Calling all pregnant runners

mmmmkay

what did you wear?
did you feel the need for "maternity specific" clothing or did you make do with stretchy regular stuff.
19 weeks in. so far pants still fitting okay, but just bought another pair with a very stretchy waist band.  
Shirts were a bit short so got some stretchier longer tops and my running jacket/vest was totally stretching at the seam so got a jacket in a size larger that is designed to be much looser around the belly.

thoughts?  people keep recommending mumberry... do i need that belly support thing?

Sarcasm101

I think the most important things are a good running shoe and supportive sports bra. Everything else is personal preference. I prefer maternity tops, so my belly doesn't hang out the bottom.

I have never used a belly support band. I am 26 weeks and now when I hit 2-3 miles my lower back starts to hurt a little. So I might try one out if they aren't too expensive or make me too hot while I run.

stillcozy

I love my Victoria secret sports bras they give so much support! I use the long white tank tops since they cover more and a tee shirt any target one I have that fits and then my stretchy yoga pants. I second having extra supportive tennis shoes now as well!

josie12367

I ran 2-3 miles up till the week before I delivered with my DD. I personally just wore stretchy stuff and saved money by not buying maternity. Athletic wear is expensive enough already! I also never wore a support band. Once she dropped at 31 weeks, the back aches from running disappeared almost completely

Somersky

I just got back into running at 25 weeks, and it's freezing here, so I'm wearing sweatshirts and coats. So far, the belly fits into normal sweatshirts, and the stretchy pants all fit ok. I'm hoping not to have to buy any special running gear. Luckily, no back aches while running, so I'm not planning to buy the belly support.

mmmmkay

I definitely needed new top as i was busting out of my sports bras, hanging out of my tops, and bursting my running jacket asunder.  

I ended up getting a moving comfort running bra.  It has adjustable straps and an adjustable band (like a regular bra) so it can "grow with me"  https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/rebound-racer-sports-bra/350037.html?dwvar_350037_color=652#start=13

a brooks running jacket that has sort of butterfly flaps on the side so the belly has room to grow:
https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/womens-lsd-jacket/220987.html?dwvar_220987_color=304#prefn1=performance&prefv1=water%2Fwind-resistant&filterstate=closed&start=1

Vimmia speed pants that come up a little higher and have a wider stretchier waistband.  (i sized up a size becasue they don't have my usual size and it works well right now but a bit worried they may swim on me later.

 and a tshirt that is longer and stretchier than all the race ones i have.
none of it is maternity so i am hoping to wear it after as well.
in the meantime.. i am a happy runner!  did my wednesday 6 mile trail run this morning and am blissed out.   hoping to do a half marathon in a few weeks.
 fingers crossed i can keep it up for a while.. even if i slow down or shorten the routes.

Full disclosure.  I have NOT bought any regular maternity clothes yet.  I obviously have my priorities screwed up

Tracijo100

I have used Mumberry and I do not think you will regret buying it! The support is unbelievable. You can definitely feel a difference in your back and round ligaments - and it helps to take some of the weight off your bladder.
And I'm with you - activewear is WAY more important than regular clothes!

JMarie1291

Im about 36 weeks and still running(more like jogging) if you have the money I'd say keep buying sizes it up. For me I live in active wear or scrubs. My bump has never gotten big enough to not fit in active wear. Im a Large(i can not stand tight clothes right now and it needs to cover my bump... It is a tiny bit big in my arms but so much comfort when your pregnant and your clothes aren't skin tight!) in tops and do a VS sports bra under (best support ever in a sports bra) and some pants im a med others a large (my butt got huge in 3rd tri) under armor is my favorite right now also some of Victoria secrets stuff fits really nice as well. I did find online a maternity active wear zip up and right now its the only zip up im wearing but everything else still fits me. It's cold were I am so splurged on north face tops in large they fit prefect and are long enough to cover my bump. Like someone else said shoes are very very important I've gobe through 5 just running pairs this pregnancy!

