Marathon training and BF'ing - anyone done it?

Kdoy705 · February 2013

Hi ladies! This is my first time posting over here, but was hoping to get some input from other BF'ing moms who are runners.

My baby is 7 mo old and is EBF. She has just started 2 solid meals a day, but is still nursing/taking a bottle 5-6x per day. I ran a half marathon about a year before R was born, but haven't done too much running in the past year. I've just been doing basic cardio/weights classes at the Y and the elliptical. I'd like to ramp up and really get in shape by training for a marathon....it's on my "bucket list".

I've got the BOB stroller and most of the summer available beginning in May to dedicate to running and training. (I'm a grad student and doing online classes during the summer, so will have a lot of flexibility in my schedule). My main concern is damaging my supply - I plan to nurse her as long as she wants to nurse and will likely be TTC in Sept 2014, so could potentially be BF'ing for a very long time.

Any tips/advice welcome!

Arnegard · February 2013

I started running after DD was born, but like a 5k - not a marathon, so I have no experience in that.

I run with my kid(s) a lot, I would recomeend trying to schedule normal training runs with her and long runs without. I have done a 7 mile with my girls, but never longer. I ran 2 halfs last year and did my 8-12 mile runs when DH was going to be home with the kiddos.

I would think that eating when you're hungry and drinking enough fluids would be ideal to keep your supply. GL!

JG362009 · February 2013

I haven't ran a marathon breastfeeding (although I've done them before), but I did a 1/2 while breastfeeding and am doing another 1/2 soon and am also breastfeeding. I currently run between 25-30 miles per week and haven't had any supply issues.

pianist1989 · February 2013

I started training for a marathon when DS1 was 9 months old. I wasn't going to try for a certain time it was just a goal that I wanted to accomplish, because of this I trained and added miles very slowly, although I was also training for a bike trip that would be the month prior to the marathon. I did my first 10 mile run 2 months into training, then slowly added from there. I did mostly short runs during the weeks 5-7 miles and longer runs on the weekends with an alternating weekend being a new distance for me. This is what my schedule looked like.

M: rest day

T: 5m run

W:30-40 mile bike ride- these weren't slow rides either, we averaged around 18mph

T:rest day

F: 7m run

S: 10m run (with alternate weeks maybe looking like this, 12 m, 7m, 15m,10m)

S: 40-60 mile bike ride

I didn't run over 15 until the month before when I did a 20 and a 25 miler. To keep up supply I ate lots of lactation cookies, which are actually pretty tasty, drank lots of fluids-not just water, I had lots of creamy coffee's, some juices and Powerade to keep up on calories, made sure I was eating lots of protein, good saturated fats and healthy carbs- brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes, oatmeal. I also gave in and splurged alot more on things I didn't normally eat like ice cream and extra chocolate. :-)

DS1 was 13 months when I ran the marathon, I did have low supply for a couple of days, but after getting in some extra rest and food it went right back to normal. He nursed until 23 months and only quit because supply dropped around 9 weeks pregnant with DS2. It is totally possible, GL!!!

ByGrace22 · February 2013

I have done a few half marathon's while nursing and haven't had a problem. The full is an awesomw experience. Since it sounds like you will have the time to put in the training I say go for it! If your supply seems to be affected you can adjust your training as you go.

Kdoy705 · February 2013

Thank you ladies for your awesome advice!!! Motivated to get out there and start running. So glad to hear supply wasn't impacted significantly by training. Will let you all know how it goes!

aadewitt · February 2013

I dont nurse, but have done 1 marathon a bunch of half marathons- Since LO was born Ive had a hard time finding time to work out- I really want to get back out there to do more half marathons- and I just wanted to say that reading your post, and your motivation really makes me want to get out there again! good luck!

demmie326 · February 2013

It is absolutely doable! I have run throughout my pregnancies and while breastfeeding without any issues. I had some difficulty getting DD to take a bottle so I would just take her with me and when she would get hungry I would stop to nurse.....pushing a jogging stroller is awesome for training. Once she would take a bottle I would pump before my run and when I got back and never had any issues with supply. My husband jokes that after I crossed the finish line I grabbed a banana, a bagel, and headed to the car to pump (DD wanted nothing to do with her sweaty mommy)

I have never had any problems with nursing or getting pregnant while running. I got pregnant with two of my LOs after completing a marathon and my most recent pregnancy happened in the midst of marathon training. Best of luck,

creativeaim · February 2013

Kdoy705:
Thank you ladies for your awesome advice!!! Motivated to get out there and start running. So glad to hear supply wasn't impacted significantly by training. Will let you all know how it goes!

Great question! I'm glad you brought this up - I'm signed up for my next marathon in October and I'll be breastfeeding, too

The advice has been very helpful!

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