Any Competitive Runners Out There?

littlebirdie28 · April 2016

I run...A LOT. About 10 miles per week, sometimes more. Anyone else a runner? This is my first pregnancy, so I'm not sure what to anticipate when it comes to my running. Obviously, I'm super tired all the time, so the motivation to get out there has gone down! Did anyone else notice how far into pregnancy their pace started to slow? I'm still in early weeks, but I definitely am trying to pay attention to my body and not over tax myself. Just curious as to what's happening with other ladies or what to expect as the summer progresses (that's when I run in races the most).

goldensnitch731 · April 2016

I'm not a runner but I am a swimmer and a fitness trainer. For my last pregnancy, I felt good as long as I kept up my training and I wasn't really restricted in what I was "allowed" to do because it was all low impact in the water. At about 8.5 months the end of season coincided with my maternity leave so I ended up leaving 6 weeks before my dd instead of the 2 weeks I wanted. At that point, I started feeling awful and like I couldn't even get out of bed. My advice is do everything to keep moving even if it is a slower pace.

1MommyRunner · April 2016

Yay for another mommy runner! I LOVE running! I just completed my first marathon at Disney World this January. One of the coolest things ever!! I've had to slow it down a lot since finding out. One of the things that made me test was I would get super nauseous while running. So, Lord willing, I'll be able to do more soon. I'll probably keep it to a couple miles at a time and walk when I need to. But as long as you are able to, then go for it! I was not a runner when my first son was born 4 years ago, so this will be a new thing for me too

happy running!

littlebirdie28 · April 2016

@1MommyRunner How far along are you? I thought I might be slowing down my last race about a week ago, but I might have just had an off day. Hooray for runners!

sheshae · April 2016

@1MommyRunner My husband and I both did our first marathons in Disneyworld in January too!

I haven't ran as much since I've been pregnant. However, during my last two half and my full marathon I've always seen pregnant woman running. It's up to you really and how you're feeling. My Dr told me that I could still run as long as I was able to keep my heart rate at a decent level, keep hydrated and I was not out of breath.

Morgan400 · April 2016

I kept running through end of 2nd tri last time. I did notice a decrease in my pace immediately though.

slartybartfast · April 2016

I did a sub 10min mile pace 5k at 8 months last time. But I definitely backed off overall - relaxin in your system makes your supporting muscles need to work much harder to keep things in alignment. Fatiguing those and continuing running will cause over use injuries quickly.
The way I look at it:
Body's #1 job- make baby
Body's #2 job- stay healthy and strong

i just make sure running doesn't interfere with either of those. Non-pregnant running goals are meaningless for the next 8 or so months

Shwee25 · April 2016

Prior to pregnancy, I was running around 10 miles per week as well. I continued the first 3 weeks or so after I found out I'm pregnant, but then I just hit a wall and could not make myself get up in the morning. I haven't run since or been very active at all actually

I want to stay relatively fit and active but I gotta do what my body is telling me and right now it's telling me to sleep haha!

littlebirdie28 · April 2016

@Shwee25 tell me about it! This is my 2nd week running since I found out. I run between 8-8:30 pace. It's been creeping back very slowly, plus I just want to get home and get to bed after work these days!!

dmontgo · April 2016

I noticed immediately that my pace has taken a hit...feel out of breath way sooner than normal. Today I did intervals, and I've been slowly increasing the distance where I run only. I've been doing about 3 miles every day or every other day depending on how I feel. I'll shorten it if I want to do free weights though. I will say that I feel way more energized after I run, but I'm also not trying to break any records here. No shame in walking when I get winded, and i always carry water with me. As long as I'm getting some exercise nearly everyday and trying to eat healthy, I am happy with that. Going on a 10 mile hike next month, and taking it sllooowww.

blessdtxas · April 2016

I ran a lot before my first pregnancy and was able to keep with my normal runs/workouts until about 20 weeks. After that I was worried about the pressure on my pelvic floor. I switched to less intense forms of cardio and continued to work out until the day I had DS at 41 weeks. Unfortunately, I have diastsis recti and a hernia and can only run about 3 miles at a time now. It's taken about a year to build back up to that BUT I wasn't super worried about jumping back in to intense workouts at first either. I really enjoyed the newborn/4th trimester stage and let breastfeeding lose the baby weight for me

working out again has been great and I'm looking forward to working out through another pregnancy!

sourlemon · April 2016

I was a pretty competitive runner (half marathon distance I typically podiumed or came close in medium size races) before my first pregnancy. I couldn't run hardly at all that whole pregnancy due to morning sickness, anemia, blood pressure...the list kept going until delivery. My kiddo is almost 2 and I have never ran the same. Getting "it" back has been a terrible process.

This time around, I was doing about 25 miles per week before the BFP. My doctor cleared me to keep going but said to immediately slow my pace. She said no faster than 10 minutes per mile but that's a huge decrease so I only cut down some so far. As long as I can talk I think I'm ok. I can feel my intervals are slower already and my softball team already noticed I'm slower on the bases. Oh well. I've had to cut mileage the past few weeks due to scheduling and will probably stick to closer to 15 or 20 miles at this point. Also I don't mind walking, especially up crazy hills!

My advice would be to not go for a true pr in your races this summer. Go for a "pregnancy pr" and feel proud that you are at least out there.

dmontgo · April 2016

Speaking of running, any recommendations for sports bras during pregnancy? Or any that really provide great support for the growing boobage?

slartybartfast · April 2016

dmontgo said:

Speaking of running, any recommendations for sports bras during pregnancy? Or any that really provide great support for the growing boobage?

