Thursday, March 14, 2013

The Truth

So, now that my secret is out, here are some of the real reasons I haven't been running all that much lately.

I found out I was pregnant the day after a 10 mile run and right before leaving to go on our Wisconsin Dells trip. I took it easy that week, before the F3 half marathon, not really knowing what was in store. I kept the mileage low during the week and headed to the starting line, thinking that I could complete it, no problem. Some where along the route, things just didn't feel right. My heat was beating super duper fast and as soon as I felt a cramp in my side, I called it quits. This was around mile 5ish. I felt defeated, scared, and didn't know what to do or think. However, being so early along in the pregnancy, I had to put on my game face for the rest of the day.
Enjoying an ice cold water after the "race."

I ran another time soon after the race, and I felt some cramping in my stomach again and started freaking out... Again. I had a long talk with my husband about how all this freaking out isn't good for the baby and I just need to listen to my body. If I feel pain, stop. Easy as that. And, cramping is totally normal. The uterus is expanding and that can cause slight pain or discomfort.

Then, once I got past the early, early stage, the nausea and exhaustion started. I was nauseous from when I got up in the morning until I went to sleep. The books suggest to eat smaller meals throughout the day to help keep the nausea at bay. This helped out mildly, but I still felt miserable. (Have you ever thrown up on a Metra train? Let me tell you, it is not a pleasant experience.) Also while I'm nauseous all the time, I'm physically exhausted. My body and mind were more tired than they've ever been before. It is one thing to read about it or hear about it, but to actually feel it was something so surreal. I've had 24 hour days, ran a marathon, stayed up way past my bedtime... and I had never felt as tired as I did during those few weeks.  All of this was also going on while I was working 50 hours a week. Bed time quickly became 1+ hours earlier than normal. So, when it came to choose sleeping or running, I chose sleeping.

I always swore I would be one of those women who  ran throughout her pregnancy. I saw women complete marathons in their first trimester and run half marathons in the second and/or third trimesters. But when it actually happened to me, my perspective was totally different. It just didn't work for me and I have accepted that is okay. I'm into the whole "listen to your body" thing. If I don't feel like running, I don't. If I want to sleep instead, I do. And if baby craves a cheeseburger, baby gets a cheeseburger. :) I never thought I would say these things, but when it happens to you, you have to make adjustments and roll with it! No more half marathons for me until after Baby Wilson is born.
My baby bump is slowly growing!

If you've gone through this process, how did you feel in first trimester? I know my symptoms were pretty common but I know everyone's body is different!!

And if anyone has any recommendations for delicious specialty sodas, please let me know. My favorite right now is Sprecher's low cal root beer. Yummmmmm. I'm going to start enjoying craft sodas since I have to take a break from enjoying craft beers.

22 comments:

  1. We have a SodaStream and there's a really tasty diet root beer syrup that we drink a ton of.

    And keep it real: you're growing a human. That's tough work. Don't be too hard on yourself!

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  2. I've obviously never been pregnant but my coworker is (about 11 weeks now)...and she is having tons of nausea and can't eat a lot of things. Smells make her sick. She is miserable. I told her that's how a lot of people feel but I'm sure that doesn't make it any easier! I told her to hang in there because I hear the second trimester is much better! Love your baby belly!

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  3. Ooo, what's that tattoo? <-- distracted much?

    I know nothing about pregnancy (re: first trimester). But I do applaud you for listening to your body and doing what feels best ... and being okay with that. That is so hard to do.

    Love the weekly shots!!!! :)

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  4. Oh yes, the nauseous stage is MISERABLE. The smell of coffee made (and makes) me feel ill. I haven't had a cup in over 2 months. Strange, I never got one of those caffeine withdrawal headaches they always talk about. Baby didn't want it so baby didn't get it. Cigarette smoke is another thing that makes me GAG!

    I'm very much looking forward to the 2nd trimester. I'm already getting some of my energy back! :)

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  5. Haha, yes, I have a tattoo. I will show you when we go to dinner! :)

    Thanks so much. It took me a little while to get to that point. At first I was frustrated and disappointed because I had seen so many other folks do so much when I felt so miserable. But, I had to buck up and realize that everyone is different and every body handles pregnancy different... and that every pregnancy is different too!

    I love taking the weekly shots. It is funny to see how the bump grows over time!

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  6. You are doing the right thing listening to your body. Being super tired out of no where was one of the things that made me think I was pregnant, when I was, so I know how you are feeling :-) I was also super nauseous when I was pregnant with my girls, I carried saltines with me everywhere. Ginger candies and mint gum helped me too. Hope you're getting some relief soon!!

