The end of the year is quickly approaching. I started the year with a goal to run 2014 miles. 3 months into the year I learned I was 9 weeks pregnant, and I didn’t know if that goal was obtainable.
I thought I would share an update on my running for the year, since 2014 is coming to a close already. I am currently at 1950+ miles for the year, with roughly 60 miles left until I reach my goal. I am hopeful it will happen.
Turkey Trot 1 month postpartum
I started the year running 240+ miles per month. I stayed in the 200+ miles through March, and then after the Boston Marathon in April, I started to taper down. Slowly my weekly mileage was becoming lower and lower. I had my lowest mileage in October with only 70+ miles for the month, but I did have a baby in late October so I guess that’s to be expected. 😉
Others say that pregnancy didn’t slow me down, but in reality it did. Yes I kept running, but I wasn’t running near as much, nor as fast in the last 3 months of pregnancy. It grew harder for me to run longer distances. My last longest run of 13+ miles was a half marathon I did on my anniversary at 35 weeks pregnant.
Sandpoint 1/2
It was hard accepting that fact I couldn’t go as long or as fast. In fact, most days I hated this reality. I am a goal oriented person, so when something hinders me from meeting/making goals, I can get angry, irritated or frustrated. Let’s just say I don’t take it lightly.
I had a goal, and I was determined to meet it. Even though the year is not over, I am confident I can still reach 2014 miles. Some may wonder why it’s so important, and even think I am being stupid, but to me it’s more than just 2014 miles.
I said I was going to do it, and for some reason I can’t go back on my word. Maybe it’s pride or maybe strong will; hopefully the later. I had to keep the baby’s health as my first priority this year, but I knew running was safe, and I was used to high mileage so I continued to run, listening to my ever changing body.
Sundae Sunday 10 miler, 33 weeks prego
Missoula 1/2, 25 weeks prego
Some days were better than others, some days I wanted to quite and never run another mile again. Even though running grew harder and harder for me, I still loved the feeling of finishing a run and I needed my runs.
So for me it was not that I had to run 2014 miles, rather I needed to. It was my time for thinking and easing stress. I stopped pressuring myself to reach the goal; instead I focused on each mile I accomplished and told myself “I am one mile closer.”
I continued to do my races I had already signed up for before pregnancy and added more races. I didn’t let my pregnancy keep me from my love of running. It was definitely an added challenge, but who doesn’t like a little challenge. 🙂 (I ALWAYS got the OK from my doctor before any race, and never pushed myself like I did before pregnancy). I even had some age group wins…totally unexpected.
19 weeks Prego, 1st in Age Group Windermere Marathon
35 weeks prego, 1st in Age Group at Sandpoint 1/2
38 weeks Prego, 2nd in Age Group
I ran every race this year, besides the annual Turkey Trot, pregnant. Baby R and I finished 12 races together: 2 full marathons, 4 1/2 marathons, 1 10 miler, 1 12k, 1 10k, 1 5 miler, 1 5K, and 1 Trail Relay. Everyone of those races I cherish!! And every race brought me closer to my 2014 mile goal.
Now as I am slowly building up my mileage, I realized that the goal is closer than I expected. It turns out I can run 2014 miles in one year, while spending 39+ weeks of that year pregnant with my first child.
Sometimes I wonder how I ever managed this….”…one mile closer….”
Hope you are all reaching your running goals for the year, whatever they may be.
Don’t forget to check out the cool prizes from Run This Year. You don’t have much longer to enter to win. Run This Year is giving away prizes each week as part of the Grand Finale, until the end of December. This week is a prize from Spandits and SunDog Eyewear. Check it out.
Also, don’t forget to log your miles for November here and December here.
Until Next Time Be Whole, Be Fit and Be Running
What were your running goals for the year 2014?
Schuyler says
Pretty amazing what you were able to accomplish this year. A real testament to determination.
Bryanna says
Thanks Schuyler. It definitely wasn’t easy, but sometimes determination is what carries us on.