't know how to do, so it's always good to do reconnaissance. 

I'm already looking forward to our Nebraska trip to visit with Albert's cousins and grandparents, which will be coming up here in about a month.

Month of Mama part 3

I did try to find these items used, I really did. But there's only so many things you can buy used. Bras and panties are just not in that category. I have been searching out the brand names Kindred Bravely and Latched Mama constantly on Facebook marketplace and other online outlets of used clothing. There just isn't that much inventory. So when I finally placed an order, and it got lost, I decided to just take the plunge and get the items new.

First, I have to say the simply sublime nursing bra is 100% what I needed to add to my wardrobe. I didn't see myself wearing the nursing bras I bought ages ago while still pregnant but now that I work outside the home, I do have to wear some kind of bra every day. Turns out these are the only ones that don't hurt after awhile. It was 100% comfortable and supportive from the moment I put it on. I didn't get this white/blue ombre, I got it in Beige - XXL-Busty. Cannot recommend strongly enough.

I did get two pairs of Bamboo Hipster Panties | Beige - XXL/XXXL but I am not a fan. I will probably pass these along to my sister. I can't say what bothers me about them but they just aren't comfortable for me on my body at this moment. I think if I had a big pregnant bump, it would make sense but with my mom tummy it just looks like an overhanging blob of fat and it's not cute.

This model looks fine in the panties, but it didn't look like this on me. She's carefully hiding the love handles too. I'm wearing the Organic Cotton Nursing & Sleep Bra | Beige - XXL-Busty today at work and I love it. It's really soft and it doesn't cling too tight and it does support and it doesn't dig into my back rolls. For making a large order, I got this nursing and sleep bra for free and I also got free shipping. The total was $163.15 for all these items.

I also got the Bamboo Nursing & Maternity Tank | Slate Blue - XX-Large instead of the clip down spaghetti string tank shown in the first photo. I didn't expect it to be double-layered on front and back. I guess it does also camoflauge the back rolls better that way. It seems like it will get hot in the summer and I still get night sweats so I'm not sure it will be a home run but I will definitely try it out. My husband helped me fashion show all of these items in different combinations. He told me that the Bamboo Maternity & Postpartum Lounge Shorts | Slate Blue - XX-Large and the Everyday Lounge Joggers | Slate Blue - XX-Large are probably best kept as house pants. They are a very thin material and definitely showcase my cellulite. I got the Eleanora Bamboo Maternity & Nursing Lounge Dress | in Oatmeal Stripe instead of Navy Stripe and in size - XX-Large. It looks like it's going to be very comfortable and perfect for nursing on the go. I like that it is light-colored so that it will reflect light and be nice and cool for summer.

What's great is the slate color of the leggings coordinates really well with this "denim" colored floral. This hoodie is long in the back and covers up the aforementioned cellulite very well which would make it more acceptable to leave the house in this ensemble. It's also very lightweight which is nice to protect my arms from baby talons but yet not get me overheating.

What I also love is that the color of this "mountain springs" nursing dress coordinates with the slate leggings well too. The placement of the banding is very flattering and my husband authorized me to wear this to disneyland. I think I will pair it with some of the shorts on the previous post. I like that it has side-access nursing or you can pull the neckline down. It's very stretchy and forgiving. I also like the length. It will allow me to sit on a hot bench and not touch the metal to my skin but also have my knees uncovered so that they can sweat.

I'm not super happy about the color of this dress. It's not really good for wearing out and about. But I'm wondering if I overdye it with the other tie-dye stuff, maybe I can get some good banding like the Mountain Springs one and then it won't look so pajama-y. I like how in the photo, she is showing how you can pull to the side for night nursing. I also like how they use plus-size models so you can see how the clothes will look on your body and decide if the style is right for you.

I love the color of this dress. The fabric weight is pretty heavy. I finally got my husband on board with why I store dresses in a drawer rather than on a hanger. It came with a belt and the nursing access is really good. The only problem with it is that I am very short, so the dress is almost to the floor.

