Lest I Give the Wrong Impression.....

....working out during pregnancy is not easy. My post yesterday might lead you to believe that every day, and every workout, is wine and roses. Well, let me assure you, there is very little wine. Not really many roses, either. I am generally staying upbeat, and certainly like to project an upbeat image on this here blog, but there certainly are challenges. However, I like to find the humor in the challenges and I certainly did today!

I really did not feel like moving my gravid behind off the couch this evening. I had a nice healthy dinner (salad!) and was enjoying The Following pilot on hulu. Adam was gone at a work event (hence the guilty pleasure TV watching) and since I'd been out of town for a week and then had two great work-outs this week I wasn't feeling particularly inclined to do anything physical. However, I obviously had to get my one mile run in so I figured I might as well put my suit on under my running clothes and plop myself in the pool since it's been a couple weeks since I last swam.

Run went fine. Just a mile, but very comfortable. Got into the pool, did a couple slow warm-up laps. Did my usual pregnancy body check- any aches/pains? any weird pulling sensations? No, nothing different than when I'm sitting or laying or working or otherwise NOT physically exerting myself. Arms are sore but that's from prenatal training so actually a good thing. So I carried on.

A few laps later though, I felt a bit odd. The only way I can describe it is that I felt like a pregnant cow. No, I'm not being down on myself for gaining weight. While I don't love having an extra 12ish pounds on board, I know I'm supposed to and I know I don't have complete control over where those pounds go (why on earth my upper legs need to gain weight in order to birth a child I do not know!). But I felt how pregnant cows, or cats, or elephants LOOK when they are pregnant- like they are dragging around  a rolly polly weight in their bellies. Being pregnant feels DIFFERENT when you are laying face down than when you are sitting or laying on your back or side. I didn't notice this until this week because I really hadn't "popped" until this week (week 25). But it felt so WIERD and I couldn't stop thinking about it and I really didn't enjoy the feeling of being similar to a pregnant bovine or feline or definitely not an elephant! I do love bison, but even I have limits to how similar to a bison I wish to feel!

So, I used an excuse to stop exercising that never would have crossed my mind (and hopefully never will again!). I stopped exercising because I literally felt like a pregnant cow.

There's really nothing else to say after that.

;)

Absolutely Glorious Imperfect Run!

Today I had a great run. It's been a few weeks since my last enjoyable run. I was beginning to worry that runs >3 miles were just not going to happen anymore during this pregnancy, at least not comfortably. But today was marvelous! Yes, I required two pregnancy related pit stops (thank you Navy Pier!). Yes it was gloomy outside. Yes, I may have been caught in an absolute downpour for the last 10 minutes of my run where I gained 10 lbs of water weight on my clothes and shoes (this in addition to my 10+ lbs of pregnancy weight- I owe my joints a big 'thank you' for their ability to handle all this!).

But I ran 5.5 miles absolutely comfortably. Nearly effortlessly! I enjoyed 50 minutes of wonderful 60 degree weather in Chicago with a nice cool breeze coming off the lake. My breathing was comfortable, my pace was reasonable and even respectable. I continue to be so grateful to still be able to run without issue. I'm proud of myself for staying in good enough shape pre-pregnancy that I'm virtually unlimited (within reason) during pregnancy. I urge all women who are even contemplating getting pregnant in the next few years to get active NOW so you have a strong base to build on if you do get pregnant one day. I could have, maybe even should have, run farther today, but I'm satisfied with what I did accomplish. And with very minimal pregnancy niggles! And after a pretty tough trainer work-out yesterday!

Happy Val.

45 in 45 week 3

Day 1- 12 mile spinning, 1 mile run (50 mins)
Day 2- 3 mile run (30 mins)
Day 3- 2 mile run, 10 min hill walk, prenatal training class (80 mins)
Day 4- 1 mile run (10 mins)
Day 5- 12 mile spining, 1 mile run (50 mins)
Day 6- 1 mile (10 mins)
Day 7- 1 mile (10 mins)

Total for the week: 240 mins out of 310 mins
Total deficit: 50+60+70= 180 mins

Eek! Looks like I'm doing 10 minutes WORSE each week.

