Any pregnant runners out there?

[SQ2]

I know there's an pregnancy exercise thread already, but I was hoping to start a place for people who were regular runners before they got pregnant. This can be a place to share experiences, offer support and suggestions, or just generally chat about our changing bodies and how we can adapt our running to pregnancy safely, but without going crazy. I don't know about you gals, but I go nuts if I miss more than a day of running, so I'm having a bit of a hard time getting used to the idea that my running is going to gradually decrease and then disappear all together for at least a little while

I ran xc and track in high school and college. Since then I've run pretty regularly, and race 5ks once in awhile. I've run one marathon, but definitely prefer the shorter distances. The past few years I've worked out with a local running club doing distance runs and speed work. I usually run 40-50 miles/week when I'm training, and more like 30 miles in the off season, usually 6 days a week. Now I've cut it down to 4 days a week, if that, and maybe 20 miles/week.

Right now I'm almost 5 weeks. The fatigue has set in big time and I've already noticed that I'm getting slower. Today during my run I had to stop twice to walk. The other day I got dizzy and had to stop. It's frustrating, but at the same time I know it's for a good cause! ;)

I know exercise is great during pregnancy and I've heard many women run right up until their due date (not that that's going to be me :eek:), but I guess I'm in the dark about what's ok, and what's not in terms of training. For example, I usually do situps pretty regularly but since I got my BFP, I've been scared to do them. I've heard that getting a heart rate monitor might be a good idea too.

How often do you run now that you're pregnant?
Any suggestions for strength exercises that are safe (especially abs)?
How do I get past the feeling that I feel like I'm going to jiggle the tiny baby in my belly out of my uterus? :p

ETA ~ Advice from runners that have gone through pregnancy before is welcome too! :)

[oceanblue]

I ran up until about my 35th week of pregnancy. It just became too painful (that and I was as big as a house) after that. My doctor told me all along that running was fine, to just watch my heart rate (nothing over 140). Basically if you felt OK, then it was OK. My ob did ask me not to run outside on wet pavement/too hilly of terrain after I think it was about my 24-25th week. Just for safety. Other than that, it was fine. I did a 5K race at my 24 week mark and although I was much slower than usual, I felt great. Got some weird looks, but eh...Again, this is just what MY ob asked of me, not to say that it's a universal thing. I would just run it by your OB at your first/next appt. And although it does feel like your little one is going to jiggle right out, I promise it won't!! :) My ob actually told me that the movement of running probably put the baby to sleep (as you get further into pregnancy).

Abs (on your back) are OK to do up until the end of your first trimester. Then laying flat on your back is considered a no-no.

I would say to just listen to your body, especially now. If you are too tired to run, don't do it. Taking care of yourself and your little one growing is most important now. The first trimester is really hard, exhaustion is common. Don't beat yourself up over it. When you feel up to it, run, but at a comfortable pace for you. So, CONGRATULATIONS, and I hope I maybe helped you a little, if not, ignore me!! ;)

[Wrighty26]

I don't consider myself a "serious" runner (I wish I had more time to do races though - they sound fun!) - but I was running 5-6 miles a day 3-4 times a week (on the treadmill) when I got pregnant. I talk to my Dr. about it and he saw no problem with me continuing to run that much throughout my pregnancy.

I ran like usual until about 15-16 weeks, then slowly started to decrease my mileage. At 23-24 weeks I ran my last straight mile. I still continued doing some intervals but my boy was really low and there was just no way for me to continue running. It gave me some serious round ligament pain! Around 30 weeks I stopped using the treadmill all together because the elliptical/spinning were much easier on my body. I did continue exercising until my son was born though - the best thing I EVER did too!

My DS is now 7 months and I am just getting back into running (I finally have the time/energy!). Things are going pretty well --my hips are still out of wack and are REALLY sore after I run. I'm nowhere near where I used to be as far as distance goes, but my pace is the same. I know with conisistency and other strengthing exercises I'll get there.

I agree with aprilbride (btw -- SO AWESOME that you were able to keep running until 35 weeks!!) - listen to your body. Don't push yourself too hard. Keep your heartrate in check. And yes -- any movement during exercise definitely put my baby to sleep. My DS movements never bothered me while I was working out! I also like to contribute regular exercise to my son's awesomely calm demeanor :D Who knows if that's true though!
ETA - Congrats on your pregnancy!! Motherhood it just so awesome :D

[pewee9196]

Great idea for a thread. I ran the first part of my pregnancy, took a break because of the heat and then started back up until about 5 months. At that point my dr told me to stop (ARG). I still work out 5 days a week for about 2 hours a day.