pourmeanothermocktail

So far I'm only 15 weeks in. I have plenty of super stretchy tops and wear my bottoms super low under belly. Hoping to get through winter like this. Come summer, I will run without top, and that's when I'll be biggest. Going to need a new sports bra soon, hopefully that's the only real purchase. I'm in the south though, where winter ends early March.

stillcozy

@RideNRunMomma check VS's sports bras super supportive and they often have deals on them.

pourmeanothermocktail

@Lindsayleigh1989 I would love to, but I've outgrown them already! I'm a 32H (or 32DDDDD in US sizing-32 F in UK) so far. They don't cover that size. In the small/medium/etc sizing, the bands get too large before the cups catch up. I'm totally rocking porn star or super model boobs! And I can't afford $70 specialty bras, so I'm still hunting. Has to have an underwire and cater to small band large breasts ladies. Any suggestions? I started at 32 DD pre-pregnancy.

mmmmkay

you may be able to get away wit hte broks moving comofort.   they go up to 32E, but also have adjustable straps and bands to maybe give you some more room.  they do not have an underwire but are super supportive.  you can probably try the 34E because of that.  I'm a 34DD (started as 32C).

JMarie1291

Check target for sports bras i squeeze into VS.... But had my breast done to a D prior to pregnancy and fit a 32-34 d-dd...and honestly not sure what size I am now but they are huge and I been able to find some good sports bras at target for them... It's hard finding ones that dont break the bank

pourmeanothermocktail

@mmmmkay & @JMarie1291 I hear where you guys are coming from, but I normally run in 32DD sports bras, that's my norm. I outgrew them in week 5 and have been squeezing into them (unprettily I might add) since then. They have adjustable straps and bands. I haven't ever been able to buy a sports bra at Target because I can't find any that really come in a 32 band that aren't a 32A (hilarious on me). I have tried 34DD, but those cups are STILL too small and then the band is too lose and it just rides up with boobs trying to escape at top AND bottom. My new size for normal bras is 32DDDDD, a full three cup sizes larger than my current sports bras. They're getting pretty uncomfortable and obviously unflattering (still funny tho). Can you imagine a 32DD lady trying to wear a 32B sports bra? Because it's pretty much the same thing. Hence, I am in the market and looking for more options. I will probably have to spend $75-95, unfortunately, but it's either that or stop running. If I had the money easily - it would be spent already.

mmmmkay

Have you tried title nine? 

they are expensive but supposed to be amazing.  They go up to 32F (which i think is what you are calling an H as they have a Triple D cup before they go to E and F)
But yeah... i think it's going to be hard to find this kind of sizing in a bargain price as it's so unique.  
embrace your cartoon character figure!


https://www.titlenine.com/category/sports-bras-and-undies/best-sports-bras-for-ddd-e-f-cup.do

JMarie1291

I understand your issue maybe the target by me has a better selection on sizes... Try a maternity bra with just a cloth sports bra to save some money I do that some days it works fine. I got a good maternity bra from motherhood then just a regular size large sports bra to help hold them in place when I run. I did take a needle and thread to the band part of the sports bra to help tighten it on me.... And I've had to do that to a few bras as well in the past to help make things fit. Get creative if you dont want to spend the money!

pourmeanothermocktail

@mmmmkay It totally depends if it's a US sizing or UK sizing. US sizing goes D, DD (E), DDD (F), DDDD (G), DDDDD(H), where UK is D, DD, E, EE, F, FF. So a UK F is the same as a US H or DDDDD. It's very awkward. So if title 9 is in UK sizes then YAY!!!!!!! Will research!

@JMarie1291 Even Target.com has only 1 bra that comes in a 32F/G and that's the biggest option, which would likely be only a little small on me now, but potentially tiny on me later, and it's not sports at all. I have doubled up on bras for sports before, but right now I only have 2 normal bras that fit (1 to wash 1 to wear) and I can't find a cotton pullover to even kinda help. Sewing might help...as soon as I get my sewing machine fixed this week. Foot pedal started on fire (it's from 1950). Would still have to then buy more regular bras, then some cotton useless sports bras, and then take in all of the cotton bras. Might work, but is still a large investment in $$.

