Letter From America Part 3
The solitary plight of a pregnant runner—that’s what I’m grappling with at week 16.
Physically I’m feeling terrific. I’m now safely into my second trimester and chances for a miscarriage have dipped to less than 90%. My energy has returned and I’m feeling strong and healthy.
In these past four weeks, the biggest changes for me as a pregnant athlete have been mental. I’ve grown accustomed to my heart rate monitor and my growing abdomen. While decelerating, I’ve learned to observe more of life’s nuances. During my runs, I examine the yards of nearby homes. I notice the neighbors who spent the time to hang a holiday wreath or festive lights. I spy Christmas trees in windows as I steadily jog my well-trod path. In a nearby park, I observe the form of other runners. I admire the smooth gait of a silver haired athlete as he glides past me.
I am aware of the subtle changes in the landscape week by week as the foliage withers into Winter repose.
Another reward of slowing down; I have becoming acutely aware of my breathing. I am able to focus on controlled breaths and to regulate my heart rate through carefully monitoring my inhalations and exhalations.
I’ve become resigned to my solitary reflections. It’s difficult to find a running partner these days. The local running group easily outpaces me with my speed limitations. My husband is extremely patient, but he comfortable runs 8-minute miles and finds it difficult to match my short and unwavering strides.
I’ve posted notes at my local running shop and on a few websites looking for other moms-to-be, but I have yet to locate a running buddy.
These days, when I want a running partner I succumb to the company of talk show hosts as I workout on the treadmill at the local gym. I plug in my earphones and listen in as Oprah chats to the latest celebrities. It’s not quite the same as whiling away the miles outdoors with a kindred running spirit, but it will have to do for now.
On New Year’s Eve, I covered the local New Year’s Resolution Fun Run. I encouraged my husband to take part in the 5K race. For the first time in our relationship, I watched from the sidelines.
At 11:15 p.m. a hundred runners lined up at the starting line. The gun went off and they raced by me in a flash of Lycra and reflective tape. It was decidedly different to experience a race as a spectator. I cheered for David as he completed the race and then we huddled together to watch the New Year’s fireworks.
My New Year’s resolution was to be kind to myself and to try to enjoy these moments of self-reflection while they are available–harried new mothers are quick to complain about lack of free time and privacy.
Perhaps, these stolen moments when I can hear my own breath and focus on my own thoughts are small blessings.
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Filed Under: Running and Pregnancy
