I hit the 24 week mark this weekend and with that milestone, my thoughts have shifted from running to cross training. Although I love logging miles, I will probably be intentionally reducing my running as I approach my due date. Instead of running I'll be putting more of an emphasis on crosstraining: specifically pelvic floor, hip and core strength. Pregnancy and childbirth can weaken the pelvic ... Read More
A Different Approach to Running During Pregnancy
Around this time two years ago I wrote a post called "I Wish I Hadn't Run During Pregnancy." And at the time all the drama of a feared bladder prolapse had me feeling regretful. I truly wished I had made different choices when it came to how much I ran and how far along I was before I stopped (I ran up until three days before my due date). Now I am pregnant with Baby #3 and thanks to what I ... Read More
For Two Fitness Ambassador
It can be a challenge to find cute fitness gear for pregnancy. During my first pregnancy I simply sized up and purchased tank tops or shorts that were bigger or longer, but the problem with that is they are incredibly unflattering and totally "frump" inducing. During my most recent pregnancy a Google search led me to For Two Fitness and I knew I just had to have their "Running For Two" tank top. ... Read More
Thoughts On: How Pregnancy Changes a Runner’s Body
A few weeks ago there was an article on the New York Times website that grabbed my attention; the title: How Pregnancy Changes a Runner's Body. I've written extensively here about my experience running (and racing) through my second pregnancy and my return to running postpartum. My experience has been a mix of early issues and disappointments, slow-going and physical therapy to correct the issues ... Read More
I Wish I Hadn’t Run During Pregnancy
(I had gave birth to my third child in May 2015. My approach to running during pregnancy with baby #3 was very different than it was during my second pregnancy.) Maybe I am being overly dramatic because I can't run right now and my goals feel far away and completely unattainable. The voice of defeat can be so loud. The limitations of my body are frustrating my mind. The dramatic aside, ... Read More
Post-Baby Pressure
It seems there's a growing trend in our culture to not let pregnancy change you. In many ways I think this trend is a reaction to the "old school" way of thinking that you had to "eat for two" and "rest" during pregnancy. Or maybe this generation of mothers is reacting to the experience of their own mothers and wanting something different for themselves. Whatever the thrust behind it, there is a ... Read More
Post-Partum Running: Not What I Thought It Would Be
On Friday I successfully ran two miles. This came after I had to cut Tuesday's planned two-miler down to one. I have mixed feelings about the run. I was really pleased and thankful that my pelvic floor felt good the whole time. I also felt disappointed and discouraged. The first mile felt good: at 10 min/mile pace I was breathing easy and focusing on my cadence. This feeling carried into the ... Read More
38 Weeks Pregnant: The Run Down
After getting the OK to get back into running last week, my goal this week was to run three times and I did! I wrote the first part of this post yesterday afternoon and saved the draft planning to get up this morning, run my third run and hit "publish." But somewhere between yesterday afternoon and this morning I developed a lovely sore throat. I'm not surprised, my two-year-old has been fighting ... Read More
37 Weeks Pregnant and Running Again!
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 ... Read More
35 Weeks Pregnant and NOT Running?!?
Yesterday I had my 35 week appointment with the midwife and had quite a few questions for her. I've been experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions since about five months pregnant, but over the past week their frequency and intensity increased. I continued with my normal routine for the most part: chasing around my two year old, lugging laundry up and down the stairs...the typical activities of a ... Read More