Having to stop running :(

Re: Having to stop running :(

• ssmb_clarinet member

  June 2013

  I am not currently pregnant, but when I was I got to about 20 weeks and running felt weird. I was never a fast runner and I always took walk breaks, but at around that time I had to go to just walking. Any amount of exercise is good for you and baby so even if you have to quit running, definitely keep walking! I did a 5k at 35 weeks and felt awesome! Listen to your body and if it says slow down then do, it knows best! And don't beat yourself up with not running because any exercise is more than most do while pregnant! Hope the rest of your pregnancy goes well!

  

  
  

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• JG362009

  June 2013

  Maybe you could take a few days off and try again?  I ran until 41w3d (day before my induction) and 39w5d (day before my c-section) both times and I have to say that not every run was easy and I had runs around 30 weeks that were harder than my runs at full term -- don't count yourself out; you might just be having a rough few days.  What kept me going is that I knew I had to stop for awhile after delivery and I didn't think I could mentally go without running longer than a month so that was motivation to keep going.  If I quit before 35 weeks that would be almost 2 months without running.  

  

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• LiveNLove44 member

  June 2013

  JG362009:

  Maybe you could take a few days off and try again?  I ran until 41w3d (day before my induction) and 39w5d (day before my c-section) both times and I have to say that not every run was easy and I had runs around 30 weeks that were harder than my runs at full term -- don't count yourself out; you might just be having a rough few days.  What kept me going is that I knew I had to stop for awhile after delivery and I didn't think I could mentally go without running longer than a month so that was motivation to keep going.  If I quit before 35 weeks that would be almost 2 months without running.  

   

  This keeps me going, too. I have the "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" mantra going as I run because I know that when I can't for awhile, it will make it much easier to get back into it when I can again after baby arrives. I'm 28w3d and I am able to go a slow 5 miles each time I run, and I just make sure to step with a consistent stride and step. If you're feeling pain in one hip or joint, please remember that adjusting your step/stride, whether you're walking or running, will negatively affect other joints. I had a stress fracture in my early second trimester and didn't run for about 5 weeks. I did a lot of other cardio options and kept up with my resistance training. It helped my foot heal and now I am able to run again. Taking the time off to heal now will benefit you long term. Pushing it when you're experience serious joint paint is going to be detrimental long term. Take it easy and stay active however you can! You're in the home stretch!!

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• trudibell member

  June 2013

  I was running 5m a day 4-5x a week before getting pregnant.  I had spotting and a really stupid first doctor at 10 weeks who told me to lay off the running.  By the time I switched to a more competent practice (the running wasn't the reason why I switched doctors, but anyway) I was at 20+ weeks and they gave me the green light to run, but like you, it was just too painful.

  It sucks, but slowing down is a normal part of pregnancy and for whatever reason some women can keep going while others can't.  Since I stopped running I did the elliptical trainer at the gym for 45 minute sessions 5x a week - I could get the intensity up so I was covered in sweat by the end and get in a decent workout.  The past couple weeks (I'm at 40weeks 4 days) I bumped it down to 30 minutes.  I also walk regularly about 2.5-4 miles (pace is slowing though) a few times a week.  I've gained 36 pounds but my weight stabilized a couple weeks ago right after I passed the 35 pound "healthy" mark.  

  You'll run again, your body just needs its energy for something more important right now.  Don't compare yourself to others you'll only drive yourself crazy. 

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• runningyogimama member

  June 2013

  As someone whose body wouldn't let them continue to run through pregnancy, I just wanted to tell you that it's okay to listen to your body and stop. If you can run until your due date, or past it, that is fantastic. But if your body is telling you to stop, it's okay to listen to it.
  
  I had always planned to run until I was due, but I physically couldn't, and I was so, so discouraged by all of the people who said they ran through pregnancy fine. But every pregnancy is different. If you need to just walk, or swim, or elliptical or whatever instead of run, that's okay, too. I was devastate that I couldn't continue to run, when so many other women were telling me they ran longer and were fine.
  
  I don't think I ran past 30 weeks, and even before that, it wasn't what I was doing before. I went for my first postpartum run at 4 weeks, though I had thought about it at 2 weeks, because I felt physically recovered, but I was too down on myself because of how much weight I had left to lose. I was afraid running would be hard to come back to, but know what? It wasn't. Was I back in marathon running shape already? No. Am I at 12 weeks pp? No, but getting closer every week.
  
  If you can continue to run, good for you. But, if you can't, that is okay, too.

  
  

  

  

   

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• Hhaber member

  June 2013

  I really appreciate all the responses and encouragement, ladies! Thank you so much! After 3 days, I have realized it's a groin muscle thing...not my hip. So, I am just trying to let it heal. You have all made me feel so much better. Perhaps, I am down, but I may not be out!
  

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• huntjul member

  June 2013

  Hhaber:

  I am going to be 30 weeks on Sunday and have found that running is just painful now. On Tuesday I felt like I got hit by a bus after my run and today I did something to my hip while running. It is very painful and now causing me to limp. I feel like my body is physically telling me to stop, and it is so discouraging. I see you other mamas that are running up until your delivery date and I am upset that I cannot continue. I guess mentally I am just not ready to stop. Plus, (as vain as this sounds) I am not ready to swell or blow up and feel worse mentally and physically. Anyone in the same boat? Any advice as to how to deal with this mentally? I am going to continue to keep working out, but it's so hard not to run. It's my thing. I am just bummed today knowing that my running days may be done for a little while.
  

  Like you, I hoped I'd be running up until delivery day or at least close.  However, not every woman is able to do that.  I was very upset when I had to stop running at 9 weeks pregnant!  I am like you in that working out = running, and I never thought I'd have to stop that early.  But I got really bad sciatica and was limping while running and in a horrific amount of pain constantly afterwards.  There was no option to continue.

  I started seeing a chiropractor and things have improved (no constant pain).  However, the most I can run now is about a mile a week, and sometimes that still makes me painful.  A mile doesn't even give me a workout!  So I'm swimming on weekends and not doing much during the week besides the walking my job requires.  I did chance it and run a 5k on Saturday since all my friends were doing it, and I'm still hurting from it though I'm glad I ran it.

  My advice is to be proud of yourself for running this long.  And then to find something else that you can replace the running with.  Fast walk, or walk uphill on the treadmill, swim, yoga, whatever.  Just replace it with something so you keep feeling good about yourself, and know that you'll be back running after baby.
  

     
  

  
  

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