Chasing Unicorns LLC

When I had my myomectomy last January, I learned it meant never being able to have a VB and that any future pregnancy would result in a scheduled c-section due to an increased risk of uterine rupture. At the time it felt like just another gut punch in this process and one less thing I got to choose/be surprised by, and while I still have days I get a little sad that I’ll never get to experience childbirth in that way, I’m trying my best to view this scheduled c-section now for the positives - like knowing exactly when I’m going to be going out on maternity leave being a small business owner and being able to plan things to the day.

One of my main motivators for working out and staying strong during this pregnancy has been knowing the road back from the c-section is going to take time and that I’ll need to do a lot of healing and rebuilding before I feel comfortable returning to running again, so going in as strong as I can will hopefully aid in the recovery process (I found this to be true after my myomectomy as I healed faster than expected and attribute it to the fitness and healthy body I had going into it). I have no plans to rush this recovery process; I’ve put no races on my calendar intentionally for the rest of 2026 or even 2027 at this point to honor my body where it’s at and not force anything to happen sooner than it should.

If you’ve had a c-section before I’d love to hear your tips for what to ask for at the hospital, things that helped you in your recovery, and anything you’d share about your journey back to exercise after! I plan to share about my journey back as it happens to hopefully be a resource for someone else in the future looking to return to running after a c-section but would love any tips and tricks to go in with ahead of time as the clock is ticking down on us for welcoming baby girl in less than a month!

When you’re a runner who isn’t running during your pregnancy but you have a running-focused account, what do you even post about? 😂

I had so hoped I’d be running or even walk/running through this time but having coached several expectant mothers myself and talked with other women about their journeys, I had seen both ends of the spectrum and knew that despite our best efforts our bodies don’t always respond the way we hope they would. Heck the same woman in two different pregnancies can have two completely different experiences!

I think it’s wonderful that we see stories of women who are able to continue training through pregnancy; it helps normalize it and make it less “scary” for those who can but face pressures from either themselves or external sources saying it’s not safe. It absolutely can be and I’m glad we have role models paving the way in that arena!

However I also think it’s important to share the stories of when we haven’t been able to keep going and take away the shame in that too. For many of us it is not for lack of wanting or trying (though if you’re just not feeling it, this isn’t the time to force anything), it’s our bodies having a reaction to changing hormones putting strain on organs and ligaments, new weight-caused imbalances adding pressure, etc.

I know the comeback will likely be harder as a result of many more months off than I had hoped for, but it is what it is and instead of focusing on what I can’t do I’ve been appreciating what I can. Movement of any kind is a gift and this has been a good reminder of that!

And just when you think you’ve found your groove with training and the second trimester, life has a funny way of humbling you and reminding you that you are not in full control!

After my run Sunday I got off the treadmill and felt immediate pain in my pelvic region when trying to walk around. I hadn’t experienced any pain while running but as soon as I stopped things locked up and I could barely hobble around my house. When it wasn’t getting any better by the evening, I started to get worried, and waited by my phone all morning to call my obgyn’s office once they opened to try to get in for an appt on Monday. Fortunately we were able to get in for an appt in the evening, heard baby girl’s strong heartbeat, and had an exam for me which seems to indicate everything is ok, thank goodness. We also had our anatomy scan this week which provided some extra reassurance that things are progressing as they should be. Prescribed course of action is rest and when things do feel better dialing it back on duration and intensity with training. For now no PT is recommended but I’m glad I have resources locally if that ever changes!

Running isn’t dangerous for a trained athlete already in pregnancy but I overdid it with a changing body (hello, looser ligaments due to relaxin) and that’s a tough pill to swallow. It was a good reminder that every body is different; I feel like I’m doing so much less than what I was doing before (because I am, about half) and less than what many of my peers in similar fitness levels have done before but I am not my peers and my body is going to be different. That can be frustrating and confusing, especially since I was fairly confident the comparison trap was far behind me (apparently it’s not in this new phase of life!).

Leaning into kitty snuggles and extra couch time while I let things calm down. Not a fun start to the week but I’m so glad it’s just a muscular thing that has started to improve with dedicated rest and that everything is ok!