Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Trying to remain active while Pregnant! The ugly truth...

Sitting here over 35weeks pregnant i realize the fact that it has been a VERY long time since i posted anything.  My last post was in October last year following Challenge Weymouth.  I had started off my summer 2014/2015 training well with a few of my favorite events through out December and start of January with some great results but early January i found out that i was around a month pregnant.  Everything as i knew it was about to change.  I definitely had a false expectation of what the upcoming 9months would be like.  I had in my mind and especially after reading several pregnant triathletes blogs that i was going to remain fairly active through out being able to swim bike and run.  At a more leisurely pace of course but that exercise in some form would still be a part of my daily routine.  Oh how wrong was i!

Once i found out i was pregnant i immediately got back in to full time work to save for the upcoming bubs.  The change from training outside a lot to being inside most of the day standing on my feet working took its toll.  But i think i was still getting in around 3-5hours training a week in those first few weeks and feeling great.

I then got hit by morning sickness.  Which as many of you probably know can be more like all day sickness :)  For basically 6 weeks all day every day i spent the hours curled up on the sofa or in bed.  My fitness totally went out the window at this stage.  Once that ended i tried to get back in to a little bit of exercise but it added to nothing much.  As the days got shorter i was only really able to jog or swim either side of work if i had the energy which ended up being maybe 2-3times a week for maybe 30mins.  I didn't fancy trying to ride my bike in the cold and dark plus it seemed to be very uncomfortable, even on the wind trainer.  I think the last time i got out on my road bike was March!


Looking forward to getting back out riding in Central Otago again :)


Next up after the morning sickness i started getting really bad headaches and dizzy spells at work.  Who knows whether it was standing for 8hrs a day on the hard concrete floors at the pool, the chlorine or the heat!  Its actually a great place to be working in the middle of winter as its so nice and hot but with the pregnancy it wasn't agreeing with me.
Lucky just around the corner was a trip to Europe with Glen for 4weeks.  This 4weeks at the end of my 2nd, start of 3rd trimester was probably the best i have felt through out the pregnancy.  It was relaxing and i was able to get in a few jogs, swims and MTB rides.


Since I've been back home for the last 4weeks i have been really crook in and out of hospital, doctors, midwife appointments with chest infections, pulled muscles in back and tummy and now the past week some weird reflux thing where i spend a lot of the time running to the toilet!  All you can do is laugh though through this whole process.  On the funny side we just had our bathroom renovated and the edge of the bath is the perfect height and distance away from the toilet to sit on when your head is down the loo.

Today was a big win…after 4weeks of no exercise again i managed to go for a 30minute aqua jog with my sister.  Its crazy how something so simple like this can make you feel human again.  Having a really supportive family and partner makes all the difference.  Poor Glen still has to go to work all day after being awake most of the night listening to me.  I think we may actually get more sleep once the baby arrives :)

It is after all only 9months of your life and at the end of it you get this cool new wee human to hang out with.  Its made me realise just how much i love and miss exercising.  Although staying active during my pregnancy hasn't really worked for me i have learned to accept the fact that everyone is really different.  I have huge motivation to get back in to training and racing this summer and all the new challenges i will face with having to fit around our baby.

Exciting times ahead.  Watch this space.