Long run recovery while pregnant

care99

I'm almost 14 weeks and for the last 2 weeks, my long runs have wiped me out for the rest of the day.  I'm only running a little over 8 miles, and my pace is about 45 sec/mile slower than my normal LR pace, so I don't feel like I'm overdoing it at all during the run.  I'll be fine for a few hours afterwards, then I'm exhausted and my lower legs and feet ache (I wear compression socks to help with that).  Has anyone experienced anything like this?  Any tips for feeling better or is this a sign to back down some?  I really wanted to keep this distance for another month or so

JG362009

I did a full marathon at about 8 weeks and then took it easy for awhile but once I hit the second trimester I ran 8 miles a few times and then couldn't really do anything longer than 6 miles no matter what my pace was.  I got slower and couldn't run as long as pregnancy progressed.  For both of my pregnancies I would lose about a minute per mile each trimester and my longest runs were shorter -- around 35 weeks pregnant each time I did a five mile run and then for the last 5 weeks (or 6 weeks the first time since I went past 41 weeks) I could only run 3-4 miles at a time and my pace was around 11 minutes/mile.  So, a long answer is that you may just be needed to scale back.  

runblondie26

Yep, any workout longer than an hour leaves me needing at least a 2 hour nap later in the day. I'm down to about 6 miles at a time now, I've slowed so much already

Flamingemu

Hard workouts of any kind while I was pregnant wiped me out. I started bringing water and some type of fuel on every run. It helped, but a nap always helped more!

LiveNLove44

I had to switch immediately from doing my HIIT workouts to steady-state runs, which was a big bummer for me but necessary for a healthy pregnancy. In my first and early second trimester, I had to make changes because I was dehydrating way faster than I used to on a long run. I was also much more fatigued in general up until about 16 weeks. Do you have water with you or can you grab a sip while you're on your run? I'm 27w4d right now and I can make it about 5 without a water source, but if it's hot and I'm sweating more, I need a couple. The growing belly bump is proving to hamper me more than the fatigue does now! Good work and keep it up! Make small adjustments now to ensure you can keep it going.

KateVA

I only run 3-3.5 miles but my longer, more intense crossfit workouts can really wear me out. I'm exhausted for a while afterward. I would try just dropping your distance a little bit - try 7 miles instead. And like everyone else said, eat and hydrate

lillyq1982

I ran my whole pregnancy until I ran  a 5k at 25 weeks, 6 days and after that decided I was done running this pregnancy.  It just knocks me out too much and it isn't comfortable (specifically my bladder).  I am now walking and I am still playing tennis (doubles only).  At least I am out and being active without feeling like I am overdoing it.  I know folks who have ran their entire pregnancy, but I don't think I was built for it!