Running While Pregnant: Slow is the New Fast

At least in my world it is.  My body only moves in two speeds these days…slow and slower.

After my completely WRETCHED performance at a local group last week, I am still astounded as to how this happened only about a week and a half ago, on the 4th of July.

How do I go from getting 2nd in my age group on one day to *barely* being able to squeak out a mile at my running group?  Just goes to show you…during pregnancy, your body can literally change from day to day.  Some days are good, some are not.  Its funny how on “good” days, I am so quick to ride that high, but on “bad” days, I beat myself up about it SO badly.  It is such an adjustment when your brain is saying, “Go faster, you turtle!” but your body is saying, “If you don’t slow down, we are going to have a serious problem.”

I am definitely at the point where my body no longer wants to run like a gazelle speeding across the savannah.  No, those days are history…at least for a little while.  But, all hope is not lost!  I recently came across this article about the benefits of slow running.  I mean, I knew that all the elite runners spent most of their time running “slow” (keep in mind that an elite athlete’s “slow” is my hauling you-know-what/I-am-about-to-die pace) but I never really thought of all of the other benefits that slow running offers.  The article mentions that slow running is “the foundation of your running house.”  When you think about it, this is so true.  The slow run is what EVERYTHING else builds from.  For now until the end of October, I will just plan on taking care of my “running house.”  This means no new renovations, no crazy upgrades.  I want to keep a solid 5k foundation and be able to build from there once my little one arrives.  That, I can handle.

So, from here on out, slow I go (channeling my inner Kara Goucher — my running mama idol — the whole way).  You might even find me walking.  (GASP!)  But, you WILL still find me out on the roads…tearing it up at a speedy “mall walking” pace.  I might even give those blue-haired old ladies down the street a run for their money.  It’s okay, feel free to giggle at me. 

How is your pregnancy affecting your exercise regimen these days? Are you still able to do the same things or have you had to make serious adjustments?  How are you handling those changes mentally and emotionally?