Well it’s Monday again! Tom and I worked on a few home projects so we didn’t have the most relaxing of weekends, but we sure did get a lot done! Unfortunately this past week wasn’t all that great workout-wise. The highlight of the week was completing the West Point Cadet Basic Training March Back, which was a 12 mile ruck march (don’t worry, I hiked it without carrying anything) at the end of summer training. The Task Force this summer was named after Dimitri, so 9 members of the del Castillo family, my parents and I went up to West Point to view the memorial that was set up, donate Dimitri’s ring to the library, and to attend many events in honor of my late husband. It was an emotional weekend, but it was wonderful to see how the cadets embraced Dimitri’s memory and legacy.
6 miles down, 6 miles to go, and 28 weeks pregnant! The hills were a killer but I hung in there!
We marched in formation for the last two miles.
The whole crew after the march back at the Superintendent’s house.
Below are the workouts I completed during my 28th week of pregnancy:
Monday, 8/10. West Point Beast Barracks march back (hike) from Camp Buckner in honor of Dimitri with my mom, my dad and my father-in-law. 12 miles in 3 hours and 51 minutes (approximately a 20 minute mile pace). This is normally only open to West Point “Old Grads,” but because this summer was dedicated to Dimitri my father-in-law and my mom were able to do it as well. It was really wonderful to share the experience with them, despite having to wake up at 2:45 in the morning. The rest of the family joined us for the last 2 miles. My pubis symphysis hurt a bit, the hills were challenging, but I felt strong the whole time. My feet, legs and butt were really sore the rest of the day!
Friday, 8/14. 3.32 mile run in 41 minutes. Slow morning jog around the lake by myself. Felt pretty good other than having to go to the bathroom the entire time.
Saturday, 8/15. 2.37 mile run in 34 minutes. Once around Centennial Lake with Tom (after he had already run 7.5 miles). Had to run/walk because I kept getting a cramp. Pregnancy sure is humbling!
This week I plan to get back into my pre-summer routine. My goal is to work out 5 times. Even though I’m in my third trimester I still seem to have the energy I had during my second trimester. We’ll see how long that lasts!
I love your blog! I went through the whole thing this weekend and it's one of, if not the most, inspiring blogs I've ever read. I've never commented on a blog, but you and your story, and your eye for design really touched me and so I wanted to reach out and say thanks for starting this blog and continuing to update! The way you have continued to live life fully after such sadness and to continue to find the beauty in life is amazing. Please take care and I look forward to reading more posts! -Cheryl (also from Atlanta, GA! :))
Hi Cheryl, thank you so much for such a sweet note! It makes me so happy to hear that you enjoy reading my blog. Sometimes I feel like it's a little all over the place with Army stuff, decorating ideas, fitness posts and posts about Dimitri, but I write what is on my heart and it means so much to know that you find it inspiring! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I'm honored that it was your first ever blog comment!
Hi Katie, Sorry this comment might come across as very strange! I knew Dimitri a very long time ago – I went to elementary school with him (funny enough, one of my best friends at the time had the biggest crush on him, and I had the biggest crush on Collin :x). But he was always such a sweet boy and so smart, I was saddened to hear of his passing. I found your blog about a year or 2 ago when I was doing some Facebook s…sleuthing – and it is absolutely wonderful to read. I appreciate your honesty and candidness when you discuss your personal experiences with Dimitri and the military. But most importantly, I'm amazed by your strength and courage and how far you have come. Congratulations on your growing family, by the way!
But I love your blog – and on top of everything else, I love pretty and whimsical things, so Life with a Dash of Whimsy has become a regular read and one of my favorite blogs :).
Hi Lauren, not strange at all! So funny that you and your friend had crushes on Dimitri and Collin…I probably would have been right there along with you! Thank you so much for your kind words about Dimitri, my life story and my blog. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read regularly, and I'm so glad you enjoy what I decide to post here on Life with a Dash of Whimsy. It's feedback like this that keeps me motivated to keep going, so thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙂
I love your blog! I went through the whole thing this weekend and it's one of, if not the most, inspiring blogs I've ever read. I've never commented on a blog, but you and your story, and your eye for design really touched me and so I wanted to reach out and say thanks for starting this blog and continuing to update! The way you have continued to live life fully after such sadness and to continue to find the beauty in life is amazing. Please take care and I look forward to reading more posts! -Cheryl (also from Atlanta, GA! :))
Hi Cheryl, thank you so much for such a sweet note! It makes me so happy to hear that you enjoy reading my blog. Sometimes I feel like it's a little all over the place with Army stuff, decorating ideas, fitness posts and posts about Dimitri, but I write what is on my heart and it means so much to know that you find it inspiring! Thank you for taking the time to comment. I'm honored that it was your first ever blog comment!
Hi Katie, Sorry this comment might come across as very strange! I knew Dimitri a very long time ago – I went to elementary school with him (funny enough, one of my best friends at the time had the biggest crush on him, and I had the biggest crush on Collin :x). But he was always such a sweet boy and so smart, I was saddened to hear of his passing. I found your blog about a year or 2 ago when I was doing some Facebook s…sleuthing – and it is absolutely wonderful to read. I appreciate your honesty and candidness when you discuss your personal experiences with Dimitri and the military. But most importantly, I'm amazed by your strength and courage and how far you have come. Congratulations on your growing family, by the way!
But I love your blog – and on top of everything else, I love pretty and whimsical things, so Life with a Dash of Whimsy has become a regular read and one of my favorite blogs :).
Hi Lauren, not strange at all! So funny that you and your friend had crushes on Dimitri and Collin…I probably would have been right there along with you! Thank you so much for your kind words about Dimitri, my life story and my blog. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read regularly, and I'm so glad you enjoy what I decide to post here on Life with a Dash of Whimsy. It's feedback like this that keeps me motivated to keep going, so thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙂