Any other pregnant runners out there?

[kitstwins]

I can't find any current threads on running during pregnancy so I wondered if there were any other runners out there?

I'm just over 17 weeks (due early April) and still running, although at a fairly pathetic pace and distance. Three or so miles two or three times a week. As I don't have much of a bump I just look like a really rubbish runner. I've been running for years and ran the marathon this year so usually I bound along feeling pleased with myself but now I'm being overtaken by old ladies walking their dogs, which is levelling! Anyway, the plan is to keep running until it feels odd. That could be this evening or it could be a few more months.

Anyone else or is it just me out there?

For those asking what to wear, I squeezed into my normal stuff for quite a long time, but lately I've been wearing a pair ofthese which are good fine for running, cycling and yoga, so in my opinion have been worth the money.

Some very useful info here - thanks everyone for their contributions.

I'm finding that I feel quite dizzy when I start (particularly when outside on the pavements) but after a few minutes I feel fine - does this sound ok / normal to any of you?

Also, when people say listen to your body, do they mean specifically down below or just general? My legs and lungs really do feel fine as does the rest of me but I'm a bit paranoid after previous mc at 6 weeks. When I spoke to my ob/gyn about it, she said not to go over 130 heart rate and then changed it to 110 as it may shoot up to 130.... While I'm not knocking her opinion at all, I was a 4/5 times a week runner (generally 7-10k)before and it seems a bit ridiculous so trying to keep it at the 140 mark which ends up being 10mins plod/5 mins walk. I'm currently at 8.3 weeks and feeling like I really want to exert myself more, but thinking that all the bean really wants at the moment is oxygen and am I depriving it of that by pushing over the 140...? I know the 140 advice is somewhat out of date but with the ob/gyn saying 110-130, it's got me thinking....

Ah - I have just read the brilliant link that barelyutterly posted 3 messages above and it pretty much answers most of my questions! Thanks v much for sharing that one.

No worries, glad you found it useful! I also have Dr. Clapp's book "Exercising through your pregnancy" referenced in that article and it's quite handy too -- a lot more in depth info. Ordered it from Amazon I believe.

One thing I'm very comfortable about with this autumn/winter/spring pregnancy is that the weather will never get hot enough to mean I'm overheating when working out. I think where you really need to watch yourself is stuff like running on a treadmill or spinning classes. Without proper ventilation you can really get overheated before you know it, and that's bad news.

As for HR, sadly that silly 130-140 number prevails even today but it was removed over 15 years ago now, at least by the ACOG. If you're an active woman and you know your body, then you'll know when your HR is too high and you're pushing too hard. I know in the past few weeks my perceived effort of how hard I'm working has skyrocketed, so the paces that used to feel "easy" are now a lot harder and I've slowed down because of it. I'd say I've lost about 15% of my threshold speed and power, which makes sense as your heart is working harder all the time now pumping more blood through your system and adjusting to changes in your body's needs. My resting HR has gone up about 5 beats too and remained there. (Yes I'm a geek so I track all this stuff!)

Hardest part is trying to explain to my running/riding companions why I'm suddenly so slow without giving it away. Helps that it's the "off-season" for me now so I can say I'm taking it easy for a while til I break the news in another month...

Thanks barelyutterly - it's v reassuring to read this and to get your sound advice. I will see if I can get Dr Clapp's book too.

Another thing to contend with for me is where I live - Dubai! So a lot of my running is done on the treadmill but it is located right next to the air con vent so I feel cooler there than outside. I had my first outside jog the other night and boy did I heat up quick! I love running in the UK in the cooler weather and feel I can go forever at times. Shouldn't complain too much though - it is nice to live here!

Thanks again and good luck with the rest of your PG and I'll be interested to hear the reaction of your running/riding companions!