Now that I have Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach behind me, I’m now turning my focus to my next major race, Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia, on Halloween.
Since finding out that I’m pregnant, my intention all along with this race has been to play the race by ear. Since I’ll be 32 weeks pregnant on race day, I have no intention of running this entire race. Its entirely possible that I’ll wind up walking most if not all of this race. And that’s of course if my body cooperates and allows me to still participate in this race altogether. The bottom line is that now that I’ve proven to myself that I can run a half marathon while pregnant, there’s nothing that I need to prove to myself with this race, other than knowing the importance of listening to my body and taking things easy when needed.
After Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon
You may have noticed that during the last two weeks of my Virginia Beach training that I only ran twice a week. Over the past couple of weeks, running has become more and more difficult. The baby, and thus my baby belly, have grown significantly over the past couple of weeks, and the extra weight that I’m now carrying is starting to make running not only more difficult but at times more painful. And the extra weight on my bladder has done nothing but add an additional challenge to my running.
I’m not ready to give up on running altogether yet though. For the past couple of weeks, reducing my running to two days a week and either walking and/or turning to the elliptical for my cardio on the other day(s) seems to have helped thus far. I’m sure there will come a point when I need to reduce my running to just one day, and then take a temporary break from running altogether. The best thing I can do at this point is listen to my body and respond with what’s best in the moment.
The other challenge I’ll be facing over the next eight weeks is the physical exhaustion from having returned to school. After standing on my feet at school all day yesterday, my feet were swollen and my bad ankle was bothering me much more than usual, to the point that I had to take a dose of Tylenol. I’m sure that sporting my compression socks will become a regular occurrence, and taking care of my pregnant body while also trying to continue exercising will now be more of a balancing act than ever before.
Last night on the couch after spending all day at school on my feet
While I’d like to say that I know exactly how the next eight weeks of training will go and develop a concrete plan for Rock ‘n’ Roll Philly, that’s just not practical at this point. Instead, its time that I focus on taking things one day at a home.
QOTD: Have you ever went into training for a race with huge uncertainty before?
A hm on Halloween? How fun! Are you going to dress up? The upside is that the weather should be much cooler that day and I’m sure the scenery will be great, so a nice race to walk through if needed. Keep up the great work, it’s been great following your running-through-pregnancy journey so far.
Not sure if I’ll wear a costume since very little is starting to fit, especially when it comes to my fitness apparel. But I’ll definitely try to at least wear Halloween colors.
I think you are being very wise to take this race by ear and not make too many plans. I cannot imagine running 32 weeks pregnant, but walking the race would certainly be a possibility and the weather would be not what we encountered on Sunday in Virginia Beach! Sorry your ankle is causing you trouble. Hope that improves quickly with some extra rest.
I’m on my second unplanned rest day, so hopefully the extra rest will pay off soon!
I’m just amazed you are staying so active while pregnant! It’s so good for you and the baby! I also LOVE that you are listening to your body and resting when you need it! Hope the ankle feels better!
Thanks Mindy! Me too!
I did RnR Philly last year as my first half and it was a really well put-together race on a relatively flat course. I wish you all the best of luck with it! I’m so impressed that you’re running while pregnant and I hope that when my time comes I stay fit and active then too.
Thanks Leslee. I hope you’re able to stay active as well.
Just like anything else, listen to your body. Reading all the things you have to do is making me tired!
I definitely don’t lead a boring life!
Good luck with R&R Philly. Good to play it by ear and see how you feel. Let me know your travel plans! I live just north of philly and I may check into volunteering for this event. It may be fun to meet a fellow blogger.
Let me know if you choose to volunteer! Its always fun to meet other bloggers.
Great job. Good luck with the race. I think it is awesome that you are staying so active while pregnant.
Thanks!
I’ve gone into lots of races with uncertainty! RNR Philly is like 2 weeks after the Chicago Marathon for me so I’m wearing a costume and hoping to hobble through. Or find someone to carry me piggyback lol. Good luck and maybe I’ll see you in Philly!
http://www.breathedeeplyandsmile.com
Hmmm, maybe somebody will carry me piggyback as well!
Definitely smart to play the race by ear and plan to take it easy. I hope you find some comfort in the coming weeks with that growing baby!
Thanks Nicole!
It sounds like you have a very wise and sensible plan for the race. Just do what you can and listen to your body! You’ve got this!
Thanks!
I hope you can still do Rock n Roll Philly though if it’s already becoming a challenge to run now I can only imagine it will get worse in a month a half. But if you listen to your body you should be good. Luckily it has a long course time so walking would be good too.
Yes, Philly has one of the most generous course times that I’ve come across for races. Thank goodness for that!
I think it is impressive that you are still running!!! That is awesome, I would have never thought of running while I was pregnant. Of course I was in the Army when I had my older two, so I was happy to not HAVE to run. Just listen to your body and have fun. I never feel 100% confident going into a race.
bakingrunner.blogspot.com
Thanks, staying active is part of what is helping to keep me sane.
I have those same compression socks! Love them!
Pro Compression socks are the best!
love your socks. Listening to your body is of course the best thing.
Most definitely!
Sounds like you have a smart plan in place. I am sure standing up all day is exhausting. When my feet hurt from PF I wore my kids crocs around and birkenstocks. They are not the prettiest but it helped. Good luck!
These days its comfort over appearance when it comes to my shoe choices.
I admire your practicality…don’t push yourself!
Thanks Wendy.
Having dealt with an injury for over two years now, I head into training for pretty much every race with uncertainty haha. There are good days and bad days. Props to you though for not only sticking with the running during your pregnancy, but also listening to your body as you get closer to your due date 😀
Thanks. And you’re right, there’s always going to be good days and bad days.
I have loved following your running and being pregnant adventure so far! I’m so impressed with your diligence and patience!
Thanks Becki! Staying active is definitely helping me to stay sane during this phase of my life.
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I’m seriously so impressed with how you keep active and fit while pregnant! That is my hope for when/if I am pregnant one day haha. I wish you the best these next 8 weeks and hope you’re able to run/walk/whatever you please at Philly!
OH yea, wear those compression socks as much as you can!!! Good attitude about Philly, you don’t have anything to prove, so don’t stress about it!