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  7. I like the SodaStream idea! I may have to investigate. :)

    You are totally right. It took me a few weeks to realize it, but I think I finally have. :)

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  8. Now that I'm at almost 13 weeks, the nausea has been at bay for a few weeks now, THANKFULLY!!! That was a miserable period of 4-5 weeks! Yikes! Lol. I'm feeling much better these days, thanks!

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  9. Like you, I try to prioritize sleeping over running. It doesn't work out too often since once I wake up I want to get out running and can't get back to sleep! I see those pregnant women running by the lake with their bellies sticking out and am amazed, but they are likely the exception not the rule. :-)

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  10. I was so freakin tired with my boys. With Lincoln I was going to bed at 6 p.m. at night, and Cooper as soon as I got Lincoln to bed. I developed a keen sense of smell and couldn't stand the smell of a perfume of a co-worker and the idea of any kind of ground beef, burger or taco made me want to hurl, but I would gladly eat a steak. I felt a little sick (never throwing up), but I ate lots of lipton noodle soup (funny, the boys both love that soup today). I felt like when I ate that for breakfast it helped me feel better. I'm not kidding, I think it ate it for breakfast and lunch every day for about two months.

    I loved Stewarts Cream Soda. That was my favorite when I was pregnant.

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  11. Definitely continue with just doing what feels best for you. I agree with the thought of not forcing anything that hurts, period, whether during running or any other time. And pregnancy is such a precious time - enjoy it as much as you can!!! Can't wait to see more pictures of you with your cute belly!!!

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  12. I'd much rather sleep than run too :) you made a good choice there!

    You're making the right decision in listening to your body and stopping when things don't feel right. Much better in the long run!

    You look so freaking happy in your 8week photo- LOVE IT! :)

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  13. A friend of mine had the same plan to run through her pregnancy, but she pretty much had to stop recently (she's due in June) because it was causing pelvic pain. I know she does yoga, and I think she takes a lot of walks too. Not the same as running, of course, but it's a nice compromise. I think it's good to listen to your body on this, and wow especially working as much as you were, because taking care of yourself and that baby is the most important thing!

    Craft soda is a fun idea :) I'd recommend Stewart's Orange 'N Cream, and Berry Lemonade and Fu Fu Berry by Jones

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  14. Awww you're so cute. And puking on a Metra train?? UGH. Although on the Metra Electric line, we have a lot of older trains that have ZERO bathrooms. Where do those pregnant women puke?

    I'm really curious what foods I'll crave if I'm ever pregnant. Even today, I posted about pie on Facebook, and Robert came home with cookies. He is already an enabler!

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  15. The sense of smell is something I'm still dealing with. I don't like the look or consistency of chicken but I'm all about the beef. (Beforehand, it was the other way around). I've been feeling much better the past 2-3 weeks and I think the nausea has finally run its course! When I switched taking my multivitamin with lunch instead of breakfast, that helped. :)

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  16. Haha, yes! At first I felt guilty, but then I realized that was a stupid thing to feel guilty about. Making a baby is hard work! :)

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  17. Yes, I love taking walks and Pepper loves them too so I always have a buddy. I've been looking into doing a prenatal yoga class and my friend Jill just offered me a prenatal pilates DVD that I'm going to try out. I obviously still want to do some sort of exercise even if it isn't as much running. :)


    This berry lemonade sounds delicious! I'll have to try and find some!

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  18. I specifically sat on Metra cars that had a bathroom. In fact, I sat right in front of it, just in case (and it came in handy one day).


    Now that you mention it, I still want that pie that I never got yesterday! The biggest thing I've been craving is cheeseburgers. I've had them for dinner the last 2 days and I'm thinking about having one again tonight. They are just SO good!!! :)

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  19. Your bump is looking cute!! I definitely sympathize with you on the nausea - although, no puking here. Sometimes I wish I could have!

    I did feel better and enjoy running again between 13-24 weeks (after that I was done), so hopefully the same will be true for you. Working out when pregnant can be challenging, but it's definitely worth it!

    Exciting that now you're at the fun part - I hope you can enjoy it!! (oh, and I was totally addicted to san pellegrino fruit juices my 2nd trimester. Yum!!

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  20. Thanks Michelle! I love the treadmill workout that you saved a few posts ago. I definitely pinned it and have it saved for a few weeks/months down the road!


    I'm enjoying it right now, specifically since the nausea is over! Lol. This San Pellegrino fruit juice sounds delish! I shall have to investigate!

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  21. Haha yes! I really want to be honest about my workouts and how I'm feeling. It seems easy for some folks to workout while pregnant. For me, it isn't easy. It is hard! But it just makes it feel that much better when I'm done.

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