Sometimes I wish I had a bigger ribcage. Then huge breasts wouldn't be as hard to hold up - sizing is easier to find at a 36 band...

mmmmkay

@RideNRunMomma
these go 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32DD, 32DDD, 32E, 32F  so a little different... but sounds similar!
Title 9 are known to have EXCELLENT quality.   

pourmeanothermocktail

They do offer 3 bras that will fit me, YAY!!!!! It's weird, some individual bras go D, DD, E, F, some just go D, DD, DDD, but at least 3 come in the right size. I'm excited! @mmmmkay. I think this is the one for me. Super ugly, but "The Last Resort" is really what I feel I need. The reviews are mostly from runners and horse riders, perfect! Ugliest EVER! I offer to purchase and review it for the group!

https://www.titlenine.com/product/the-last-resort-bra-313801.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&refType=&from=fn#tabs

mmmmkay

@RideNRunMomma
I could see that as part of a catwoman costume.  it's not ugly.  it's badass!
(did that help?)

what do you ride?  horses or bikes?  are you still riding?

pourmeanothermocktail

I ride horses, as they don't fall over as soon as you stop moving. I just have hang on while they worry about staying upright!

No joke, I've never been more than almost adequate on a bike. Can't ride a straight line or bump on and off curbs without chaos.

pourmeanothermocktail

That bra is SUPER ugly in person. I bought the pink because it was on sale on the Bare Necessities website, and it was $20 less. I'm a 32DD normally, more like 32DDDDD now, bought size 0 (check out their size chart on Enell.com). But, I think it has space for the rest of the pregnancy growth, both in ribs and in cup sizes, and I'm not bouncing now. Don't care that it's super ugly. Will update in a few weeks but for now, this is a 5 Star rating. And, because it doesn't pull over your head, it's not terribly hard to take off afterwards. Just gotta do up the clips bottom to top, and try not to laugh at the shapes your boobs make in the midst of that!

pourmeanothermocktail

The bra is still working, though I did have to stop fastening the bottom hook. Otherwise it's fitting great and doing it's job! I might have to stop fastening the bottom two hooks soon (it does go down pretty far and I'm carrying pretty high), but I don't think that will stop it from working effectively.

Unfortunately though I think I might need one of those belly support bands, I get serious RLP and bladder pain/pressure while running now. Ick. Though my midwife said as long as I can find a way to be comfortable enough, she supports me running. So I'm hoping a band might help.

Here's the view of the bra. Super sexy, no?

mmmmkay

super sexy!  
I'm lucky that i only had one bought with Round Ligament Pain.  definitely feeling the pelvic pain/pressure though.
I have had to reroute all of my runs to have a bathroom at mile one, no matter how many times i've gone beforehand.  After that it's better, but i still need to every few miles after that too.  total pain in the ass (or pelvis).

Other than that only issue is feet.  ended up getting more supportive shoes and compression socks.  i've virtually elminiated the foot pain/cramping but am still getting some numbness.  
i completely a half marathon last weekend though!  so there's that!

melodramatic26

I'm almost 21 weeks. Running 4 times a week. My long runs are 6-7 miles right now. I'm planning on running a half marathon at 30 weeks so I'm trying to stay on pace to keep that mileage comfortable (not using the word training because there isn't anything that I'm doing that resembles race training).

I did get a pair of maternity compression capris from Old Navy and I love them. I save them for my weekend long run and just wear my normal running pants/skirts on short runs. I have about 3 tanks that work right now for tops when I'm indoor and on the treadmill and 2 maternity ones for when I'm outside.

I do run with a maternity belt. I have to. I get a lot of uncomfortable stretching and pulling in the groin area when I don't. The belt also seems to keep the pressure off my bladder and helps me make it the hour + of running without needing to stop and pee.