my first marathon and pregnant?

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liebling

39 posts since
Aug 26, 2007

30. Dec 26, 2007 6:00 AM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Hey, Kaitlin,

Congrats on your pregnancy! After reading and re-reading all the posts, I think you know what to do. In fact, I'll bet that you knew what you were going to do way before you posted this.

My only detailed comment would be from the "not an ob/gyn" who said that your doctor is the only person qualified to evaluate your risk. I would modify that and say that since it is NOT your doctor's baby, YOU are truly the only one, the final one, even more than your husband, who will make the final evaluation of your ability to run safely or not and YOU are the one who will reap or regret the outcome.

You sound like a smart woman, mother, runner. Have faith in yourself, your gut feeling, and your decisions and the ability to live with them and you WILL make the right choice?for YOU. We all make choices everyday, some minor, some major.

Very best of luck,
Liebling

http://This message has been edited by liebling (edited Sep-09-2007).

rochey

213 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

31. Sep 9, 2007 5:53 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

No one's treating you like a monster.

I ran throughout my entire pregnancy...even the day before I was induced. I've also run a full marathon. Having done both now, in a million years I'd never run a full marathon while pregnant. A marathon is such a different animal than any other running event. You have numerous opportunities to run a marathon, but you only have 40 weeks to do everything within your control to deliver a healthy baby. I just don't see how it would be worth even a .001% risk.

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kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

32. Sep 9, 2007 8:31 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

So sorry for your lose! I wish you the best with the quest for a baby and a marathon. After a bad long run today my marathon training is over. Bad more mentally (I felt good) than physically I walked a total of 20 minutes in a 2.5 hour run and barely shuffled through each mile. This is going to be my last baby and I don't want to jeopardize that. Please try not to blame yourself for your miscarriage. I know you have probaly heard this before but it will happen when it is meant to be.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Graciemygirl:
This hits home with me as I was training for Chicago, which would have been my first. I found out early July that I was PG...I was cautiously hopeful as I have had several miscarriages in the past. I was sure it would happen again and did not want to quit my training if the inevitable would happen. But I quit training...prayed and waited. Of course I miscarried...and was disappointed that it interupped my first try at a marathon. But in the back of my mind, I will always wonder if my training had anything to do with it. Would I finally have a baby if I was not training so hard...it took 2 months to resolve and I lost my chance for Chicago...but I lost a lot more than that. It's not worth the lifetime of "What if's" you will be asking yourself if something happened.

There is always a marathon going on somewhere near by...as far as being "too old"...you are only as old as you let yourself be.

Congrats on your pregnancy and please don't take it for granted that all will be well. Not even the best DR on earth can promise you that. It's just not worth it.<HR>

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

33. Sep 9, 2007 10:22 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Actually the marathon I am referring to is the Grand Rapids marathon but it is on the same day as the Detroit marathon! I also had a co-worker run that one last year and said it was very boring!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by beaumont:
You've gotten lots of interesting advice..I don't have any pregnancy experience but I thought I'd throw this in about the Detroit marathon (I'm assuming that's the marathon you're talking about if you're running in late october in michigan). I did the half last year and it is a really fun course. I had a blast. The full takes you out onto Belle Isle, though, and from what I've heard from friends who have run the full, it is lonely and empty out there. That might be somethign to think about if you're going to be going extra slow and including some walk breaks. A woman I worked with did the full and it was her first. She was kinda bummed because it took her awhile to finish (just under 6, I think?) and they were already cleaning up at the finish line when she got done. Most of the supporters were gone and she felt like it was a bit of a let-down for her first marathon. Something else to think about....<HR>

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

34. Sep 9, 2007 10:24 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Thanks for the advice! You are right. I have gotten a wealth of good advice. But I know that I know deep down what I need to do.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by liebling:
Your core temperature is what is at risk here. If it rises too high, your child could be at risk for birth defects. It is NOT the jostling of the motion, but your body temp that is in question. Is a marathon, a one-time event, worth possibly risking your child's health?

You need to seek expert advice not available on this forum, my friend. Seek your doctor's, or several doctor's, detailed and personally suited to you, opinions.

Please.

Liebling<HR>

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

35. Sep 9, 2007 10:27 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Thank you, you make some very strong points that I will be weighing heavily everyday!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by kaitlingarrett:

Gee you treat me like I am some kind of monster. The only reason I am thinking about not doing the marathon is for the health of my baby. It's not like I am just starting to run. I have been a runner for several years and ran most of the way through three very healthy pregnancies! I am also a nurse. The marathon is in late october in Michigan, I don't expect the temperature to be a stressor. Electrolytes and blood sugars are easily regulated with pleanty of water, sports drinks and knowing when to back off.
Did I say I was trying to come to grips with an unexpected pregnancy? I love being pregnant and I love kids! I am trying to be a positive role model to my children!

1 <HR>

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

36. Sep 9, 2007 10:31 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

I am lucky I have an awesome husband. I do my runs at night when my kids are in bed and I do my long runs on weekends when the youngest (2 years old) is down for an afternoon nap. This training has taken a lot away from alone time with my husband but he is very supportive!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by janeausten:
I'd skip the marathon. Better safe than possibly sorry. Wait a year or two and then use the baby jogger to train.

