If you’ve read my blog long enough you’ll know that I can push through a good amount. I’ve gone through periods of burn out, over training, and even just falling out of love with running but I have always come back to it in one way or another.

Pregnancy running has been a whole different ball game, but I’ve always been one to try to practice what I preach when I say the key is to listen to your body. For the most part I’ve gotten really lucky so far. I’ve been able to run 5-6 days per week, even if it is at a much slower pace than I’m used to.

Monday morning everything changed for me and I had to challenge myself to actually do as I’ve always said – listen to your body.

I got in a little later Sunday night. My brother and I took our Dad out for Father’s Day and had a wonderful dinner. By the time I got back home, got everything done, it put me to bed about an hour later than usual. When your alarm is set for 4:30 AM, an hour can make a big difference in how you feel. However, this has happened before with no problems.

My alarm went off after a very restless night of sleep. I didn’t feel great, I kept tossing and turning, and it was just one of those nights where you feel like you never really went to bed. I got up and got dressed as usual but the nausea suddenly hit me again and I had to sit down until the dizziness subsided. I took my dog outside for a bit, and made the decision to skip my run.

Now I’d be lying if I said this is easy for me to do. I’m a bit OCD and sometimes skipping a run eats at me, but I knew my body was not well enough that morning to run. If I’d waited a little later in the day I may have had a chance, but at 4:30 that morning my body needed to get back into the bed.

Pregnancy is really challenging my running, but more importantly it is challenging me personally to be kind and listen to my body. I do this during marathon training, but it’s easier for me to push when I probably shouldn’t. Now that I’m responsible for more than just me, it makes it a much more important. This is becoming such a learning process but in wonderful ways. I’m learning to be more kind and patient with myself.

Even though this post is a bit of a ramble, my point is to remember to truly listen to your body. One day off isn’t going to hurt you, a week off isn’t going to hurt you, but an injury or harm you cause your body from pushing when you shouldn’t.

Be patient with yourself and treat your body right and it will reward you in the end!