*Note: this is a follow-up to Running in the First Trimester: Gratitude & Playing the Edge, and part of a series of
posts about running during my second pregnancy
The fourth month of pregnancy begins the second trimester, when most women, myself included, experience some relief from yucky, difficult first trimester symptoms. Thus, running during the fourth month of pregnancy has been quite easier than it was in the first trimester. As you'll see below, I had in increase in mileage because of my increased energy and overall better days. Cheers to that!
Recently, I met another pregnant runner. It was at a 5K hosted by the local college cross country team for whom I am the assistant coach. When I saw her registering for the race, I made a note to introduce myself later. After all, it is a rare occasion to meet another pregnant runner, let alone one who is still racing.
"How far along are you?" I asked enthusiastically after the 5K was over. 31 weeks, she answered, with her third child. I shared that I was 17 weeks along.
We chatted for a few minutes, but one thing she said really rang true. It was music to my ears, especially after hearing so much questioning, doubting and speculation upon revealing to the general non-running population that yes, despite feeling awful, I have still been mustering up enough energy to run and stay active.
This is what she said: "If I did not run during my pregnancies (remember, as I stated above, this is her third pregnancy; it's my second), I would have zero energy. I do not know how women manage to have any energy at all without exercising while pregnant."
Amen to that! This is why I still gratefully hustle out the door, some days faster than others, in hopes of boosting energy and mood with some moderate activity and fresh air. It always works. We all know for a fact that energy does the body and soul good, and this remains true for the expectant woman. One difference is that for the expecting, we should stick with what we know. Running is what I know.
Even when I was at my most exhausted state in the first trimester, exercise always made me feel better. Even when I had to muster all of my energy and mental strength to peel myself off of the couch, or out of bed, or off of the floor next to where my son was playing, to do something physical for at least 25 minutes, it always resulted in a more uplifted spirit and energy boost (except that time when I actually blacked out post-run, of course - that was not uplifting or energizing!). Even when I would rather have taken a longer nap, or second nap, running (or walking or biking, but preferably running) was the cure.
For this post, I give you my running stats during the fourth month of pregnancy. As the second trimester progresses, so, too, does my weekly mileage. Daily yoga of 30 minutes to two hours have remained the same, as usual. Here is what weeks 14-17 have looked like:
Week 14 (Sept. 26-Oct. 2): 6.9 miles (this included three full runs of 2.6, 2.5 and 1.8 miles)
*Other workouts included two days of walking for a total of 5.77 miles and one day of spinning for 30 minutes.
Week 15 (Oct. 3-9): 5.91 miles (this included three run/walks of 1.7, 2.54 and 1.67 miles)
*Other workouts included a 40-minute walk, 50-minute bike ride and three-mile walk.
Week 16 (Oct. 10-16): 13.08 miles (this week included five full runs of 2.86, 2.3, 2.06, 2.86 and 3.0 miles)
*Other workouts included a 1.76-mile walk and 30-minute walk.
Week 17 (Oct. 17-23): 12 miles (this week included four full runs of 3.32, 3.0, 2.48 and 3.2 miles)
*Other workouts included a 40-minute hike with my son.
Now, as I move through the 18th week, it's unfolding just as weeks 16 and 17 in terms of full runs ranging from two to three and some change miles. The pace for my full runs have ranged from 11 to 13-minute miles, higher in the 13s if I'm on trail or pushing my son in the jogging stroller. To read about my first trimester running, click here: Running in the First Trimester: Gratitude & Playing the Edge.
I'l report back for month five, weeks 18-21. Until then, I would love to hear from other running mothers-to-be. Your stories inspire me and keep me moving!
posts about running during my second pregnancy
The fourth month of pregnancy begins the second trimester, when most women, myself included, experience some relief from yucky, difficult first trimester symptoms. Thus, running during the fourth month of pregnancy has been quite easier than it was in the first trimester. As you'll see below, I had in increase in mileage because of my increased energy and overall better days. Cheers to that!
Recently, I met another pregnant runner. It was at a 5K hosted by the local college cross country team for whom I am the assistant coach. When I saw her registering for the race, I made a note to introduce myself later. After all, it is a rare occasion to meet another pregnant runner, let alone one who is still racing.
"How far along are you?" I asked enthusiastically after the 5K was over. 31 weeks, she answered, with her third child. I shared that I was 17 weeks along.
We chatted for a few minutes, but one thing she said really rang true. It was music to my ears, especially after hearing so much questioning, doubting and speculation upon revealing to the general non-running population that yes, despite feeling awful, I have still been mustering up enough energy to run and stay active.
This is what she said: "If I did not run during my pregnancies (remember, as I stated above, this is her third pregnancy; it's my second), I would have zero energy. I do not know how women manage to have any energy at all without exercising while pregnant."
Amen to that! This is why I still gratefully hustle out the door, some days faster than others, in hopes of boosting energy and mood with some moderate activity and fresh air. It always works. We all know for a fact that energy does the body and soul good, and this remains true for the expectant woman. One difference is that for the expecting, we should stick with what we know. Running is what I know.
Even when I was at my most exhausted state in the first trimester, exercise always made me feel better. Even when I had to muster all of my energy and mental strength to peel myself off of the couch, or out of bed, or off of the floor next to where my son was playing, to do something physical for at least 25 minutes, it always resulted in a more uplifted spirit and energy boost (except that time when I actually blacked out post-run, of course - that was not uplifting or energizing!). Even when I would rather have taken a longer nap, or second nap, running (or walking or biking, but preferably running) was the cure.
For this post, I give you my running stats during the fourth month of pregnancy. As the second trimester progresses, so, too, does my weekly mileage. Daily yoga of 30 minutes to two hours have remained the same, as usual. Here is what weeks 14-17 have looked like:
Week 14 (Sept. 26-Oct. 2): 6.9 miles (this included three full runs of 2.6, 2.5 and 1.8 miles)
*Other workouts included two days of walking for a total of 5.77 miles and one day of spinning for 30 minutes.
Week 15 (Oct. 3-9): 5.91 miles (this included three run/walks of 1.7, 2.54 and 1.67 miles)
*Other workouts included a 40-minute walk, 50-minute bike ride and three-mile walk.
Week 16 (Oct. 10-16): 13.08 miles (this week included five full runs of 2.86, 2.3, 2.06, 2.86 and 3.0 miles)
*Other workouts included a 1.76-mile walk and 30-minute walk.
Week 17 (Oct. 17-23): 12 miles (this week included four full runs of 3.32, 3.0, 2.48 and 3.2 miles)
*Other workouts included a 40-minute hike with my son.
Now, as I move through the 18th week, it's unfolding just as weeks 16 and 17 in terms of full runs ranging from two to three and some change miles. The pace for my full runs have ranged from 11 to 13-minute miles, higher in the 13s if I'm on trail or pushing my son in the jogging stroller. To read about my first trimester running, click here: Running in the First Trimester: Gratitude & Playing the Edge.
I'l report back for month five, weeks 18-21. Until then, I would love to hear from other running mothers-to-be. Your stories inspire me and keep me moving!
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