These last two I found on poshmark used. They are worth every penny. I have been LIVING in the loungewear long-sleeved top. The tank dress is a bit long and I might sew up the shoulders but with that modification, it is awesome. These two are how I became more confident that I needed the 2XX and 3XXX sizes. I don't care. I'm fine with it. They're comfy.

June 2021 thoughts

June 7: Pushing rolling things around the house is big time fun now. A bar cart, a scooter and the learning walker. Even though he can walk unassisted and even run, pushing stuff is paramount these days.

He is really into opening and closing doors and does a really cute little shuffle when I remind him to "watch your feet" so the door doesn't scratch him. He scoots his little feet back ever so slightly before moving the door.

We have had to move all trash cans up on top of stools because he loves stashing stuff in there like his toys and our shoes. As others have said there is a constant mixing of clean and dirty laundry that can get confusing and results in larger loads getting washed just to be sure.

Our pediatrician had to reschedule the 15 month appointment and now it's going to be at 16 months plus 4 days. What happens at that one?

June 9: LO is doing a cute hand gesture these days. Kind of hand opening and closing. Don't know what he thinks it means but if we do it to him, he will do it back. If he starts doing it, and we do it back, he cracks up. Silly monkey.

June 10: Vulnerable feelings alert! I'm scared about getting in shape / period returning / stopping breastfeeding / starting daycare / Albert growing up. I feel like I can't tell anyone because they might say, it's natural, get over it. I feel like I can't talk about it to my husband because he has to absorb my constant drama. 

I want to lose this belly pooch but I worry about cutting calories and not making enough milk. Likewise for period returning (which hasn't happened yet). Please no advice. I am trying to process these feelings. It's like making my LO my top priority for so long, it scares me to move myself as a higher priority. 

We are on a waitlist for day care for fall but I'm already starting to worry about it. Sharing in case anyone else is out there quietly feeling this way. It seems most people in this group have already crossed these thresholds, so I haven't posted here because I didn't want to seem behind the curve. 

I am holding on to this baby because we are one and done. I didn't expect to enjoy motherhood this much and I didn't give much thought to how I would balance working and parenting because our Reproductive Endocrinologist gave us a 50% chance of a live birth. It felt like flipping a coin. My husband was betting it would work and I was betting it wouldn't.

I am doing my best to embrace the change. Also working out harder is making my C-section scar hurt a bit and it makes me remember labor and makes me wonder if I could have had a vaginal delivery if only I had tried harder. What? Seriously I gotta get out of my head.

June 14: He pretended to blow his nose in a tissue. So cute!

June 16: Took baby for a hike. RIP my neck, trunk, arms, legs, etc. I tried to go to sleep but I was so hungry I had to sneak down and have a late night snack. It was only 3 miles and I babywear quite a bit, but I guess hiking is just that much different. LO was in a Deuter hiking backpack. Last time we took LO for a hike, he was 8 months old. Back then DH wore LO and I just walked. Today I wore him the whole hike. He did very well today but wow am I exhausted.

June 19: Me: sees a picture of an 8 year old

Also me: crying because LO will eventually be 8 years old

June 22: Me: I wonder why my left hip hurts...

Also me: At the store. Doing laundry. Gardening. Cooking. Walking on the beach. Carries LO on my left hip.

Infertility Babies: I am simultaneously wanting another child and feeling jealous of fellow bumpers who are pregnant or already have a 2nd, 3rd or 4th. But also feeling like I have my hands full now with one 15 month old. And still breastfeeding. And had a C-section. So like aren't I supposed to wait 18 months before even trying to get pregnant?

We do not plan to have another child. There is no way I would go through IVF again at my age (40). I hate it when people say, "you can't have an only child. He needs a sibling." But yes if it happens, I would love another. But no, I'm not actively trying. 

But yes, the TTC threads on my bumper group are super triggering for so many reasons! I selfishly want to have a second labor so I can have a better birth experience. The first one sucked except for the fact that both me and the baby survived.

