Faith Laces

Photo Credit - Microsoft Clip Art M otivation is essential for every runner. We have to be motivated to lace up our shoes and head out the door on a regular basis. But like with some of the other essentials I've mentioned, m otivation plays an even bigger role for pregnant runners. During the first trimester, morning sickness can kill the desire to do anything, much less run or workout. As pregnancy progresses, added weight and fatigue can drain the desire to be active in any way. The key to running through these obstacles is motivation. What inspires your running? What encourages you to hit the roads every day? For some, it's to lose weight. For others, it's to train for a race. For many, it's the rush of endorphins or 'runner's high'. For me, it varies. I've run for all of the above reasons at one time or another. Mostly I run because I enjoy the time alone to pray, to listen for God's whispers, and to honor Him for the gift He has given ...

It is essential to have  L ots of support when you run during pregnancy. First, I couldn't do it without the support of my husband. He's not my cheerleader. He doesn't come home from work every day and say, "Did you run today? Way to go, Babe!" But he never complains, admonishes or worries over me either, which after knowing him for 18 years, I now know is the equivalent of  him saying, "YOU ROCK, BABE!" Photo Credit - Morguefile.com So to my wonderfully supportive husband, I say, "Thank you!" My daughter, Makayla, (who will be 5 on Monday) also quietly supports me. She accepts that my running is just a regular part of life and only ever encourages me to keep at it. On Wednesday of this week it was 80 degrees so I had to shed my fleece jacket and run in just a tank top and running skirt. I was a bit nervous about everyone in the neighborhood seeing my 8-month pregnant belly so prominently displayed so I asked Makayla: "Do you t...

K now your body! K now when to push yourself! K now when to take it easy! K now when to hold 'em K now when to fold 'em! Wait, that's not right - well, you k now what I mean! It's essential while running during pregnancy to pay attention to our bodies. They are changing, growing and super busy creating new life! Running is good for both mommy and baby, but only if mommy knows the limits. But aren't runners used to pushing limits and testing boundaries? Why yes, I think we are. It's not possible to run 26.2 miles (or more) without going beyond what we think we are capable of achieving. I've found it extremely difficult to rein in my typical running impulses to go faster and go farther. Every time I step out the door, my mind tells me to, "Go, go go!" But my body tells me, "Slow, slow, slow!" After years of running, my mind is accustomed to overriding my body's resistance, so it's hard to not push myself. Eventually...

When I first considered options for the letter ' J ', j ogging stroller immediately came to mind. For four years, the j ogging stroller was my faithful running companion 2-3 days a week, sometimes even more. However, this past summer, my daughter was getting a bit too big for the stroller and by the time fall came around, she was out of the stroller and running 1 mile races on her own! BOB Revolution SE Jogging Stroller Even though I haven't run with the j ogging stroller during my pregnancy, it's still an essential for pregnant running moms with infants or toddlers. I can only imagine it's an even tougher workout, but well worth the extra work to enjoy time outside running with your little one. A j ogging stroller also makes it easier to fit a run into a busy day. Photo Credit - Google Images For me personally, the ' J items   I found to be absolutely essential during this pregnancy were  J olly Ranchers. During the first trimester when I was a...

Photo Credit -  roadid.com An essential for every runner, not just pregnant runners, is I dentification. I D is a runner's most valuable training partner. No one wants to think of being in an accident, but it could happen, and if it does, having identification means family will be notified and doctors will be able to access medical records. I dentification Options: Road ID offers convenient wristbands with identifying information. As far as I can tell, this is the most recommended option for runners. Even my mom texted me the link to Road ID because she thought it was a good idea.  Road ID also offers ankle IDs and shoe IDs. I prefer the shoe ID because it is the least intrusive.  Road ID Shoe ID While Road ID is popular,  IdmeBand  also offers similar products. IDmeBand - Shoe ID Dog tag necklaces are another option. In desperate times, I've simply used a laminated 'business card' with my name, address, phone number and husband's name tuck...

Photo Credit - Morguefile.com Without question,  H 2O is an essential for every runner, but especially during pregnancy when dehydration can lead to serious consequences, not only for the runner, but also for the baby.  The standard recommendation that everyone should drink eight  eight- ounce  glasses of water (or H 2O) a day has come into question.  This article at Runner's World suggests using the following formula to determine how much water we should consume: Male Drinking Requirement, in fluid ounces: Body Weight x .35 Female Drinking Requirement, in fluid ounces: Body Weight x .31 In this article , The American Pregnancy Association recommends that pregnant women consume "10-12 cups of fluids each day".  I just try to drink as much water as I can. On a normal day, I drink about 60 ounces of water throughout the day. On running days, in addition to my regular 60 ounces I drink : 16 ounces an hour before I run  8 ounc...

April 1-7, 2013 31 Weeks Pregnant No snow + No injuries = a good week. Although there was no snow, the first part of the week still felt like winter, but by Friday there were finally signs of spring. Photo Credit - Faith Laces Finally! Spring is in the air! I did come to the conclusion on Wednesday that I may have to decrease my miles on my 'long run' days. It seems that after 5 miles, I start feeling pain in my feet or legs. I'm guessing it's the added weight, looser joints, or a changing center of gravity, but who knows? Whatever the reason, it's bumming me out. I was prepared not to be able to do 14 mile long runs as my pregnancy progressed. It was hard realizing I couldn't do 10 miles anymore once I reached the middle of my second trimester and now I worry in another month I won't even  be able to run 5 miles at one time. I've never been a fast runner, but I can (usually) run for a long time. It's disappointing not being able to e...