Running during my second trimester

This pregnancy has been an amazing journey so far.  At almost 23 weeks I am still feeling great and I am still running.  I am finally looking pregnant and I feel our little peanut moving around in there.  My husband felt her kicking last night and that was the most moving experience for me.  It turned an ordinary Friday night into something extraordinary.  I teared-up several times while his face lit up.  Having this baby has changed our lives and our relationship in so many ways.  Just when I think we couldn't have a more solid relationship, something has brought us even closer.  For that, I am grateful.  I adore having him help me raise my children and cannot wait for him to have the experience of raising a child of his own ... of our own.

 

 

As I mentioned, I have still been running.  Not very fast.  Not as far.  But I am still running.  I took about six days off of running earlier this month to regroup and pull life back together.  But, regrouping has brought running right back with it.  It's so easy to just say the heck-with-it and give it up.  But, I need it.  Running is a part of me now.  I am so grateful that I have this gift and am able to feel like myself while I am pounding the pavement.  I can feel tired and lethargic after work, but then I put on my running gear and head out the door with my ipod and I feel like myself again.  I am reenergized.  I usually forget I that am pregnant while my belly bounces up and down and I can't see my running shoes beneath me.

 

I purchased my first pair of maternity running capris (pictured above) today at Motherhood Maternity!. I have been wearing all of my standard running capris up until this point, but I have a feeling that they will soon be too snug over my baby belly. And, I don't want them to be too stretched-out for post-pregnancy running.

Maternity activewear is REALLY hard to find - especially at a reasonable price. Luckily, I snagged the only pair of marked-down capris off of the clearance rack. I was surprised at how shocked the sales clerks were that I am still running and being active. They actually asked me if this was approved by my doctor.

 

 

 

 

This morning I crushed five miles around town with my husband.  This was coming off of a 5am run yesterday morning, with clients over five miles.  My pace is nowhere near where it use to be.  However, I was still able to pull off negative splits this morning.  A 9:40 mile - really??!!  I really pushed my last mile while I got my breathing in a rhythm with my footwork and my tunes.  I felt amazing as I wiped my brown afterwards.  I am way prouder of these miles lately than of anything I've accomplished over the past ten years.  It just proves to me that I can do anything I put my mind to.  And I want to show my clients that they can do it, too.  Life really begins when you get off the couch and move your body.  You don't have to move fast ... you just have to go.   I have approximately ten miles on tap for tomorrow morning.  I'm looking forward to trying out those new maternity capris!

 

 

At 22 weeks, our baby was the size of a banana.  I was hoping for something more like a cantaloupe (based on my tummy), but she must be well-cushioned in there!  She's healthy and active in there.

 

I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes during my previous two pregnancies (once around 26 weeks and the other around 12 weeks).  So, I'm really hoping that my new, active lifestyle has kept me healthy and keeps her healthy as well.  I have already been tested once for diabetes in the first trimester and will have my final testing in a few weeks.  I am really crossing my fingers that I can avoid it and experience a pregnancy without it.

 

Until then, I will continue to lace up my running shoes and be the best version of me that I can be ...