I miss running. I am grateful for my pregnancy but I really miss running. For two years, I had accomplished things that I never thought were possible. I ran a 5k in under 30 minutes. I broke a 10 minute mile. I spent the night in my van running 100+ miles with 5 other crazy ladies. I had even gotten to the point that a 5 mile run was a short run. Short. Five miles was short.
Two days before that positive pregnancy test, I ran 8 miles with my friend Charlotte. We were training for a half marathon. It was a smooth run in a great park and felt like a million dollars. The day I found out I was pregnant, I had worked in a 5 mile run before work. Worked in – 5 miles. {I can’t believe I can even say that.}
Then came the positive pregnancy ultrasound and even though our infertility specialist said it would be okay to run less than 9 miles a week, I couldn’t. Every time I laced up those sneakers for three miles I had some cramping and bleeding. It was literally a week of trying and realizing that running was just not going to be a part of my life for awhile.
And it stinks. I miss it. I miss the feeling of success. I miss the feel of a heavy medal around my neck. I miss pinning on bibs and making goals. I miss the release that running gave me.
I think, somewhere in my brain, I always thought (if I was to get pregnant) I would be a “marathon mama.” The pregnant woman who can run 13.1 miles without even walking. The woman who all the other women looked at and got a little jealous but alas that is not me. Instead, I am the “sit on the couch” woman.
However, I have the desperate urge to lace up my sneakers and just get moving. Of course, I have to accept that I am trading a 104:36 mini triathlon or a 60 minute 10k for a 45 minute walking 5k. I can do it.
Before I have this baby, I am making the decision to sign up and walk a 5k race. Lucky for me, my dear friend Amanda said she would join me. So now we just have to figure out which race is the best one for two girls to get busy walking happy!
What things did you give up when you were pregnant?
Woo hoo! I look forward to it. I am ready to lace up my sneakers again too. I think this spring I will be in commission again!
Right before I found out I was pregnant, I joined a gym. I wanted to get back in shape so bad. And then about 3 weeks later, I cancelled my membership when I found out I was pregnant. Have an awesome walk! At least you are moving. Good for you!
I started running after giving birth to my first child two years ago and have grown to love it. Although I haven’t worked up to your distances I know I will miss it when I get pregnant again.
I tried to run for awhile and never got to the point where I could run a 5k in less than 30 minutes! Someday maybe I’ll try again 🙂
I was in the process of training for a half marathon (and still trying to teach myself to love running) when I got pregnant. I was fortunate not to have any negative effects but my doctor (who I switch from shortly after) told me I had to stop all exercise. I knew better but when you’re pregnant for the first time, your instinct is to trust your doctor. I regret it now! At almost 12 weeks PP, I’m still struggling to get back in to the swing of things (even just to find the motivation) . When you love something, though, I think it comes back so much easier!
This is so inspiring! Keep of the good work!
Just before I got pregnant I had just participated in my first 10K, and was just starting to train for my first half marathon. I ,too, always thought I would have a very active pregnancy and continue to run. Well, it didn’t happen, and it’s hard to accept it. Sometimes I go crazy, because I miss that feeling! I stay active by walking and some yoga, though. 🙂
I have been wanting to run a 5 k. I keep saying I am going to train for one. I really need to this spring. That is my goal
Wow that’s scary about the bleeding!! I am a runner hoping to get pregnant with our 3rd anytime now (Wasn’t a runner til after #2). It’ll be interesting to see how/if it continues through a pregnancy!
Yes it was but I am sure it was rare. I have seen people do all sorts of races pregnant.
When I was pregnant I gave up a lot of foods that could have listeria and I gave up using the elliptical during the last trimester because I didn’t have that much balance.