Running in the 2nd Trimester

 I did this after the 1st Trimester - and am doing it again. 

Again, I expect no one to read this. This is sort of my "diary" to look back on next pregnancy. 

What was different about 2nd Trimester from 1st trimester?

I actually ran so much better in my 2nd trimester because I wasn't so dang sick. It was glorious. 

Weekly avg mileage & pace?

I ran 20-25 miles/week. I had a few weeks where I hit 30 miles, but once I got a barre membership - I dropped down to 20 miles/week. 

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)

Avg Road Pace 2nd Tri: 8:20/mile (notice it was faster...attributed to not vomiting + not being 90 degrees at 5 am)

Tempo Pace 2nd Tri: 7:45/mile 

Longest distance ran in 1st trimester:

10 miles! Around Week 15 I was able to do a 10 mile trail run, and that was my longest run of my pregnancy. It was fun to see those double digits - and it was a fun morning as it was a very easy trail that I ran with 2 girlfriends.

Workouts?

I continued with running workouts 1-2 days/week. My running group (WOG) started up in August, and is just 5 minutes from my house. We run on variable surfaces - and one of my friends is coming back from having a baby so it was nice to be sort of similar pace. 

Workouts actually felt better than "easy" runs. I talked to other runner friends who ran through their pregnancy - and they agreed. Our consensus is during a "workout" - you're more focused on form and doing interval-type workouts. Therefore, it just feels better! 

Highlights:

My Tues/Thurs WOG workouts. This again was a big part of my "social time" - working from home and living in the pandemic. I really looked forward to 5:15am every Tues/Thurs to put on my headlamp and hit the track with friends. 

I also really enjoyed running when I visited my parents in Minnesota - b/c I got to look at snow and run along the lake.

Tips

My OB encouraged me to keep running if it feels good, since it is such a part of my lifestyle. The only rule she gave me was I must drink at least 1 gallon of water on the days I run and I have to make sure I can still speak in full sentences. I followed that rule and would talk to myself on runs sometimes to be sure I was in control of my breathing.

I joined a barre studio, and I found this so helpful. there is so much balance and deep core work that I think helped keep my joints and back healthy as my body continues to grow. 

I hardly have any pictures from my 2nd trimester, as most of my runs were early in the morning before the sun came up :D But here are a few highlights of me carrying Baby M.

This was taken the day of the 10 miles at Honeybee Canyon with 2 of my closest girlfriends -- Sharon & Lisa!

This is taken at the top of Sabino Canyon @ 23 weeks. 

I was very excited to make it to the top. This area was closed all summer due to the fires - and when it finally opened in October, I was really hoping I could run it before I got "too pregnant". 

This was a 2 mile TT my "WOG" group did one Saturday morning.

I was 20 weeks here, and I averaged 7:15/mile pace on this and felt pretty proud! (7:15/mile is my typical goal marathon pace...to give some perspective :D) 

Afterwards, I enjoyed an empanada and another Mexican pastry at my favorite Mexican Bakery - and we all sat outside on lawn chairs enjoying a "socially distanced breakfast".