Pregnant runners unite!

[Plateofcrumbs]

A thread for runners who intend to carry on pavement pounding despite being duffed-up.

I run. I have been running for years. I don't do anything extreme, and less post-BFP, but I've still been trying to get out for a few miles when morning sickness has permitted. Had a lovely run yesterday in winter sunshine dappled woodland. This makes me happy.

My midwife told me today she doesn't recommend running in pregnancy, because it's high impact. "Just in case" she said. Cobblers, I say. I plan to ignore her. Anyone else with me?

You can continue running in pregnancy if you are used to it but it is not a great form of exercise to take up for the first time, if you are not. Heart rate and intensity should stay at 'moderate' rather than 'intense' level, and you need enough fluids and suitable clothes to prevent over-heating and dehydration. Once you are no longer able to see your feet you may have to consider swapping to different exercise or at least slowing down,and because of the clumsiness and tripping hazard many people move over to treadmill or x-trainer at this point. A healthy runner with good core muscles is not going to 'shake her bump dangerously' or 'destroy her knees' as long as you listen to your body.

The benefits are multiple: increased circulation and oxygenation, raised levels of feel-good hormones, clinically known to improve mood and reduce likelihood of antenatal depression, also less likely to need intervention at birth and less epidurals for fit, acrive mums.

Personally I can only wish I could be anywhere near as active as pre-pregnancy because I feel too rough to contemplate most of it.....

Thanks

I run and am 10 weeks, I have curtailed it somewhat due to sickness/tiredness, but feel so much better on the days I run!

My GP told me to carry on as I ran everyday and competitively before hand.
It stops me going mad, makes me feel healthy and happy, and it's good for the baby too! (with studies showing less complications with birth and an increased VO2 max of the child for regular runners).

I'm still running and 17 weeks and have no intention of giving up. Granted, I'm not doing as much as I was before the pg and early on, but that's more because of it getting dark so early (I do trail running, and I'm not so keen on running across woodland etc in the pitch black!) than anything else. Doing more at the gym now to make up for it. Still riding, swimming, and doing pilates as well.

Emmac: Very impressed with you!

Yes I've found the combination of dark morning and evenings and terrible weather as much of a barrier as morning sickness TBH!

I would go out today but it is lashing down and blowing a gale - not appealing!