Let’s Be Candid: Third Trimester Running/Fitness, Exercise Obsession, and Running Goals!  

Before heading into the weekend, I wanted to chat with you all about running and fitness during the third (and last!) trimester of pregnancy, what I am learning, exercise obsession and my goals! 

*If this feels too heavy, go ahead and wait until tomorrow’s post! I’ll share random life pictures with you all and scenes from the weekend.*

Moving on >>>

As I write this post, I’m enjoying a warm cup of coffee, a cold smoothie and reflecting on life/fitness/ and running latley.

I’m going to be honest and say running while pregnant/exercising  while pregnant is hard. Sure, I’ve had great runs, I’ve been running even before I knew I was pregnant, and most of the times, I feel great. But, there are runs that leave me discouraged and workouts that make me wonder if I will build up the fitness I had before getting pregnant. 

Through this third trimester, I’ve been learning to listen to my body (waay more than I normally do…how’s that for a confession?) I’ve been learning that even a little run, a short circuit workout, a nice long walk, or a stretching session counts toward something.  I’ve been learning that not every run has to be a PR- crushing or as hard core as possible. 

As easy as this lessons sound or as simple as these ideas are, they haven’t been so easy for me to learn. It’s really been a process that I’ve learned over the years. 

For years before getting married or pregnant, exercise wasn’t just  something I enjoyed, but it really came to a point where it controlled my life. 

Earlier this week, I was thinking about how much life has changed. I love the feeling after a hot and sweaty run, I crave miles and the endorphins I get from every mile I finish. But, it has no longer become something that controls my life. Instead of letting a missed run ruin my day, I now take a deep breath and move on. 

Don’t get me wrong, I still love love love running, but this third trimester and years of over obsessing has taught me that running shouldn’t be my life. It should be an aspect of my life. 

I am so grateful God has taught me so much through my running journey and I look forward to all the other lessons He will continue to teach me! 

So? You ask. What are your running goals after baby T? Do you have any?

Of course I do! As much as I’ve grown in not letting running control my life, I’m still a runner. I’m still the same girl who dreams about running in her sleep, who plans out her runs, and who looks forward to the racing season.

(Gorgeous running trail!!) 

Goals

1. Get my pace back! During this pregnancy, my pace per mile has decreased about 1-1.5 min. I can’t wait to get my speed back again!
2. Run a half marathon in November 2016. As long as the delivery goes as hoped, I plan to hop into half marathon training fairly shortly after having baby T! Thankfully the base mileage I’ve been running through my pregnancy will give me a decent foundation to build on.
3. Enjoy the treadmill and run outside when possible! Hopefully, I’ll be able to run outside while Landon is with baby T, but more than that, I want to be home with my family. Aka- I’ll be running many, many treadmill miles! Praise the Lord for treadmills!
4. Embrace each run! Basically, even if my run doesn’t go as planned, my run has to be cut short, or I nail it, I want to embrace each run, because a run is better than no run! 

I’m so grateful for this pregnancy, for the ability to run during the last 8 months, and the joy I’ve discovered through the process. I can’t wait for my run tomorrow and the many miles to come.
You Share

1.  Have you ever been addicted to running or exercise? 
2. What are your current running goals? 
3. How long have you been a runner?