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Experienced runners: How long until you got your pace back?

RunnerGirl17RunnerGirl17
in Health & Exercise

Hi there, 

For those of you who were experienced runners pre-pregnancy (i.e., at least 20 miles a week, a few races under your belt, etc.), how long did it take to get your pace back after pregnancy once you started running again?  And, did you run during pregnancy? 

I'm currently 32 weeks and still running 20-25 miles a week at a 10:15-10:30 pace (3.5-6.5 miles at a time).  My pre-pregnancy race pace for a half marathon was 7:20.  With my previous pregnancy, I wasn't able to run during the pregnancy and got my pace back and then even PR'ed within a year.  I'm hoping (maybe being too optimistic?!) that I can get it back faster this time around since I'm keeping up my running during pregnancy.

What was your experience like?  And while I'm at it, how quickly/slowly were you able to lose the baby weight?

THANKS! 

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Re: Experienced runners: How long until you got your pace back?

  • WinesNotWhinesWinesNotWhines
    I ran up until 33-34 weeks during my pregnancy, and then it just got too uncomfortable. I started running again about 3 weeks post-pregnancy. I was definitely slow at first, but I was able to run a 10-mile race two months postpartum, about 1 min/mile slower than my pre-pregnancy pace. I lost all of the pregnancy weight while I was on maternity leave (and then I gained some back when I went back to work, but that's another story).
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  • fostermurphyfostermurphy
    I am 38 weeks and running the same pace/distance that you are too. This pregnancy I ran a half marathon at 23 weeks, 10k, 5ks, and a Turkey Trot none of which have been anywhere close to pace! I ran while I was pregnant with my first but, I gained 60lbs which slowed me down a ton. By the end, I was only running a couple miles 2/3 times a week. It took me at least a year to get back to running pace. As far as weight loss...  I lost 40 lbs within the first month. I was down 10 more by month 3. But, the last 10lbs stayed with me until I weaned my son.Then, they fell off in days! I also regained my pace shortly thereafter. I think the weight really makes a difference. Since I am planning on BF again, I am also planning on being 10lbs heavier and slower until I wean. 
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  • argonneargonne member

    My normal pace for a 1/2 was about 6:58 min/mile.  I ran through 35 weeks PG with DS.  I would say that my pace slowed to about 8:30s-9min/mile while pregnant.

    2.5 months PP, I ran the local Thanksgiving Day 4 miler at a 7:18 pace.  Since then, I've done a few 4 milers and 5ks in the 6:30 range and I've done a 1/2 marathon at 7:10s.  I would say it took me about 6 months to get close to me pre-PG pace.

    ETA: I was also down to below my pre-PG weight about 1 week PP.

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  • RunnerGirl17RunnerGirl17

    Wow, Argonne, that's awesome!  If you don't mind, how much weight did you gain during pregnancy and how many miles were you doing per week?  

    Seriously, these stories motivate and inspire me :)

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  • argonneargonne member
    imageRunnerGirl17:

    Wow, Argonne, that's awesome!  If you don't mind, how much weight did you gain during pregnancy and how many miles were you doing per week?  

    Seriously, these stories motivate and inspire me :)

    I gained about 19 lbs.  I attribute the lower gain to having gestational diabetes and having to be on a low carb, high protein healthy diet.

    During pregnancy, I was lucky to get 20-25 miles in per week up until about 30 weeks along.  Then the mileage tapered off as the pregnancy progressed.  It got to be uncomfortable as I got further along.

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  • KBaker421KBaker421

    I didn't lift a finger during pregnancy, but i was running about 6 miles a day 5x a week prior to getting pregant.

    I am back to running 2.5 miles and still building and LO is 13 weeks old.

    If you have an Iphone, look into downloading the couch to 5K app.  It really helped in building back my stamina.  It's kind of like your own personal trainer

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  • mrs.mastromrs.mastro member

    I ran up to the day I went into labor!  I was running 4 miles 3x week until then.  DS was born at 36w6d and I gained around 20 lbs.  He was perfectly healthy, though technically a preemie.  And labor was super easy which I attribute to staying in shape.  I was able to start running again 2 weeks post-partum and below pre-preg weight within two months (breastfeeding).  I don't remember exactly when I was back at my pre-preg pace running, but it was within a few months.  The first race I did was a 5k that I PR'd 6 months post-partum.

    The main struggle I still have since DS was born is just finding enough time to train for longer distances like a half-marathon.  Now my runs are always "workouts" rather than "runs" - sprints, tempo, intervals - so I can squeeze them into 45 minutes or so.  But you must manage your time better than me if you're running so much and you have twins! 

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