Running

The morning after I got my positive pregnancy test I was signed up to race a 14K. The Virginia is for Lovers 14K. I love to race, and prior to getting pregnant I had already done some research on exercise throughout pregnancy, so I knew I was fine to run, and not to push my heart rate too high.

The first half mile of the race felt okay, but after that the run itself wasn't very easy. I ended up finishing the race about 10 minutes slower than when I raced it the year before.

I know my running has started to suffer, and even though I've read that some women determine they are pregnant based on noticing a change in their running, but I still didn't expect it to happen so soon in my running.

I decided shortly before knowing I was pregnant that it would be a good idea to upgrade my Garmin to one with a Heart Rate Monitor.


I know that it's outdated to say a runner needs to keep her heart rate below, 140, and that it should be based on exertion as opposed to an actual number, but I still think it's helpful to be aware of my heart rate and I'm still making sure to keep it below 160 while running and training.

I'm currently training to run the Shamrock Half Marathon on the 21st. I have slacked big time on my training. I slacked last year due to a foot injury and come race day I set a PR and had a solid race. This year I will be 10 weeks pregnant come race day, and I think my lack of miles will definitely hurt me.

I ran 5 miles with Sean last weekend. This was my first "long run" with the heart rate monitor. It wasn't too hard to keep my heart rate where I wanted it mostly because I was too tired to go any faster.

I'm hoping to get 8 miles in this weekend, but I'm nervous that I won't be able to. I know being pregnant I have to expect changes and have to be able to take a break once in a while but I still want to be able to finish the half marathon. I don't expect to run fast, heck I'll settle for a slow jog, I just want to feel good and be able to finish strong.

I'm lucky that I have a great sister that knows my love for running and bought me my first pregnancy gift.


This book is very informative and has week by week chapters about the changes to expect in your body and your running. I've already read quite a bit of it and am hoping that being pregnant when the weather is nice will help me stay motivated to continue my running as long as I can. It appears that the more active you are during your pregnancy the easier of a delivery you will have.

Right now it's difficult because I notice the changes in my body already but I'm not showing and we aren't telling anyone so I have to make excuses about why my running is suffering.

I have my first triathlon of the season on March 27th, this is one week after the half marathon so I'll be right at 11 weeks. Again, we still won't be sharing with friends that we are expecting, and Sean will most likely kick my butt, but I'm excited to share my love of racing, even if I won't be racing per se, with our future child.