As I predicted, travel got me a bit this week. I'm prioritizing rest and sleep. And maybe some socializing with a friend I only see a few times a year;)

The Ultimate Pregnancy Niggle

In the past, I've written about the importance of distinguishing between significant pains and niggles, defined as "slight but persistent annoyances, discomforts, or anxieties". In running, niggles can be short lived pain, sharp or dull, nagging GI sensations, or side cramps, just to name a few. Things that you can and should ignore to get on with your work-out. Because, let's face it, if you are looking for exercise to be comfortable, then you aren't really going to have any strength or cardiovascular gains. (When I ask my patients if they sweat or got short of breath during their exercise if they say 'no', I say 'work harder!'.)

Never is it more important to distinguish between niggles and legitimate problems than when exercising while pregnant. I assume this is one reason why so many obstetricians advice not starting new vigorous exercise routines when pregnant- if you don't know what normal discomforts to expect when running or spinning or lifting weights, you won't know when to let up on work-out intensity. 

Luckily, I'm an experienced exerciser so I can distinguish b/t scary pain and niggling pain (I think). And when in doubt, I slow down or stop. There have been about 5 work-outs during the course of this pregnancy where I've stopped early. A couple were runs where I had persistent pelvic discomfort that stopped as soon as I stopped running, and one was a swim where I felt a strange pulling sensation. Probably neither was malignant, but still, it's better to be safe than sorry.

But knowing when to stop is one thing. Finding ways to suffer through the niggles is another. And I'm finding the ultimate pregnancy niggle to be very tough to contend with. And what is this niggle I speak of? The need to pee. It's insufferable!!! No matter how many times I go, I STILL feel like my bladder is full and it is SO uncomfortable! I know it's just in my head because I KNOW after going 3 times in 1 miles (TMI) there is NOTHING LEFT, so I try, try, try to ignore it, but it's so hard! One thing I noticed Saturday during my 3.5 mile run (for my 35th birthday!), is that running faster helps! I don't know if it's a change in my stride or just the fact that I focus more on form and breathing, but the need for speed reduces the need to pee. The problem is, I'm not supposed to run too fast- the whole stay conversational rule and all. So I see lots of short fast runs with hill walk recoveries in my future. I imagine I'll develop more niggles during the third trimester and will continue to find new work-arounds. I think the key is to have lots of options for exercise. For example spinning on Sunday was fine, great even. 

I'll leave you with a couple of these belly bump photos that we are supposed to be taking. It seems that it's the thing to do. Seems kinda silly to me but I'd hate to NOT take them, then regret it later! So here you go:

I think this is the first day where I really thought 'eek! I look pregnant!' Week 24

Check out the awesome bison mittens my parents gave me to go with my bison hat! Bump week 24

:

45 in 45 Week 2

Day 1: 4.5 mile run (45 minutes)
Day 2: 1 mile run, 2.2 mile hill walk (45 minutes)
Day 3: 1 mile run, 1/2 mile swim (35 minutes)
Day 4: 1 mile run (10 minutes)
Day 5: 3.3 mile run (35 minutes)
Day 6: 1 mile run, 2.5 mile hill walk (45 minutes)
Day 7: 1 mile run, 2.2 mile hill walk (45 minutes)

Total time: 260 out of 310 minutes
50 minutes to make up + 60 minutes to make up from last week= 110 minute deficit!

Excuse this week: terrible cold:(
Excuse next week: going to be traveling but hope I don't use that as an excuse!

New goal: Work out 50 minutes each day to try to improve on this deficit....Will start tonight with my first pre-natal workout class.....

