Charity Hike in early pregnancy

[Lenska999]

I found out this week that I'm around 4 weeks pregnant, completely over the moon. I already have a DS who is 3. I'm supposed to be doing a 26 mile hike for charity in June when I'm around 9 weeks.

I'm by no means very fit, if anything a bit overweight. All advice I've read is not to take on any new and very strenuous exercise, my feeling is it's not a good idea to consider going ahead with the hike. Did a 15 mile walk about 6 weeks ago and could barely stand up at the end!

I've already raised a fair bit in sponsorship and really don't want to publicly share my news just yet, so I'm not sure how to handle it?

My lovely DP has offered to do the hike in my place, but not sure how to have him take my place without telling the group of colleagues I'm in a 'team' with or the people who have sponsored me.

Other option might be just to pull out and refund the donations which have been made?

[Screamifuwant2gofaster]

Hi, I think you probably should pull out. 26 miles is a lot in one day if you aren't used to it and you don't want to be stressed. It might be fine but you don't want to be worrying. If you could barely stand after 15 miles I think 26 is too much. You might also have bad sickness by then.
I was in a similar situation I few weeks ago I ended up doing the walk..It was longer than yours but over 3 days! I was ok but I did slow the team down a bit. I got out of breath quickly. I wouldn't have considered double the distance.
I too was really worried about telling people/ sponsorship if I'd needed to drop out. I think you are going to need to tell a but of a lie... could you say you've damaged your knee/ back and been advised not to do walk...? I'm sure people will be fine when you tell them the truth. You could even say that your knee was bad...but was caused by pregnancy.
Given what you've written, I wouldn't do it.

[Screamifuwant2gofaster]

Sorry, I meant ' doing 26 miles in one day' not 'double the distance'.

[Lenska999]

Thanks scream, maybe a white lie about an injury is the way to go. I'd never forgive myself if I put the baby at risk. Just good to hear from others perspective that I'm not being precious!

[mummabubs]

Haha I walked 26.3 miles in one day for charity a few years ago having done a 16 mile walk as prep a few weeks before. Have to say I managed it but it nearly killed me on the day and I was then on medication for my destroyed feet for months afterwards! My only caution is that I started to feel really sick around the 8 week mark with my pregnancy (am now 17 weeks and still feel bad!) so I know there's no way I could have done the walk if I was pregnant. Can you wait until the week before and see how you feel and just stop taking donations in the interim?