Run For Your Cause 4 Miler 2011 Race Recap
I ran this race one year and 13 lbs. ago. I was in awesome shape and had high hopes I'd do well. I trash-talked my husband all week and told him I was going to beat him.
The race sucked for hubby and I. We decided to run together and finished in 30:43, a 7:41 pace. I was so disappointed.
Fast forward one year, and I had a completely different race experience.
Baby and I finished in 44:00, an 11:00 minute pace, and had so much fun!
Wearing my adorable pregnancy running shirt obviously.
I couldn't have done it without my awesome running buddy, Caitlin! She was nice enough to run with me the whole time. She has a triathlon tomorrow so had no qualms about keeping her pace slow for the pregnant woman. It was much appreciated 
Instead of pushing it, we just enjoyed ourselves. It was so great to chat and catch up with Caitlin! At times, I honestly forgot we were running. I had zero abdominal pain which was such a relief.
I learned a very important lesson today: This is how running should feel when you're pregnant. I'm done pushing myself. I want to keep up running during pregnancy as long as I can, and that means I need to slow my pace down a lot more than I originally intended.
Surprisingly, this is beyond fine with me. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Based on how my runs have been going, I knew there was a chance today could be my running swan song. Instead, I learned I can run pain free as long as I keep it really slow. I could not be happier!
I felt on top of the world after the race, and decided to take advantage of it by hitting the pool afterwards. I swam 800m (slowly) and it felt so good! Go me 
Kelly also ran the race (with her mom!) and did wonderful too!
The highlight of the morning was spending time with Kelly's "baby". I love all dogs, but I have a huge soft spot in my heart for Rascal. My goal is to have a dachshund just like him one day.
Another perk was seeing my hubby along the course. It's always nice to have your personal cheerleader and photographer.
Never bike without a helmet!
An overall great race day! I can't wait to run this race in 2012. Maybe I'll have a new running accessory?
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July 16th, 2011 - 11:39
Thats so awesome and sweet! Your posts make me smile so much, and so does that shirt
Congrats on everything!
July 16th, 2011 - 11:46
YAYYYYY!!! Congrats on a great race – you look like you had so much fun!!!
July 16th, 2011 - 11:46
I love this so so much. Congrats! You are amazing and an inspiration to women runners
xo christine
July 16th, 2011 - 12:03
I love that shirt! Looks like such a fun race
July 16th, 2011 - 12:11
Cute recap! I absoloutly LOVE that shirt! SO sweet with the tiny feet prints!
July 16th, 2011 - 12:25
Congrats on your race! You and Caitlin look like you had a great time. I love seeing how other mamas-to-be are tackling running, and I love your philosophy!
July 16th, 2011 - 13:48
Glad the race went well! Running strollers make me want to have a baby.
July 16th, 2011 - 13:58
You are the cutest pregnant runner! I’m so glad you had so much fun! I am in love with your running shirt and I think I’m going to buy one even though I’m not pregnant for whenever I am pregnant. I bet it’s mentally hard to slow down so much, but way worth it to be able to keep running! Can’t wait to see what running stroller you pick! We got a peg perego one online and i loved it. It doubled as a carrier system as well as a jogging stroller so we wouldn’t have to get both.
July 16th, 2011 - 14:29
Thanks for posting your thoughts about running while pregnant. I’m 8 weeks pregnant and have found that running has already been challenging. I have had a hard time breathing if I try and maintain my regular pace. I ran/walked today just 3 miles, and it felt really hard. I was feeling really disappointed in myself and was even considering giving up running while pregnant but it is something I’ve wanted to keep doing, it just doesn’t feel like it use to. After reading your post I think I will still keep running just slow it down and learn to love all the good things I’m doing for me and my baby!
July 16th, 2011 - 14:43
It is so much harder right away! I went from an 8:00 min pace to a 9-9:30 pace pretty quickly. Now I need to go even slower. You’re still awesome! Congrats on your pregnancy!
July 16th, 2011 - 15:11
Congrats on a great race for you and Baby! It’s hard to slow down when you’re a runner and are used to pushing yourself on every run. Some of the best runs I’ve had were when I was with people and we were running 11:30 miles! Keep it up!
July 16th, 2011 - 15:26
Congrats on the race! So glad you were able to enjoy it.
July 16th, 2011 - 19:41
bahaha you are totally going to be a stroller jogger mommy! just dont run over people like the crazy ones in Disneyworld. So glad you had fun at the race!
