Wednesday, July 14, 2010

28 down, 23 up.

That's where I am right now: 28 weeks down (only 12 to go!) and 23 pounds up.

Let me tell you something about being 23 pounds heavier than usual. It's tough. Those Clydesdale runners earn their special category. Lugging around that extra weight is no easy task. I'm proof of that. And yet, when pushed, I can still bang out a decent run.

Which makes me think that a lot of my reduction in miles and speed has been completely mental.

Now, there is nothing wrong with that. Nothing at all wrong with taking a conservative approach to running while pregnant, especially in my elderly gravida* state. I stand by my lower, slower miles just as I feel proud of the results I've posted while racing pregnant.

But there's a part of me that realizes that I have indeed fallen back on my state as an excuse not to run on certain days or to run easier than I really need to. Human nature? Perhaps. Necessary? Not really.

Sure, when I feel that the hill I'm lugging my bulging belly up is seriously kicking my butt, I slow to a walk. And, yeah, I often (OK, almost always) have to take pee breaks during even 3 mile runs. However, I do not really, truly, in all honesty need to run at such a slow pace through the flat straightaways. I simply don't. Nor do I need to continue to walk even after I've crested those butt-kicking hills. Again, I simply don't.

How do I know this? Easy. The other night (yes, night, it's been pretty hot around here), I went out for a run/walk. I crossed paths with one of my neighbors and we started to chat and before I knew it, we'd been chatting for a half hour and by the time we parted ways, it was quite dark. So, I ran home. I didn't jog or shuffle or walk. I ran. I held a nice sub-9 minute mile pace for the whole 1.5 miles. In the dark. With bats swirling above.

And I felt great.

Shows that when I want to, I can still bring it. Why I don't bring it every run is up for discussion. Probably due to that mental thing I mentioned. Maybe I'm a bit scared about pushing it too hard. Or maybe I'm just enjoying taking it easy, not having to worry about pace or distance or -- my least favorite ever -- tempo runs.

Whatever it is, it is where I am. 28 weeks down, 23 pounds up. Slower and lower with the miles. And I'm OK with it all.

Happy Wednesday, folks. Hope you're OK with where you are, too :-)

~ Felice


* My doctors are kind and refer to my current state as advanced maternal age. Much nicer than elderly gravida, which remains the official diagnosis, and makes me feel like I'm about 87 years old.

22 comments:

Janine said...

Amazing! Inspirational! Pregnancy miles are a reminder of how amazing our bodies are!!! I enjoyed my slow pace at the end of my pregnancy, and for some reason can not seem to get speed back!!! might have enjoyed it too much! Run on!!(your blog inspires me!)

Jen said...

You continue to amaze me!!! You rock... you are, "The Strong Running Mama"... without a doubt!!

Jocelyn said...

Great job! I hope to be able to run like you whenever I decided to have kids..way...way...way down the line :)

Marlene said...

Whatever the reason, there is no shame in it. You're enjoying yourself and looking after yourself and that's what matters!

busyrunningmama said...

It's okay to be okay with lower and slower!! No matter the reason! You rock! Just imagine all of the preggo's out there who do NOTHING at all!!
Great job continuing to get out there! Keep it up!!

Unknown said...

so much is mental,eh?

Jill said...

You're doing so awesome, I am totally in awe and inspired by your daily quest to keep moving. I'm 10 lbs over where I need to be to run my best so I fully understand how 23 could make you feel heavy up the hills...but at least you have a valid reason :). Keep up the excellent work!!

Denise said...

nice! you definitely can still bring it!! it's not easy for us non preggers to hold a pace like that in this heat and humidity!

misszippy said...

Very nice--I hope you continue to feel good (or make yourself think you do!) the whole time.

Molly said...

You are a rock star for being able to run right now!!

KovasP said...

Our new baby was born this weekend and my wife is raring to go, we'll be training for a November 5k! Way to still be out there.

Diana said...

Amazing is the appropriate word for sure! You rock :) Whatever speed it's great that you're still dong what you love!

J said...

You are such an inspiration, running while pregnant! I hope that I am able to do as much as you!

I Run for Fun said...

Wow! You are that close? That is unbelievable! And you are still running. Go, Felice!

Lindsay said...

you are awesome for getting out there!! i struggle with my everyday-belly :)

know you have tons of blog friends admiring you!

The Laminator said...

I have no doubt you can bring it if you want to. Now whether you want to is entirely up to you!

Teamarcia said...

Wow time flies! Glad you are enjoying it!

Anonymous said...

Advanced maternal age- haha- wonder what they will call it when I have kids, which will probably be when I am maternally advanced!

S Club Mama said...

I am just amazed by you. I found you through RLAM and how inspiring are you?! I hope to finish my first half-marathon this September. After that we've talked about getting pregnant with our 3rd kiddo. Part of me is like "eek" because I've put a lot of hard work into losing weight BUT part of me is excited because I wasn't a runner until March of this year, so I'd like to try to run through my pregnancy (although I do get awfully sick so that will be an obstacle that I'll have to overcome) and have a healthy active pregnancy.

Anonymous said...

enjoyed your feature on RLAM. Congrats on your baby on the way and your recent 5K success.

Quix said...

I'm going to say the fact that you are out there 6.5 months pregnant and still running is a win. No matter the walk breaks or speed.

And with weight, I found that I ran better 10 lbs heavier (but eating back all the calories I was running off) than lighter (and not eating as much, trying to lose weight). So it depends. I think I'm just under the Athenas division weight but pretty close.

Anonymous said...

that is so awesome you can still run that fast! good for you!

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