At the beginning I did not change much except cut out long runs. If anything felt off (esp 1st trimester blahs) I would run for 10-20 minutes then walk 10-20 then run 10-20. I found that as I started running I would feel very odd from the giggle so I would hold my baby belly for a minute or 2 then I would feel fine. After the heat wave I ran much slower and shorter because I was being cautious. As everyone says- just listen to your body. If my dr had not told me to stop running in front of my husband I would have continued. Now it is water running and elliptical for me.

I really miss running. I have already registered for several races post partum to motivate myself. I am required to run and be fit for my job. I will be running for work at 3 months so I will have to start before then. I am not looking forward to the slow start. (i tend to do too much too early!)

Good Luck!!

[peachtree123]

Prior to getting pregnant I was running 35+ miles a week (7 mile run 5-6 days/week). By 6 weeks or so I wasn't able to run more than every other day....I was just way too tired. From 6-25 weeks I pretty much ran 7 miles every other day and went to the gym to ride the bike on in between days. By 25 weeks my runs had become miserable (cramps, constantly needing to go to the bathroom mid run, tiredness, etc...) so I just stopped and started walking. It has been really difficult (I still have 4+ more weeks to go until my due date). Not only do I miss the physical benefits of running, but I miss the mental and physical challenge. Walking is completely boring to me, but it is all I can do right now to keep myself from going batty by doing nothing. I can't wait to get back into running. While I am not a competitive runner, I still feel like it is a part of who I am that is missing right now. Also, I know the lack of running has led to more weight gain than I would like. And, despite how active I have been during my pregnancy, I still get winded at this point when I go up and down the stairs in my house. I definitely think it is important to ilsten to your body. The one thing my doctor really emphasized with running was to stay hydrated.

[SQ2]

Thank you SO much for sharing your experiences, ladies! I really appreciate it. It's inspiring to know that so many people are able to keep running during their pregnancies. One message I'm getting loud and clear is to listen to my body and that is advice well taken. Thanks again and keep the advice and experiences coming for anyone else out there who may be reading. :D

[HollyMN]

I've never been a serious competitive runner, just exercising on a treadmill. When I got pregnant I was running 6 miles for an hour on a treadmill. Each week I just cut back on speed and time and on my due date I jogged 2 miles. I was jogging at a speed that my DH could walk at, but it was jogging for me at that point. I recommend it, I think exercise helps with pregnancy and birth. I would go for walks at lunch with coworkers and they'd joke that they had to try to keep up with me. Mentally even at the end when I'd get winded going up the stairs, just knowing that I jogged 2 miles the night before made me believe that those last weeks weren't really that bad.

[Teresita]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I ran through most of my pregnancy. I only stopped mid-way through my 35th week because my feet were getting too achey when I ran. Pre-PG I was running between 5 and 10 miles 4-5 times a week. My running was almost non-existant in most of my first trimester due to morning sickness and exhaustion. But, when I started to feel better toward the end of the first trimester, I resumed running, but scaled back on distance and intensity (no hills or sprints/intervals). From around my 11th or 12th week until my 35th week, I ran 3-4 miles 4-5 times a week on a very flat course at a fairly easy pace.

I felt great running while pregnant. I get so antsy and feel so blah when I don't run, so I was glad I was able to keep it up. I echo the others in saying listen to your body, and rest if you need to. I always took care not to get overheated and not to get too winded. I am now around 2 months post-partum and am back to running. I have a ways to go to get into the shape I want to be in, but it hasn't been too bad. I have my first post-PG race (an 8K) this weekend.

[pewee9196]

Peachtree
We must be due around the same time!! I have been miserable because of the mental benefit of running. I find my stress level so much higher. My drs kept yelling at me for weight gain. I laugh because I don't eat much different from before but I just don't get the same benefit out of the elliptical etc. You are definately not alone!! We will have to keep posting as we get started again!

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

[flygirl]

SQ2, thanks for the thread :). And everyone else, thanks for sharing your experiences. SQ2 & I share a due date so we're in the *exact* same position :).