Side note: I am starting to get fit again and doing scar massage and I think a lot about my birth experience and feel lots of regrets about it. My baby was born during a set of difficult circumstances. I don't feel entitled to a "do over" because I know it could end up the same or worse the 2nd time. And also it's crazy to want to "do over" birth and newborn stage right? You still gotta raise the baby for many years after that. I just don't know how to heal from my birth experience (after IVF) and immediate lockdown because of COVID. My son was born 3/14/20.

Last month

Last month I had decision fatigue. There is about one day every two weeks that I snap at DH and tell him to figure it out himself. He's not allowed to ask me. Like, dude, I'm no expert. Nobody showed me. Also with COVID there were some things I used to do to refresh and restore that I can't do now. Like getting a massage and skating at the roller rink. 😪 I am trying to show up for my online fitness classes, but like you, I have some stuff going on with my body that is undiagnosed. I have pain in my extremities (hands, wrists, feet, ankles) that makes it hard to go "out for a walk" plus it has been 100's of degrees Fahrenheit or poor air quality for weeks. Yet somehow I am managing to do all the cooking and cleaning and taking care of baby and working a part-time job.

Last month, Ha ha. My baby is kind of delayed in rolling, but he can sit unassisted. He doesn't do any other pre-crawling milestones like hands-and-knees, commando, scooting, etc. My mom's fitness group was saying that kids tend to be early walkers OR early talkers. My baby is a chatterbox so I'm betting he's gonna be an early talker. 

Last month, I celebrated the birth of my nephew Theo. I keep a cardboard box in the kitchen and as soon as LO outgrows something, I throw it in the box (clean). When the box is full, I ship it to my sister.

Last month, I wanted to buy stuff online just to have something to look forward to. Like baby Halloween costumes, and silly Christmas outfits. But I am also kind of crafty, thrifty, in to upcycling and hand-me-downs. We plan to go to the beach next weekend but with COVID uncertainty, we haven't made any holiday plans and it's kind of depressing. It was 108 deg F here yesterday, triple digits all week, so we're stuck inside hard-core. Which is probably a contributing factor to my desire for restless spending.

Last month, I felt like it is a struggle to feed purees AND breastmilk, do tummy time AND read/sing and do something for myself AND a little housework in these 2.5 hour wake windows. The days are flying by. I also feel a bit guilty. My mom was here the first 2 weeks of September. She's been gone 3 weeks. The first week after she left I cried EVERY day because I missed the help. DH has been trying to do more these past 2 weeks. He kind of asked me the other day if I noticed his contribution. It has been better but I told him I adjusted so it's fine now. I think he was asking if his help was helping. I don't know if I should have praised him for helping more. But why do dads say they babysit their own kids? That's called parenting when it's yours. Right? I do appreciate the help from him on folding diapers and meal prepping. So why can't I just express that? I think it's because I still have to do the larger share of being with LO. In terms of hours, DH is in charge of LO for 6.5% of the time. That leaves me with LO for 93.5% of the time. I don't know why [this ](https://www.fatherly.com/love-money/parenting-strategies-advice/sharing-parenting-jobs-couples-therapist-advice/) makes me mad.

Last month, feeding Albert a meal takes more like an hour. Setting everything out. Feeding one tiny bite at a time. Cleaning up. Drinking water practice included. I have started thinking of it as a meal we eat together. I alternate bites for him and bites for me. Or bites for him while I exercise. My baby is a slow eater I guess.

Last month I felt clutter fatigue. I am sick of all the brightly colored plastic crap around the house. For context, I had a kinda miminalist tiny house life before baby, complete with eco-friendly car-free commute. I am now a suburban-living minivan-driving buyer of toys for my little monster. We do get used toys, but they pile up along with the bassinet and infant carseat that we've outgrown. The recycling centers are closed due to COVID and I am fully fantasizing about throwing a bunch of stuff to the curb. Send photos of your organization porn. Any minimalist mamas out there want to brag?

