Calling All Runners!

ajhamb · December 2013

I'm a long-distance running hoping to run throughout my pregnancy. I currently 6w5d and counting, and don't plan to stop running... [My doc is ok with it, as is all the data-- as exercise, even some "intense" exercise, is not proven to correlate with miscarriage.] I've got a half-marathon this weekend, and another when I will be about 13w.

Any tips from those further along in their pregnancy? Recommended gear/clothing? Any insights the community might have to share with me?

jldcjs · December 2013

I am a runner and have continued to run, but after about 7 weeks I had a tough time because I wasn't sleeping well, was feeling sick, and my heart rate seemed to sky rocket very easily. I'm going to keep at it as long as I can. I'm curious about what others have used when their stomach started to get pretty big and uncomfortable. Any belly bands that really work?

erbear · December 2013

I had a great pair of gap running pants with a panel (not maternity) that were great for keeping my belly in place. I ran reasonably comfortably through ny 2nd trimester with both pregnancies.

PurdueGal · December 2013

I ran my entire first pregnancy. I ran a half marathon around 24 weeks. I ran 6 miles two days before I delivered at 39 weeks. If you were running regularly prior to becoming pregnant, there is no need to stop, unless your doctor advises you to do so. Running really helped my energy levels and kept my morning sickness at bay. I know it helped my labor and recovery.

I didn't need a support band - I found them to be hot and uncomfortable. I was worried that running without a band might cause stretch marks, but this was not the case. Stretch marks are generally genetic, so I don't think running with or without a support belt would make a difference. I am tall, so my baby belly was not as pronounced as most pregnant women, which may be why I didn't find a support band to be necessary. A band might offer more comfort to someone with a belly that is more protruding.

One thing I did experience was a drastic decrease in speed. My pace for long runs decreased from 8 min/mi to 10 min/mi. I wore a HR monitor for a short while but found it caused more anxiety due to inability to keep my HR below 140. I later found out from my cardiologist that the HR below 140 rule is no longer advocated by the American College of OB/GYNS.

I think it's great you plan to run during your pregnancy. I realize that many cannot, due to fatigue, morning sickness and activity restrictions, and that is okay. I enjoyed running while pregnant with my first and, now that I am expecting my second, I am excited to run pregnant again, but this time with a jogging stroller!

Mjl0405 · December 2013

Just dropping by to say you ladies are awesome! I had planned to run during my first pregnancy with DS, but I had MS so so bad from 6 weeks through 2nd tri that it wasn't possible. And to top it off I was on bed rest at 34 weeks due to blood pressure. Luckily it comes back quickly! I was running two weeks after DS was born!

GL on your upcoming races - so envious!

laura308 · December 2013

Oh man good luck with your races. I'm a runner & I've been so sick I just ran again for the first time in 6 weeks!!!!! Let me tell you I only could do 2 miles & it was slower than a turtle stampeding through peanut butter!!

Before I got pregnant I told my husband ya I'm going to run every day & be so healthy blah blah. As soon as I get home from work I'm on the couch & eating whatever doesn't make me want to vomit - which here recently has been carbs! Here's to feeling better 2nd trimester running possibly & not being a fatty anymore haha !

JulieHoogDesigns · December 2013

I'm so glad to read other runners' struggles! I was training for a 1/2 marathon and found out 3 weeks before the race that I was 5 weeks pregnant. Right after I found out the nausea hit me like a ton of bricks. Running became the last of my worries. I ended up not being able to run the race after 2 months of training which was a huge bummer, but the safety of my baby was more important. Now even going for a 1 or 2 mile jog has become a huge challenge for me! I'm really hopeful that what they say is true - the 2nd trimester is the honeymoon phase! I'm so eager to start feeling more like my old self and getting some exercise in again. Also, I can't wait to stop feeling like i'm going to vomit everytime I open the refrigerator and smell something....... haha!

m613 · December 2013

I'm no marathon runner, but I do jog regularly for exercise. I'm 32 weeks today and have been keeping up with walking/jogging the entire time. Doctor said as long as I still feel comfortable and can keep my heart rate below 140, then by all means continue. I must say though, that with all this extra weight the jogging part is getting to be more tedious and tiring. Not to mention the pressure it puts on my bladder and I have to stop every 8 minutes or so to go pee (annoying!). So i've cut the jogging down to like 2-3 minute increments because the short spurt is more comfortable.

deedee830 · December 2013

Also not a distance runner, but would get in 2-3 mile runs about three times a week before finding out in early October.

I haven't run since. Exhaustion and nausea made running the last thing i wanted to do. And now that winter's coming, the threat of ice and falling is enough to keep me away. I could run on the treadmill, but I could also stab myself in the ear with a dull pencil which would be about as much fun.

