14er While Pregnant

mdarmetko

Have any of you ever hiked a 14er during pregnancy?  I haven't gotten a chance to ask my midwife about it yet, but I wanted to see if any else has had experience with it.  I could see how it would be physically difficult if I were very far along, but at that point I'll be only 6ish weeks.  I'm pretty cautious about it as I MC this past June.  I ran a half marathon (comfortably) during the last pregnancy at 5 weeks and MC 3 weeks later.  However, my midwife said that did not caused the MC.  I guess my concern would be the oxygen at such a high altitude.  Any pregnant hikers that can weigh in?

mdarmetko

just to update, spoke to my midwife and she said it's not the best idea.

argonne

Really? I would think it would be okay if you're fit. It's not really something I would consider an issue. Which 14er?

mdarmetko

argonne The plan was to hike Mt Democrat.  I'm fit and have done a 14er before, but I don't do them all the time.  At the top of the 14er I did, DH and I were definitely taking breaks to catch our breath, but I wasn't winded from the actual hike.  We recently moved to Denver from the east coast in April, so that might be why.

boymamaco

I have lived in Colorado for 15+ years and am very fit (complete ironman distance tris, ultra endurance runs, etc.) My experience is that anytime I'm over 12,500 ft give or take, I am out of breath. Its just the nature of being at higher altitude with less oxygen. So I wouldn't say its due to just moving here from the East ... it will probably always happen. Congrats on your pregnancy!

mdarmetko

lucyspeople said:

I have lived in Colorado for 15+ years and am very fit (complete ironman distance tris, ultra endurance runs, etc.) My experience is that anytime I'm over 12,500 ft give or take, I am out of breath. Its just the nature of being at higher altitude with less oxygen. So I wouldn't say its due to just moving here from the East ... it will probably always happen. Congrats on your pregnancy!

Thanks! And thank you for the advice.  Congrats on being a new mommy!

BabyMusso

My hubby and I went on an 8 mile hike and I was about 5 weeks pregnant but didnt know it! I would be more concerned about falling than anything else.

argonne

lucyspeople said:

I have lived in Colorado for 15+ years and am very fit (complete ironman distance tris, ultra endurance runs, etc.) My experience is that anytime I'm over 12,500 ft give or take, I am out of breath. Its just the nature of being at higher altitude with less oxygen. So I wouldn't say its due to just moving here from the East ... it will probably always happen. Congrats on your pregnancy!

I am the same way (signed up for the inaugural IM Boulder next August!), but I just don't find myself getting that winded at high altitude. I've done Longs, Princeton, Bierstadt and never felt too pressed. However, if your midwife says it's not a good idea, I would take that advice.

mdarmetko

BabyMusso said:

My hubby and I went on an 8 mile hike and I was about 5 weeks pregnant but didnt know it! I would be more concerned about falling than anything else.

Hiking would be one thing, but the alititude is what I was concerned about.  I know I can hike pregnant.  I've PR-ed on a half marathon 5 weeks pregnant, so the activity isn't really my concern.  I think I'll play it better safe than sorry. Thanks for the advice ladies!

boymamaco

argonne said:

I have lived in Colorado for 15+ years and am very fit (complete ironman distance tris, ultra endurance runs, etc.) My experience is that anytime I'm over 12,500 ft give or take, I am out of breath. Its just the nature of being at higher altitude with less oxygen. So I wouldn't say its due to just moving here from the East ... it will probably always happen. Congrats on your pregnancy!

I am the same way (signed up for the inaugural IM Boulder next August!), but I just don't find myself getting that winded at high altitude. I've done Longs, Princeton, Bierstadt and never felt too pressed. However, if your midwife says it's not a good idea, I would take that advice.

I'm so jealous! I was really on the fence about signing up for IMBoulder but it was before my LO was born and we just felt like there were too many variables. Now that he's here, I feel like being out for an 6-8 hr training ride next spring is more than I could handle but I'll be signing up for the 70.3. Best of luck in your training!!

argonne

lucyspeople said:

argonne said:

I have lived in Colorado for 15+ years and am very fit (complete ironman distance tris, ultra endurance runs, etc.) My experience is that anytime I'm over 12,500 ft give or take, I am out of breath. Its just the nature of being at higher altitude with less oxygen. So I wouldn't say its due to just moving here from the East ... it will probably always happen. Congrats on your pregnancy!

I am the same way (signed up for the inaugural IM Boulder next August!), but I just don't find myself getting that winded at high altitude. I've done Longs, Princeton, Bierstadt and never felt too pressed. However, if your midwife says it's not a good idea, I would take that advice.

I'm so jealous! I was really on the fence about signing up for IMBoulder but it was before my LO was born and we just felt like there were too many variables. Now that he's here, I feel like being out for an 6-8 hr training ride next spring is more than I could handle but I'll be signing up for the 70.3. Best of luck in your training!!

Thanks! We are TTC right now, so it may be that I can't do it. I told DH I wouldn't put my life on hold for a race that will be there for years to come. Right now, I'm training (it's been a while since I've ridden my bike long, so i have to get an early start). If I become pregnant, I will not keep training for IM.