Last month, MIL made a comment disparaging teachers. She implied that teachers "don't want to work" and that's why they are teaching remotely. She asked if I am still being paid the same amount now that we are virtual. She asked if the students get a discounted tuition. As if online instruction is a choice. As if schools that are face-to-face haven't had COVID outbreaks. As if virtual instruction is effortless. As if the value of live instruction via Zoom is less than the value of being "on campus." It hurts because I'm a teacher. It hurts because I am working as hard as ever. Students have said that having both live lectures and access to high-quality recordings has been a game-changer. We teachers still plan lessons. We teachers still assign and grade the same homework. We teachers still hold office hours. The only thing we don't do is the commute (less driving/use of transit = better air quality and lower COVID risk). I fully appreciate how difficult it is for working parents who are now supervising their children's online instruction at home. COVID has been disruptive for EVERYONE IN THE WORLD. I can imagine as a working parent the relief of sending a child to school. But I get defensive when people imply that teachers are just being lazy and not wanting to work. We're already pretty underpaid. We're already doing more by learning how to be our own audio engineers, lighting experts, transitioning our content into a virtual medium, trying to create rapport with students through Zoom and email. We're doing a lot of things we've never done before (which takes extra time). To suggest that we should be paid less is more than mildly insulting.

Last month, we had a good time at the beach. Super big thanks to Ashley Maddox for posting her beach packing list.

⭐umbrella/tent

⭐chairs

⭐towel/blanket

⭐WATER!!! 

⭐rash guard bathing suit

⭐floppy hat 

⭐sunscreen

⭐sand toys

⭐baby carrier

⭐baby pool

We used everything on this list and we were "on the sand" for 3 hours. Baby took 2 naps. One in the carrier and one in the tent. We reapplied sunscreen midway. Nobody got burned. Adults had PB&J sandwiches.

Last month, I bought some dorky outfits! I know I'm not the World's best photographer but I plan to do the photos here at home. This [video](https://www.facebook.com/295199098300/posts/10158215666078301/) was my inspiration.

Last month, we went to the beach on Saturday with MIL. So tired we didn't unpack the car until Sunday. DH was watching LO while I was in class Tuesday night and realized we forgot to put the changing mat in the diaper bag. We had a disposable puddle pad and a recieving blanket so we used those. To me it was no big deal but DH got insanely upset. We went to bed angry on Tuesday night. Wednesday night we talked it out and I recalled the last time LO was changed. I was standing outside our vehicle and LO was on the front passenger seat. DH said he guessed I put the changing pad under the seat, he went out to the car and found it. I thought he was mad about the lost changing pad because of work stress but it turns out it is a combination of him being anxious about dealing with poop and being paranoid about being out and about with LO and not having the supplies necessary for diaper changes. He rightly reminded me that I am primarily home with LO and he takes the baby out while I WFH. I thought it was a strange thing to be upset about especially since we have another changing pad and LOTS of puddle pads and recieving blankets. DH is usually so willing to throw money at a problem, i.e. just buy another one. I couldn't understand why he would be so worked up. TLDR: we resolved the issue but it took 24 hours.

Last month, I looked in the mirror and saw my C-section scar. My belly used to overhang so much that I didn't see the scar, so I guess that's progress? I have for better or for worse been doing Zoom fitness classes 3-4x per week. In the beginning, starting 3 weeks after LO was born, it was more for community than for a workout. I modify what I don't feel comfortable doing. I did exercises for diastasis recti instead of whatever ab stuff they were doing. It's been 3 months of specific diastasis recti work and I feel my core is stronger. I feel my whole body is stronger. I used to wear LO during the workouts otherwise he would cry. He's now good with jumping or hanging out in his swing or high chair. I had to grab a 12 lb medicine ball because I missed having the extra weight. My instructor said she had to wear one of her kids until about 7 months and that's where we're at so I guess that's also a win. We got a bicycle helmet for LO and a seat attached, but I don't know if he is developmentally ready or physically strong enough to go for a bike ride. We've done two short outings and he cries when we hit bumps. I don't want to hurt his little body and it is illegal to ride on the streets with a child less than 1 year. I was a runner like 5 years ago but I'm afraid to run now because breastfeeding and my feet hurt so much. I am hoping to get back to outdoor stuff when summer is over. This week, we're under a heat advisory again, until 5pm Friday due to triple digit temperatures (Fahrenheit).

