By Brand Ambassador Sabrina Wilkie
I’m nearing the end of the second trimester and much to my delight I’m still running, albeit much much slower. It took a few weeks to get accustomed to my slowing pace. One workout I did a double take at my watch in disbelief that I had run 1km that slow. Another time I was sure my GPS watch was broken, I must have run farther than that! (GPS was working just fine.) Now I’m used to starting workouts with running friends and quickly watch their backs become specs on the horizon. At first it was a bit deflating, not being able to run stride for stride with them, but now I enjoy simply being out there. 
Weekly I’ve been going to the track with my husband, heart rate monitor in hand to keep my intensity level in check. I still record my splits although the final time doesn’t matter. I time my intervals because I love the precision of the track and logging my regression is like a mini research project.
The pregnancy-induced reduction in intensity is, in a way, a nice mental break. On “workout” day there’s no added self-pressure to perform. I’m never trying to hit any splits. Whatever I accomplish that day is great, simply because I ran. However I am itching to push myself to my limits…I miss the feeling of burning legs and lungs, and the slight panic attack when you realize you have 3 more intervals to go and you have to pick up the pace. Then there’s the elation after successfully completing the workout proving to yourself that you were able to accomplish the seemingly impossible. (Although something tells me childbirth will likely be a similar experience.)
Body Changes and Preventing Injuries
I’m still regularly seeking advice from my doctor and physiotherapist as my body changes, and modifying exercises accordingly. Recently, I started prenatal pilates. This was inspired by my diastasis recti (separating abdominal muscles) partially caused by a small hernia above my umbilicus I obtained over a decade ago. The objective is to ensure I’m activating my transverse abdominals and pelvic floor muscles to hopefully prevent incontinence issues later.
In addition to the diastasis recti I had a bit of a flare-up with my lower back induced by my SI joints. It was nothing serious and my massage therapist worked it out no problem. I find regular massage therapy treatments keep my body moving fluidly. This is something I have found to be hugely successful in eliminating and reducing injuries both pre and during pregnancy so I can continue training and racing.
At the onset of pregnancy I was very concerned about my pelvis and the changes that would occur to it as a result of the growing fetus and the production of pregnancy hormones. Fortunately, I’ve had no major problems thus far, but rather minor issues in my lower extremities such as rolling ankles and irritated tendons and ligaments. A colleague reminded me the pregnancy hormones (e.g., relaxin) are released systemically meaning that my pelvis isn’t the only joint being made more lax during pregnancy. Because of this I now run exclusively on either manicured trails or the road. These running routes strategically include public washrooms, coffee shops, and (in emergency situations) large bushes. Due to pressure on my bladder from the fetus “Mother Nature” makes frequent calls.
In addition to regular stops, another change I experienced this trimester has been my reliance on gels. With my increased metabolic rate I’ve found a gel partway into a run or before cooling down after a workout sustains my energy levels and prevents bonking.
Racing
Since my last post I completed an 8km cross country race, a half marathon and the BC 8km Road Race Championships. I ended up winning the half marathon which was a surprise, I was just out there for a timed long run. The funny thing about “racing” during pregnancy is I’m never in any discomfort. I run slower than my tempo pace so I could hold a conversation the entire time.
In the next few months I would like to participate in as many of the local road races as I can. If I’m still able to muster up 21km by mid February I’ll be toeing the line of the Mizuno sponsored First Half Marathon! My pace will be slow, and if that means jogging or even walking, so be it. I’ll be happy to be out there with the running community.
I’m over the halfway point, each week I knock off another km marker. I’ve been in a good rhythm so far and hope it continues for a few weeks more! I anticipate my pregnancy race will be an uphill finish. I’m preparing for whatever obstacles will be in my path. If the hill gets too steep or the wind too strong I am mentally prepared to stop and walk (or water run) across the finish line.
The Unknown
As I mentioned in my first post, there is a real lack of research in the area of training during pregnancy. A research group (including Mizuno Ambassador Dylan Wykes) at the University of Ottawa is conducting a study of elite female distance runners. The main objectives are to find out what women did for training before, during, and after pregnancy. A second objective is looking at some of the social factors around pregnancy for elite female distance runners, including other peoples perceptions of their activity during pregnancy and issues around sponsorships/contracts. The survey is up at the link below.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/elitepregnancy
Building a Community of Running Mothers
A Facebook group Mothers on Track recently started up for fit, fast and pregnant women and mothers. The group hopes to create a community for fast runners to share experiences, raise questions, and share current research. For more information and to join go to:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mothersontrack/?ref=br_tf
Sabrina Wilkie
Sabrina grew-up in Langley, BC and now calls Vancouver home with her husband Mark Wilkie. After one year at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Sabrina transferred to the University of British Columbia to pursue a degree in Kinesiology while competing in both cross country and track and field. During her years as a Thunderbird Sabrina was an Academic and Athletic All-American in the NAIA specializing in the 5,000m. Upon achieving her undergraduate degree Sabrina went on to complete a Master of Science in Exercise and Respiratory Physiology at UBC. Currently Sabrina trains with the BC Endurance Project under the guidance of Coach Richard Lee. In the past year Sabrina has set personal bests in every distance from the 3,000m to the half marathon and represented Canada at the 2014 NACAC Cross Country Championships.
