I'm 15 weeks pregnant this week and I just got the bright idea to...run a half marathon in 3 months?!
I really haven't run very much since getting pregnant - only about 65 miles total in my first trimester, and probably close to half of that was run/walking or substituting with the elliptical. I was still somewhat active, even if I wasn't able to run a lot or work out like normal.
First Trimester Workouts
- Run: 58.5 miles
- Elliptical: 5.2 miles
- Bike: 152.7 miles (all Peloton except for one 20 mile outdoor ride)
- Swim: 0.5 miles (one open water swim - first time swimming in 20 months!)
- Hiking: 39.6 miles (8 in First Landing, 14 on the Jordan Bridge, 5 in Antelope Canyon, 12.5 in the Grand Canyon)
- SUP: 5.4 miles (Antelope Canyon)
I was also strength training regularly until about week 7/8 when it started making me lightheaded, and there were some weeks in there when I didn't do much other than stretch or do yoga. I never got super sick, I was just really tired a lot and generally nauseous, but my biggest issue with running specifically was my heart rate getting super high super quickly. I felt out of breath a lot just doing normal things, so as I adjusted to that, straight running wasn't really an option. I've started feeling mostly better and just more used to being pregnant since I hit the second trimester a couple weeks ago, and I've been able to start getting back into a routine.
And so, my bright idea to run the Hokie Half Marathon was born! So far between not feeling up for a lot in my first trimester and not knowing what working out might look like (or not) as things progress, I've mostly avoided making any future plans. Before I got pregnant I had already registered for a half marathon in November, but I'll be 33 weeks by then, so I'm hoping to at least be able to do the 5k or 10k instead in whatever capacity I'm able. I was definitely bummed when I realized the half marathon was almost certainly a no-go, but there really aren't any half marathons locally before November. This week I randomly remembered the Hokie Half Marathon, which is usually in late September or early October, which seemed like it would be a more reasonable time frame. I've been wanting to go to Blacksburg this year for my birthday like we did last year, and as luck would have it, the race is October 3 this year - the day after my birthday! I will be just over 26 weeks on race day, and starting training now gives me exactly 12 weeks to prepare, which is a normal training cycle length.
I really wasn't able to train or work out like normal while my body was on a roller coaster of hormonal changes during the 18 months we were TTC and going through fertility treatments, so my fitness is pretty much at an all-time low. So not only do I have limited fitness from being pregnant, but I have the added challenge of having almost no base to speak of. But I know there's only one way to get it back, and the alternative is to keep backsliding even further. So, half marathon #40 (I think?), here I come!
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