I'm don't consider myself a serious runner though I've done a few races here & there. I'm slow & steady, so I'd consider myself a serious jogger :D. At 5w I feel good running but after about 20 minutes I have trouble taking a deep breath. I get that painful-lung feeling, like I'm trying to breathe in smog or smoke. But I don't get out-of-breath, exactly. Aerobically I feel fine. What slows me down around mile 3 is muscle fatigue & hip pain, of all things. I thought I had another 4 months before I had to worry about that! My older dog is apparently suffering from sympathetic pg symptoms, because she's slowing down even sooner than I do! I've been tacking on another 20-30 minutes of walking (fast, but then, I don't really know how to walk slowly) if I have to cut the run short.

[Wrighty26]

Peachtree
We must be due around the same time!! I have been miserable because of the mental benefit of running. I find my stress level so much higher. My drs kept yelling at me for weight gain. I laugh because I don't eat much different from before but I just don't get the same benefit out of the elliptical etc. You are definately not alone!! We will have to keep posting as we get started again!

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

Have you tried going to a spinning class? I don't know if that's available to you - but I find spinning/cycling equally as fulfilling as running, but less taxing on my body. The elliptical definitely doesn't challenge me like running/spinning does!

[pewee9196]

Wrighty
I actually really love spinning but I live in a bit of an isolated area and I really dislike the classes we have here. I got really spoiled when I was in grad school with an amazing instructor. I work in a multimillion dollar gym that has a ton of spin bikes. I try and get on every other day! You are so right that it can come close to that running high!

Hope everyone had great workouts this week!

[SQ2]

Runner's World Guide to Running and Pregnancy

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/1579547478.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[Wrighty26]

Wrighty
I actually really love spinning but I live in a bit of an isolated area and I really dislike the classes we have here. I got really spoiled when I was in grad school with an amazing instructor. I work in a multimillion dollar gym that has a ton of spin bikes. I try and get on every other day! You are so right that it can come close to that running high!

Hope everyone had great workouts this week!


Ugh - that sucks! Instructors really make a difference with the classes so I know what you are talking about there!

SQ2 - Awesome! Let us know how you like the book - I may have to pick it up with #2 (when that happens).

[peachtree123]

Peachtree
We must be due around the same time!! I have been miserable because of the mental benefit of running. I find my stress level so much higher. My drs kept yelling at me for weight gain. I laugh because I don't eat much different from before but I just don't get the same benefit out of the elliptical etc. You are definately not alone!! We will have to keep posting as we get started again!

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

I am due the 21st of March....i heard it from my dr. for the first time regarding weight gain at my last appt. he just told me i am on the high end of where i want to be. I definitely am eating differently. Carbs have been a friend to my nausea the entire time. However, i know running was the big difference. B/w the 2 appts where i stopped running i gained 10 lbs. Walking/bike riding which is what i am doing now just dont burn the same amount of calories. I am extremely disappointed though in how winded i am considering how much i have exercised. i can't imagine how i would feel if i hadn't exercised the entire time.

[SQ2]

Bumping this up. How is everyone doing? I'm still running strong and feeling good, just a lot slower. :p I get dizzy occasionally and try to keep my heartrate between 150-160. So excited that spring is on its way. Anyone have any favorite places to get maternity running gear?

[KRL626]

Wow I am so impressed with those of you that made it as long as you did! I ran up until I was about 18 wks. I had a really low lying baby and the pressure from him being down there accompanied by a constant feeling that I had to pee while running made it so I quit when I did. I was back out running about 4 wks postpardum, but I really haven't been able to keep it up with it as much as I used to. I am determined to get back to it seriously this spring. I love my jogging stroller!!!

[flygirl]

I haven't been running in 2 weeks; I've just been too sick. I've done the elliptical a few times but my heart-rate shot up as soon as I escalated the workout. I also take the dogs for fast walks & have noticed my heart-rate going up much more quickly than usual.

Now that I'm feeling good for the first time in ages, I'm hoping to go this afternoon. It's funny, because at first I couldn't wait to *really* show, but now I'm hoping I grow slowly so I can keep running comfortably.

