Running during pregnancy has many highs and lows, but is incredibly worth it. Read on for the BEST part of pregnancy running, in number 6 below!
As my Garmin was loading, I toggled the buttons on my watch to switch to the run/walk mode. This always means run/jog intervals for me, because as a general rule I don’t stop to walk on my runs. But this day I had actually planned a run/walk, or maybe more accurately, a waddle/walk, because well, I just needed to. I figured I could manage a two minute run followed by a one minute walk for maybe three to four miles.
Stepping out into the cold December day, I tied my hoodie strings in a knot and tucked them down to make sure they didn’t whack me in the face while I was running. I never have this problem because I never run in hoodies. I get too hot. But lately I have been getting cold on my runs because I guess I’m not running as fast as I used to. I pushed go on my watch, and starting running. At first my legs felt great. Yay! A good day! But suddenly my legs were burning, and I glanced down at my watch. Surely my first two minutes was close to the end, and I could walk for a minute.
What? I was only 45 seconds into my first run, and my legs were already feeling like I had just completed ten 400 repeats at lightning speed! But I waddled on until my watch thankfully beeped me into my walking portion.
Now fast forward a few years, and I’m pushing one toddler in a double stroller. I have a double stroller because I know I will need it in just a few months. It is a warm spring day, and I am about halfway through my pregnancy. Maybe its just the influence of the weather, but I’m tearing along at a pretty good pace, feeling like the most fit mom ever born. “Man, I am going to crush that race coming up!” I say to myself after completing 6 miles, because the race is only a four-miler.
And now, I’ve run this race called pregnancy two times already, and am on my third. My oldest is in preschool a few days a week so on those days, my second and I load up the double stroller and go for a run. Some days, my runs come so easily and I can cruise to the end with zippy legs and happy lungs. Other days though, my legs are burning and I feel like I’m having trouble breathing. Is this baby higher up or something, because I really can’t fill my lungs!
Running during pregnancy is such a strange thing. Not only is it ineffective to compare yourself to other moms, or even to your other pregnancies, it isn’t beneficial. While every mother runner’s journey is different, I would like to just share a few trends that I have noticed just for expectation purposes. I’m not going to be talking about how much you should run and how fast, because that varies from mom to mom, from pregnancy to pregnancy, and even from day to day! But I hope that if you’re a first-timer, this helps a little bit, and provides a little encouragement.
Great expectations
1. Running during pregnancy will place different demands on your body.
This is a no-brainer, but it helps to say it. You may feel fatigue or be sore in different places than usual because your body is changing in so many ways. As you gain weight, and as your center of gravity shifts, this places additional stress on your joints, ligaments, muscles, etc., not to mention that your joints are already getting looser to allow for the birthing process. Strength training is of continued importance, especially if you are trying to continue your running. I recommend squats, bridges, and cat/cows, just for a start.
Take an extra day to recover if you need it, and if you’re experiencing aches and pains that don’t go away, you will need to back off your mileage.
2. Legal blood doping?
I like to joke about pregnancy being a form of legal blood doping, because by the end you will have a 45% higher blood volume! Oh, if only I didn’t have a tiny human sucking away those extra resources, I think I could win Boston! Realistically though, as you haul around maybe an extra 30 pounds, and have a lovable leach inside you depleting your oxygen, and as the sheer size of the baby cramps your internal organs, you will probably still experience a lower lung capacity, or shortness of breath.
3. Peeing
I try to keep my pelvic floor healthy before, during, and after pregnancy. Maybe I have good genes, or maybe I’ll experience problems later, but I have never leaked pee. That is a different problem and a different post! What I’m talking about now is that I do have to pee more often. Even if I just went before my run, I may feel like I still have to go! So plan routes near bathrooms, or just ignore the feeling. It actually usually goes away after a mile or two!
4. Get the gear
Buy some good shorts and/or leggings is all I can say. I have been given a lot of maternity clothes, but I have had to buy running shorts because no one gave me any that stayed up. I don’t have any specific recommendations because I hate spending money on clothes and bought some cheap ones I found on Amazon, but they work! Just read the reviews and look for reviews written by runners.
5. You will eventually slow down and not cover as much distance
Like I said, this varies greatly. The how and when will vary, but you should expect to slow down not be able to run as far. Try some run/walk intervals when you need to, and listen to your body. When your body says it’s time to stop, it’s time to stop, for the day or for the rest of your pregnancy.
6. The best part?
The best part of all this was the shocker. Number 5 is the best part!! Why? Because this was not what I was expecting! With my first pregnancy, I was so upset that my running days were over, but I was wrong! Yes, I did get slower, but I was able to focus not on my splits, miles, and speed, but on the joy of running. I was able to slow down and enjoy running just for running’s sake, and for my own sake, and for the baby’s sake! Being able to stay active and healthy is a gift, and one that I don’t want to take for granted. I am so thankful for the running during pregnancy I was able to do, whether it was an easy running day, or even the days when I struggled. And by not pushing my body too far during pregnancy, but by staying consistent, I was able to bounce back quickly afterwards, even to a few PR’s!
A lot of my life I can describe by my runs. I specifically remember different thoughts, emotions, problems, and prayers that have been addressed on the differing routes I’ve run over the years. And overall, when I think about pregnancy running, I know that I’ve waddled away with a smile on my face, with my hoodie strings bouncing, except when I was taking a much needed walk break.
You’ve got this, mama! Don’t give up on yourself and your health.
See also first trimester exercise, and second trimester exercise for more specifics on what to do.
Please note: The Site cannot and does not contain fitness advice. The fitness information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of fitness advice. THE USE OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR OUR MOBILE APPLICATION IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
To read other pregnancy related posts, check these out: Ab exercises during pregnancy, First trimester exercise- what can I do?, Second trimester exercise, A runner’s spa night
For a full list, see: pregnancy