Note: Since I initially drafted this post, our small human has joined us and has already brought us immeasurable joy. Below are reflections about the previous 9 months, which even now are fun to read and look back on. I hope you enjoy it, too.

When I found out I was pregnant in March, after the initial shock and disbelief faded, I turned to the one thing that has kept me grounded for the better part of my life: running.

It may sound counterintuitive that I threw myself into a sport immediately upon learning my body was gearing up to do what has drawn comparisons to “running a marathon for 40 weeks.” That’s the catchy social media headline, but it’s derived from 2019 research that showed pregnant women’s basal metabolic rate (BMR) rises to 2.2 times their resting metabolic rate (RMR) throughout pregnancy, which is similar to the BMR observed in endurance athletes during “extreme” events.

I did the math on my birthday last year and realized that, as of 2024, I’ve been “a runner” in some way for more years of my life than not. I’ll never claim to be great (or even good) at it, but it’s given me so much over the years–comfort, courage, camaraderie–that focusing on running didn’t even feel like a conscious choice. Assuming my body and baby (and doctors!) were in agreement, I’d continue doing what I love, all while fully acknowledging that any fitness or running goals would have to shift to ensure baby and I stayed healthy.

With that in mind, a few goals began to fall into place: I wanted to run (at least) a half marathon for every month I was pregnant. I was tempted to choose a longer distance, but I wanted to be mindful of how I might feel toward the end of this journey–assuming I could still run at 8 or 9 months pregnant. Plus, Strava’s longest single distance run badge each month is a 21K, so that helped solidify my choice. My other, bigger goal was an ultra. I am not fast but I am very good at eating snacks and being moderately uncomfortable for long periods of time.

As I saw it in March, there was just one problem: I was in PT for a torn hamstring when I found out I was pregnant. My mileage was way down, and I’d just dropped my entry to an upcoming 50K to the 25K because I didn’t have sufficient time to prepare. Fortunately, I was still fit enough and had kept long runs long enough that I was able to run a local half that month. My hamstring was on the mend, and with guidance of a phenomenal PT, I was able to slowly ramp my training back up to 30-35 miles per week. (If you’d like to read more about why I’m a low(er) volume runner these days, this post has lots of details.)

As this 9 month journey draws to a close, it’s bittersweet to reflect on the running journey this small human and I have been on together. I documented it primarily for myself, but one of my biggest worries about getting pregnant was what it might mean for my ability to stay active. Every person, every pregnancy, and honestly every day is different, but I want to offer this as encouragement for anyone who may be feeling like I felt when I began this journey.

Long Run + Race Highlights

March

• ATL Publix Half Marathon: This was a nice comeback from the hamstring injury, though I wasn’t properly trained for it.

April

• ATC Members 10K: Despite being early in pregnancy, I was already breathing a lot heavier and noticing a higher resting heart rate. All considered, I was thrilled with my time for this race (53:50).
• Loop the Hooch 25K (3rd Female): This race on a crushed gravel 5K loop would’ve been my 50K had my hamstring not been angry for the months leading up to it, but it worked out well in the end. This was one of the first warmer days of the season and I was laser focused on taking it (relatively) easy and not overheating.

May

• Completed a 13.1 mile adventure run with friends, touring three different coffee shops throughout the city. Unlike the previous time I ran this in 2024, I did not have a shot of espresso at each shop.

June

• Kicked off about a month of “running my gestational age” for my long run, beginning with a 16 miler to celebrate being 16 weeks pregnant.

  

Quick tunnel selfie on a 16 miler.

July

• I ran my gestational age through 20 weeks/miles, took a down week to run a local 5K, and then hopped back up to 22 miles for 22 weeks. Around this time, numerous friends wondered openly if I was training for a marathon. I didn’t have an actual race on the calendar and I was concerned about the Atlanta heat and humidity, but the thought of a marathon (+) had been firmly lodged in my mind since the day I learned I was pregnant.

August

• Baby and friends joined me for a 27 mile jaunt around Atlanta on an unseasonably cool August morning, followed by brunch with even more friends at my favorite Mexican place. This run was a dream come true in every way–the weather, the vibes, the company–and I still can’t believe it happened. It wasn’t the 50K I’d hoped for at the beginning of the year, but a “baby” ultramarathon, which seemed entirely appropriate for the circumstances. This was also the point in pregnancy where very long training runs started feeling less than great, so this final long run was a beautiful way to close out that chapter until small human arrives.

  

Flat lay for my “baby” ultra.

September

• Another fun 13.1 adventure run with friends, this time hitting up multiple bakeries around Atlanta. In true hunter-gatherer style, I purchased a sourdough loaf at one and carried it safely in my vest it for the remaining ~6 miles.
  

  

Will run for carbs.

October

• October nearly took me out. I was sick for the first two weekends, and then just generally wasn’t feeling great (and skipped a race) the third. I spent a lot of time thinking about the broader goal and my “why” during the final week of the month. That weekend, I got out for a chill 14 miles, including lots of walking.

November

• Alpharetta Women’s Half Marathon: I have a tradition of trying to do a big/long/goal race around my birthday every year, and knowing I’d be very pregnant for this birthday, I figured a half marathon would be sufficiently ambitious. I’d missed a few long runs leading up to this (see: October sickness) but still felt confident about being able to complete the distance. Baby and body cooperated, and I happily crossed the finish line one day shy of being 37 weeks pregnant.

  

Approaching the finish line at the Women’s Half.

I have a little more time before we meet this tiny human who’s been bouncing around non-stop and lodging their feet snugly in my ribs, but this has been an amazing experience in every way. I feel so unbelievably lucky.

I won’t pretend to know what the future holds for us, but I’m hoping it includes a running stroller and exuberant demands of, “Faster, mom, faster!” 💕