This weekend I had the privilege of running the Cincinnati Flying Pig half-marathon with three of my gym clients (and friends). It was such a fun weekend, and completing the whole half-marathon was a huge accomplishment for each of us. Read below about some important lessons I learned running at 32.5 weeks pregnant.

On Saturday we left my house around noon so we could spend a good bit of time at the expo. Along for the trip were three of my female clients/friends (Mallory Susan, and Hannah), and Brandon, my hubs. I went to the expo last year as well (but deferred the race registration due to the heat and an injury). The expo this year was 10000 times better than last year! I had so much fun shopping around and getting TONS of free samples. We purchased a few items and then headed to our hotel in Cinci.

After relaxing for an hour or so, we got ready to go to Jeff Ruby’s Precinct. This was BY FAR the nicest restaurant I have ever been to! I mean … NICE! The food was a-mazing. We had delicious sour dough bread, yummy crab cake, healthy salads, savory steak and lobster, and some molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream to top it all off. Talk about delish! I can’t wait to go back to the restaurant for a special occasion.

The Sunday morning start time came early. We had to be at the start line by 6 a.m. It was still dark when we were walking through the city. The race itself was sooooo fun! Mallory and I planned to stay together, and Hannah and Susan planned to keep the same pace. I kept my cell with me so we could text progress updates, and I ended up using it a lot to text Brandon and even post on Facebook and Twitter.

Here are some important lessons that I learned about running a half-marathon while 32.5 weeks pregnant.

• If you are going to run a half-marathon in your third trimester — don’t pick the hilliest one in the state. Cinci is HILLY! We went up some hills that were about a mile long! Thankfully, after mile 10, it was mostly downhill, but that actually killed my knees and pelvis since it added even more pressure. Add the loosening effects of the relaxin hormone, plus a steep downhill grade — not pleasant!
• Definitely run with Mallory if you are going to do a half-marathon in your 32nd week of pregnancy. Mallory is a nurse and has delivered babies … just made me feel much more comfortable all around.
• Stay hydrated. Believe it or not, I don’t usually drink water during races. However, this time, I drank at EVERY water station. Sometimes two cups of water! Staying hydrated cuts down on Braxton Hicks and is especially important during pregnancy. I was probably drinking every 10 minutes or so.

• Find some potty break areas! Mallory and I ran straight until mile 9, and then at the end of a mile-long hill, I took a quick pit stop. Emptying your bladder will also cut down on Braxton Hicks.
• Tape your ankles and knees! This is something that I didn’t do, and I regretted by mile 10.
• Wear compression clothing. I wore a compression belly band and it was GREAT! SO glad I had it for added support.

Today I had an OB checkup scheduled and an ultrasound. My doctor was fully aware that I was planning to run the half-marathon, and the first question she asked me when she walked in the door was, “How did your half-marathon go, and how did your clients do?” So sweet! I had a great ultrasound and it turns out Baby Boy is measuring big … he’s already 4.5 pounds and in position!