Thanks to a little weight gain and arriving at my “safe date” (the baby is now considered full term), I got the OK from my midwife to run again as long as I “take it easy.” Now that my pre-baby to-do list is complete, I’ll be taking it easy in other aspects of my life, making running easier and less taxing. With permission granted I headed out for a run yesterday afternoon in the rain. It was lovely: fresh, green, quiet-perfect conditions for a little “me time.”
I was reminded last week, while at the gym, why I LOVE running outside. When I’m at the gym it’s so easy for me to ask: “What’s the point?” especially when I’m on the elliptical. WhenI were training for a specific goal, I can set my mind to run on a treadmill. But when there’s no specific goal in mind its easy to get discouraged and wonder: Why on earth am I on this thing going nowhere staring at a TV? I love the feeling of being out in the weather, no matter what it is: snow, rain, heat, humidity. It’s real. When you run outside you have to work through it and embrace it. I love getting out there and tackling the road ahead. It never gets old.
I felt the totally alive yesterday when I headed out for my run. It was slow, but it was great! I had to stop a few times to stretch my hips and inner thigh, I’ve been feeling a tightening/cramping in what I think is either my adductor muscles or my sartorius muscle. It usually warms up and decreases in about five minutes of running but, those first five minutes can be punctuated by twinges of tightness. I’m pretty sure that the cause has something to do with my “pregnant hips.”
Towards the end of the run I did feel some aching in my knee, which makes me think it is the sartorius, because that muscle stretches from the hip to the knee. This is all on my left side, which leads me to believe that there’s some sort of imbalance going on.
I’m contemplating a trip to a chiropractor or to my massage therapist. I feel like things need to loosen up and be released. I’ve never been to a chiropractor, but my midwife gave me a card of a local couple who she highly recommends. I think it might be a good idea especially before labor and delivery.
Have you been to a chiropractor? What do you like about them?
-Sarah
tri-grandma-try says
I totally agree about treadmill running, rainy and dark this morning sent me to the gym…today was supposed to be 4, did 3. Will do 4 tomorrow…outside!! Have to gear up for winter, dark running!!
Glad to hear you are back out there and had a good run. I am 36.5 weeks and had a good run Sunday (5miles) but the day before was a real struggle and that was just a 2 miler. I guess we just all have to take it day by day.
scanney says
It’s amazing how different I feel day to day. Somedays my energy is sky high and I feel so strong and others I feel so worn down all I want to do is put my feet up and relax. Got to listen to the body!
The hormone relaxin is produced in the final trimester of pregnancy to prepare the tendons, ligaments and muscles for birth.
I think it’s great you’re back to running and a trip to both e massage therapist and chiro would be the best afternoon:) I love my chiro and recommend him to patients frequently.
scanney says
My thought was that it is loose tendons and ligaments and will clear up after. I don’t think it will be a problem afterwards, but I think a visit for a massage or a chiropractic exam would be a good way to put me in “relax” mode since I’ve been doing so much nesting:-)
Being pampered is on the top of the list for moms to be! Enjoy
I’ve been seeing a chiro once a week throughout my pregnancy and it has worked wonders! I have very minimal back pain and any other aches. I highly rec. it!
scanney says
Good to know!
Amanda Naro (@amandanaro) says
Awesome that you are still running! Hope you things continue going well for you! I have yet to run on a treadmill….they kind of scare me. I have only ever walked on them. Besides, it feels like you are going no where! When I first tried running in college I only ran on the indoor track (except for race day) I think that’s part of the reason I didn’t enjoy it. When I started running in April I had joined a training group and had to run outside. Now I love it
I have worked with a few chiropractors in my day. My recommendation would be to try and hold out until after you deliver since you are so close. It’s good not to start anything new at the end of pregnancy. The last thing you would want was to tweak something before delivery 😉
who's running this place anyway says
I swear by chiropractic!! The only thing to relieve my pregnancy-induced sciatica! I’ve been going since baby number three nonstop - just for maintenance between babies and always more frequently when pregnant
Glad you enjoyed your run!!
scanney says
I’m calling today:-) I think it could really give me some relief in my “out of whack” hips. Hopefully limber me up for delivery:-) Welcome back stateside by the way! Hope you and your family are doing well!