July 16th, 2011 - 20:22
that’s great! congrats! and you look better and better every day as your baby bump gets bigger
July 16th, 2011 - 21:02
Congrats! How awesome to race with little bean inside
July 16th, 2011 - 21:31
Congrats! I’m so glad you’re deciding not to push yourself and just le tyour body do its thing!
July 16th, 2011 - 21:51
Omg you and the baby bump are so adoreableeeeee!
July 17th, 2011 - 06:06
Jen, I’m so happy to read this! I think being at peace with slowing down during pregnancy is going to make running much more enjoyable for you, and it sounds like you proved that to yourself with this 4 miler! I know we’ve talked about this before, but sometimes we all need to take a step back and remember that running is about so much more than time and PRs and miles. So glad you had fun and a running buddy to keep you company!
July 17th, 2011 - 11:54
Congrats on your run!!!! It’s so encouraging to have a world of pregnant runners around me (even if it is through blogging!). I love reading your thought process. I’m running 11 minute miles and still having to take walk breaks. It has been a huge mental challenge to overcome, but it’s also nice to let go. I’m just so glad that I still have running to keep me sane with all the pregnancy hormones
July 17th, 2011 - 13:16
Congratulations Jen! You look so cute in your running shirt – I love it!! I’m so happy you had a great time on your run yesterday, and that you were able to run without pain. I know it must have been tough to adjust your expectations at first, but I’m glad you’ve come to a place of peace with it. I think being able to run through pregnancy is an awesome thing – and about so much more than how fast you’re going! Congrats on a great race!!
July 17th, 2011 - 14:58
Congrats Jen! SO proud of you!
July 17th, 2011 - 20:57
Congratulations on your fantastic race and your pregnancy Jen, I’ve just found your blog. I live in Australia and ran up until 25 weeks with my first baby (until the heat made it impossible), and am pregnant with #2 now. We have the baby jogger FIT – http://www.babyjogger.com/fit_lp.aspx which has been brilliant.
Good luck with your pregnancy and your running!
Lauren
July 18th, 2011 - 07:43
Congratulations, Jen! I love that adorable running shirt and I love your perspective on running when pregnant. I’m glad you had a great experience.
July 18th, 2011 - 10:31
CONGRATS, JEN! We’re totally on the same page. I can run, but not at all in the 9s anymore. Well, and feel comfortable. I’m just going to slug along at what feels comfortable for as long as possible and just stay healthy for my #1
July 18th, 2011 - 11:41
Jen– i so enjoy reading your blog! i am in the same boat… completed a half at 11 weeks, but ended up walking some because i tried to keep my pace the same as pre-baby….now i am 22 weeks and have slowed from a 12:00 pace to a 14:30-15 min/mile pace and i can run 3 miles without a walk (or pee) break…and i feel so much better
it’s a great lesson to learn and i’m glad i finally got it through my head! my goal is a 10k in mid-august at 26 weeks…. best of luck on your running journey!
July 18th, 2011 - 12:51
You’re so cute Jen! You’re my running inspiration! I SO want to be running while pregnant.
And you should definitely get a little Rascal of your own, straight from the Rascal blood line. You could have your own nephew or niece of Rascal in the next couple of months and then we would have siblings! 
July 18th, 2011 - 12:57
Great job on the race! You look awesome! You are totally going to be pushing that kid in a jogger next year! It’s a lot of fun to take the kid on a race! I wish I could have done it more.
July 18th, 2011 - 21:35
Congrats on a great race – I’m glad you had so much fun!
I’m so glad I found your blog just now. I have been an avid runner for most of the last 15 years, and am just over 17 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I am currently still running 5-6 days a week, albeit at a slowed pace, but have the hardest time not pushing myself if I am feeling good. I’m sure you know that unique high that can only come from pushing your body close to its limits, and not hanging in there no matter what. I have recently been feeling increasingly uncomfortable when I run, however, and have been dreading the possibility of having to stop altogether. What you just said made me realize it doesn’t have to be that way though. Like you, I am quite sure that if I slow it ALL the way down and remove that pressure from myself, I can almost certainly keep running throughout this pregnancy. Well I intend to try anyway. And I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and your running too. Thanks!
April 17th, 2012 - 01:32
did they let the jogging strollers go first? that is awesome! it is so hard to pass people with one, especially a double