Mom on the Run: Elizabeth from Fit Life with E

Welcome to “Mom on the Run!” A blog feature that shares a mom-on-the-run and her story of running during and after pregnancy. My hope is to provide a resource for women who are thinking about running during pregnancy. The overarching theme: everyone is different. No two pregnancies are the same and of course no two stories of running during pregnancy are the same. In this series you will find a wide range of experiences that both inspire and comfort runners who are pregnant or have recently given birth. To read about other “Moms on the Run” click HERE.

I’d like you to meet January’s “Mom on the Run,” Elizabeth from Fit Life with E. Elizabeth is mommy to one adorable little girl and is 18 weeks pregnant with number two. Along with running after her little one, Elizabeth is a personal trainer who enjoys helping others find a life of fitness and a healthy diet. I’m excited to have her share her pregnancy and postpartum journey here with you!

Tell me a little bit about your pregnancy and your little one: I have one little girl named Reese, who just turned one in August 2014. My pregnancy with Reese was wonderful! I really enjoyed being pregnant (I know, call me crazy!). During the first trimester, I was nauseous all the time. I went back to my usual workout routine though from the second trimester through about 9 days past my due date. Thankfully she joined the world 11 days after my due date!

What was your return to running like postpartum? How soon did you start running and did you feel your attitude towards running was different? I started running at 8 weeks postpartum. I only ran a few miles a week for a long time. I jumped right back into other workouts & sports much more quickly than running. I have never loved running, but running after having a baby is time for me to just me. I love my husband and daughter, but sometimes you just want to feel like yourself and not worry about taking care of someone else for 30 minutes. It helps me clear my head & just “pound pavement.” Reese does run with me in a jogger sometimes, but I don’t usually take her on any runs longer than 3 miles.
I wanted a goal to look forward to during my first year post-partum, so I registered for a half marathon right around Reese’s first birthday. Many times I was so stressed that I had put this goal on myself (on top of everything else). During my training for my first half postpartum, my first long run was 8 miles and I was so darn happy after I finished because I had never run 8. I knew if I could do 8, I could do 13.1. And I did! I crossed the finish line at 2 hr 1 min…51 minutes faster than my previous PR. I was so stoked & emotional crossing the finish line because I proved to myself that I could be fitter & faster post-baby.