One foot in front of the other

I had ideas of posting more about my journey through pregnancy but I seem to have an issue with making time to sit down and document much of anything. I'm feeling very lucky at almost 27 weeks! I'm convinced that exercise is playing a role in having few complications and overall feeling good. I know some athletic women actually have "training plans" when the are pregnant but that's not for me. My goal is to do something everyday and just go with the flow. It has been really fun to run and ride with friends that I don't normally get outside with when I'm focused on my training. Spinning around the bike paths with my best friend and pseudo niece singing me the "Aunt Sara song" makes for a very enjoyable ride! This might be topped by your husband agreeing to go "pregnant speed" and ride the long way on dirt to the donut store and back with you!

No. I did not eat all those donuts myself

When I first learned I was pregnant I quickly ordered the book Exercising Through Your Pregnancy by James Clapp and Katherine Cram. This is a must read book for any athlete wishing to learn the science behind exercise before, during and after pregnancy. Bottom line, continued aerobic exercise during pregnancy is beneficial and not dangerous for mom or baby. Generally speaking, moms who exercise throughout pregnancy have shorter labors with fewer complications and recover more quickly than those who do not exercise. I do not subscribe to any heart rate zones like many people feel is necessary (um yeah, I don't even own a heart rate monitor, crazy huh?) and just go based on feel. I keep all my exercise comfortable, meaning I can still talk easily while I'm out there. A few thoughts on how the body feels with each of my 3 "sports":

Swimming:
I'm still swimming 2-3 days per week. Not only have I dropped down a lane but I'm in the back and often I'm that annoying person that rests for a 50 or flips around in the middle of the pool to catch back up. The best part is Coach Wolfgang (strict German) can't even find it in himself to yell at me for this. The bigger my belly gets the less I can rotate in the water. I feel like a novice swimmer with a nice flat body position that doesn't move much. Nonetheless, I foresee more swimming in my near future now that Summer is heating up here.

Biking:
I'm trying to ride 2-3 times per week. I'm only riding my mountain bike simply because it is more upright and therefore more comfortable. I'm sticking to dirt roads and trails to avoid being around cars. I know I've morphed into a mountain biker when riding on the road scares me but trails don't. Other than having to have multiple bathroom breaks and then feeling like I need another one right after I get out of the stinky outhouse I feel good riding. I'm not below walking up steep hills or walking down anything where there is even the slightest chance that I could fall. My balance is starting to get a little unpredictable so I'm getting more cautious to compensate and keep baby safe.

Running:
Again trying to get out there 2-3 times per week. I thought that I would feel horrible running at some point but knock on wood I still feel decent. My stride is becoming more of a shuffle and I walk up hills that I used to run up, but I'm getting out there! In my Utopian pregnancy land I want keep running or woging (walk/jog combo) until the day this baby comes out..it really is my therapy! The realistic part of me knows that this probably won't happen but you can count on seeing a very pregnant lady out there putting one foot in front of the other as long as she can. There are fancy belly support bands out there designed to help lift the belly off the bladder and provide some supposed comfort. I tried my friends on for a hot second one day and knew it wasn't for me. It actually made me feel constricted and too sweaty. The worst struggle I've had running is when it's hot out. I dislike carrying a bottle but I think doing so will be my new norm this Summer, even early in the morning. Pretty sure this sums up my pregnant look on my wogs: