Running in the First Trimester

Now that I am out of my first trimester I can offer my tips and advice for running through the first trimester.

Marc and I didn’t find out we were pregnant for some time (I was 9 weeks to be exact). So I spent most of my first trimester running high mileage and trying to deal with the unknown fatigue and nausea.

It’s totally safe to run through your first trimester, but if you have pre-existing medical conditions or health problems, please consult with your physician. Doctors say you can continue with your same exercises through pregnancy paying attention to what you body is telling you.

Pregnancy is not a time to try to break records or set new distance records. I wouldn’t sign up for your first marathon or 1/2 marathon at this time either. Whatever you were doing before you got pregnant is safe to continue, of course making sure your physician is alright with it and notifying him/her if you experience anything out of the ordinary.

It’s important to realize you can’t exercise at the same intensity, and the later you are in pregnancy, you really won’t be able to (as I am slowly learning). However, I have someone managed to PR in a race recently and felt amazing.

Be forewarned, individuals will gawk at you and be inspired, or will chastise you and point fingers at you with disgust. Just be prepared!!

How I managed running through the First Trimester: 

• I made sleep a priority – Everyone’s first trimester is different, but many will experience fatigue and weakness. I sure did. I thought at first it was my high mileage and I wasn’t giving care to sleep. After realizing I was pregnant, I took sleep more seriously. It helps rejuvante you so you can get through your runs.
• I learned to take it easy – There were some days I just couldn’t hit my mileage. I was training for Boston, and it was hard to cut my workouts a couple miles short. I had days of backing off during speed workouts.
• I realized I wasn’t up to running everyday and that was okay – There were some days I just wasn’t feeling it, so I switched my rest days and stopped during two-a-days for a while.
• I made sure to stay hydrated and fueled – Nausea just hits you sometimes, but other times you can nip it in the bud by eating something right when you rise in the morning. Keep snacks on hand. Crackers are amazing!!
• I learned to say no – There were times I just couldn’t meet up with a friend or see my sister. I needed the sleep and selfishly knew if I didn’t get the sleep I wouldn’t be able to run.
• I knew where I could pee on my routes – Some, maybe not all, women have to be pee even more during pregnancy. It was inevitable I would have to pee on our run, even if it was 5 miles. Map out routes accordingly 😉

My suggestions: 

• Don’t feel like you have to run everyday – Some individuals have to take 1-3 weeks off or more during their first trimester because of how they feel. I probably could have, but with Boston in the horizon, I didn’t. You know you’re body best.
• Don’t compare yourself to others – Some women feel great during the first trimester and are running and going out, while others are the opposite. If you’re not feeling it, don’t feel pressured to do anything!! Every pregnancy is unique.
• Keep crackers, water and snacks on hand
• Try to work out before the nausea hits – I always knew if I didn’t workout right when I got up and ate a little something first, I wouldn’t be able to later in the day. My nausea only progressed as the day went on.
• Sleep, Sleep, Sleep – I can’t say it enough, hit the hay!!

Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I have to work on this.

I am glad the first trimester is over. I feel like I have so much more energy and I am finally done throwing up, mostly. However, I still have to keep snacks on hand, because if I wait to long to eat I get very nauseous very fast.

I am now over 16 weeks!! Almost half way done.

Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit