RUNNING THROUGH PREGNANCY//TIPS & TRICKS
Running through pregnancy
Hey y'all!
So this week I thought it would be great to tell you all about what I've gleaned so far from this pregnancy--in the running department that is(not that I'm an expert by any means!!).
Just like with anything during pregnancy, running can be quite miserable, BUT it can also still be fun and beneficial if you're prepared to make some changes(and accept the changes, however hard it is!).
I've ran my entire pregnancy so far (36 weeks Friday!), and plan on running until little man makes his arrival. I've had my ups and downs for sure, but other days I've felt great! So here's some tips & tricks I've learned over the past 8 months!
1: Accept the fact you will get slower, and don't compare yourself to others.
This was a hard one for me, I'm a pretty competitive person! When I started to see my pace get slower...and slower...and...well, slower, it nearly deflated my entire love of running. I've had to accept that age-old saying of there's always gonna be somebody faster than you, AND someone at a different level than you. Don't compare your journey to theirs. This applies to all walks of life, not just pregnancy.
2. Understand that some days your body will just say NO.
Our pregnant bodies can be fickle, sometimes they just say "nope, not today!" This was another hard thing for me. I loved pushing myself to the limit before I was pregnant. But some days my pregnant body just says no. Learn to be gentle with yourself and listen to your body. Some days you just won't feel like moving very much, don't beat yourself up about it, just try again the next day, or whenever you're ready! Congratulate yourself when you do lace up, most people don't expect pregnant women to continue running(another fun thing about it ;) ), enjoy shocking people!!
Kentucky History Half Marathon @ 27 weeks pregnant
3. Invest in comfortable running gear.
Forget about tight clothes during your pregnant running adventures! If it's cold, layer up! If it's hot, loose clothing is especially great for pregnant women because you don't want to get overheated. Invest in comfortable, sturdy shoes as well. You might even have to go up a half size or so due to that oh-so-lovely thing we call pregnancy swelling.
4. Plan for bathroom and hydration breaks.
This tip is especially important for running during pregnancy. I loathe stopping during a run, but of course pregnancy does not cater to that fact. You'll definitely want to stop the appropriate amount of times to use the bathroom, and drink plenty of water, ESPECIALLY if it's hot outside.
Other tips & tricks:
-Invest in a belly band. (I haven't yet, but have heard other pregnant runners getting good use out of them for support & comfort)
-Perhaps skip running on rainy/snowy days.
-Don't force yourself to train for races-but understand you can still reach you running goals while pregnant!
So there you have it folks! Running through this pregnancy has taught me a lot about patience and loving my body even through all the changes. When I feel myself getting anxious, I lace up my shoes and go! That time I spend alone with just me and the bump really helps to calm my nerves. It's also kept me fit and kept those endorphins going! Because let's face it, we all want to cry sometimes during pregnancy!(or all the time, no judgment here ;) )
I hope you liked this post and be sure to comment any of your favorite running tips during pregnancy!
<3 -Aud
P.S: I'm SUPER pumped about this Graco running stroller I snagged from Walmart.com on sale for 100$! Can't wait to take little man on runs in a few weeks!!
P.P.S: Check out my "running wall" work in progress! It's the wall that'll be right beside my treadmill(when I get one), so I can just look over at it when I need encouragement(because honestly I loathe treadmill runs)!
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