question for runners?

Amymarie13

Is anyone still trying / able to pull off a slow jog? I was doing good (and by good, I mean like 50 minutes of very slow jog on flat/walk the hills maybe 3 or 4 days a week and just walking the other days) up until this week - I am 34 weeks on Friday.  All of a sudden it is so painful - braxton hicks, pelvic cramping, shooting pains - that I can't do it. I can fight/walk through a little of that, but this is beyond fighting through. Coincidentally? my lo flipped head-down and started dropping recently, so I am guessing this has something to do with it, but I ran up til 36/37 weeks with my first 2 pregnancies, so it's a little disappointing to be done this early on.  If you aren't running, what are you doing for exercise that is more comfortable for you? Wondering if an eliptical would be less painful?

mj0413

I am very jealous. I haven't been able to really run this whole time. Just walking gives me bad round ligament pain. I found that I could do some prenatal pilates at the beginning, but at this point, I'm happy if I have a normal day with just basic walking without feeling like death all night.

You could definitely try prenatal pilates or yoga since they are less jarring than walking/running. I'm sure you're bummed to not have made it as far as previous pregnancies, but you're doing a lot better than a lot of us.  

blondie10m

I'm not a runner but I am still going to step aerobics and kickboxing classes at the gym (but doing a scaled back version with no high impact).  For my first pregnancy, I stopped going to classes around 36 weeks and switched to the elliptical because my bladder couldn't take it.  That did not bother me at all up until 41 weeks so it may be an option for you.  Much less jarring.  My biggest problem right now is the baby's head on my bladder, but I restrict water intake 2 hours before class and then it's much better and I drink as much as I need during the class.

sugarland726

Is anyone still trying / able to pull off a slow jog? Nope.
If you aren't running, what are you doing for exercise? Walking to my car every day?
Wondering if an eliptical would be less painful? Probably, but I can't confirm from experience.

Sorry. I gave up awhile ago, but I am looking forward at starting again and training for a half marathon in October!

ashleywiz

I stopped jogging about 8 weeks ago. I just couldn't be outside that long without having terrible urges to pee!  I have succumbed to squats, lunges, and lots of stretching (which, at this point, I think is more beneficial anyway).  Anyone still jogging beyond 30 weeks gets a big chocolate shake! haha.

Amymarie13

Ah well good to hear I'm not alone. I have resorted to using the construction guys' porta potty in my neighborhood or else I circle back home every 20 mins and I may have peed my pants a few times haha. And I'm pretty sure a fast walker could pass my slow jog. Need to get into the lunges and eliptical.

runnergrl6675

I run/walk 5 days a week, but it is getting hard due to my huge belly.  I've resorted to the dreaded treadmill due to the icy sidewalks outside and that makes it even harder for me.

 I run for a mile, than walk for about 2 minutes.  Then run another mile, walk 2 or 3 minutes.  I do this until 3.5 miles or so.  If I need to walk, I stop and walk.  I'm not pushing myself whatsoever.   I do get nasty ligament pains, so I'll stop and walk through those.  My calves are really sore, too, which is frustrating. 

 

juliasmama2010

Props to you for running this long!  Honestly, my last 5k was in July and I haven't run since.  It didn't matter how soon before I ran that I went to the bathroom, I would have to pee at least 1 mile in.  I can't even fathom running/walking for exercise at this point.  Walking to my truck is a feat in and of itself right now!  Can't wait to get started back up though!

RedSaffron

I used to run a lot before BFP and a little in first tri. With my stomach getting bigger and LO being super low from the beginning, SO and I just walked around the park or tracks for 30 minutes. Now I can't do anything without having to stop and peeing every 15 steps. Would eating be consider an exercise? Haha.

questisthebest

I haven't been able to run this entire pregnancy, in the beginning I was too tired, sick, and had so much back pain, in the second trimester my belly was just very uncomfortable. I am still able to maintain a fairly good exercise routine with long walks and a recumbent stationary bike- as long as i have the seat adjusted so my knees don't hit the bump. If I had access to a gym I would probably try the elliptical and definitely the pool. I don't have a gym membership but i do also strength train with dumbbells, an exercise ball, and calisthenics a couple of times a week. i find my body recovers completely different during pregnancy than pre-pregnancy and a protein snack immediately afterwards is an absolute necessity!

BShreeve

Amymarie13 said:

Is anyone still trying / able to pull off a slow jog? I was doing good (and by good, I mean like 50 minutes of very slow jog on flat/walk the hills maybe 3 or 4 days a week and just walking the other days) up until this week - I am 34 weeks on Friday.  All of a sudden it is so painful - braxton hicks, pelvic cramping, shooting pains - that I can't do it. I can fight/walk through a little of that, but this is beyond fighting through. Coincidentally? my lo flipped head-down and started dropping recently, so I am guessing this has something to do with it, but I ran up til 36/37 weeks with my first 2 pregnancies, so it's a little disappointing to be done this early on.  If you aren't running, what are you doing for exercise that is more comfortable for you? Wondering if an eliptical would be less painful?

I had the same problems last time I ran. I did Crossfit until just recently. Can't wait to go back.... And start training for my Ragnar Relay in June!

lolinshag

Does running to the toilet and/or fridge count?

megngregk

::stuffing my face with tortilla chips::

Seriously, I'm jealous. I try to stay "active" but that definition has changed considerably in the last 30ish weeks. Good for you ladies who are sticking with it!

