Hmmm, Bizarro doesn't seem very eloquent. I do like being compared to a "super creature" though. You'd probably like some sort of explanation as to why I've been dubbed "Bizarro runner." Here goes...
I run for the love of it. Nick also runs. He doesn't love running though. He runs to maintain his general fitness. We often have debates that center around running, which occur simply because I love to talk to about running and training (and I enjoy goading him a bit too). Mostly Nick thinks I'm crazy, which I take as a compliment. During one our running discussions he dubbed me "Bizarro runner," which by his definition is a "backwards runner."
It's rare that Nick and I have the opportunity to run together, but we do enjoy it whenever we get the chance. About once a week, if we're lucky, we'll get to go out for a run together. We run completely differently though. I start slow, and get faster, and faster. He feels better running faster at the beginning and slowing down later. He finds it incredibly perplexing that I can continually speed up over the distances I run and not die. Thus, my new nick name of Bizarro was born.
Now at almost 32 weeks pregnant, I think my Bizarro runner status is going to be revoked. The last week or so I've started slowing down, and instead of continually getting faster as the run progresses I generally maintain the same pace. Sniff. Sniff.
Speaking of running pregnant...it's definitely getting harder. My legs just feel dead. Sometimes my calves feel extra tight. My heels feel a bit sore too. My breathing is fine, my back isn't sore, and the baby belly doesn't bounce. But my legs feel dead. Stupid legs. To my amazement, my weight gain is still hovering around 16 pounds. When Kaylee got sick I actually lost a couple pounds. I wound up taking three days off from running and ate all kinds of yucky food like Burger King. And I lost weight? Now that's bizarre. Not only is Burger King sort of gross, but it's loaded with salt. Not at all good for the pregnancy bloat factor. Anyway, moving along...
All my prenatal doctor's appointments are going well, and I'm still measuring perfect. But running is getting harder. Not that I'm complaining. I'm so happy to be running! It keeps me sane. I don't worry about gaining weight and I feel like it keeps the crazy hormones at bay. It just means that I might be slowing down more in the coming weeks, and that's okay.
Oh on a completely random note, have any of you ever heard the old wives tale that if the baby's heart rate is under 140, then it's probably a boy? This baby's heart rate is almost always 135. Always. Now, during our ultrasound they said the baby was a girl, but I'm having doubts. What you think?
Training Journal 6/21 - 6/27
Total Miles Run: 46
Total Time Running: 6:50
Average Pace: 8:55
11 comments:
Congrats on continuing to run. 16 lbs weight gain is all baby! I have no idea about the HR issue. How do you feel about that? So do you think Nick will be able to keep up with you by the end of your pregnancy? That;s his chance, bc you are going to be super bizzaro once the babe is out!
Well, I am just so happy for you that you are running. And I KNOW it is helping you to feel good (or keeping you from feeling worse).
1. I think the dead leg sydrome is water retention. What can ya do? Actually running will help it from getting really bad by increasing your venous return.
2. I ALWAYS lose weight when I stop running and eat like crap, but then when I start running again, whoops, the weight is back up, or more (it's muscle inflammation, among other things I don't fully understand). You're almost there. Think, you could have the baby now and s/he'd be healthy. But it's best to keep it baking for a while, of course, not that you have a choice :).
I have the same leg issues and I'm only 26 weeks (tomorrow.) I also have abdominal pain sometimes though thank goodness no bouncing like some people report. It's so frustrating because I don't have the breathlessness or back pain one might expect during pregnant running so it's hard to believe the reason I'm slower is because of my legs of all things.
My calves always throbbed too. Weird. I think it's because my stride was so much different trying to compensate for the massive stomach.
Anyway I hope pregnancy running makes post-pregnancy running way easier.
I have heard about the boy/girl heart rate theory. Your little girl is just taking after you. Our labor room nurse told Dad two or three times that you were going to be a 7 pound boy. Every time the nurse left the room Dad would look at me and say, "nope, it's a nine pound girl". He was close. You were 8 pounds and 15 ounces. P.S. I'm with Nick about running faster early and slowing down later in the run. Dad tells me that he runs faster in the end because he can see the barn door!
32 weeks already?! Wow!
Just curious--do you and Nick have similar paces when you run? Pete is quite a bit faster than I am so we never run together cuz he has no patience for me.
as for the heart rate--total old wives tale. Do you have an ultrasound shot of the goods? Boys and girls look very different so if they had a good shot of the actual labia (looks like a hamburger) than you can be assured you are having a girl. If they just didn't see the penis (which looks like a turtle) then all bets are off, you may be having a boy. I am pretty decent at the u/s, if you have a copy of the money shot I would love to see it. mcontini@comcast.net
great job on your running! I love starting slower and getting faster....I find it's a mental booster too! you are going to be one fast chicky! you're paces are amazing with the heat and your pregancy! Nice job! Hope I can meet up with you at a race again!
Amazing job on running while pregnant; I am very impressed. Take care of yourself :-)
Thanks for the compliment on my maternity shirt. I only have a couple that I like, so I wear the same ones over and over. :o)
They grey one I wear came from Liz Lange for Target. I also have it in red that I'm wearing in one of the pictures too. I don't believe they have grey anymore, but they do have some pretty options:
http://www.target.com/s/192-9790722-7024310?_encoding=UTF8&search-alias=tgt-index&keywords=Liz%20Lange%C2%AE%20for%20Target%C2%AE%20Maternity%20Cap-Sleeve%20Smocked%20Fashion%20Top&ref=sr_bx%5F1%5F1&searchNodeID=1038576%7C1287991011&searchPage=1
Good luck with the homestretch!
Wow, Katie! I can't believe you can continue to run despite being seven months pregnant! You're going to be amazing after the baby is born, not that you're not amazing now. I think we are all bizarro runners in one shape or form.
BTW, I think the HR thing is a old wives' tale, but what do I know...I'm just a pediatrician. Haha!
I may have mentioned this but my nurse who had run marathons ran shorter distances :-) till her due date without any "problems!" On that day we both ran, me a 10K, she a 2 mile fun run. I did alright, she finished last, lol No one else in the race was running for two!!
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