Seeing as how mine grow to a firm, almost full B, I can't help you there!

sourlemon · April 2016

I'm usually a B so just use compression sport bras from target. They have already gotten bigger and hurt more but I don't have advice just sympathy lol. After the kiddo was born last time I doubled up until they shrunk a bit then just kind of sucked it up until I got used to it. I'm not sure that strategy will work through pregnancy when they are still getting bigger and hurt.

dmontgo · April 2016

I was a D pre-pregnancy and now I am an E!! 0.0
I have an athletic body but my boobs are relentless. I'll probably just do what I've always done and try to find a compression bra at Target like y'all recommended...hopefully I can find one that fits. >.>

Morgan400 · April 2016

dmontgo said:

I was a D pre-pregnancy and now I am an E!! 0.0
I have an athletic body but my boobs are relentless. I'll probably just do what I've always done and try to find a compression bra at Target like y'all recommended...hopefully I can find one that fits. >.>

Not cheap, but work great! They are the only brand where I don't have to wear two when I run. They also unhook like a nursing bra in front--not sure if that is why they are designed that way, but I also use them postpartum

https://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/juno-sports-bra/350025.html

dmontgo · April 2016

@Morgan400 Brooks is a great brand, but I have never tried their bras before! To me, if I'm comfortable, then the price is worth it. Thank you for the recommendation!

cgss11 · April 2016

I run about 20 miles a week usually. Since I've become pregnant, I haven't run as often, but mostly because I've been tired, and it's my busy time of year at work so my weeks are packed.

When I do get a run in, so far I'm able to keep up my pace. I have had a few instance where I felt winded so I just walked for an interval then slowly sped back up. I imagine I won't always be able to keep the pace, so I'll slow down and do more intervals as needed. My sister in law ran all 9 months of her pregnancies, using a support belt in the third tri. She's loaned it to me, so I'm curious if I'll be comfortable doing that as well too.

As for bras, I just double up. My greater complaint is that my nipples seem so hard all the time that they hurt when I run lol. Not sure what I can do for that.

Morgan400 · April 2016

dmontgo said:

@Morgan400 Brooks is a great brand, but I have never tried their bras before! To me, if I'm comfortable, then the price is worth it. Thank you for the recommendation!

I am not sure there relation to brooks, it was just the first website when I searched for the bra. The brand is "moving comfort", running stores sell them around us if you wanted to try one on first.

jptrumptone · April 2016

@dmontgo I'm a DD normally and I have to buy bras from Lane Bryant. I don't wear sports bars but I can attest to how great their bras are for the big chested. The one catch is that their band sizes start at a 34 since they generally cater to the plus-size crowd

dmontgo · April 2016

@jptrumptone Thank you for the tip! I've been getting regular maternity bras at Motherhood Maternity and they have been awesome. Will definitely look into Lane Bryant too!

bakerstreetboys · April 2016

@dmontgo Surprisingly, I ove Victoria's Secret sports bras. I'm a DDD pre-pregnancy and now I'm popping out of my normal bras. I find VS to be the only ones that support me when I run.

mamatopequenito · April 2016

Another runner over here! I was running 6 days/week pre-pregnancy but am finding a more comfortable balance every other day now. I decreased my pace a smidge, and have to wear a support belt for my hernia but otherwise business as usual for me! Which is such a contrast from my last pregnancy where I was totally inactive for 9 months. I'm cautiously optimistic that the belt will help me to run through to third tri! *fingers crossed*

littlebirdie28 · April 2016

Slowing down is the hardest part :-P I'm so competitive with myself! It's especially hard because I'm in that weird stage of "I don't look pregnant and i don't particularly feel pregnant" (except for the sore boobs and early bedtime now). I have to keep reminding myself to dial it back.

FitTris · May 2016

I'm a runner too! I did a half in Disney this February. I run a lot with my two year old in the stroller.

I see an endo. With my first, she was anti me running, so I stopped. With my 2nd, I wasn't actually in great running shape, so I just didn't. With this one, I'm the strongest I've been...ever. I've been running, but not paying attention to my pace & stopping when I feel my body says I'm done. I haven't gone over 5 miles.

I think you just need to pay attention to taxing your heart. If you are comfortable at a conversational pace, there isn't a problem! I'm going to continue to run (when I'm not feeling nauseated!) until my body says no. I had symphysis pubic dysfunction with my first two pregnancies around 30 weeks & with my first, I ignored it & made it worse.

FitTris · May 2016

Morgan400 said:

dmontgo said:

@Morgan400 Brooks is a great brand, but I have never tried their bras before! To me, if I'm comfortable, then the price is worth it. Thank you for the recommendation!

I am not sure there relation to brooks, it was just the first website when I searched for the bra. The brand is "moving comfort", running stores sell them around us if you wanted to try one on first.

Moving comfort Fiona model is great for postpartum/nursing! The straps are adjustable & Velcro, so you can pull one side off to nurse!

FitTris · May 2016

sourlemon said:

I was a pretty competitive runner (half marathon distance I typically podiumed or came close in medium size races) before my first pregnancy. I couldn't run hardly at all that whole pregnancy due to morning sickness, anemia, blood pressure...the list kept going until delivery. My kiddo is almost 2 and I have never ran the same. Getting "it" back has been a terrible process.

This time around, I was doing about 25 miles per week before the BFP. My doctor cleared me to keep going but said to immediately slow my pace. She said no faster than 10 minutes per mile but that's a huge decrease so I only cut down some so far. As long as I can talk I think I'm ok. I can feel my intervals are slower already and my softball team already noticed I'm slower on the bases. Oh well. I've had to cut mileage the past few weeks due to scheduling and will probably stick to closer to 15 or 20 miles at this point. Also I don't mind walking, especially up crazy hills!

My advice would be to not go for a true pr in your races this summer. Go for a "pregnancy pr" and feel proud that you are at least out there.

Love the idea of a pregnancy PR!

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