SQ2, my all-time favorite running shorts are Nike Temp Track (http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/NKL461/). They sit low enough to probably be comfortable well into the pregnancy. I'm guessing - really, what do I know? :p

[SQ2]

Hi, flygirl! :D Thanks for the shorts suggestion.

I didn't run this morning because I have a cold and didn't sleep well last night. Pregnancy is giving me more excuses to take days off. :rolleyes: I really need to get out and try to go for walk at least when I don't feel like running. Oh well. I've been averaging 4-5 days a week running, definitely no more than that. I used to run 6 days a week though and a lot farther than I am now so it's definitely a change.

[VMB]

Congrats SQ2 on being pregnant and on making the commitment to keep running! I ran with my 1st until the day before I delivered at 37w 3d ( I know, I was really lucky to feel that good!). Towards the end, it was more of a waddle, but I still tried to get out there as much as possible.

I also worked out with a trainer who happens to be a running coach, so I had good check-system to make sure I didn't overdo it. He said the most important things for me to monitor were - the exertion level (HR too, but make sure you're not overexerting yourself. You sound like a pretty experienced runner, so I'm sure you can tell when that happens) and also how fast your heart rate goes down after you stop. Every week or so, he would have me run a 1/2 mile - 1mile on the treadmill and monitor how fast my HR went down when I stopped. As the pregnancy progressed, that time got longer and longer, so he would always tell me when I needed to start slowing down more while running.

I'm currently 10w 2d with our 2nd and still running. It's been really hard getting out there when I'm tired, but I just keep reminding myself that as long as I get out there a couple of times every week for any amount of time, it will make the rest of my pregnancy as well as recovery so much easier!

Good Luck!

[SQ2]

VMB Hi! Thanks for sharing your experience. How cool that you had your own running trainer. I'm 12 weeks now and slowly am feeling some of my energy return. I'm looking forward to the 2nd trimester. I hope to run as long as I can. DH recently started reading this book:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/1886039593.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_OU01_SCLZZZZZZZ_AA240_SH20_.jpg

A friend of mine who had a baby recently and is also a runner recommended it. DH is having fun learning about all the physiology of pregnancy and how it relates to exercising and had dubbed himself my "coach." :)

[VMB]

SQ2 How great that your DH is willing to be your "coach" :)
I'll have to check out that book on fitness too. I'm not sure if I'll have as much time to see a trainer this time around, so i may have to do some stuff on my own at home. I do remember doing a bunch of squats with weights and lunges. Does this book give any good ideas about keeping your core in shape? I have a pretty weak lower back and usually keep it in check with A LOT of abwork which I obviously have to cut back on. I'm just worried about my back the 2nd time around because I know I am going to pop out much faster.

[sue-bert]

I'd like to chime in with an endorsement of Clapp's book. It's very informative, well-researched, and gives you lots of ammunition against over-cautious husbands or nosy people who think that pregnant women should be immobile and gestate for 9 months. :rolleyes:

[flygirl]

VMB, congrats to you for keeping it going for so long! You're inspiration! There's a great thread about exercise routines while pregnant. (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3723&highlight=fitness)

SQ2, thanks for the book recommendation. It sounds fascinating. Amazon, here I come :).

I'm not too thrilled with myself right now. I have a stress fracture in my tail bone & I keep trying to run. Obviously it's not going to heal if I keep doing that. :rolleyes: I'm going to try and take a full 2 weeks off (which is killing me since I just did that), but I'll keep reading y'all for inspiration.

[VMB]

sue-bert thanks for the endorsement. Now I'l lreally have to read it! And isn't that the truth about other people staring at pregnant runners? I got a bunch of comments from people the last time. I just sort of half-listened and pretty much ignored them. But there were times I just wanted to tell them that we're out of the dark ages and barring any health problems, women can actually do things other than sit on the couch during pregnancy! :rolleyes:

flygirl take is easy! I know it's the worst to hear that the only thing that will make you feel better will be to stop running (how can that even be possible? :p ). How do you feel about crosstraining? Maybe the eliptical will take some pressure off your tailbone, but allow you to keep a base fitness level....?

[sue-bert]

I'm not too thrilled with myself right now. I have a stress fracture in my tail bone & I keep trying to run. Obviously it's not going to heal if I keep doing that. :rolleyes: I'm going to try and take a full 2 weeks off (which is killing me since I just did that), but I'll keep reading y'all for inspiration.
Ooh -- I hate the type of injuries where the only treatment is "take 2 weeks off from running" -- that really drives me up the wall. I need to join a gym so I have some means to cross-train should I injure myself.

