Probably during pregnancy I should rename these posts The Workout Report, because to call it The Run Report makes it sound like I’ve been doing a whole lot more running than I actually have. The reason I’m sticking to The Run Report is because all my workouts have been feeling good – whether I’m spinning, lifting weights, using the elliptical, or doing yoga, I feel great going into the workout and finish feeling energized and centered. But when I’m running? It’s all or nothing.
Maybe it’s because I prefer to run outside, so in winter I’m stuck with a few brief windows of opportunity to get out and run. This means that it’s not necessarily when I feel like working out, or when my energy is high, that I’m heading out the door. Maybe it’s because running has always been about as close to a meditative state that I can get, so I’m focusing more on how I feel and how connected I feel to this baby growing inside.
Whatever the reason, for me it turns out that running while pregnant means everything about running is magnified a hundred fold. The good runs are amazing. The so-so runs are bad. And the bad runs feel awful.
Before I get a ton of comments saying I shouldn’t be running if it feels awful and why would I do that while pregnant, allow me to explain a little further. On Monday, I went out for a quick run, just over 3 miles. It was what was supposed to be the last relatively warm day this week, so I wanted to take advantage of the weather. I wasn’t feeling great before I headed out – just heavy and slow and achy. You know, like I was pregnant or something. But I went out anyway, knowing if I was going to feel crappy, I may as well have gotten a workout done at the same time.
I felt slow, my breathing was off, I had to take more than a couple of walking breaks. My indigestion was back (probably because I tried to reintroduce coffee, sigh) and just in general, IT SUCKED. And you know how I felt when I got home? Heavy, slow, achy, pretty much the same, except I was glad I had run.
In contrast, a week ago I went for a run that was amazing. I just felt good the whole time, happy to be out there, enjoying the feeling in my lungs and my legs. When I got home I felt energized and productive. What was different? Nothing. That’s the other thing – these days, I never know when I’m going to have one of those magic runs.
Gaining Weight and Losing Speed
Obviously, it’s being pregnant that affects me most when I’m out running. The increased blood volume, leading to an increased heart rate; baby pushing my center of gravity forward; the extra weight to carry; the boobs. The most notable effect, of course, is the rapid loss of speed. The first 5 or 6 weeks I was still cruising along at my regular training speeds, with no problem at all. Now? Those paces seem like the distant, distant past.
I’m not even that bothered by it – for me it’s more about going out, getting my heart rate up, enjoying the beautiful park, getting my sweat on, than about times and paces and workouts. It’s liberating.
The Workouts
As well as running, I’ve been doing prenatal yoga (which has been AMAZING), spinning (surprisingly the only thing that seems to help when my sciatica starts bothering me, interfering spin instructors aside), walking everywhere, weights, elliptical, rowing and I’ve also been trying out some workout videos on Gigabody (watch out for a review and a giveaway soon!).
I’m averaging workouts about 5 days a week and I’m feeling good. Over the Christmas break, I had three days in a row of not working out and I felt terrible. Do you ever notice that, when you take a break from working out for a while and you realize that it just doesn’t feel good for your body to be inactive?
The Stats
Since my pace is not exactly something I’m keeping track of, I need some kind of stat to cling to, right? Stats and runners just go together like cookies and cream. Mmmm….cookies. So I decided to add up my running mileage for the pregnancy so far… I’m at 26 weeks now, with 239 miles under my (expanding) belt. With about 14 weeks to go, I’m guessing I might get close to 400 miles logged, depending on how long I can keep up with running. Hmmm, maybe keeping track of this mileage stat is a bad idea.
Mother runners – did any of you keep track of your mileage during pregnancy?
Anyone still getting warm weather for winter running?
And who’s listening to the Serial podcast? I’m up to Episode 7 and OBSESSED.
Good for your for getting out there but also listening to your body and modifying your training! Right now I’m in a frustrated place with running. I’m being kind of a wimp because of the cold weather. There are no sidewalks where I live so the sides of the roads are sort of icy and snowy and I feel like it’s a danger zone along these mountains! I can’t wait to get back out there regularly again!
