Support System

So far, my weight gain has averaged 0.9 lbs per week since the 1st trimester, putting me nicely on track for a little over 25 lbs wight gain (19 lbs so far).

While that extra weight is all well and good for baby, this week my abdomen muscles seemed to start objecting to the extra weight their holding up. On my Tue/Wed/Fri runs I had what I'd normally describe as side stitches, only that the poor muscles having them are now several inches displaced from my side where they used to be.

Since I'd never consider running without a sports bra, it occurred to me that a support belt for my belly may help. So, over lunch on Friday I hopped over to a nearby maternity store to pick one up. Easy, right?

Little did I know that, like most other pregnancy/baby related purchases, the vast array of options and price ranges made even this seemingly innocuous purchase complicated. Completely unprepared, I was faced with a wall of options with everything from this $80 contraption (can you imagine running in that?) to the more reasonable $20 variety.

Eventually, I ended up with this basic number from Motherhood Maternity*. The hubby was nice enough to accompany me this afternoon on a test run and, so far, the results are favorable. Right now, any run discomfort free is a good run.

*Note: I have not been asked to review this product.

Veterans Parkway

This week got away from me a bit. Between early morning meetings and high afternoon temperatures it was difficult to get some decent runs in. So, recognizing that I wasn't going to be hitting my usual (pregnancy) target of 15 miles per week, I decided to focus on enjoying today's run and headed down south to Veterans Parkway in Manhattan Beach.

I work near Manhattan Beach and, consequently, do a lot of my mid-week morning runs here. Veterans Parkway is a lovely, 3.75 mile long stretch of old railway bed converted into a wood chip running/walking path. In LA, any routes that get me away from traffic are exceptional, and this easy-on-the-legs wood chip path has the added benefit of ample water fountains and close proximity to the beach. Often, running buddies and I will run out on the chips and return on the beach. All-in-all, it's a wonderful running combo.

This morning, only feeling up to 3 miles or so, I brought the dogs down with me to give them a little change of scenery as well. My running partners were gracious enough to do 3 slow miles with us before continuing on to finish their usual 9 miles. Now back in the oven that is Pasadena in the summer, I am very glad to have had such a refreshing start to my day.

Familiar Trails

31 weeks and still running! I have been more comfortable on my runs the last few weeks as well. It seems that my rough routine of every-other-day running is working well. 'Angry calves' only made an appearance once last week and I haven't found myself exhausted recently. Instead, I've felt great and extra motivated to get out the door, even if it's only for a few slow miles here and there.

Last weekend I visited my family in the Midwest. It was a wonderful change of pace to cover some old, familiar ground. The temperatures were high, though, so even an early morning run had to be kept a little short. This was my last trip until baby girl comes along. So, I'll have to get a little creative to keep my running routes at least moderately interesting.

I-think-I-can

Since living in Pasadena, one of my favorite runs has been a round-trip to the Rose Bowl. I travel 3.5 miles through some decent neighborhoods and, once there, the 5k loop around the Rose Bowl offers frequent access to water fountains, restrooms and motivation from all the other runners/walkers out enjoying the day. All in all, it's the perfect long run scenario.

The last few months, I've been a little nervous to make the trip... even the shortest 7 mile there-and-back version. Facing a whole 3.5 miles with out a restroom and the two formidable hills I'd have to tackle has kept me closer to home.

This morning, however, felt like the day. Whether it was last night's fireworks at the Rose Bowl, the perfect 60 degree & overcast weather or sheer bliss from having the day off of work, I headed out with the Rose Bowl as my destination. While not my fastest trip ever, the 7 mile loop really was enjoyable this morning. It was refreshing to be a little further from home and other runners offered encouraging smiles as I huffed along. I found myself doing an impression of the Little Engine Who Could (I-think-I-can, I-think-I-can) up the steepest hill (felt those extra 16 lbs then!). Other then that, is was smooth sailing and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that, in fact, I could.

Running Partners

When I first looked into adopting retired racing greyhounds, part of my motivation was to gain some good running partners. Further into my research, I discovered that greys don't actually make the best joggers... they're sprinters at heart and don't have the hearty endurance of other similar-sized breeds. All other characteristics of this breed, however, made them the perfect dog for us. So, the two lovely dogs you see above joined our household and my running routine, if only for the slower, short recovery runs.


An unexpected, wonderful side effect of my altered running routine is that the dogs can join me for more and more of my 'runs'. While sometimes irritating, their frequent pee/sniff breaks are good also, since they force me to take it easy. Even better, as they get used to going with me, they want to go more and more... helping to keep me motivated! I, on the other hand, still have not been able to join them for their 5min, 40mph sprints around the local baseball field.

Angry Calves

Another way pregnancy has affected my running is something I can only describe as "Angry Calves". About once a week for the last month, I've experienced this constant, lactic acid type burning in the calf muscles for the duration of a run.

I have not found a definitive cause (in my 5 minutes of google searching) but, I have noted other pregnant runners speculate that it's from reduced circulation to the legs from belly pressure. True or not, when it happens, it hurts!

So, while the rest of my body was up for a hearty run this evening (lungs - check, belly - can hardly tell you're there) my legs declared a no-go. After rounding out my first 2-mile loop, I decided to call it good and try again tomorrow.

Recovery

Last night I fell asleep at 7:30 pm. I woke up at 6:30 am this morning.

Note to self: Apparently, I need more rest.

The one effect pregnancy has had on my running that I wasn't expecting is the need for addition recovery time, even after easy/moderate workouts. Other preggo impacts on running (first trimester exhaustion, minor abdominal strain/soreness, constant need to go to the restroom, slowed pace, etc) pretty much happened on cue.

Coping with these other symptoms has been pretty straight forward. In the first trimester, running helped provide the energy boost needed to make it through my hectic work days. Modifying my pace and running routes/distances was easy enough. As the second trimester progressed, I found that I only noticed abdominal strain if I took too many days off in between runs. As long as my runs were only a day or two apart, my body didn't take notice of the small weight/size differential.

This new post-run sluggishness is a surprise. Wednesday afternoon, the combined effect of my early morning Tuesday & Wednesday runs knocked me flat, literally. It seems that from now on I'll be walking a fine line between running too frequently and not frequently enough. Hopefully, I'll find the balance to keeping my energy level up and my discomfort level down.