Slow and Steady...

I've been slacking on my writing, and I've been slacking on my running too. I haven't even gotten a race in this month! Between trying to move, schedual an emergency trip to Eurpoe and dealing with general pregnancy fatigue and quisiness, I've not been up to the task of training well for the past two weeks. I even took a whole week off - which, when you are pregnant, can feel like a month or more hiatus.

I forced myself back into gear this week by running every other day, and trying to tell myself that moving boxes would count as "cross training" on my off days. Becuase I had taken a full seven days off, I had to start out easy. I couldn't just set out and run my typical 5-7 miles, so I cut it down to about 3. But I made those three miles count. To do this, I headed for the hills.

Hill work is great when you are pregnant. Going up, even if you have to slow down or walk, is great for your legs, butt, and abs. And going down (as long as you don't let your belly lead the way!) is great for your posture. I do suggest going down hill very easy...it is okay to walk when dealing with hills. Do becareful on the hills. Stop when you have to, watch your form (a belly is no excuse for starting bad habits), stay in control, and don't over do it. Contractions during hill work can be normal, but if they become painful, stop immediatly.

If you have to take some time off from running, you don't have to stop completely just because you are pregnant! But do ease yourself back into it once you do start again, even if that time off was just a week or so. There are great changes happening to your body every day, so even just a couple of days will do a lot to you...slow and steady and keep moving!

2 Month Check In

I've been dutifully logging away my miles, but I must say that I am in a bit of a rut. I have been running the same 5 mile course every day for the past month and a half. I know it's because I'm just familiar with it and am trying to avoid the hills, but it's time I sought out some new places to leave tracks.

The past two weeks took me by complete surprise with the morning sickness. All along running has helped my ill feelings and a nice jog seems to vanquish them. But the last two weeks or so seemed to bring it on, which I didn't like at all. I would run maybe 2.5-3 miles or so and have to go dry heave in the bushes. Not cool. I was also getting really bad cotton mouth & water was making me gag. Plus, I'm at that stage where sudden movement makes me have to pee.

It all means that I have to take some extra steps before I head out the door. I eat a string cheese or yogurt as I'm getting ready, I grab a juice box, and pee just before I head out the door. At the half way point I stop to stretch, drink my juice, and possibly look for some bushes. And maybe that's why I am stuck in this 5 mile rut. I have an excellent half way point, lots of shade, trash receptacles for juice boxes, and some prime bush locations; I just can't risk trying out another route.