Pregnant runners/ exercisers thread!!!

[alfiesmadmother]

Hello!

So I am 4-5 weeks preg, and a runner. I intend to continue running as long as I can with my athletics club and still compete in races as i normally do.

Does anyone want to join me? I really do believe that it will help all aspects of pregnancy labour and birth.

And any tips or advice as i haven't been through this before, I always stopped with pregnancy before ( and become the size of a house!)

perhaps should put this in the pregnancy section??

Congratulations. I ran during both my pregnancies. DS1 up until 6 months and DS2 until 35 weeks. Obv got slower and did less distance, but was still comfortable running. I didn't do any races though as couldn't trust myself not to over do it! After DS1 I got back to within 30 seconds of my 10K pb and now DS2 is 7 months I am about 3 mins off and suspect this may not improve too much. It is a long road back, so I think its best to stay as fit as poss during pg. Not sure if it helped with birth. DS2 was emergency CS. I did avoid putting on loads of weight though and was back running at 6 weeks both times. Good luck and ignore all the well meaning but ignorant advice from strangers!

Hi, I was running up until 6weeks pg, then ms and exhaustion hit! 8.5wks now and still haven't managed to get out. But planning on getting out as soon as I feel able, then will carry on until I feel too uncomfortable! I was a bit of a beginner though, so will only be running up to 3 miles a few times a wk I expect (hopefully!) Will you be doing other exercise too? I'm going to try and fit in a pilates class and yoga (again once ms has subsided!), oh and may try aqua aerobics too!

Oooops I just realised how old this thread is ...blame the pg brain!!

This is a fabulous thread. Well worth resurrecting. Glad you did.

Am 12 weeks and still running on the treadmill. But, am worried about this "don't overdue it". What the heck does that mean? I stay hydrated but do get hot and sweaty... isn't that the point of exercise?

Ooh, hello. Can I join in?
18+5 here. Still running although I've slowed down a lot. I'm also cycling and swimming although no putting them together into a triathlon this summer

Regarding hot and sweaty, well I can't see how I am to avoid sweating, anyway, it's what keeps you cool. Presumably if you need to lie on the floor in a puddle of sweat for half an hour after your run, you've overdone it, otherwise drink plenty. Had a bit of a wibble after 30km on my bike last weekend, so I think eating a little something every 10k may be the answer. Dh is doing very well as my domestique

Is your face red when you finish the run/bike/exercise?

A little, but no more than usual. I always end up looking like a tomato after a run. Do you use a heart rate monitor? I would say that I keep my heart rate 10-15 beats per minute lower than my pre-pregnancy rate for each sport. Another thing I have noticed is that I really need a decent warm-up.

No, I don't monitor my heart rate. Should I?

Congrats Pers and Cardi.
I didn't monitor heart rate either - even pre preg mine was never in the range it should be. I had to run on treadmill as DS1 was in creche and they wouldn't let you leave the building, so I did worry about over heating. I started to take my temp at the end of the run and it was always ok, in spite of me being sweaty and bright red. I did get a bit fed up with all the "should you be doing that?" type questioning from strangers. I had a great book which I would def recommend;
Running & Pregnancy
I started running again at 6 weeks after both DS and had no probs. Hospital Physio I saw post section was horrified that I had run to 35 weeks - but research indicated that its fine to do so as long as you're sensible.

Persnickety there´s no reason to rush out and buy a heart rate monitor (despite what the manufacturers might tell you). It´s a useful tool if you already have one, but not essential in my opinion.

I´ve got the Runners World book too. I´m also getting a bit of the "shouldn´t you be taking it easy" commentary, but I always point out that my gynaecologist has told me that I should keep exercising and that I doing an awful lot less than I used to.

Hi can I join? I used to run, but am a fair weather runner and stopped over winter. Then I got pg. Am now 19+5 and started going to the gym at 13 weeks. I now do around 30 mins cardio and light weights, followed by a lesisurely swim (and float!) for around 1/2 hr. I do this as often as I can get away from the other kids! I am keen to keep it up as long as poss though as this is my 3rd and I don't want everything flobbing out!

Hi Tanmu. I am on my third as well and 12 + 1 so not miles away from you. I didn't really try to keep in shape the last two pregnancies, but would really like to not turn ito the town whale this time. Mostly I would like my muscles not to turn to mush so that I might able to get back into shape not too long after birth... that is my hope anyway.

I am nearly at the end of the first trimester and haven't gained any weight yet, so I'm quite happy so far.

Hi, I am 16+5 and still running. I didn't run s much over the winter as I would have liked (we live in the Highlands so we had 2 feet of snow for 3 months) so didn't start off quite as fit as I would have liked.

Have been struggling to find the motivation for a couple of months, but still keeping going. Even if it is only 20mins plod.