[SQ2]

Bumping this back up. Just wanted to post an update. As expected I got a big energy surge at the beginning of my 2nd trimester. DH thought that even though I wasn't running as fast as I would if I wasn't pregnant, I was pretty close. It was great. The dizziness and fatigue was gone and I *almost* felt like myself again (minus the huge boobs and developing belly pooch ;) ). Anyways...I'd been running 4-5 miles, 5 days a week pretty consistantly throughout my pregnancy. Well, it gradually started getting harder and harder to run. About 2 weeks ago my comfort level started to go way down. My belly would get really tight throughout my run and the round ligament pain would flare up and I'd have to stop and walk occasionally. During one run during week 23 I stopped at the grocery store to go to the bathroom and saw blood for the first time this pregnancy. Freaked me out. I left in tears and walked home with DH and promptly called the doctor. Luckily I had my 24week appt a couple days later. The bleeding stopped as quickly as it started and I wasn't having any painful cramping or anything. The doctor told me that the RLP and my discomfort while running and perhaps the blood (although I don't know that that is what caused the bleeding and neither does my doc) is my body telling me it's time to scale things back a bit. She recommended cutting my distance in half at least and really trying to listen to my body more.

So, the past couple weeks I've been running 2 miles at a time, occasionally stopping to walk if I don't feel good. I'm glad I"m able to keep this up for now, but I can tell it's going to get harder as time goes on. I'm scared of losing that running high feeling and afraid of gaining more weight. I tried swimming for the first time since getting pg and that feels really good, although I feel so slow in the water because can't stretch my strokes out completely because I feel like my belly gets in the way, if that makes sense. The frustrating thing is I hate going to the gym. So inconvenient. I'd so much rather just put on my running shoes and step outside for a run. I guess walking will come in big-time in the coming weeks/months.

The mental thing is hard too because as a runner I'm so trained to push through pain and if I'm hurting near the end of a run I just know I need to push through it. But now, I have someone else to think about so I really have to make myself stop if it hurts, even though part of me wants to push through it. I'm jealous of some of you who were able to run up in to the 30+ week mark. I really don't know if I"ll be able to go that long. I'm starting to feel like I waddle when I run, even though I'm really not that big yet. Maybe it's my hips getting wider that's making my gait different. Anyways, I'm going to keep going, doing the 2 mile runs, about 4x a week, swimming 1x a week. I have a prenatal yoga class 1x a week and then have been doing strength training 2x a week. On paper it feels like nothing to me compared to what I'm used to, but that's ok. I just want to stay in shape as much as possible.

Does anyone else get the belly-tightening feeling when you start running? Almost feels like a BH contraction but lasts a lot longer. Maybe it's just the ligaments getting more pressure put on them.

[peachtree123]

I stopped running around 25 weeks. I had many of the same fears...losing the high, gaining weight, etc... I started walking for the same amount of time I would run (1 hour) which was obviously less distance. I also would ride the bike at the gym which was something I was previously doing in addition to running. I did both until the day I delivered (well, until the day I went into labor). It was not the same as running, I did gain more weight than I wanted to, it got very boring (i think walking is soooooo boring), but it was something. I have had a hard time getting back into running b/c of the sleep deprivation, some post delivery arthritis issues, etc... and I very much feel like I have lost a part of myself. Running, in a way, defined a part of me. It is hard to know that I only go now a few days a week and a lot of my runs are a struggle. If DH has to be at work early, or if DD is up all night and I don't get enough sleep, I don't go. The real hit was last weekend my sister who didn't start exercising until a few years ago flew by me during a run :(

I think you just need to listen to your body and your baby. Do what you can to stay fit b/c I do belive it helps a lot with post partum recovery (i was at the gym 5 days after I delivered on the bike and I started running 1 month after delivery).

[pewee9196]

Hey Ladies! I just wanted to offer encouragement! I was not able to run my whole pregnancy but I was back to running 1 month after and am running 5 miles a day at 3 months. I did work out everyday until I delivered. LISTEN to your Body. I am battling alot of aches and pains and old chronic injuries but man it is good to run again!

Good Luck everyone!