My energy came back two weeks ago. I am super thankful for that, but due to the fact that I was so tired and ditched a lot of workouts in my first trimester, I feel that I have some major catching up to do. You really can’t just ramp it up when your 17 weeks pregnant.
I am excited about seeing my belly grow, but I am not totally excited about anything else growing. I don’t like that my legs and butt don’t feel as tight and I want to stop it. I’ve started doing lunges every other day and am incorporating more low key strength training into my workouts now. Just because I’m pregnant doesn’t mean I can’t be fit.
I am learning to be comfortable with 30-45 minutes of cardio and weights. A year ago a 30 minute run was something I considered a cool down, or at best just something to shake my anxiety if I hadn’t made time to workout that day. The thought of going an entire week without at least one good 10 mile run was crazy talk to me. Even when not training for a marathon, I always like to stay in shape to hop in and run one if i want. Keeping a good base made that easy.
Now that my base is a 4 mile run rather than a 10-15 mile run….. I feel a little uneasy. What will it feel like to get out there and start speed work again or go on a 20 mile run? Will my body feel entirely different? I know people bounce back and are incredible athletes after having a baby, but will I have the motivation when I am sleep deprived and exhausted? Right now I feel motivated and plan to keep working out 5-6 days a week throughout the pregnancy. I know for sure I want to run at least one marathon in the fall and we’ll go from there.
Regardless of my fear of fitness loss, I don’t want to take away from the fact that I can’t wait to hold my baby and try my hardest to be a well balanced, mom. I was fortunate enough to be in the room when my sister had her baby and it was the craziest, most amazing experience of my life. I originally thought it might horrify me to the point of being way to scared to do it myself, but luckily she had a great labor and when her baby girl came into the world there was nothing on the planet that I loved more than her. I couldn’t believe how much I could love a baby that wasn’t even mine.
 In other news, I really can’t wait for Glenn’s marathon, which has been switched to the Mercedes Marathon in Birmingham, AL rather than Myrtle Beach (turns out Myrtle Beach was on the same day as our niece Sofia’s 1st birthday). The race is three weeks from today and I can’t wait to see him break 3 hours. We’re packing up the RV and heading down to AL with Greg. I plan to run the 5K that day and then head out on the course to find him at miles 14 and 21…. at least that’s the plan for now!
