Running to Motherhood and Racing To Get My Post-Baby Body Back!

“At times you have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.  What you’ll discover will be wonderful.  What you’ll discover is yourself.”  -Alan Alda

Before I became pregnant, I had run 12 half marathons. On the day that my husband and I conceived my child, I had run a 5K (trust me, I'm sure). I ran another at 8 weeks, and continued to run 2or 3 miles until 16 weeks. At that point, it was taking 2 to 3 days to recover a short run. It wasn't worth it for me. I concentrated on yoga and water aerobics, forgoing my dreams of running 13.1 while pregnant. Check out the amazing Jocelyn Green, a Blossom Mom who did that and more! 

It was Sunday afternoon and I was in my bedroom unpacking my suitcase (I had just returned from a week long cruise with my family). I was sorting, putting away things, as well as, going through the list of things coming up the following week. At the top of the list was , running the Jacksonville Bank Marathon in Jacksonville, Fl. I was to run with my running accountability partner and friend, Wanda. As I continue to unpack, I come across a pack of up-opened tampons and my heart almost stops. I immediately check the calendar and realized I had missed my cycle. I calmed myself down and told myself not to worry, maybe my hormones were a little out of sync. Inthe previous weeks I had been working long hours as well as training for the marathon and so my body was probably a little off.

So I start my workday Monday as usual, trying not to worry. But by lunchtime, the worry had started to set in, so off to the store I went to get a pregnancy test. All the while I'm thinking, I'm suppose to run 26 miles in a few days!!! What if I am pregnant? Should I still run??? I can’t be pregnant, I'm just tired….a million things were going through my head! So I make it to the store, get the test, make it back to work, and decide to the test there in the restroom. The test came up positive IMMEDIATELY!!!! Lol I mean, there was no waiting three minutes! Anyway, I call my husband (fiancé at the time) and told him what I suspected, of course he was ecstatic. All I could think about was running 26.2 miles. So we decided that I would take another test when I got home and then call my doctor. I didn't wait…I had taken about five tests before he could get home and they were all positive…lol so the next day I made the call. I talked to my doctor, but unfortunately she wouldn't be able to see me until afteR the date of the marathon. But she gave me the okay to go ahead and run, since she knew that I was already a runner. She just told me to listen to my body and gave me a few things to be aware of….so began my journey of running while pregnant!

The morning of the race, I get up…of course nervous and prepare for my 1st marathon. Race begins and my partner Wanda has told me she would stay with me the whole race. She is one of few who knew I was pregnant. Race starts out great, I was able to run/walk the first 18 miles with no problems. But I did have a lot of time to meditate on how my life was about to change! Around mile 18 I started to feel some slight pressure in my pelvis so I decided to walk. To make a long story short, I completed the marathon injury free.

 Pre/Post Jacksonville Bank Marathon

Once I returned home the following week, I was able to see my doctor and was informed I was about 8 weeks pregnant!

As my pregnancy progressed I continued to run 6-7 days a week, an average of 3-6 miles each run. My running partner Wanda and my husband Demarcus were very supportive!!! Wanda was always with me on the runs making sure I was not over-doing it and being safe, while Demarcus was there for with emotional support…and food after each run!

I was able to run several “official” races throughout my pregnancy, along with the marathon. I ran the Disney Enchanted 10k, Jacksonville Gate River Run (15k), and the Publix Savannah 5k. Savannah was my last official run and I was a little over 5 months pregnant. I completed the race with a sub 35:00.

Official Races

By the beginning of my 6 month, I noticed several changes in my running. I was definitely slowing down, I was becoming short of breath, and I also started to experience increase sciatic nerve pain. But I didn't let this stop me from continuing my walk/run routine. I went on Amazon purchased a pelvic support band to aid with the pain and switched to more interval training, and increasing my walk to run ratio. I had to cut back on the official runs as well as it was heating up for the summer and I didn't want to get over-heated while running.

With some of my run pals!!!

By the end of my 8 months I had stopped running, but I continued to walk 4-5 days a week, an average of 3 miles. By week 38 I was definitely wobbling but was determined to stay as active as possible. I was also going to the doctor weekly and was anticipating my due date of August 23, in which I would be induced if I had yet to go into labor.

Aug 23…the big day! Just finishing my morning walk!

August 23 came, I got up and did a 3 mile walk in my neighborhood….it was to settle my nerves!!!! I went into the hospital at 6:00 pm and was induced, baby James Dean Henderson was born 23 ½ hrs later at 5:30 on August 24, 2015. What a wonderful feeling that was….I had become a new mommy!!!

Before I left the hospital, I followed up with my doctor on recommendations as to returning to exercise. Since I had a natural birth she stated I could return to walking at 2 weeks and return to running after my 6 week postpartum visit. While waiting for the two weeks to pass, I started some pelvic floor and light core exercises, as well as some upper body strengthening. At two weeks post-delivery, I begin walking 2-3 miles a day, 3-4 days a week until my 6th week. I was cleared by the doctor to begin running, so I begin to do slow walk/runs for 3-4 miles. I started with a 2:1 run/walk interval and am still in the process of getting my pre-pregnancy pace back.

I am currently a little over 3 months postpartum and I feel great!!! I try and jog with my little one as much as possible, but the weather is starting to get cold here (and he has been sick already). It has been a challenge getting adjusted to having and little one and not being able to just go on a run whenever I please, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. Baby James and I were scheduled for our first run this month, but I had to cancel (due to illness again), but we have plenty of races to run.

Throughout this journey, my goal was to stay active and as healthy as possible. I won't say I didn't receive any criticism, especially in the African-American community. It is almost taboo for black women to exercise/workout while pregnant. I had a lot of people including family telling me I was putting the baby at risk for exercising, but that is not so. My words of encouragement/advice would be to listen to your body!!! I feel that continuing to exercise helped in many ways, too many to name. But I also recommend to definitely discuss your exercise plans with your doctor as well.

For myself, I'm looking forward to continuing an amazing running journey with my new running partner Baby James!!!!!

A Note From Blossom

High level training during pregnancy can be safe in a low risk pregnancy, if your body was accustomed to moving at that level before your pregnancy. Be sure to check with your care provider before beginning any fitness regimen, especially when pregnant. 

Jocelyn is a full-time working mom, working in the field of physical therapy. She is from Panama City, FL and is a proud graduate of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.  She is a Disney fanatic, avid runner, traveler, and foodie. In her share time she blogs about a little of everything under the sun, including running and the joys of motherhood. She currently resides in the middle Georgia area with her husband Demarcus, and new baby James Dean. 

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Email: rattlerrunningmom@gmail.com