Pregnancy and run fitness

Forum guidelines BT super discount
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Pregnancy and run fitness Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
2012-09-06 1:14 PM

User image

Extreme Veteran
561
5002525
Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: Pregnancy and run fitness

Hi BT,

Got a question for anyone who's experienced a long break from training for whatever reason.

I am very newly pregnant with our 2nd child. I did not run at all during my first pregnancy - I did not run at all, PERIOD, prior to this past March. 

In March I started a C25K, and since May when I completed it, I've been running 12-15 miles per week, usually 3 runs per week. More recently, my schedule has been:

Monday - 3 miles
Wednesday - 4 miles
Friday - 5 miles

Then I had my race August 18.

Now, I'd just like to do an easy 5k 4 days a week for 12 weekly miles. I want to run as far into my pregnancy as I can until it starts to feel uncomfortable.

Being that the base I built is so very small and new, and that I will inevitably be taking a long hiatus (even if I run the entire pregnancy, I will likely not run the first few months postpartum), can I expect to have to start over next summer with a C25K? 

My biggest concern is my feet. I have worked VERY hard to transition them from a heel strike to a midfoot strike, and after four months, I am finally pain-free for every run. I am worried my bones and tendons in my feet will go back to where they were very quickly. Should I just prepare to accept this? 

 

Thanks!

Annika

2012-09-06 1:29 PM
in reply to: #4398649

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2012-09-06 5:01 PM
in reply to: #4398649

Mojave Desert
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness
My (Ex) Sister in Law, a marathon runner ran 5 miles the day she gave birth...
2012-09-06 6:59 PM
in reply to: #4398649

Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness

1-talk to your OB/GYN about it.  ACOG has very specific guidelines about exercise in pregnancy
2-That said they are guidelines and everyone is afraid to do aggrexive things because of the baby
3-the first tri is pretty important as far as watching your body temperature because there can be neural tube defects (effecs hearing)
4-The last time I looked at the guidelines they reccomended keeping your HR below 140
5-The VAST majority of the literature looking at exercise in HEALTHY pregnancies show nothing but good things for BOTH mother and baby.  Babies have less fat moms feel better about themselves, babies bond better with the mom,  moms gain les weight
6-If you have problems with your pregnancy all bets are off thus see #1
7-There are many anecdotal cases of eleite marathoners running and running HARD thru their pregnancies with no ill effects
8-Some pregnant elite marathoners use the anti gravity treadmills
9-Water running is certinly an option
10-There are a LOT of musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy so beware injuries

2012-09-06 7:18 PM
in reply to: #4398649

Mojave Desert
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness
I need to add my SIS is an RN and had lots of free check ups from Dr's that knew her running history very well.  She also decreased her intensity a great deal.  For her running was such a routine, that her stress levels went up when she couldn't run.
2012-09-07 1:14 PM
in reply to: #4399364

Extreme Veteran
561
5002525
Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness
Socks - 2012-09-06 6:59 PM

1-talk to your OB/GYN about it.  ACOG has very specific guidelines about exercise in pregnancy

I did talk it through with her. She gave me the green light because I'd been doing it all spring and summer.


9-Water running is certinly an option

A good reminder as I get heavier and heavier - that may be the way to go!


10-There are a LOT of musculoskeletal changes in pregnancy so beware injuries

I know...I remember all too well how funny my body felt as things progressed last time!

 

Thanks for the tips everyone. I will just run as long as I can and if I have to start over with a C25K after the baby comes, then so be it. I'm looking forward to exercising so much more during this pregnancy than during my last one!

 

2012-09-07 1:17 PM
in reply to: #4399241

Extreme Veteran
561
5002525
Wauwatosa, WI
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness

ktsdad - 2012-09-06 5:01 PM My (Ex) Sister in Law, a marathon runner ran 5 miles the day she gave birth...

That's impressive, and a good illustration of how different every individual is. I'm already WAY behind the 8-ball as such a newbie runner, and during my last pregnancy I became unable to walk more than a mile at week 39 or 40 because my 9-pound baby had dropped so low and was putting so much pressure on my pelvic floor. Under different circumstances, or different fetal behavior, I could have walked long, brisk distances right up till the end!

2012-09-07 1:58 PM
in reply to: #4399241

Expert
1159
10001002525
Charlotte, NC
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness

ktsdad - 2012-09-06 6:01 PM My (Ex) Sister in Law, a marathon runner ran 5 miles the day she gave birth...

Before or after?



Edited by Patrick E 2012-09-07 1:58 PM
2012-09-08 10:07 AM
in reply to: #4398649

Master
2177
2000100252525
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness

Congratulations!! If doc's given you the green light, you should be able to do what you are currently doing until it's no longer comfortable. With my 2nd child, 5 months was it. Very sensitive to I don't know what that pregnancy, but I blacked out a couple times when my blood sugar got too low.

With my last pregnancy I felt awesome and "ran" till the week I delivered. Wasn't very fast the last trimester, but I was still going. I just made sure I didn't push beyond comfort, especially living in such a hot place.

Just listen to your doc and body. Let them be your guide.



Edited by Blanda 2012-09-08 10:09 AM
2012-09-08 10:46 AM
in reply to: #4400581

Mojave Desert
Subject: RE: Pregnancy and run fitness
Patrick E - 2012-09-07 11:58 AM

ktsdad - 2012-09-06 6:01 PM My (Ex) Sister in Law, a marathon runner ran 5 miles the day she gave birth...

Before or after?

Now after would be something!  She ran an easy five the morning of and started having mild contractions during the run.  She also was way slow for her, about half of her normal pace.  She also only gained 15 lbs during the entire pregnancy.  Definitely not normal.  To this day she can't function without running at least 5 miles a day.

New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Pregnancy and run fitness Rss Feed