I told my running club last week, but I think I will be avoiding the hill sessions!

This is my fourth baby, but I only started running after my last baby so this is a new experience for me.

I also do Piyo (Pilates/yoga) which has done my core no end of good.

I have gained around 5lbs, but I put this down to the fact that any hard work I do in the pool/gym, is quickly undone by the crisps and stuff I then scoff whilst waiting for dinner!

Anyone know of any good, reasonably price maternity sportswear? I am still in my pre-pg stuff, but it is all in a size 8, and the shorts are getting snug around my bump now. Is it ok to just exercise in leggings and a vest top/t-shirt?

Hello, yay that people have joined this thread I'm hoping you'll give me the motivation I need to get out running again! I'm still suffering with ms and tiredness but might see how I feel toward =s the end of this week and plan to get up early to go for a run!

cardicorgi - triathlon's you must be super fit I could never do anything like that although would absolutely love to!
tanmu82 and persnickety - my 3rd too. I have a 2.3yrs old and an almost 1yrs old. I'm also desperate to not gain much excess weight this time...I have visions of me turning to mush too My legs and bum could really do with a bit of toning too so hoping to get back into my Davina DVD and get squatting!

Not super fit any more! What I really, really love is cross-country ski-ing which I did all winter. Wallace maybe that would be a sport for you if you get lots of snow.

mamasunshine there are loads of sprint triathlon events and some of the are even women only, so if it something you really want to do, why not have it as a goal for next summer? I didn't buy any extra kit for my first one, so it wasn't expensive either.

19+1, have gained nearly 8 lbs (eek) and a bump has suddenly appeared, so I may end up borrowing t-shirts from DH soon. I have also ordered a capri-pant and top set from the German site Mamarella. I wouldn't call it cheap, but I wanted one set of maternity sportswear that I feel good in. I'll report on what it's like when it arrives.

Yesterday's sport - went rowing. I think everyone in my club knows that I'm expecting so they all made a fuss over me. I'm not sure that it is going to be comfortable to row for that much longer though which is a shame.

Its great to see this thread. I'm certain that it's the right place for me as you all sound super fit! I'd been training in gym for the 6 months leading up to becoming pregnant but have been wary since i got pregnant of exercising in first 12 weeks (I'm only 7+1 now!) At the mo I'm really tired as soon as I finish work and need a nap anyway but I would like to get back into it for the general benefits- what do you reckon are the best things to do? I was biking, rowing and cross trianing before and doing a pump class once a week. I also own the Davina DVDs which I love!
What are your thoughts?

Oh my, I think my fitness level may have been exaggerated.

Can we have a link please to that maternity sportswear site?

I meant to write I'm NOT certain it's the right place for me! Ha Ha! x

Oh dear, I´ve made it sound as though I am some bronzed amazon with a pair of oakleys welded to my forehead. Really, that´s not true and the more the merrier.

Mamarella: www.mamarella.com/sport____wellnesswear it´s all in German but they do ship to the UK.

AmIGoingMad well, personally I would tell your instructors so that they know there´s a good reason if you need to take a short break and of course if you feel uncomfortable doing something then stop. With rowing, watch you posture as it is possible to tire your back out especially if you are new to it.

I´m in Germany and all of my ante-natal care is overseen by a gynaecologist, so I also told her what sort of things I do. She has forbidden any races beacuse she says I won´t stop and listen to my body (she clearly knows me too well), but everything else is ok in moderation. I have found that I need a lot more water than I did before.

Went for a run last night, I now have enough of a bump that people are giving me slightly funny looks. No unwanted advice yet, but I am sure it will come.

Sports kit arrived yesterday. It's nice and soft, fits well and looks good. It actually seems to be from a US company called "fit 2B mom" www.fit2bmom.com and they sent me a size XS (I ordered German 36 and take 8 or 10 in UK sizes depending on the cut).

What have you al been up to? I managed a mile swim last night; the pool wasn't too full which was good.

Hello! I have my second early scan tomorrow so waiting on that at mo. If all's good (fingers crossed!) then I'm hoping to get back into it next week, maybe starting with a bit of swimming!
Glad you're pleased with your gym kit CardiCorgi!

How was the scan?

Those close are indeed in the pricey side. I'm thinking of just getting some mat leggins from the gap and then mat t-sirts or maybe a mens x-large collection from H*M or Primark. I think the men#s shirts hid the bump better and delay for funny looks for a while.

hi ladies, your thread is fab. Just popping on to say I jogged a 10k race for life last week at 37 weeks pregnant in 1hr 15. It was fab and I felt fine and raised £500 ! I got a LOT of disapproving comments and negativity from friends and family though which was a shame. Now I'm swimming 1k 4 times a week until DC3 arrives ! Keep it up I say, pregnanct isn't an illness.