It’s been a whirlwind month! To say I’ve been busy is an understatement. I’ve had running events 4 out of 5 weekends – the FCA 5k, Wanderlust, the Girls on the Run 5k and now Rock n’ Roll San Diego Half Marathon this weekend (and a wedding tomorrow!). I made a trip to Temecula for my mom’s birthday and Mother’s Day, OC to visit a friend’s new baby, and Yosemite for Memorial Day weekend to visit my Dad and Step-Mom. On top of that we wrapped up Girls on the Run, I attended a training conference for work and hosted two dinner parties at our new home. It’s a great month of quality time with friends and family!
Normally, I push through busy times and still manage to get in my workouts, but lately I’ve been putting sleep at a high priority. I’ve noticed that I’m just slowing down in general. When people ask how I’m feeling (definitely a top pregnancy question!) I say I’m feeling good (which I am! I still sleep mostly uninterrupted, have no back pain or swelling and am still running and exercising) but that I’m slowing down.
One way I’m slowing down is my running speed! Wow – I know I complained in the first trimester that I was getting slower but a high 9/low 10 min/mile was still an option back then. Now I’m lucky to have a run that averages in the 10 min/mile range at all – it’s usually closer to 11 or even 12 min/miles thanks to the walk breaks my body seems to ask for (oh yeah and the bathroom breaks, sometimes I have to stop twice during a 4 mile run). It’s not even necessarily that my lungs are having a hard time keeping up – it’s almost like my legs are just extra tired all the time! The good news is, I still have my endurance and was able to get in two 10+ mile runs in preparation for San Diego Rock n’ Roll.
Yesterday I went back to Xtend Barre for the first time in 2 weeks – a sad fact but with all of the busy days, travel and more emphasis on running given that I’m running a half marathon on Sunday, I haven’t put strength training at the top of my priority list. I’ve definitely canceled a few classes at 9 pm the night before, choosing more sleep in favor of a workout.
I’ve been averaging 8.5-9 hours a sleep a night (I’ve been tracking it using my new Pivotal Living band), yet I’m still tired! I rarely wake up refreshed these days. I guess you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to realize that a pregnant woman’s body needs more time to recover.
For the first time in my life, walking is now considered a workout for me. I’ve always been a big walker – Mike and I often take 30-60 minute (or more) walks but I’ve never considered them as part of my fitness. I have been taking some time at lunch the last few weeks to get in 20-30 minute walks and some days that’s all I have time/energy for. The weird part is how my mentality has shifted – because the effort of my recent slow 4 mile runs are seemingly the same as my previous 6-7 mile mid-week runs, I give the workout the same weight mentally. I used to consider a 4 mile run the easiest workout I could possibly do and now it’s one of the hardest. Pregnancy changes things folks!
With less than 4 months to go in my pregnancy (wow!!!), I know things are going to slow down for me even more and I’m ok with it. I’m using this time to focus on relationships with family and friends and to learn as much as I can about my baby and parenthood as possible. In the evening when Mike puts his hands on my belly and his face lights up as he feels our baby girl kick – those are the moments I’m cherishing now.
How do you balance workouts with busy times?
Busy is always good!! 🙂 Good luck on the half this weekend!!! I hope it is not too hot!!
Love that dress you are in on Mother’s Day! Super cute!!
You look amazing Nicole! Isn’t it funny what our head does even when we know we should (and HAVE) to run slower? I think it is awesome that you are staying so active. I hope I will be in that same boat if/when I get pregnant. Enjoy the weekend. I want to be teleported to San Diego right now 🙂 xo
Thanks Jesica! I definitely know you will be in the same boat!
Wow you have been busy!! Enjoy the half this weekend. Sounds like you are doing a good job of listening to your body and taking the rest time you need, and doing the type of exercise that is working best for you now. Way to keep staying active amidst all the busy weeks!
Thanks Kristen!
Hi Nicole! Just came across your blog and since we’re at almost exactly the same spot in our pregnancies it’s definitely resonating! So good to hear someone else in the same stage of slowing down, and your positive take on it. I too have slowed down, and am making the adjustment of feeling good about several 3 mile runs and lots of walking during the week rather than a normal fuller, intense week …. and feeling just as drained from it. All good stuff though, just humbling to realize the energy required to, you know, create another human 🙂
I’ll look forward to following your journey ahead! Hope you continue feeling good!
Thanks Betsy! Yes it certainly takes some energy to make a baby – I guess it makes sense but for people as active as us it really takes some patience! 🙂
How exciting! It’s getting so very close. Can’t wait to meet your baby via the interwebs. LOL
Crazy you have less than four months to go!!
I’m happy to hear you’re still feeling pretty good and listening to your body about sleep and exercise. Crazy how your perspective of a tough workout, or even just a workout, changes when you’re pregnant 🙂
My perspective is still different with a baby.
Also, can’t believe how busy you have been! Fun busy, but still busy!
I know time is flying! You’re going to have a toddler before you know it !! 🙂
You have been busy, mama! I can relate so much to slowing down and re-prioritizing certain things in my life (aka sleep). I find myself napping almost daily around 2 or 3pm. For some reason this is my sleepy time of day. While working out is still a priority and important part of my life, I definitely give myself more leniency to skip or switch up my activities. I am doing a lot more hiking and walking than I have ever done before. Running is shorter and slower – I have a feeling this is how it’s going to be for the remainder of pregnancy.
Way to stay true to you and listen to what your body wants and needs.