Run with Us (Erin + baby) for Gambia

I’ve been really hard on my running gear this year.

First, I ran it 424km across a hot African nation in 42 degree heat and hand-washed it every night using Omo- a detergent that I know has an alarmingly high chemical content because it hurts hands and turns red-dust-stained-white clothes white again even when a toubab (white girl) is using it.  Now I am stretching my running gear over a 20lb baby bump.

Let me explain more.

I love the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association (NSGA) so much that I ran all the way (424km) across the country of The Gambia in July 2011 to raise money for the NSGA.

It was the highlight of my running career.

My first baby is due on April 24 this year and I will not be running across any African countries this summer. But I will be lacing my sneakers up to run or walk the Blue Nose International Marathon 5km four weeks after the birth of my child for the NSGA.

Please help me keep kids in The Gambia alive through my 5km race.  You can support my race with a donation online here.

Or you can run with me!  I’m pretty sure that your training will be easier than mine.  Click here for more information about Team Love4Gambia in the Blue Nose and click here to sign up for the team!  Live in or want to travel to Ontario?  Great!  You can join Team Love4Gambia at the Ottawa Marathon Weekend or at the Chocolate Race.

Pregnant Training Update:

Weeks of pregnancy: 31

Weekly mileage: 3-4 days of running

Running in the Blue Nose requires training and I’m happy to report that after a 19-day running layoff for a separating SI joint at 6 months of pregnancy (yes, I was counting the days), I’m back to running at 7 months of pregnancy.

My body definitely now requires the freedom to do it’s own thing and I’m more than happy to let it do this because it’s letting me run.  With my pelvis and SI joint tied up tight with an SI belt, I’ve been able to run every second day for about 5km since 29 weeks of pregnancy. I no longer ask my body to run everyday because it’s clear that it needs the extra recovery time.  My joints are still loose and relaxed and I feel them loosey-goosey in bed.  While in running order, my SI joint is not perfect. At 31 weeks of pregnancy, I’ve gained 20 lbs, and this has got to impact my recovery too.

I’ve been staying indoors on the treadmill because I feel safe from slips and falls and cars inside.  And I won’t get stranded 3km from my home if I want to stop. I don’t program the treadmill faster than 6 miles per hour which pleases my obstetrician and my body.   I now count my runs by minutes, not kilometers and rarely think about how a sub-20-minute 5km runner now runs the same distance in more than 30 minutes.  Some days I’m slower than others. Some days I’m more tired than others.  I’m happy during every run.

Amazingly, I still feel light on my feet and easy of stride while running.  I feel like my regular self, not like a 7 month pregnant girl.  FYI, a 7 month pregnant girl feels like she has a 20lb baby bump containing a baby who is training to be the kicker for the New England Patriots.  What a paradox: how can something so little, less than 3 lbs, be so strong!  And persistent!  Husband says “easy, the baby is French.”  Although I’m quite certain it’s at least 50% Irish as I feel like it takes up a lot of room and must therefore be tall.

So, the moral of the story at 31 weeks pregnant is that I’m going to keep running as long as I am healthy and I’ll begin again as soon as I can after Baby Poirier is born.  Once again, I’m inspired to keep running by visions of the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association’s amazing work in The Gambia.  The amazing work done by my brothers Pa Modou and Kebba.

And you can help me.