While I can’t believe the second trimester has come and gone, it also feels like it lasted for a long time. I think that’s because when comparing it to my first trimester it seems like much more happened. I also started blogging about my pregnancy and running at the end of week 15, so there is much more to look back and reflect on for second trimester running.
Second Trimester Running
I’ve heard people say that the second trimester is the honeymoon period of pregnancy, and I would have to agree. However, it’s not the same for everyone! It seems like everyone’s experience is so different. I had no idea what to expect going into my pregnancy and my expectations for running were pretty low. I didn’t do too much running during the beginning of the first trimester but did stay active which I think helped me to be able to build my mileage back up once I started feeling better.
There were some weeks that I didn’t even feel pregnant. I’d even say that at some points I was running better than I did pre-pregnancy (although slower). One question I’ve thought about is if I felt so good because I kept up with regular workouts or if I was able to keep up with my workouts because I was lucky enough to feel good. Hard to say.
What helped with second trimester running
There are a few things I did that I think helped me to be able to continue running as much as I did during those weeks of pregnancy. I went to the chiropractor every 2-3 weeks. (This really depended on my schedule.) At my appointments I basically just got adjustments but I think it helped to prevent any major issues with my back and hips. I could always tell when I hadn’t been there in a few weeks as things would start to feel “off”.
I also kept up with my strength training workouts. Drew provided me with workouts that were challenging but manageable, and I was responsible for adjusting my weights accordingly. It was nice to know that I had individualized workouts to follow and that the exercises I was given were safe for pregnancy.
Finally, I was really consistent about my warm-ups, stretching post-run, and hip strengthening. These things added a few minutes before and after my runs but I think they were well worth it.
Struggles during the second trimester
During the second trimester I started to get really bad heartburn. This was a struggle for me with timing my runs. I started taking Zantac in the morning but if I took it too early it would wear off by the afternoon. I tried to wait until after my run to take it, which meant sometimes I was dealing with heartburn while running. Usually it went away a mile or two into my run.
There were also a few times when I had some mild cramps during runs. I mentioned this to my doctor and she said it wasn’t anything to be concerned about, but to make sure I was well hydrated. Sure enough, when I made sure I drank enough water before or during my runs they stopped happening. (This became a tricky balance between staying hydrated enough but not drinking so much water that I had to stop to use the bathroom every mile!)
Personally, the biggest challenge for me during this time was the heat and humidity. It makes me wonder how running would have felt during a cooler time of year. Even still, I was able to get in several fartlek runs and long runs. My longest run of pregnancy was 13 miles and my highest weekly mileage was 35 miles.
Honestly, I am so surprised with what I was able to accomplish during these weeks. I always assumed that I would struggle with running while pregnant and would have been grateful to be running any miles at all. This experience went way beyond my expectations. Now I just hope I can keep up with running during these last 10 weeks. Well, maybe not all 10 of them but at least a few more! Once again I am at the point where I have no idea what to expect.
Here are some posts from second trimester running:
Running for Two: Week 15
A Quick Trip to Florida
Running for Two: Weeks 17 and 18
Month in Review: July 2018
Running for Two: Halfway There!
So Much Sweat
I’m Feeling 22!
Hitting the Ground Running
Hello, September
Month in Review: August 2018
Running for Two: Week 24
Fall Running: The No-Plan Plan
Miles in the Mile High City
Catching my Breath
Weird Things About Running While Pregnant
Has there ever been a time when you exceeded you own expectations with running?
For anyone who has run through pregnancy, what was second trimester running like for you?
Did you struggle with running through the heat and humidity this summer?
Yep, the heat and humidity really took a toll on me this summer–physically and mentally. And I’m not even pregnant. I have been so impressed by your pregnancy fitness. Pretty sure you’ll jog into the delivery room, have the baby, and go for a couple mile run after… :p
Haha, wouldn’t that be nice?!
Now that the heat and humidity have finally gone away, I bet you can continue to do some sort of running the rest of your pregnancy. Even if it’s run/walk intervals that’s better than nothing and something to be grateful for when pregnant.
Definitely! That is what I am hoping and I will definitely be grateful for whatever I can manage to do!
You are doing so great, running through your pregnancy as you are. I didn’t run when I was pregnant (3 times). Not because I was worried about exercising while pregnant, just because I hadn’t started to run yet. You are gonna get your pre-pregnancy bod back in no time!
Thanks! I hope it comes back quickly but I have no idea what to expect!
Congrats on a good running trimester! I didn’t run when I was pregnant – with my first I lifted weights and used the elliptical, with my second I chased the first LOL.
If the heartburn comes back, try papaya. I found that really helped when I had awful heartburn with my second son.
Thanks! Others have mentioned papaya…I definitely need to try it if the heartburn comes back.
It’s been a brutal summer weather wise for running. You’ve done so great! I well remember that heartburn. It magically goes away as soon as the baby is born. 😀
It’s good to know the heartburn will eventually go away! I’m glad it’s been manageable, but ugh. Very annoying!
That’s awesome you are feeling so great – very inspiring! My husband and I are thinking about starting a family in the somewhat foreseeable future and I am so nervous about how body will handle pregnancy! It’s a little scary to think about
It’s definitely scary to think about! I really had no idea what to expect. I think it helped to keep my expectations relatively low and to just focus on doing what I could, especially in the beginning.
Have you had any problems getting extra calories and gaining pregnancy weight? When I was pregnant with both of my kids I didn’t gain much weight, although I ate what I wanted/felt I needed. My doctor always encouraged me to eat more, but with exercising it kind of all balanced out.
My doctor hasn’t said anything about my weight, so I guess that means it’s been ok. I’ve definitely been eating much more than usual, but I’m sure the exercise does balance it out a bit.
So glad to hear that you had a great time running during your second trimester.
The heat and humidity probably affected everyone, but I wish you could have had some cooler/less-humid days 😉
Hopefully it will pay off now that the weather is finally improving!
I definitely struggled with the heat and humidity. My best run was in Alaska, when the ship was sailing towards port and it was in the 40s! I felt wiped after runs in the heat, and I did use the treadmill a few times, if I couldn’t get out early enough.
The heat really makes running feel so much harder!
It’s been fun to follow your progress! Your mileage has been amazing, and you look great.
Thank you! It’s been so helpful to have so much support along the way.
That’s so great how well the second trimester went for you! It is good timing that the weather is cooling down now as you start your third trimester, which hopefully will make it easier to keep running if you want.
Yes, the timing is perfect! I don’t know how much longer I could have handled the heat and humidity for.
I was not a runner back when I had my kids. I have to believe that you feel so good because you kept up with your running and strength work. Hope your 3rd trimester is just as good!
Thanks! I agree its probably very likely that the workouts helped me to feel good this whole time.
While I have no intentions on children, this is really helpful guide to adjusting to a changing body so I think helpful for many of us. Thanks for compiling
Glad you found it helpful!