It's the End of the World as we Know it (and I Feel Fine)

I was supposed to run a half marathon on Saturday. The Polar Dash half marathon here in Chicago, to be exact. But I woke up Friday with a terrible sore throat that developed into a full blown head congested, runny nose, sore throat tornado of a cold by Saturday morning. Initially, I was going to run anyway. I thought, 'come on, it's just a half marathon'. Indeed I did run a marathon just two months ago also with a cold, also while pregnant (14 weeks at that point). But I wasn't quite as sick and I was definitely 'less' pregnant! Adam tried to be the voice of reason, trying to talk me out of the race, especially given the pregnancy. But he also knows me well and didn't want me to be full of regret if I didn't run. To be honest, I was most worried about my mental health. I'm a runner. A distance runner. That's a a huge part of my identity. And let's face it, my next opportunity for (marathon) distance running isn't until next fall given babybison's much anticipated arrival in May. I was worried that if I didn't do the race, it would be the beginning of the end of pregnant running. And the beginning of the end of my endurance and cardiovascular health. And the beginning of the end of my mental health.

Adam and I compromised by dressing for the race, jogging to the start, and making a final decision about the race en route. That was a wise decision. About 0.5 mile into the jog, I felt pretty miserable from the cold. But I also was feeling a bit of pelvic pressure- no pain, nothing serious- but not something that I'd want to carry on with for 13 miles. So we took off our bibs and went for a leisurely 3 mile run together instead which was really nice.

Initially, my back up plan was for Adam and I to make our own half marathon this coming weekend (assuming I'd be all better). But as the weekend progressed, I gained some insight into myself and my motivation for running the half marathon in the first place. The first insight occurred during my treadmill work-out on Sunday. After my 1 mile run, I did a 35 minutes hill climb (walking) and read the latest Runner's World. There was a touching article by Marc Parent, writer of The Newbie Runner. He was reporting on his first ever half marathon experience. It was a good article- it really took me back to my first marathon experience. The feelings of pride and invincibility. Struggling through the tough miles, feeling like a rock star during the good miles, digging deep to get through the last miles. The spectators, especially friends and family. Doing something you never thought you could do. It really reminded me of some of my proudest athletic accomplishments. And I realized: I'm a runner. It's who I am now. I think I've always been a runner, but I didn't actualize this part of myself until I started running and ran my first marathon  back in 2006. At this point, 6 years later, I'm not in danger of NOT being a runner EVEN IF my running mileage goes downhill (WAY downhill) over the next few months. I realized I had a deep fear, that if I didn't keep up at least 1/2 marathon level mileage during this pregnancy, I'd be in danger of never being a runner again. Like I'd fall into some deep abyss of lethargy and inactivity. But reading that article, and remembering the positive emotions and memories from my marathons, reminded me that I am not only a runner, but I'm a marathoner and while I may be a low mileage runner temporarily, I will NEVER be a non-runner again. That will not change, baby or no baby.

I realized the other reason I was so bummed about missing the Polar Dash was that I really wanted to do the half as a pregnant runner. Yes, I did the Chicago Tri, the Lake Geneva Tri, the Des Moines Marathon and the Outer Banks Marathon pregnant. But I was in the closet! I couldn't advertise the pregnancy. Silly as it sounds, I want to run a race with my "running for two" tee shirt on. Primarily, running is important to me and my well-being. But, part of my identity as a runner is being a motivator to others. I'm vocal about running and its many benefits, in my real life and in my social media life. It's a big part of who I am. It's my little way of doing good in the world (well besides my job- hope I'm doing some good there, too!). I can think of at least a dozen people whom I've helped or encouraged to start running for the first time, to run half marathons, to do a triathlon, to do a marathon, or just to do a quick 5 minutes of cardio prior to Thanksgiving dinner. That's important to me.

I like to think that continuing to run (and vigorously exercise in general) while I'm visibly pregnant can be a motivator and an example for others to follow. It wasn't so long ago (1970s, the decade in which I was born!) that women were told they couldn't run marathons because 'their uteruses may fall out'. And I'm sure that are some old-school obstetricians who advice against running or exercise during pregnancy even for super fit, healthy ladies. (Again- some pregnant women have complications and shouldn't run- clearly there are exceptions.) And using pregnancy as a excuse to take it easy and eat too much and move too little is rampant in our society. So, maybe it's silly, but I really do want to do a race or two in the next few months. But there's no reason they need to be half-marathons. A 5K will do!

