So, now that my secret is out, here are some of the real reasons I haven't been running all that much lately.
I found out I was pregnant the day after a 10 mile run and right before leaving to go on our Wisconsin Dells trip. I took it easy that week, before the F3 half marathon, not really knowing what was in store. I kept the mileage low during the week and headed to the starting line, thinking that I could complete it, no problem. Some where along the route, things just didn't feel right. My heat was beating super duper fast and as soon as I felt a cramp in my side, I called it quits. This was around mile 5ish. I felt defeated, scared, and didn't know what to do or think. However, being so early along in the pregnancy, I had to put on my game face for the rest of the day.
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| Enjoying an ice cold water after the "race." |
I ran another time soon after the race, and I felt some cramping in my stomach again and started freaking out... Again. I had a long talk with my husband about how all this freaking out isn't good for the baby and I just need to listen to my body. If I feel pain, stop. Easy as that. And, cramping is totally normal. The uterus is expanding and that can cause slight pain or discomfort.
Then, once I got past the early, early stage, the nausea and exhaustion started. I was nauseous from when I got up in the morning until I went to sleep. The books suggest to eat smaller meals throughout the day to help keep the nausea at bay. This helped out mildly, but I still felt miserable. (Have you ever thrown up on a Metra train? Let me tell you, it is not a pleasant experience.) Also while I'm nauseous all the time, I'm physically exhausted. My body and mind were more tired than they've ever been before. It is one thing to read about it or hear about it, but to actually feel it was something so surreal. I've had 24 hour days, ran a marathon, stayed up way past my bedtime... and I had never felt as tired as I did during those few weeks. All of this was also going on while I was working 50 hours a week. Bed time quickly became 1+ hours earlier than normal. So, when it came to choose sleeping or running, I chose sleeping.
I always swore I would be one of those women who ran throughout her pregnancy. I saw women complete marathons in their first trimester and run half marathons in the second and/or third trimesters. But when it actually happened to me, my perspective was totally different. It just didn't work for me and I have accepted that is okay. I'm into the whole "listen to your body" thing. If I don't feel like running, I don't. If I want to sleep instead, I do. And if baby craves a cheeseburger, baby gets a cheeseburger. :) I never thought I would say these things, but when it happens to you, you have to make adjustments and roll with it! No more half marathons for me until after Baby Wilson is born.
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| My baby bump is slowly growing! |
If you've gone through this process, how did you feel in first trimester? I know my symptoms were pretty common but I know everyone's body is different!!
And if anyone has any recommendations for delicious specialty sodas, please let me know. My favorite right now is Sprecher's low cal root beer. Yummmmmm. I'm going to start enjoying craft sodas since I have to take a break from enjoying craft beers.
