Running after delivery? How soon? How far?

nmackinnon · January 2014

How soon did you begin running after delivery? And how far did you run/how did you build mileage?
I registered for a half marathon months before my BFP and the race is 7 weeks after my EDD. I have run several half marathons and a full marathon before pregnancy and plan to run as deep into pregnancy as possible. My midwife said running a half marathon 7-weeks PP will cause me to bleed, but did add walking it should be okay. I'm hoping I can go for a combined walk/run, but definitely don't want to push my body too far. Obviously, when the time comes I will listen to what my body is telling me (and crossing my fingers for an 'ahead of EDD' delivery for longer recovery time). But curious as to how soon you runners got back out there?

ajbook · January 2014

I signed up for a marathon before I got my BFP. It was 8 weeks after my EDD. I changed my registration to a 1/2 marathon with hopes of running.

Short version: I did not run the race.

Long version: LO was born 10 days after EDD. I began running about 4 weeks after she was born. Running itself wasn't a problem for me. I ran until 2 days before EDD. However, I EBF so I can't imagine what my boobs would have felt like going a half marathon without nursing. At first I thought, well it will only take me about 2ish hours to run. Then I realized I wouldn't be nursing LO in the corral and again as soon as I crossed the finish line. Instead of the 1/2 marathon I found a 5k to do so I could still "race", I was so slow, without the pressure.

marathonmom823 · January 2014

I ran right up to and on my delivery day-37w4d. I was still running 6 days/week. I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery with a very minor 1st
Degree tear. My pp bleeding had stopped after just 1 week (thank goodness- I can't imagine bleeding for 6 weeks!) I started walking again at 4 days pp, and running at 10 days. I ran every other day for a couple of weeks, about 3-4 miles. By about 6 weeks pp I was back to 5 days/week and by the time I went back to work at 10 weeks I was back to 6 days/week and running 35-40 miles.
PP running feels WEIRD. It takes some time for your body to adjust to not having a little belly out in front. Also, I had planned on running my 5th marathon within a yr after DS was born. But, I found that anytime I ran over 8-9 miles, my pelvis would ache and I would hobble around the next day. Rather than push myself an risk an injury which could have put me off running for a long time, I gradually built up my long run, and did extra strengthening work on my hips and core. I was diligent in working my core all through pregnancy as well, which helped!
I ran a 5K at 3 months PP, a half at 14 months and a full at 21 months- all pain free.
I think it will depend on how far you're able to run into your pregnancy as well as your L&D.
Feel free to PM me with any questions.
Happy running

CLLDLL · January 2014

I ran up until around 36 weeks. Then I did circuits, walking, and prenatal yoga the next three weeks until DS2 was born. I started walking very short distances less than a week after he was born, but I just didn't feel comfortable running until closer to 8-10 weeks PP. Mostly due to my BF'ing boobs, like PP. It was uncomfortable to wear a sports bra, and even wearing a good one, they jiggled around too much. I think I probably would have felt ok in the pelvic area around 4-6 weeks though.

zbeesma86 · January 2014

I ran up to 30/32 weeks. Then was on hospital bed rest because of pre-eclampsia. I had a c-section because DD was breech.

I didn't run again until 5 or 6 months pp. I did lighter workouts during the months I didn't run.

blu-eyedwife · January 2014

I signed up for a half marathon while I was pregnant that was 3 months after my EDD. I spoke with my doctor about it, and she thought it was good timing, as long as I ended up with an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Because that was going to affect the recovery rate. I ended up being induced a couple days before my EDD, but still had a vaginal birth with very little tearing, and I ran up to and including the morning of my induction.

I was walking 2-3 miles about 3 days pp, once I got home from the hospital. My bleeding stopped around 3 weeks and I started doing 2 miles, every other day at that point. I upped it to 3 miles until my 6week visit where I got the all clear.

I think 7 weeks seems really ambitious. There's just too much unknown. What if the baby comes late, as many are apt to do? What if you end up with a C-section with a 6 week recovery time? What if there are some unforeseen complications? (I had a friend who wasn't cleared at 6 weeks because of issues with stitches)

rodgerse11 · January 2014

I started running 4 days after I delivered DS. I ran up to a week before delivery when Braxton hicks made it almost impossible, My first pp run was 1 mile at a 12:00 pace. By 2 wks pp I was up to 3.1 at a 9:45 min pace my delivery was as easy as they come, 4 hrs from water breaking till him arriving and no tearing

natalie202 · January 2014

So, in this most recent pregnancy (my second), I ran to the bitter end, including a full and half marathon along the way. My long run at delivery was still an 8 miler. I had a quick vaginal delivery followed by the world's easiest recovery. My midwife cleared me to gradually resume running at only 2 weeks PP. My LO is a good sleeper (which makes a huge difference in how you recover).

And I can't imagine having run a half marathon at only 7 weeks PP.

My return to racing is a half this weekend (14 weeks PP), but I didn't even sign up for that until I knew how my recovery was going. After my first (a more complicated delivery and recovery followed by a baby who DID NOT SLEEP), I wasn't ready for half marathon distances until around 6 months PP.

I know that's probably not the answer you were hoping for, but that's been my experience. Hope you can figure out a plan that works for you!

Mrs.CJ · January 2014

I didn't tear so I got the green light to start running at 6 weeks after. I have in my running blog (in signature below) about getting back to running. I originally thought I would jump right back into training/racing, but it wasn't as easy as I had hoped. It wasn't the running that was the hard part, it was sleep deprivation that whipped my butt. I backed off training for anything and just got in running when I could.

jasrun80 · January 2014

Ajboocher said:

I signed up for a marathon before I got my BFP. It was 8 weeks after my EDD. I changed my registration to a 1/2 marathon with hopes of running.

Short version: I did not run the race.

Long version: LO was born 10 days after EDD. I began running about 4 weeks after she was born. Running itself wasn't a problem for me. I ran until 2 days before EDD. However, I EBF so I can't imagine what my boobs would have felt like going a half marathon without nursing. At first I thought, well it will only take me about 2ish hours to run. Then I realized I wouldn't be nursing LO in the corral and again as soon as I crossed the finish line. Instead of the 1/2 marathon I found a 5k to do so I could still "race", I was so slow, without the pressure.

this is pretty much what happened to me too!! i was 8 weeks pp once it was race time but i knew my boobs would never make it 3-4 hours…!!

i ran 4 weeks after my first (for my sanity) 4 miles..

and i ran just two after my second (sanity again,,i had post partum depression and was trying anything to lift my mood & relieve my anxiety)

i recommend 4 if you go vaginal! even though they say 6 !

argonne · January 2014

I think that's pushing it. I was running 2.5 weeks after delivery and had run through 36 weeks. I don't think id be ready by 7 weeks pp. 10-12 weeks, most likely, but I have no problem jumping to a 10 mile run with little build. That's due to years of base.

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