Last month, I realized babies had to be put down for naps. I didn't know about this. I guess I thought they would just get tired and conk out. I feel like managing baby's schedules for diapers, feeding, exercise, learning and sleeping is a full-time job. Dang I was so naïve.

Last month, These just arrived today. ❤❤❤ > I love. I feel so much better. Nicewin
Arch Support Brace for Men & Women Elastic Copper Bandage Foot Care Brace for Pain Relief of Plantar Fasciitis, Heel Spurs, Flat Feet

Last month, we went to the Farmer's Market to get fresh produce and the grocery store to pick up meat & dairy. We were winning at meal prep.

Last month, I got a baby break from 2am - 3:30am and got some deep sleep. My husband supervised LO instead of me. DH says to me this morning at 5:50am just before he heads off to work... maybe one day LO will sleep independently in his pack & play. I was like, watch out what you hope for. Hope is a dangerous thing. I just don't think my baby is that type of baby. Maybe other babies do it, maybe not, but I don't want to risk fantasizing about something like that. But I do understand how that sounds like an attractive prospect. I just don't want to dwell on wishful thinking because I don't want to resent my baby for what he can't or won't do. Or maybe what he isn't doing yet. Also, I noticed my wrists don't hurt anymore. So I now have the answer to my question of "how long after baby is born will I have carpal tunnel?" The answer is 7 months. Some baby-related stuff is really annoying and produces anxiety because there are so many questions and so few answers. Or the answer is: it depends. Or the answer is: it's different for every mom. I feel like I can deal with a situation if I know it's temporary. If I feel like it will never end, I lose hope and start to dwell on despair. I was reading that the breasts may continue to produce milk for year(s) after your baby is no longer nursing. So I guess the mysteries of my body will continue to unfold.

Last month, I wondered why my husband INSISTS on talking to me while I'm trying to get LO to fall asleep. I feel like I've told him a million times that verbalization (words) make LO's ears and brain perk up, which is the opposite of him falling asleep. I hum and rock but I won't even sing songs with words or read a story because it winds the baby up instead of calming him down. DH doesn't seem to understand this, or he just doesn't care. He keeps talking to me and I shoosh him and he gets mad and keeps on talking and asking me stuff and we end up madder and madder at each other. Whyeee? Can't we just agree that if the baby is on his way to sleep we can talk later?

Last month, we got some childproofing underway FINALLY!!!! My WFH setup is in the main room and it was an absolute mess of cables. With the way this baby grabs everything within reach, I know the second he can crawl that desk will be a target for LO.

Last month, I realized that I used to be a total hater when it came to spelling and grammar. Like if someone turned in an assignment with a bunch of typos, run-on sentences, fragments, disarrayed paragraphs, etc. I would think, "What is with this person? Don't they use spellcheck? Why can't they proofread and see that this doesn’t make sense?" Now that I type everything one-handed on 4 hours of sleep, I'm so forgiving. I'm like wow, that was a good try. I think I know what you meant. There are lots of unexpected ways my son has changed me as a person.

Last month, we cleaned the house on Friday and Saturday. Got our flu shots (mom, dad and baby) last week. Cooked a big meal with leftovers yesterday. We walked a leisurely 5k (mom, dad, baby and doggo) and ate lunch at a hot dog stand. 🌭🌭🌭🌭🌭 👨‍👩‍👦 🐩 The weather here was perfect, overcast and cool. It really felt like we did something significant. Also randomly crossed paths with two separate professor friends. It was nice to see other adults.

