Apr 19, 2007 5:40 AM
happy pregnant runner! :)
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When I was pregnant with my son, I stopped running when I was about 8 weeks pregnant and ended up gaining 65 lbs, even though I ate much less and much healthier than I normally do. It was traumatic! I lost the weight eventually and got back on a normal running routine and found out in February that I was pregnant again. After the excitement and joy of our good news, I started panicking about gaining a crazy amount of weight again and made the resolution to stick with running as long as possible this time as long as it felt right and I was physically able. So it started out great. I even ran a half marathon (very slowly and comfortably) but the past few weeks have been horrible. I almost gave up because of morning sickness and because my runs were so slow I was wondering why I was even bothering since I could walk at the pace I was running. But the past 3 runs I've gone on have felt really good. And today I went out and had a normal run at a normal pace and felt it felt easy and great! I am at the end of my first trimester, so I'm sure that's part of it, but with my son I was sick the entire pregnancy. Maybe sticking with running is helping and it's definitely help me gain weight at normal rate. I really hope I can keep it up and that these great runs last!
Maybe pregnant running isn't all that bad!
Walking isn't a curse! When it becomes uncomfortable to run I suggest that you walk throuout the pregnancy if possible.
My guess is you would gain less weight and the birth may be easier as well.
I think running while your pregnant is a great thing to do. I say do it until you feel it is to much. Some pregnant women run up through there 8 th and 9 th months. You go girl!!!
this is my third pregnancy but the first one running....I think it has helped immensely with the morning sickness. (It was utterly unbearable with the first two.) I too am at the very end of my first trimester and my energy is coming back. I have found that I need a lot more rest and recovery, so proper nutrition and sleep has been essential. Running does feel really good, and I hope to stick with it for as long as I can. I also plan on incorporating walking and swimming as the summer heats up.
Congrats on your pregnancy and happy running! I hope your morning sickness is on the way out. Blah! Also, don't be hard on yourself about exercise and weight gain...you know you can lose it after the baby.
Hi!
Thank you for your responses and encourgement! !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|border=0!
RRainey: I appreciate your suggestion about walking and may have to convert to walking and cross training, but I really love running. As with many of us, it really means a lot to be able to get out there and run so until I can't, which hopefully won't happen this time, I'l continue to get out there and run.
cherylhop: Thank you!!! I am definitely going to be striving to be one of those 8-9 month runners this time, as long as my body cooperates with me! Thanks for your support!
mayfield: Congratulations to YOU! I was really excited to see another pregnant runner respond and especially one who was going through the same thing and is in the same stage of pregnancy. We should be online workout buddies! I hear you about the rest thing. I take a nap religiously now and have found that the more miles I'm putting in, the more sleep I need. Thanks for your support too and congratulations! !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|border=0!
As an update, I've continued to feel better and am trying to slowly get my weekly mileage back up to 30 miles a week. I found the long runs (6-10 miles) were too hard, so I've been splitting some runs and running twice a day. It seems to really help slow the weight gain to what would be considered normal during pregnancy and has helped immensely with the morning sickness and increasing energy which has been fantastic. I've also cut out all speedwork and am just trying to maintain fitness and to keep up with my almost 2 year old son. I am supposed to run a half marathon next weekend and will at least start it, but will see how I feel throughout. I'm not bent on finishing it unless it's cool enough out and I feel really good the entire time.
Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond and I hope that this helps other pregnant runners just starting out there. 
Girl, you're making me look bad. I am so lazy, and here you are doing so great in your "condition." Of course, I've been carrying around my condition for 30 years.....
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Jimmy Legs
anneliz, kudos to you for running your second pregnant half marathon. I'm not doing anything longer than a really slow 8 miles these days. We must be due around the same time....I'm due at the very beginning of November.
Anyway, have a good run this weekend!
I have a six m.o., and ran until my 39th week of pregnancy. I also had no interest in walking or swimming or any of those "gentle" exercises recommended for pregnant women. It took some planning (I knew the location of every portapotty within 5 miles of my house) and I did finally switch to a treadmill and drop my mileage pretty dramatically (from 30-35 mpw to 15 mpw) around week 31 because there was some worry that I wasn't gaining enough weight. But when all was said and done, I had tons of energy during my pregnancy, no morning sickness, the baby was a good size, I had an unmedicated birth that went very smoothly and quickly, and I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight 10 days after her birth. And I attribute that all to running!
BTW, if you have not already read James Clapp's Exercising During Your Pregnancy, I highly recommend it, particularly if you're planning on running outside during the summer.
