Running for Two Part III

It’s been 6 weeks since my last update, and there is a lot to report. I am now 26 weeks pregnant (about 6 months) and about to begin the third trimester. This is getting very REAL.

Weeks 21-26

The good news: I am still running! The not-so-good news: I’m starting to struggle a bit to get the miles in.

When we last left off, I was still doing long weekend runs and getting in about 20 miles a week. I did one more 10 mile run at 21 weeks pregnant (and hit 22 miles total that week), but that would be my last double-digit run of this pregnancy.

In the weeks since, and more specifically in the last 3 weeks or so, I’ve started feeling the reality of my pregnancy in many aspects of my physical body. I’m getting bigger, but still not huge, and I haven’t gained that much weight (only about 11 lbs). So, it’s not just my growing size. It’s partially just that in general my body is working HARD to grow this baby, so I get tired quickly. Also, as my stomach grows and stretches, there are a lot of achy muscles and ligaments and things going on. Baby is huge in there- about 2 lbs and 15 inches long. She’s squirming around and opening and closing her eyes, sucking her thumb, getting hiccups, etc. There is a PERSON inside of me. The result of all this is that running can be uncomfortable at times.

I’m still running though. Because for every achy, uncomfortable run I have, I have a perfect, happy, cruise of a run to make up for it. So at this point it’s not enough to stop trying to run. I just never know what I’m going to get when I head out the door, and I am trying to be accepting of this. If things hurt, I walk. If they don’t, I run (and still walk a bit). I’m going with the flow.

Generally, my pace hasn’t changed much in the last 6 weeks. Looking in my running log, most of my runs average about 11:30 pace. When I’m running I am doing about 10:30-11:15 pace, so depending how much I walk, the average ends up a bit slower. My fastest run of the last few weeks was definitely the 5k race 3 weeks ago (10:06 pace). My slowest run was just over 13:00 with lots of walking.

I’ve maintained a good weekly mileage- generally around 15 mpw. I’ve been running 4 days a week still.

Here are the stats from the last 6 weeks- I didn’t do a “long run” every week so I think I’ll post my weekly total as well to paint a better picture.

21 weeks pregnant: 10 miles at 12:15 pace, 22 miles total
22 weeks pregnant: 7 miles at 11:27 pace, 17 miles total
23 weeks pregnant: Sellwood Scamper 5k, 13 miles total
24 weeks pregnant: n/a (4 miles at 11:00 pace), 12.65 miles total
25 weeks pregnant: 7 miles at 11:39 pace, 16.25 miles total
26 weeks pregnant: 6 miles at 11:56 pace, 17.3 miles total

I’m really happy overall, and I’m optimistic I’ll keep running for a while. The main problem the last couple runs has been getting a bad side-stitch early in the run, but it goes away after a short break and doesn’t come back. Other times I’ve had achiness in  my lower abdomen and other times I just feel too exhausted to even get out the door. These are all things I can adjust for and accommodate.

My plan going forward is to continue to be flexible. I can take all the walk breaks I need, or cut back on mileage. My main goal is to stay active, and that doesn’t have to be running exclusively. Although I hate to think of giving it up… that makes me sad. I am doing my best to listen to my body but it’s hard. 90% of my body is saying Yay Running! And 10% is saying Ouch, are you nuts? It’s tricky.

I’m definitely giving up “long runs.” 6 or 7 miles is plenty these days, especially since at 11-12 minute miles it takes a long time. I may even just cut back to 3-4 miles like I do for the other runs. Zach had a good idea to make my goal to run as many miles per week as I have LEFT until my due date. For example, this week I am 26 weeks pregnant, so 14 weeks left. Weekly mileage goal: 14. (I did 17, yay!) I like this because it gets easier every week.

Who knows how long I’ll be able to keep running but I’m trying to live in the present and be happy with what I have today. So much of my energy lately is spent thinking/planning/worrying about the future… I don’t need to add to that. Today I ran 6 miles, and that makes me happy.

Running pictures:

24.5 weeks in my Portland Marathon shirt!

 

25 weeks:

26 weeks:

 

Body Changes

Well, I’m certainly not getting smaller! I’m looking “obviously” pregnant. Plus, with the warmer weather and less layers, my bump is more the public. I got my first comment from a fellow runner on the waterfront- he pointed at my stomach and said “Impressive! Good job!” Thanks buddy!

Compare 16 weeks:

with 26 weeks:

I still don’t look pregnant in these front pictures:

 

But in this work outfit… hello baby!

Belly! Here you can see the beginning of the Linea Negra- a dark like running above and below my belly button (which is still a cavernous innie):

Here I am trying on a hilariously tight (though the largest size they had) strapless dress- I didn’t buy it but really wanted to. I am finding I feel very sexy in my weird pregnant body. It helps that my boobs are double the size of normal.

In general, I’m loving my body. I am a little scared of what it’ll look/feel like in the next few weeks and months but I can deal with it. It’s not easy to be pregnant, but it is fun.

Cross Training

Um, not so much. I think in the last 6 weeks I’ve gone swimming 3 times. I’ve only been to prenatal yoga 3 times also. I have been trying to to feel obligated to do these things and only do them if I really want to. I figure I’m focusing on running now and if the other activities have to suffer, so be it. I do miss these things, but I just don’t have the energy. Not beating myself up about it.

I did lift weights in my basement the other day! I did 15 bicep curls and 15 shoulder raises. :)

One Down

Finally, of the three of us that were pregnant last Saturday:

(at Emily’s shower)

Only two of us are still pregnant (this Saturday):

Congratulations Amy:

Thanks for reading!