Last month, my husband stepped it up after I apologized to him for "rage cleaning." I have a verbally-abusive mom. She would name-call all of us every time she was cleaning up the house. Called us lazy and useless and worse. I delayed starting a family because I was afraid of being like that. I get into that headspace every so often, but I don't say it outloud. I just get upset and quiet and kind of slam things a bit more than I would if I weren't upset. I waited until I wasn't upset. DH actually said that he would've waited a couple more days to do the cleaning but he would have done it eventually. He said, "it wasn't like I was trying to wait you out." So I told him that I already had consciously waited 24 hours to see if he would lift a finger and that's why I was upset when I finally did it myself. Backstory: He invited his dad over for a formal meal on Saturday and so I was hoping he would take the initiative to cook and clean because it was a special occasion that he had initiated. I designated DH as the "boss" of the event. He was in charge of all meal planning, shopping, cooking, cleaning. I said that I would assist but not be "in charge." I suffer from decision fatigue as it is with LO and I just didn't need a special occasion on top of everyday baby-rearing. Sometimes I think the tables need to be turned or the shoe put on the other foot for us to appreciate each other. Two weekends ago, I did all the shopping and it was exhausting. DH does all the "outside of the house" tasks so that includes shopping. It helped me appreciate the energy required for that task which I haven’t been doing since covid times began / baby was born.

Last month, I got $125 worth of toys for $17.25 at the CastaIc consignment sale. It's kind of unbelievable that I'm so bad at choosing toys that are at an appropriate developmental level. The way toys are sold is in bundles so if you want one specific thing, often you get 3 things you didn't necessarily want. Since they're all out of the box they have to be cleaned. Also I look them up to see how to clean and the age range. I then sort them into bins by age and put away anything LO isn't ready for. I guess even with all that, it's a good deal. Bench with 3 bins for $30 for toy [organization](https://imgur.com/gallery/PD7TgEi).

Fertility Part 10

We have come through a full cycle from when we started The IVF Diet. We have done the two week cleanse entirely twice. I have had my second period after egg retrieval. Last weekend we attended a wedding in Marin County, north of San Francisco, on the coast. I thought it would be challenging to stick to the diet, but it was actually okay.

Sausalito, CA with Sister and Husband

Our hotel, the Fairfax Inn, was near a coffee shop, Coffee Roastery, which offered terrific smells as well as smoothies with an available protein boost. This was our breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. I felt that this was a good sign and that it would be good to trust the universe that the rest of the trip would be just as easy. Through this process, I am learning to let go, trust more, and worry less.

I brought with us some gluten-free baked goods, Nutella protein cookies (which we baked accidentally), sun-dried tomato oat crackers, turmeric seeded bread, and granola. On the drive up (6.5 hours) we had a super green flapjack bar, dried peas, almonds, hard boiled eggs, and beef jerky. I packed at least 3 liters of water, so we did stop about three times for bathroom breaks.

The first night was a BBQ, and I had a (bunless) turkey burger and a bratwurst. The second day, I had an open turkey sandwich on oat crackers. The second evening, I had a salmon salad with asparagus. I did eat a slice of wedding cake, but even doing so, my calories did not exceed 40% carbs. That day was very adventurous with lots of activity (wakeboarding, hiking, and dancing) which burned 3000 calories over 7.8 miles and 20,000 steps.

I read that the first period after egg retrieval is very painful, which it was for me, and the second period after egg retrieval comes very late. This was true for me also. My typical cycle length is 27 days but this past cycle (between the first and second period after egg retrieval) was 35 days. I had read that this is normal, not from my doctor, but probably on reddit, so I wasn't worried.

This post is for me to check in with myself. I feel sad because I have lost a bit of weight, but I am worried it will not be enough. A goal would be to get down to 191 pounds, to have a BMI less than 35. Hopefully, my sister will kick my butt into gear with her hiking adventures IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS and I can drop a few more pounds. Okay, 10 pounds is the goal.

We had a great tour of the Marin Museum of Bicycling and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. It was a fun and educational way to celebrate bike month. We also had a good time on the Blumenfield bike ride, which was on April 28th.

From what I read, again on reddit, the third period after egg retrieval is also late. So that may push things back a bit further. I am not really looking forward to hormone injections again. I am definitely afraid about the embryo transfer not working. But fear does not solve anything, so I am trying to stay focused on what I can do in the meantime (diet, exercise, weight loss) to create the best possible environment for success.