Your post has come in absolutely perfect timing! My husband and I are planning on another child within the next few months but I really don't want to give my running up as it helps me feel so much better and gives me the energy to keep up with my 2yr old daughter. I was so afraid that I wouldn't be able to run much once pregnant. All of these posts have been so encouraging! Thanks... I would love to see a thread start to see the progress of running while pregnant and to see how/if it improves it. I know it was mentioned that some of you raced during pregnancy but how far along do you think is realistic to be able to race... there's a race in Nov that I want to do a 1/2 for but I don't want to be too far along.
Also... for those of you who ran while pregnant... how long did it take you to get back into running/racing after you had the baby?
Thanks!
I wasn't saying don't run I was saying that walking is way better than nothing. RUN!!!
Hi Everyone!
Thanks for your posts! They totally made my day! !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|border=0!
RRainy - I liked your RUN the best...haha
I actually think if it whenever I don't really feel like running now. It makes me start laughing and get myself right out the door.
rolling1977 - haha...another comedian.
I loved your comments.
mayfield - I haven't done my 2nd half marathon YET, and at this point it's not looking too promising. I tried to do an 8-9 mile run this weekend and was too tired and stopped at 5. I'll probably show up at the starting line next weekend, but may end up walking or not finishing since I don't really want to push it. I think getting out there and running at all is great! And I'm due in the beginning of Nov too! Running twins...woohoo!!!! !http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|src=http://www.coolrunning.com/forums/smile.gif|border=0!
Lieren - Thanks so much for sharing your experience and for the book recommnendation. I am definitely going to get it! It's good to hear someone else is as bent on running as I am.
I would be thrilled to run up to 39 weeks of pregnancy! Awesome job!!!
hongkongrunner - you should talk to your doctor about running. If you already run you may not have to give it up. I met with my doctor and I am allowed to run just as much (about 30 miles per week) but because it's getting warm here, I split my runs up into 2x a day and run at a slower pace, which is fine with me! I'm more tired anyway, so it feels better. I ran a half marathon with when I was 5-6 weeks pregnant with my 2 year old son and again at the same time during this pregnancy. Both times just took it easier on the pace and was able to finish very comfortably. I think doing a half marathon at any point in pregnancy would depend how you were feeling. I've found that doing longer runs is becoming much more difficult because I tire quickly. My legs and joints feel great, I just get tired. I've heard of other people running half marathons and further in their 2nd and 3rd trimester though, so I think it just depends. If you can find a doctor who is supportive of running, they could probably help you with those questions based on your personal situation. As for racing, I plan to continue racing up to 10K throughout this pregnancy as long as I can, but I wouldn't really call it racing. I participate in races for the fun of it. I run at a comfortable, fun, relaxed pace and just am happy to be there. It sounds like there are other people who may have more information on that though. I've only been running pregnant for 1 trimester now.
I think hongkongrunner's idea to keep each other updated would be awesome. I'd love to hear how other pregnant runners are doing and have learned a ton from other runners' posts!
Thanks for taking the time to write and have a great day!
Anneliz, I definitely second the recommendation of "Exercising Through Your Pregnancy"....I've found it to be very helpful. I hear you on the longer runs, though. I was running 65 - 70 mpw before I was pregnant and now I struggle to do 35! I've recently cut back my daily runs from 8 miles to about 6 or 7 because I was getting SO exhausted. But I had a super slow 7.5 mile run today and then took a nice long nap in the afternoon.
hongkongrunner...I agree with Anneliz, being able to run a 1/2 will probably depend on your dr.'s advice, your running ability prepregnancy, and how your particular pregnancy is progressing. It will probably also mean redefining what "racing" means to you (participation vs a fast time). But the above mentioned book may be a good place to start. Keep us updated!
I think it would be great to keep in touch too...maybe we'll find some other pregnant runners as well!
Take care and happy running,
Steph
just a question....my step mother is pregnant and the doctor told her not to run, even if she was comfortable..that the bouncing is bad for the baby. Is this true? are your doctors saying this? perhaps it could be her age (shes 36) and the doctor is being extra cautious. just wondering, not that i plan to get pregnant any time soon ![]()
ktesla - your stepmom's doctor might have some reason for his/her advice, but I doubt it's her age - I was 36 when I was pregnant and running. If I were her, I would read Clapp and seek a second opinion.
hongkongrunner - on getting back to racing - I've had a hard time with that b/c my baby really, really hated strollers for the first four months of her life. She also won't take a bottle, so her dad got very nervous every time I talked about leaving the house without her, even for a 30 minute run! Sigh. On the other hand, pushing that jogging stroller - now that she tolerates riding in it - is quite the workout. The few times I've run without it I felt like I was flying! In other words, getting back to racing has been more determined by the baby than me - I was ready to go about four weeks postpartum.
Good for you!
I ran through both of my pregnancies until the day I delivered. Both of my girls were healthy and big even though I only gained 25lbs with both. In my experience it is totally safe and helps you to recover quickly post partum.
Keep it up as long as you feel comfortable!!!
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