It feels really weird to talk about 39 weeks, because that sounds way more pregnant than I feel. This was my last full week of running during pregnancy. I’m happy I made it this far!
Generally, I felt better on the days I run. My energy is higher and I’m more productive. But, with the raging relaxin in my system, I could only handle running non-consecutive days.
Monday: 3 mile run
The first 2 miles felt good, but then my feet starting noticeably aching in the third mile. I’m fairly certain this is due to increased levels of relaxin, so I finished this run and mentally marked it as my final continuous run of pregnancy.
Tuesday: 25 min prenatal Pilates
I took the dogs on a short walk at a new-to-them nearby park. Our walk was relatively short, since it was hot and walking both dogs at once is becoming more and more of a chore. Ollie was a little too excited about the new scenery!
I originally planned on strength training, but that just sounded tiring. Instead, I did 25 min of prenatal Pilates, including some upper body work.
Wednesday: 30 minute run
It was humid on this run – 95% humidity and 70 degrees at 6:30 AM! I implemented run/walk intervals on this run and they worked very well. I repeated one mile run, 30 seconds walk, for 30 minutes (except at the end, when I jogged instead of walked since I only had 2.5 min left). I ran a total of 3.3 miles, with 9:05, 8:41, and 8:49 for the run intervals.
The walk intervals kept my heart rate under control and allowed me to maintain a faster pace on the run intervals, which meant I could maintain a quicker cadence with less ground impact time. The combination of walk breaks and maintaining a more natural gait definitely reduced the impact. My feet felt much better!
In the evening, Ryan and I took the dogs on another long walk. Since it’s dark earlier in the evenings, we see all sorts of different animals out, including bats.
Thursday: Rest day
I intended to take the dogs on a long walk and do Pilates, but neither happened. It was almost 90 degrees and I simply struggle in the heat right now. On the bright side, I checked off a big list of work tasks and put some final, finishing touches on setting up baby stuff.
Friday: 3.1 mile run & 10 min strength training
Thunderstorms rolled in early Friday morning, so I ran on our home treadmill for the first time! We purchased a Nordictrack 1750 and I am so happy with it. Even with a giant bump, it was far more comfortable than the treadmills at any of our recent gyms. I did three repeats of 10 minutes run, 30 seconds walk.
After I finished the run, I completed a short strength circuit of banded monster walks, lateral band walks, kettlebell squats (15 lbs), TRX low rows, banded clamshells, and some foot/ankle exercises.
Friday afternoon and evening quickly changed the tone for the day. My measurements were abnormal at my 39 week appointment, so my OB sent me in for a non-stress test. The ultrasound revealed the reason for smaller measurements: Isla had very recently flipped from heads-down to breech. Since other tests came back normal, the OB decided to schedule a version procedure for this upcoming week. Since she flipped this late in pregnancy, there is a chance she could flip back.
(My OB assured me it wasn’t anything I did that flipped the baby. I simply have a small and active baby in a big torso. Once we started talking to family and friends, we heard accounts of the exact same scenario – a baby breeching at almost full-term.)
Saturday: Rest day
After five hours at the OB and hospital, I needed a down day. I did start doing inversions multiple times per day, per my OB’s advice, to encourage Isla to flip.
Sunday: 1.5 mile walk
I wanted to go for a run, but early morning thunderstorms discouraged me. At this point, if I don’t run in the morning, I never feel as if I’ve digested enough to run later in the day. Instead, Ryan and I took the dogs on a 1.5 mile walk.
Linking up with Weekly Rundown!
How was your week in running?
7 Responses
Congratulations for making it so far into your pregnancy running! I ran right up until a few days before I was induced with both my daughter’s and I’m convinced it made labor and recovery so much easier. Fingers crossed Isla flips back and you have an easy delivery!
My week in running was decent; at 6 months PP I’m slowly building back mileage and did a “long run” of 6 miles on Sunday. I’ve been recovering well so I’m encouraged!
Fingers crossed that Isla flips back down. Hang in there, friend! You’re almost at the finish line!
Each week I keep waiting to see a photo of that beautiful baby! Good luck this week hope she flips back on her own. Finish line in sight!
Any day now! I’ve heard multiple accounts of babies flipping late in pregnancy. Totally normal. Congrats on another strong week!
39 weeks… we are almost there! Wow, can’t believe you’ve managed to stay this active. Like others have commented – the Finish Line is almost here! Best of luck in this final stretch.
You have been such an inspiring warrior! Hoping things go well for you this week as you approach the big day 😉 BTW, our son was in breech position and flipped himself (in the middle of the night LOL) all on his own. In doing so, he wedged his head down “so deep” there was no danger of flipping back. Good luck!
I hope she flips or that the version works! If not, that’s ok too! Can’t wait to see pictures of your little girl!