Training for two

Back to blogging about training, with a whole new perspective.

I took a little time off after the half ironman and then decided to get back in gear with a 5K at the end of August. I was ready to nail it, but I wasn’t sure how fast I could go. So the weekend before, my lovely husband accompanied me to the track for a 2-mile time trial. I ran, and he timed me and prevented me from modifying the workout to anything shorter than 2 miles. I hit it in 14:20 so was confident I was ready to race around 22 the following weekend.

Race day, I felt great, ready to go and anxious for post-race mimosas. The pace started off fine, but about a mile and a half in (if that), I started slowing and slowing and slowing. The only thing I was doing quickly was letting my racing partner get further and further ahead of me. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. Alas, I finished the race in 23:54. The race wasn’t well marked, so had we gone out way too fast? Why couldn’t I hold the pace I was fine at the weekend before?

The answer came in the greatest news later that night – a positive pregnancy test!

Between the 2-mile time trial and the 5K race, my hormone levels had gone from less than 12 mlU/ml to somewhere around 7,000 mlU/ml, and that flat out messes up your body. Over the next 8 weeks, I was exhausted all the time, and nauseous all the time for at least 3 of those weeks. I did a few short runs here and there which sometimes made me feel better, but my awake hours in a day were literally limited to 12-13. When 10 of those are spent at the office and commuting, it just doesn’t leave any time for anything else. Some days, just getting to the bus and home from work felt like a hard workout.

Now, beginning my 2nd trimester, my energy is coming back and I’m only sick a couple of hours a day (3-6pm to be exact). So it’s back to training and staying fit while pregnant! I’m going to keep running as long as it’s comfortable and I’m sure the pool is going to become my best friend. It’s dangerous to bike because of the risk of a fall, but luckily I have the trainer to use. Maybe some yoga as well? I’m excited for this new challenge as I get bigger and bigger and also for the challenge of getting back in shape post-baby next May!