I Think I’m Done with Running
I was huffing and puffing and feeling quite uncomfortable just five minutes into my run on the treadmill. As the belt whirled underneath my heavy legs and my bladder started to plead for a bathroom break already, I silently thought: I’m done.
I always imagined that I’d be one of those pregnant ladies who would easily be able to run all the way to the bitter end. While I can physically run, albeit with walk breaks scattered in, I’m no longer enjoying it. My weekly workout schedule barely has a run in sight. I keep finding ways to procrastinate runs and/or plan other workouts in place of running.
Dare I say it? I think I’m officially done with running at nearly 30 weeks pregnant.
While it makes me sad to say that out loud, I’m proud of what I have done and will continue to do. I’ve stayed incredibly active during my entire pregnancy, and continue to exercise five to six days a week. For once, running isn’t what makes up the majority of my activity. Instead, spinning, barre classes, walking and strength training are filling my cup. All the while, I’ve secretly been planning my running comeback and jotting down my bucket list races and goals (more on that soon).
Here’s what last week’s workouts looked like:
- Monday: Walked 3.5 miles with friends at 6 a.m.
- Tuesday: AM: 1-hour barre class; PM: 2-mile neighborhood walk with Mr. rUnladylike
- Wednesday: REST (took a 6 a.m. flight to Asheville for a little getaway)
- Thursday: 7.5 miles of hiking in the North Carolina Mountains with Mr. rUnladylike
- Friday: I didn’t have time for a workout, but I did walk more than 10,000 steps
- Saturday: 30 minutes of cardio between the stationary bike and walking on the treadmill + 30 minutes of upper body strength training in the hotel gym in Asheville
- Sunday: 45-minute spin class at Flywheel in Atlanta
It’s a far cry from the weekly training recaps I used to share with 50-mile running weeks or 11 hours of half Ironman training, but I am where I am and I’ll be where I want to be again in time. Those hard core training updates will return!
Until then, as I keep daydreaming about rebuilding my base at the beginning of the year and signing up for a fall goal race, here are some of the highlights from our time in the North Carolina mountains last week. The beauty of my surroundings brought me a deep sense of gratitude and a reminder to be patient with my body and my goals.
In addition to hiking, the Asheville area is known for its breweries. When you are pregnant at a brewery, you play life-sized jenga with Mr. rUnladylike while he drinks a delicious beer you wish you could have. At least I won.
If you ran during pregnancy, how long did you make it?
What fall vacations do you have coming up?
How is your October going?
Comments
Good for you for running as long as you did! There will be more time for running later. Running was a total bust for me during pregnancy. And although it took time to build back I came back as a stronger runner in the end! Love the pics from your travels! Gorgeous!
Way to go lady for making it this far! I didn’t run at all when pregnant so I look at you and think that is a HUGE success! Smart to listen to your body AND your mind!
Hiking in NC looks beautiful this time of year! You made it so far with running in pregnancy, it’s inspiring! You’re smart to listen to your body and I’m excited to hear more about your goals for next year when it’s time. I hope the last 10 weeks of pregnancy continue to go well for you!
Thank you so much Laura! You guys would love the Blue Ridge Parkway drive and stopping off to do hikes daily. So much beauty and we really enjoyed our hikes this year. I felt really good while hiking even though some of the inclines really make me huff and puff. xoxo
Great decision! I loved your post at the beginning of your pregnancy about how running didn’t make you feel strong like it used to. I was a really active runner before my pregnancy but found it just wasn’t enjoyable in the final weeks of pregnancy. I did a lot of walking and strength training (4-5x/wk) up to giving birth at 38 weeks… and I was able to start running at less than 3 weeks post-partum (although very slowly at first!). Now I’m six weeks post-pardum and back to running over 3+ miles at sub-9 speeds and am so glad I decided to way scale back on running in my final weeks. I think it helped me come back stronger than ever! Hoping the same will be the case for you too 🙂 You WILL feel strong running again!
Thanks so much for sharing your experience Abby! It is awesome to hear how strong you are after your baby arrived, and I’m glad you both are doing well and feeling great! Thanks for all your support. xoxo
You made it a LONG way and, you definitely know when it’s time. Why do it if it doesn’t feel good or right? That’s not what running or pregnancy is all about.
And, how long did I last in my twin pregnancy? About 3 months!! LOL!
That’s right Allie. I’m just going to keep doing the things I really enjoy rather than trying to do the one thing I normally enjoy 🙂 I’ll keep living vicariously through all of you. And I think you get a pass for carrying TWO humans around instead of just one. LOL. xo
You’ve run smart and healthy up to this point in your pregnancy. 30 weeks is a huge accomplishment and your body is in great shape-for delivering that sweet baby girl and when you are ready to return to running! Enjoy this last part of your pregnancy and have fun!! So excited for baby pics to come in time!! Your Fall pics are gorgeous! I’m sneaking in a quick fall trip to Maine this weekend:)
Thank you so much for all your support and kind words Kara! Have so much fun in Maine. I’m jealous!!!
You are awesome! I ran until 20/22 weeks with my first and 31 weeks with my second. The running belt someone gave me made all the difference for me with the second. I didn’t have to pee every single second! As long as you are moving, I don’t think it matters what activity you do! Also, I am significantly faster after having babies – I credit stroller running, never sitting down at home and a new definition of “strong” for that! Warmest wishes!
I was the exact same way! I stopped at 32 weeks. Honestly when I stopped it was my first run in 2 weeks so basically we could call it 30 weeks. I felt so much better doing all the other workouts and I worked out 6-7 times a week until past 40 weeks. You’re doing so great – just keep doing what you’re doing! It’s such a short break from running in the grand scheme of things!
You are awesome, and your motivation to stay super active throughout pregnancy, even when that doesn’t mean running, has been really inspiring to me as I plug along a few weeks behind you! I feel as though I’m on the verge of making the same decision about running pretty soon — can’t believe I’m nearly 2/3 done!!
I made it to just about the same point as you – somewhere around 29 weeks. I had been fighting to get back to running after some intense ITBS that sent me to PT for my first trimester and it felt like a failure to “give up” after I was finally running again. But it just made me miserable. The first time I hopped on the elliptical, it blew my mind how much better it felt than running. After that, it was all elliptical for me up until the end. Proud of you for listening to your body.
And yes, your hiking photos are gorgeous!
Good for you for listening to your body! I felt the same way with both Jack and Liam, with Jack though I pushed through to the bitter end. But with Liam I listened to my body. Smart! Those pics of Asheville look amazing!!!
Congrats on making it as far as you did and for listening to your body when it was time to stop! With my first pregnancy I stopped running immediately, though I hadn’t been a regular runner anyway. With my second pregnancy I had to stop running at 14 weeks. It was really a tough pill to swallow, since I had spent the previous year training hard, racing, and hoped to continue running far into my pregnancy. I worried about ever being able to get back to my fitness level, and while it took me longer to get back to running than I had expected, I did get there!
Beautiful travel pictures!
I had so many visions of being the crazy running pregnant lady. Unfortunately, I didn’t count on loose joints and so much additional weight. I ended up being crazy cranky pregnant lady that can’t run. Sigh. Best laid plans, right?
This is good, Jes. You’ve been active and it should serve you well through labor and recovery. Be gentle with yourself! My pregnancies were wildly different. I started having Braxton Hicks contractions anytime I exercised with one, but made it very far with another. I would have LOVED to have been able to be pregnant, work and be active with my first full term pregnancy!
Praying for you and your growing family, friend!