Finally, I also realized how glad I am that I did those two triathlons this summer/fall. As my running mileage decreases, I can easily fill in the time with spinning and swimming. Both of which I'm starting to enjoy more and more. In fact, I can take this opportunity to become better at both. Especially swimming. I really think I can become a stronger swimmer over the next 4 months than I ever was before (starting from a base of non-swimmer, I have lots of room for improvement!). And with two triathlons on my athletic goal list for 2013, this will serve me well!

So while endurance running may be over for a while, it is not the end of the world and I feel fine about the whole thing. Running will continue, distance running will take a hiatus and spinning, swimming and hill walking (seriously, you'd be surprised how short of breath you can get climbing a treadmill hill!) will take over. So without further ado, here are my athletic goals for 2013, i.e. the Year of the Babybison!

1. Chicago Triathlon, International Distance August 24, 2013
2. Half-Ironman Triathlon, Fall 2013 (destination tbd)
3. Sub 4 hr marathon Fall 2013
4. Boston Qualifier Spring 2014
5. Ironman Wisconsin September 2014
(6. Continue working on my 50 in 50 goal with marathons in 2 new states in 2013.)

Short-term steps I'll take during pregnancy to help achieve these goals:

1. Finish 45 minutes of exercise in 45 days
2. Increase swimming distance to 1700 yards.
3. Increase biking distance to 20 miles
4. Strength training weekly with the pre-natal group

So, for a few minutes Saturday morning when I realized I would have to bail on the half marathon, I felt like it was the end of my (running) world. But I've done some thinking. I've adapted. And at the end of the day I am just so grateful to be able to exercise at all. So I feel fine:)

Year in Review 2012....besides running

Before we get too far into 2013, here are some of my favorite memories from 2012.

January: My birthday. It was a good one. We walked over to GT Fish and Oyster for a marvelous oyster, clam chowder and clam feast. Next we explored the city on foot in the cold, snowy weather, plenty warm from the delicious Sauvignon Blanc I'd had more than my fair share of at dinner:)

February: I took a two-week vacation in February- one week with Adam and my Dad in Yellowstone to ski and one week with Sara in Mexico to sun. Perfect

Right before they stampeded right in front of us!

Me and Dad

Sara and I on our balcony

March? April? I guess I was so busy becoming an Oncologist that I didn't have time to play! Good thing I like my job or I'd consider that a life failure. But I had/have sooo much to learn, it's probably okay that I fell off the face of the earth for a couple months!

May: Grandma's birthday

Mom, Dad, Grandma, me and Adam on the Milwaukee RiverWalk.

Happy, happy birthday!

June- uh-oh. Another month came and went and I can't remember what I was up to!

July: My former roommate and maid-of-honor, Tamara came to town! It was so great to see her- it had literally been years since our last reunion!

August: Our 9th Wedding Anniversary! And my first triathlon!

Outside Bridgehouse Tavern

Resting after almost kayaking:)

Me and Sara, triumphant (and tan!) triathletes!

September: Learning about babybison! We found out on September 3rd.

October: Fall golfing with my folks prior to our dinner and the great babybison reveal!

At South Shore golf course

November: Outer Banks vacation with family

December: Christmas! Since I just posted a bunch of pics of our Anne of Green Gables Xmas, I'll leave you instead with photos from our last New Year's Eve Celebration as child-free yuppies. We had a nice steak dinner at Three Forks, a steakhouse super-conveniently located in the park right next to our apartment. And we tried to take a baby bump pic, since that seems to be the "thing to do" but not sure how well it turned out. Will make a bigger effort once the bump is, well, bigger!

Happy New Year's!

Babybison at 21 weeks