Any one managed to run, or planning to, once they've had a baby?

[MarshaBrady]

I have been swimming all pregnancy, but unfortunately this won't be possible for a bit with bf but don't want it all to go to waste.

So thinking of taking up running again. Running with a baby in a pram (which type, Bugaboo good?), is it possible?

I will look silly won't I, is it safe, anyone doing it?

I took up running, when I was able to leave DC, for long enough with H, I had been a runner before.
I would say that if swimming is your thing, you should stick with that, BF shouldn't stop you. I used Lilypadz breast pads in the pool as I was a leaker
HTH

Yy to pads. More that I have no one to leave the baby with while swimming. Think crèche starts at six months.

Would like to do some exercise during day when just dc2 and moi. Ran up to pregancy so enjoy that too. If it was summer I'd go at night when dh is back.

Swimming at night ok but whole thing takes an hour, actually could do that at night if I time it exactly b/n feeds.

I ran before pregnancy and up to 14wks.

I don't want to run with the pram because running is for ME and I don't want to have to worry about baby crying/having to stop/getting pram up the kerbs etc

I only plan to run a couple of miles at the beginning anyway so will go at night when other DC are asleep and new baby has been fed, DH can joggle her for 30 mins or so fine!

I started back running when dd2 was 4 and a bit months - I did try running with a buggy (3 wheeler, air tyres, fix front wheel) but it was v. difficult - much more than I'd thought it would be. I guess because you don't have use of your arms to run. I gave up on the idea when dd2 turned 6 months and was old enough to go into the creche at teh gym.

It would be difficult wouldn't it.
My plan might be, long walks during day to and round Dulwich park.

Join swimming pool close by that has lane swimming at 7.30 - couple of times a week.

Start running at night when it gets lighter.

It depends on how dc2 is of course, but I have all day with ds1 at school and would like to do something in form of exercise.

I was a runner (amongst other things) prior to DD. After the birth I did looonnnng walks with the pushchair, pilates DVDs and some circuit training at home (squats/lungers/sit ups/stair climbing.) Ran in the evening when DH was home or at the weekend.

It worked.

It's perfectly safe if you listen to your body, aren't injured from the birth and take it really steady. I went back to running about 6 weeks after DS2 was born, having run a lot before and in early (up to about 24 weeks) pregnancy.

When I could leave him with DH, it was an absolute joy to get out and run on my own, I must say, even though I was literally just doing a couple of miles at a time to start with.

Running with a pram: well, I wouldn't recommend it with a regular pram, your posture will be a bit out and it's not likely to cope with changes in terrain smoothly enough at speed. The majority of the time I used a Babyjogger (bought off ebay) which is a nice bit of kit, very light and responsive. However I wouldn't recommend using it for more than a six miler as even that changes your posture slightly when running. Also, I'm afraid the plonker factor is quite high - you feel like some demented entrant in a sort of high speed supermarket sweep.

For various mad reasons (they made sense at the time!) I had to do a marathon when DS2 was 7 months old, so I relied on DH's help to try and squeeze the long runs in, but there's no doubt that I was well undertrained compared to normal. But if you're after endorphins and good sleep, rather than competitive performance, running is excellent post natally.

A marathon after 7 months! Are you Paula Radcliffe?{grin]

I can remember my first, v. short, run a few eeeks after DS2 was born. It felt fabulous to be out there and moving.

I staggered round the 14 mile Northumberland Coastal Run when he was 5 months, but only as a snail's pace as am not really a proper runner. It was fun, but hard on my milky breasts.

lol at demented supermarket sweep.

I don't exactly look graceful at the best of times - ipod wires, feet kicking out, tomato face. I can only imagine a buggy would tip me over the edge into hugely farcical territory.

I think I'll dump that idea!

But I will find a way to run or swim. What I need is a nice friend to sit with the baby in a pram during the day at swimming pool or park while it's asleep. We could take turns...

Not sure anyone is as mad to contemplate this, I'll look for a gleam in the eye at the antenatal dooda tomorrow.

Oh, yes, running circuits of a local park in the spring (preferably one with a little kiosk with hot chocolate) would be perfect. When are you due, Marsha?

Or maybe leave baby in pram at friend's house while you shoot out for half an hour...30 minutes is honestly all you need in the beginning and the freedom is quite exhilarating (if a bit scary!).

And hahaha at Paula Radcliffe. Last year I made the embarrassing discovery that I can't sprint 200 meters at the same pace she sustains for 26 miles. Quite why I thought it was a good idea to try escapes me...

In two and half weeks!
So it will be winterly unless I wait. I'm sure I have forgotten what it is like with a newborn and will slump into a fog or something, but I am quite determined.

Hot chocolate in cafe great idea, I was imagining them sitting in the cold, but they don't have to be in the cold just because I am!

I have someone in mind, will build up some favours.

There's probably a Buggyfit class in the park near you. It's nice as something to do with other mums and get fit at same time, followed by coffee in the cafe! We used to do a fair bit of running in my class. I do run with a 3 wheeler, but also feel silly, but needs must!!
Agree its lovely getting out for that first run totally alone though, I went for 30 mins at about 5 weeks, and the sense of freedom was amazing

I used the head hugger bit out of baby bjorn as a head support for ds in running buggy when he was little!

I couldn't manage to run while I was BF, it just made my knees go wobbly and I kept getting injured.

DC1 at school? Surely another mum would like a baby to coo at for half an hour? If I was at home I'd leap at the chance!

Hello,

I'm about to start a new thread regarding this- I run at the moment with DD- 5 months and have since she was 3 weeks old.

My pram is a little nipper sport- £199 and the website lists dealers.

Please only run with a proper running pram as the ammount of support is very different. However if you buy a running pram they are HUGE and you'll probably need a second for shopping etc.

The running pram was THE BEST INVESTMENT we have ever made. It felt great to still be running and that having a baby meant I could still excersize when I wanted to without relying on any one for help.

I also Bfeed exclusivley and am now slimmer than b4 I was preg!