Looking forward to post delivery and getting back out on the road. I don't even want to think of what my pace will be.

ajhamb · December 2013

So inspired by all the healthy thoughts from y'all!

I was supposed to run a half-marathon yesterday (7w), but it turned out to the the coldest day in recent history (25 degrees in Texas!), so we switched to the 10k instead. While I am so competitive with myself and it's hard not to feel a little disappointed, I'm glad that I wasn't out there for an extra hour-- probably would have gotten sick and regretted it anyway!

Wishing for warmer weather.

Stay H&H y'all!

nmackinnon · December 2013

A few months ago, I pre-registered for a half marathon next fall that always sells out early---as it turns out, the race is 7-weeks post EDD!! We'll see how that goes.

MS has not allowed me to run more than 3 miles at a time--hopefully I"ll be able to up my mileage again once 2nd trimester hits.

Nancy1250 · December 2013

I'm doing a the FL Disney marathon 7 months pp. Super duper excited about it! I've got other June moms from TB thinking about it! Woohoo! If interested, contact me to add you to secret fb group!

victoria+james · December 2013

I'm hoping to continue running through my pregnancy, but right now the doctor has me benched until my first ultrasound because of some family history. Hopefully all will be well and I get the green light to get back out there!

ajtoris · December 2013

Thank you for asking this!!! Were only 4w in and I enjoy running 10-20 miles a week training for halfs(I've done 3 this year-and one planned for my birthday in March which will be ~week 19!!!

ChristineMDF · December 2013

I ran up until 2 days before my son was born. In fact a ran a 5K literally 48 hours before he was born. He was born at 39 week, was 8lbs and I had a awesome labor. I completely attribute that to my consistent running. I am now 14 weeks with my second and still running. Not as much as I ran with my first because I have a 19 month old to chase after and a very demanding job, so the time isn't there. I have a half marathon in three weeks and one in February. Looking forward to both.

I had SPD with my first from about 22-28 weeks where I stopped running because I couldn't even walk, but then it went away.

It is completely personal, but I say KEEP RUNNING!

argonne · December 2013

I am still running. Just got done with a windy 5 miler. I am keeping my mileage between 20-30mpw. Like my first pregnancy, I got pregnant during a downturn in my training, so I won't be ramping up for anything more than a 10 miler in January. I haven't slowed down as much this time. My non pregnant pace is 6:30-7min/mile and my pregnant pace this time is still about 7:30-8's. I slowed down to 9's my last pregnancy.

marathonmommy82 · December 2013

Hi other runners! I'm running during my pregnancy - currently 6 weeks - and plan on keeping it up . I'm almost at 1800 mi for the year

happylady07 · December 2013

I'm planning on continuing my running schedule, I have a half in about 5 weeks that I was already planning on before I found out I was pregnant. My pace has already taken a considerable hit (in fact I was majorly struggling through a half the day before I got my BFP, that explained a lot!) but that's okay. I'm still enjoying getting out there and I notice my nausea is way more under control on days that I get out in the fresh air first thing. Hoping to continue for as long as I can, I wasn't a runner during my first pregnancy so this is a new experience for me.

lindahwa · December 2013

I was planning to run during my pregnancy and I did on my first. Unfortunately, it didn't end well (I ended up miscarried though I'm sure my running has nothing to do with it).

Now I'm pregnant again, I'm so afraid of doing anything taxing (although I ran again during the TTC period). My Dr told me to take it easy so now I limit myself to walking & yoga. I just cancelled my 10K . Kudos for those who can do it all, I am envious. I am thinking even though I was an athlete before, maybe my age (37) is not the most optimum to be able to do this. Sorry I don't mean to be a downer, I know many who run or even crossfitting until days before their delivery, sadly, I don't think I will be one of them.

ajhamb · December 2013

You ladies are so inspiring! The fact that you all are experiencing the same exhaustion and yucky feelings, but are still motivated to stay moving (heck, even walking and yoga) is so excellent.

Literally as we speak, I'm on my couch trying to find the motivation to do my last long run of 2013, since I'm running a half in mid-Jan, and reading all of y'all has gotten me there.

The only real issue I've faced (other than mind-numbing exhaustion, naturally) is proximity to bathrooms, since I basically need to pee every 20-30 min (less than ideal). I actually ran my last 12-miler on a treadmill at the gym because I had to pee twice, and none of my normal routes have portajohns along the way...

laurakaz13 · January 2014

I run about 35-40 miles a week, but unfortunately was stricken with hyperemesis gravidarum from 6 weeks to delivery my last pregnancy. Awful and I could not run.

I started running 2 weeks post delivery and worked my way back into running shape. It took about 4 months.

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