What I would like to know is how you had the time and energy while taking care of three kids to train for a marathon and even get pregnant! Way to go!

Mom of three <HR>

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

37. Sep 9, 2007 10:36 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Amen to that one. Pregnancy is not a license to park it (unless you have a problem) Staying active and healthy makes delivery so much easier. I had to be put on restictions for the last four weeks of my last pregnancy just as a precaution and I swear being inactive for those 4 weeks made my labor longer. But I do also find myself driving a little slower and a little more keen to my surroundings!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by kristine25:
Everytime you wake up in the morning you are taking a risk:

You could fall down the stairs;
Some idot could cross the center lane while you are in a car
You could choke on your food

The list could go on and on. But do we want to sit on a couch all day and watch TV and always be "Safe". Heck no! You may as well be doing something you love (as long as Doc says it's OK).

As already stated, I know Heart Rate and core body temps are important but with a Oct. run and a HR monitor, all should be good.

PS: A good friend of mine had a unexpected 4th baby a couple of years back. Man that was hard on her but once the baby was born, she came to realize her family wasn't complete and now she couldn't be happier!!!<HR>

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

38. Dec 26, 2007 6:00 AM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

I know you are right, but it is a little difficult to let go of one dream for another. But there will always be marathons, right?

quote:<HR>Originally posted by liebling:
Hey, Kaitlin,

Congrats on your pregnancy! After reading and re-reading all the posts, I think you know what to do. In fact, I'll bet that you knew what you were going to do way before you posted this.

My only detailed comment would be from the "not an ob/gyn" who said that your doctor is the only person qualified to evaluate your risk. I would modify that and say that since it is NOT your doctor's baby, YOU are truly the only one, the final one, even more than your husband, who will make the final evaluation of your ability to run safely or not and YOU are the one who will reap or regret the outcome.

You sound like a smart woman, mother, runner. Have faith in yourself, your gut feeling, and your decisions and the ability to live with them and you WILL make the right choice?for YOU. We all make choices everyday, some minor, some major.

Very best of luck,
Liebling

http://This message has been edited by liebling (edited Sep-09-2007).<HR>

saw339

1 posts since
Sep 10, 2007

39. Sep 10, 2007 9:29 AM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

I am so glad I found your post - I have been wondering the same thing and it was interesting to read everyone's responses. My husband and I have been trying to conceive since March and we are training for the Chicago marathon in early October. I am not pregnant but am debating whether we need to take this month off from TTC so that it doesn't jeopardize me running the race. Part of me wants to still try and run anyway since I wouldn't even be a few weeks along by that time if we did conceive, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. It just kills me to skip even a month of trying, I want to be pg so badly. I think for me, that's the only answer, though, as I really wouldn't want to take any chances.

Best of luck with your decision and thanks for the post!

kaitlingarrett

23 posts since
Apr 23, 2006

40. Sep 10, 2007 6:22 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Good luck with both trying to conceive and training for the marathon. I hope you found some useful info, I know I did!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by saw339:
I am so glad I found your post - I have been wondering the same thing and it was interesting to read everyone's responses. My husband and I have been trying to conceive since March and we are training for the Chicago marathon in early October. I am not pregnant but am debating whether we need to take this month off from TTC so that it doesn't jeopardize me running the race. Part of me wants to still try and run anyway since I wouldn't even be a few weeks along by that time if we did conceive, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. It just kills me to skip even a month of trying, I want to be pg so badly. I think for me, that's the only answer, though, as I really wouldn't want to take any chances.

Best of luck with your decision and thanks for the post!<HR>

maryt091

806 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

41. Sep 11, 2007 6:35 AM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

quote:<HR>Originally posted by saw339:
I am so glad I found your post - I have been wondering the same thing and it was interesting to read everyone's responses. My husband and I have been trying to conceive since March and we are training for the Chicago marathon in early October. I am not pregnant but am debating whether we need to take this month off from TTC so that it doesn't jeopardize me running the race. Part of me wants to still try and run anyway since I wouldn't even be a few weeks along by that time if we did conceive, but I'm not sure that's a good idea. It just kills me to skip even a month of trying, I want to be pg so badly. I think for me, that's the only answer, though, as I really wouldn't want to take any chances.

Best of luck with your decision and thanks for the post!<HR>

saw
Early October is not that far away, so why not go for the marathon now, but then cut back considerably on your running afterwards to try to conceive. Those same stress hormones (cortisol in particular) that can cause problems if elevated during a pregnancy, can also prevent ovulation and/or implantation. Women certainly have become pregnant while marathon training as kaitlin can attest, but if you are having dificulty, cutting back on the training could make the difference.

DueJan1

43 posts since
Dec 29, 2007

42. Sep 8, 2008 5:42 PM

in response to: kaitlingarrett

Go for it! I sat down with my OB and two nurse-midwives. All of them said just do an easy run (no PR), pace myself, and listen to my body. I ran a marathon 5 weeks pregnant and I'm planning on running this next one at 28 weeks pregnant. If you are already used to running, it should be no big deal. You may or may not have pregnancy issues like nausea or low blood sugar that can sideline you temporarily - but the benefit that you are doing to your unborn child by excercising should keep you motivated to stick it out until you can't anymore (like when labor begins).

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