Mrs.Salt&Pepper

I had to stop running at about 28 weeks when it felt like there were shoulders about to pop out of my vagina... That being said I am still doing Crossfit 3-4xs a week and prenatal yoga 1x a week. Some days are better than others, but I am too mental to quit working out just yet. 

jamiecal

sugarland726 said:

Is anyone still trying / able to pull off a slow jog? Nope.
If you aren't running, what are you doing for exercise? Walking to my car every day?
Wondering if an eliptical would be less painful? Probably, but I can't confirm from experience.

Sorry. I gave up awhile ago, but I am looking forward at starting again and training for a half marathon in October!

Love! I have almost given up even walking to the car.  I've been thinking about a half marathon in November, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to commit. Is there a certain training program you're going to follow?

I stopped running in the first tri when motion made me sick. It has been all downhill from there, but I'm hopeful I can work my way back into it for a St. Patty's Day 5k.

AnnikaD20

I miss running so much. I gave it up around early 2nd tri. I probably could have forced myself to go a bit longer, but running is my happy place and what I would do for stress relief, and when it started to make me miserable I decided to quit.

I switched to the elliptical for a while. Then I injured my back and have just been proud of myself for days where I walk/waddle more than a couple miles.

I'm hoping my back heals up after it doesn't have a giant fetus hanging from it, and I can start making use of my jogging stroller quickly.

Jenten810

I'm so impressed with all of you who are stilling running and hitting the gym. I gave up running at 20 weeks, and crossfit at 30 weeks due to CT. I can't wait to hit the gym again.

bethughknee

I had to stop a little over a week ago. I made it ALMOST to 36 weeks. I had the same issues you're having. Pelvic pain, lots of BH after and also just really sore hips and knees the next morning, probably from the extra weight. I definitely miss it.

The elliptical is less painful but it doesn't offer me the same "weightless" feeling it used to, bladder-wise haha. But really, at 37 weeks nothing is going to! I did my last 5K at 33.5 weeks and I'm already signing up for spring races. I just want to get back out there.

ashleywiz

@bethughknee --when is your first one in the spring?  I realllly want to do the Great Aloha Run (since it'll be my last one ) and it's 8 miles on President's day...so a month after my due date. I seriously don't think I'll be healed enough to have even done ANY running beforehand, but maybe not.  I'm super torn on the whole thing.

bethughknee

@ashleywiz My first race isn't until the beginning of April and it's just a 5K. I usually run a low key 10 miler that benefits a local rescue mission every year in March but I am not planning to this year. Even if I delivered on time (Jan 9) and take the full 6 weeks before running again (~Feb 20), there's no way I'd be able to run 10 miles comfortably in just 4 weeks of training. I also have to factor in how much TIME I will have to train between working full-time and mommy-ing and all that.

It would suck to miss a race you really love, but I would NOT recommend planning on a race just 4 weeks after your due date unless your OB has indicated they plan to induce you early or something. It really did take me the full recommended 6 weeks before I could even go on long walks/light hikes after my last pregnancy. And I was healing WITHOUT taking care of a baby! It can be a slow heal and trying to get back into working out too fast can just set you back and cause bleeding issues that would lay you up even longer!

ashleywiz

@bethughknee ---I'm really only torn about being upset about not being able to do it or whether by the time it gets here I won't even care. I'm just living in my fantasy world about it at the moment, knowing full well then there's no way in hell. haha. As far as baby is concerned, my midwife said point blank after my cervical check, "I won't need to see you every week until 38 weeks, and it doesn't appear that baby will be going anywhere early, so just keep hanging in there!"  ...aka- I get a FULL 40 week pregnancy and likely more. Of course, that could change, but still.   I've done the race 4 times now, and didn't pay for it this year knowing that I probably wouldn't be able to do it for a multitude of reasons.

I figured it wouldn't be until mid March when I would be able to start *actually* going back at my workout game the way I want to.

sept9107bride

Wait 6 weeks? Oh no I was planning on running within maybe two I stopped around 24 due to constantly feeling like I had to go to the bathroom ugh. I walk twice a week now (slow maybe 18 min/mile) and have been swimming once a week working up to a mile. I planing doing the flying pig half marathon the first weekend of May as long as baby is born healthy (last DS had complications). This not running thing is making me crazy. I don't care if my half marathon time sucks. Though I would secretly like to get in under two hours....just sayin

candypantsls

34 weeks was my cutoff too!!! I would just jog like a 400-1600 at a time to warm up for Crossfit, but this last week was when I thought "OH...this is different" and was feeling very uncomfortable around the bladder area. Working out in general is getting pretty awkward in these last couple months

mairybear

At 35 weeks I only do the treadmill. I only do 2 miles and I stop at .6 or so to stretch my right leg that cramps and if I have round ligament pain. I'll see what happens at 36 weeks, taking day by day. Running outside is intense, major props. Haven't done that since 29 weeks and the darn snow. Not sure if its the same for you, but every time is diff and its so close to the end I wouldn't stress it!!

lovinglife13

I am at 34 weeks and still able to run, I was able to run with DS up until his due date, so hopefully I can do the same this time around.  

BShreeve

candypantsls said:

34 weeks was my cutoff too!!! I would just jog like a 400-1600 at a time to warm up for Crossfit, but this last week was when I thought "OH...this is different" and was feeling very uncomfortable around the bladder area. Working out in general is getting pretty awkward in these last couple months

Yep. Especially with sciatic pain. I miss CF!!!!!