1st Tri Running

I thought I'd do a little blog post to recap my accounts on running and fitness through my 1st trimester. One, so I can look back on this someday and realized "Oh, I did get fast again" and also as a comparison for the next time I'm pregnant. 

**Disclaimer - I do NOT expect anyone to read this, as it is probably boring with statistics. I just would love to document each trimester, so I can look back at this!**

Running has also been a really pivotal and important part of my sanity throughout this journey. As I've expressed in too much detail, I've been sort of consumed by nausea. People may be saying "Well, why are you running then?" And that is a conversation for me, my husband, and my OB :). Running and exercise actually makes me feel better - because it gets my blood flowing, digestive system working, oxygen, and provides me with some social time. My OB told me directly "You keep running until you don't feel like you can run anymore." 

I was probably in the best shape of my life prior to this pregnancy running some of the fastest times ever. I was training with a former professional triathlete and a U of A cross country athlete :D. (so out of my league!! haha). But then COVID canceled all my spring racing plans, so I didn't get to chase down that sub-20 min 5K I was hoping for. But I'll get it after Baby Namaste is born ;) 

When I was pregnant but didn't quite know it in June - I ran a 5K time trial "race" with my running group, and while I was 1st female finisher - I felt like I was running through sand.

Exactly 1 week later, I discovered I was "with child" - and it suddenly made sense why that 5K was so freaking hard! 

Here is a synopsis on 1st trimester running. Q & A style:

When did you notice running felt "different"?

The minute I had a + pregnancy test at 5 weeks! However, that weekend there was a lot going on. Tucson was in a massive wildfire, where our house was in the "set" phase for evacuation. We had closed on our 1st investment property and spent the entire 105-degree weekend painting the exterior during the day, and completing interior renovated at night. It was hot and I was sleep-deprived. But I immediately felt like running was harder. 

What was the worst week of running in your 1st trimester?

Week 8, I believe. My nausea now at week 13-14 is probably worse, because now I'm actually vomiting and I'm up all night feeling sick. But week 7 is when I 1st started experiencing nausea, and I remember just feeling like I didn't know what to do with myself. I think I ran a total of 4 miles that week and spent my mornings in bed in agony. 

Then I realized that staying in bed didn't make nausea go away. 

What have you changed about your running? 

I now carry water with me on every single run. I NEVER carried water, except for on long trail runs. Even a 20+ mile road run, I would just find water fountains or drop a bottle somewhere along the course. I don't like having anything "on me" when I'm running. But with temps being in the 80's at 5am + my baby needs extra hydration I make myself drink at least every 2 miles. 

Weekly avg mileage & pace?

I have a goal of 30 miles/week. I am currently hitting about 25 miles/week. I run 4 days/week and do 2 days of strength training/barre. I take 1 rest day where I just do a 45-minute walk with Miles. 

Pre-Pregnancy "avg" Road Pace: 7:45/mile

Pre-Pregnancy Road half marathon pace: 7:00/mile

Pre-Pregnancy Tempo Pace: 6:45/mile

"Avg" Road Pace 1st Tri: 8:40/mile (but it is also averaging 85 degrees + 60% humidity every morning) 

Tempo Pace 1st Tri: 7:30/mile (but I can hold it for very long because it's so hot)

Longest distance ran in 1st trimester:

9.5 miles on the trail. It was about a 90 minute run for me, because trail is always "slower". I did that yesterday - at 13 weeks & 6 days pregnant and it was 87 degrees when I started. Gross. 

Workouts?

I still hit the track 1 day/week. Because it is hot out, I stick to short intervals like 400's, 600's, 200's. 

My 400m pregnancy at the end of this trimester was 1:38 (about 6:30 pace) and my 200m PR was 45 seconds (about 5:50 pace). 

I also still weight train, and I have backed off the weight a little. My max deadlift was 85 lbs and squat was 70 lbs. I'd like to keep my legs and core as strong as possible to prevent injury and to help me bounce back from postpartum quicker. 

I enjoy workouts so much, so want to keep this up at whatever pace I can do! It makes me feel like a runner. Plus, the short intervals give me recovery. I've read these kinds of workouts will help with labor because it teaches your body to "push" and then take a break. We'll see! 

Highlight of 1st trimester running:

The social time. I'm working from home, Arizona is still very quarantined. Really my only social time is my morning run. I can't quite keep up with my running partners anymore, but it is nice to start with them and end with them. I do have 1 running friend who is also pregnant, so it is nice to run with her. 

Also the trails. My pace is so different on trails - and getting out there takes the focus away from how much I'm slowing down. It is just a forward movement with beautiful surroundings! It is also a peaceful time for me to reflect on life as it is changing. I always feel really empowered. A few weeks ago a mountain biker said to me "I don't know how you run this terrain you're tough!" and it felt really good to fire back "Thanks! And I'm 10 weeks pregnant!" haha!

Snapshots of my favorite 1st trimester runs: 

This was taken last weekend out at my favorite trail system, Saguaro National Park East. 

The Sunrise that morning was so "Arizona"

I was probably only 7 weeks @ this point and none of my friends knew I was pregnant. 

We held a surprise baby shower for my friend who was 38 weeks pregnant at the time. 

It was a fun morning - and probably my last long run where I felt normal :D 

And this is why I love the trails. The 1st trimester was a tough one for me, due to not feeling well. But running always made me feel a little bit more "Human". I am so grateful for every mile Baby Namaste let me run!