Hey all! It's been a while since I have posted! School really got intense this semester and I really feel guilty doing anything on the computer besides school. Dustin has done a great job keeping the blog up to date.
Dustin has been killing it! He has been logging record mileage which is means so much more when you are running around Farmington (uphill both ways, remember). He also has been tearing it up on the track. This week he finished his final mile repeat and hollered back at me, "4:52"! A PR in the mile for him!
While Dustin has been gearing up for a big race, running has slowed down for me. Not long after I found out I was pregnant it became difficult for me to breath while running. Actually, I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without having to stop to catch my breath. Dustin always thought it was very comical. Pre-pregnancy, my heart rate would stay between 135-155 during a long run, unless I was pushing a little harder, for example, on a tempo run. When I found out I was pregnant and started breathing like I had a fat suit on I began monitoring my HR. I would start out around 155. There isn't much research on running while pregnant, but most "literature" says not to go over 160. That made it difficult. I knew which hills on the golf course that I had to slow down on, but I still had to stop and walk at times (hole 9!!). It was uber frustrating because I had just completed training for the STL Rock N Roll 1/2M and was doing well running-wise. It was like hitting a wall, but I was thankful that I was still able to run.
About a month and a half into my pregnancy I started feeling the typical morning sickness. I had to take 2 weeks off of all physical activity. After that, I got back into running by starting out slow with a few miles at a time. I found that if I was able to get up early enough then I could get a run in without getting sick. And actually, on the days I went for a run I didn't get morning sickness like I did on the days when I slept in. I guess my body is so used to running from consistently doing it for 16 years that I was more comfortable starting my day with a run. Still, there were a few times when I was dry-heaving in a Walmart sack on my drive to a morning run with the girls.
Although my little critter has already competed in 2 half marathons amongst other races, when I consulted my physician about running she cautioned me about the distance. She mentioned that she has personally seen women go into early labor and have other complications after a long run. She suggested that I stick to 5 miles or less, which I have done. It is much more important to me to have a healthy baby than to get a long run in or compete in a race. This puts me in a tough spot in a few weeks as Dustin and I travel to Houston for races. When we put our name in the lottery, we didn't know that I would be pregnant. We were really excited to find that we got into the races, Dustin in the marathon and I in the half marathon, because it is the day after the Olympic trials. So we will get to see some of our favorite runners such as Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall compete the day before we run. As of right now I will be running the first 5 miles and walking the remainder. My goal is to finish before Dustin completes the marathon :) but I am going in with the thought that if it is too hot or I get too tired, then I will drop out or not run at all. I guess we will see what happens. I know that it will be SO difficult to walk in a race as runners pass me. And, I haven't trained for an 8 mile walk...I'm afraid I'll get bored! I will be sure to load up my ipod before I start!!
Anyways...I am now 15 weeks along and feeling great! It has gotten easier to breath, and I have been able to decrease my pace a bit. Dustin is VERY supportive and I feel VERY blessed to have him as my partner (in marriage and in running) and the dad of the arriving baby Washam (aka critter)!!! I will do my best to keep you updated on my struggles and successes of running while pregnant. I know there are many others out there, but not a whole lot of research and stories to compare. Hopefully you enjoy the updates :)
Happy New Year! Blessings to you in 2012!
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