Ruthie@She’sWickedHealthy recently posted…Workout Wednesday: The “You Ain’t Done Yet!” Workout Finisher
I’ve run in VT in the winter and it is NO JOKE. Have you tried yak trax for running in icy conditions? I hear they are a must. Here’s to an early Spring, right? 🙂
I loved reading your thoughts on this! I am also 26 weeks right now, but the last real run I did was probably my Thanksgiving turkey trot. It’s so awesome that you are still running. I honestly have so many aches and pains and just feel generally uncomfortable that that’s why I stopped running. So I totally know about the bad runs feeling HORRIBLE! But if you are still having some good runs – that is all the more reason to stick with it! I would have stuck with it if any of my runs were good, but they were not! lol
I think tracking mileage is a great way to get your stats fix without looking at speed right now. Keep it up!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections recently posted…WIAW: New Year’s Weekend
Trust me, if the awful runs become the norm, it’ll be all over red rover for pregnancy running for me! I’ve found that incorporating walk breaks more than is maybe even necessary is really helping – for me the whole point is just to enjoy the run, not be a hero, lol. We are so close in our pregnancies! Very exciting!! 🙂
I remember those runs! I didn’t track mileage at all–just time on my feet. And by the end, with both pregnancies, that time was down to about 45 minutes tops. But even the bad ones, like you said, were better than not running at all. Keep up the great work!
misszippy recently posted…That time I pushed glycogen depletion too far
Yup, all my runs are ending up somewhere between 40 minutes and an hour right now, which is just fine with me! Those few days I didn’t do anything over the holidays made me feel so awful, I remembered how much easier pregnancy is when you can make exercise a priority.
um LOVED serial. we must chat about it soon. I can go on and on.
I didn’t run during my pregnancies but I do remember have great days and really awful days at the gym. It just varied. I think all that matters is that you try whether its good or bad. Heck, I had a terrible run yesterday and I’m not even pregnant LOL
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…Weekly Wednesday Workout: Heel Taps
So I just listened to the last episode a couple of days ago – I could finally discuss all of it with my client who told me about it in the first place! Would LOVE to hear your thoughts on it – did you hear they’re doing a follow-up Serial 2 this year?
I remember when I was preggo with Roman having crappy workouts and wondering, what’s wrong with me?? This time around, I’m being much kinder to myself and if I’m feeling terrible at the gym, I cut it short and do some serious foam rolling. Like you said, it’s just that you’re trying!
You are so awesome and this whole post is just making me SMILE! Thank you. I love that you’re running so much and are so ok with just getting out there. And, of course I totally get that a ‘bad’ run still makes you feel better somehow. I feel that way now and I’m not pregnant!!
What is Serial???? I feel so out of the loop. I will immediately google it.
Allie recently posted…F*ck You Cancer, You Killed My Friend
I hope you’ve googled Serial and I hope you’ve downloaded the whole pod cast and have started listening!! It was a great, great series and I was sad it ended. I am so curious to hear the follow up sequel they’re planning for this year. Get on it so we can discuss, please! 😉
The past week I’ve had some really good runs – on a treadmill, no less! Who am I??? ha ha ha. Next week it’s supposed to be a lot warmer so I’m looking forward to some park running.
I love the way you explain why you are still running even though some of the runs aren’t great!! If we all quit after a crummy run we wouldn’t make it very long:)
Glad you are still running and listening to your body.
I ran all the way through my 2nd pregnancy (until he came at 34 weeks). My first pregnancy my DR made me stop – mostly to keep Chris happy because I was still running hard and it made him nervous.
Kim recently posted…Conditioning Is Key!!
Right? The crummy runs are what make the good ones so wonderful. Knock on wood they’ve all been good for the last week or so – I think me having no expectations of myself when it comes to pace or mileage or anything like that is really helping.
You are looking so great! I definitely remember feeling so big and slow at the end of my pregnancy. I was still doing Zumba and it was probably laughable! I also remember the blood volume in my legs making it extremely painful just to walk! Oy! I agree that working out does help you feel so much better while pregnant!
It’s funny, walking is more uncomfortable for me than when I’m running or working out – that’s something that’s just changed recently. I’m starting to wear compression socks when I’m out and about and that’s helping. I think it’s because I spend more overall time on my feet walking to and from clients than when I’m just going out for a run.
You’re doing a fantastic job keeping up on your running during pregnancy! I ran during my last pregnancy (and I always keep track of the miles) but only made it a little over half of the pregnancy before I had to start walking. I love all the bump pics! Oh, and yes, I blew through Serial. It’s very addicting!
Angie @ A Mother’s Pace recently posted…2015 Hangover Half Race Recap
I can’t remember when I had to start doing walk breaks, but they’re my savior now, for sure!! One of my Fit Mama Fridays kept track of her pregnancy mileage which gave me the idea, but she was a running machine!
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