For the runners?

[Monipop84]

I am considering running a half marathon next October (I will be 4 months pregnant then). Not racing, just taking it slow (even walking if I need it!) and enjoying the day! The doc gave me all clear for exercising and I normally run 10k and more for a "standard run". I have done 4 half marathons in the past. I honestly think I am going to be fine - has anyone attempted longer distances when pregnant and did you have any problems?

At 4 months I was only starting to run again after being too tired and nauseaus for weeks. I noticed a big difference in my speed and 5km has been my limit throughout pregnancy, even then it's been a combination of walking and running.

If you are used to the half marathon distance and are feeling good at this stage then go for it, just don't put pressure on yourself to keep up the pace you used to!

I think you’ll have to see how it goes. I could barely move from exhaustion, let alone drag myself out the door for a run in the first 12 weeks! That’s going to have a massive impact on your training, even if you consider walking some of it.

I’m a bit confused when you say next October too. Do you mean next month? If so, then obviously you’ll have a better idea of how your body is coping with pregnancy.

If you mean October 2019, you have no way of knowing how pregnant you might be at that point, so I would just carry on as normal and think about it if you happen to get pregnant before the race.

I run plenty normally and did my last 10k just before I fell pregnant. I had a half booked for Sept (around 18 weeks).
I'm now 13 weeks and have had to cancel the half (they were great and refunded everything). I've not managed to run once so far in this pregnancy. A mix of sickness, headaches and exhaustion has meant that working/dog walking is as far as I can go. Don't get me wrong, I've managed some full day BIG hikes with DH and dogs, but have had to take them very slow and have loads of breaks. I definitely wouldn't manage a run.
However, you need to go with how you feel. Like I said, I'm sure they'll understand you cancelling and either defer or refund you 😀

I thought I was going to do a marathon at 20 weeks. Ended up far too sick with hyperemesis to even consider it. I just about had the vomiting under control by that point but hadn’t trained for so long that there was obviously no way I’d manage anything like it! By the time I got back to trying to run, my bladder couldn’t take the pressure so I’ve had to massively modify my activity. I miss it so much!! I’ve been gradually building my fitness back up since the middle of my second trimester and I am in pretty good shape now at almost 41 weeks (can swim front crawl or crosstrainer for an hour, and still walking faster than friends I’ve gone out walking with!) but unfortunately running is still on hold!

If you feel up to it, I’d say go for it but don’t beat yourself up if something stops you! Pregnancy is so unpredictable with stuff like this. I would probably massively increase your nutrition - maybe have a bumbag with some jelly babies and a handheld water bottle? And let yourself walk sections if you start to feel out of breath rather than pushing through!

I did a half marathon last October (my second), 3 months before I got pregnant. I then signed up for another 10k, not knowing I would be 4 months pregnant... I was quite lucky in the first trimester, stayed relatively fit (was still going to the gym twice a week, doing lots of walking, but didn't manage as many training runs as I would have liked). I found the 10k at 4 months pregnant really tricky, from having done a half marathon 7 months before. There was a strict 1hr15 time limit, and I was worried about the safety car catching up the entire way around... But I made it! That medal is hanging on my wall with pride.

If you're three months pregnant now and are still managing 10ks, then go for it! You sound like you've got realistic expectations of the day and your body. Just stay well hydrated and make sure you eat plenty in the run up. At least it's not likely to be too warm in October, I was running with someone and she kept on throwing water all over me to keep me cool. And stay up to date with your pelvic floor exercises...

Thank you so much to everyone for the advice!

@Stephisaur: I meant this October sorry I am almost 9 weeks pregnant now.

@DannyWallace: Hikes are amazing, and such good exercise as well

@StarfishSandwich: HG must be horrible. I have had bad morning sickness last week (throwing up 4+ a day), but this week has been so much better. I'm taking it day by day.

@elizastarbeth: Thanks for the encouragement! I went out for a 12k run today and I think I might have figured out how to do longer distances: breaking them into 30min chunks, then have a 2 min walk/drink/rest and then start again. I am just enjoying the running and not really looking at pace (today it took me 1:45 min to do that 12k, which is almost pre-pregnancy half marathon time, but I am still so happy I can manage the distance comfortably )

Ah OP if you're 9 weeks and managing I would say go for it!
Just listen to your body and don't expect a PB! ❤️

@monipop84 that makes more sense!

If you’re feeling good now then, go for it! I have a water belt that I take with me, which I also stuff with sweets good to stay fed and hydrated :)

I'm also just at 9 weeks and have been signed up for a half marathon and full marathon which are at the end of Sept and end of Oct. When I first found out I was pregnant I was dead set on doing the half but I'm currently totally out of commission :( Fatigue and nausea firstly and just generally my running stamina is absolutely out the window. I've also had a cough and cold the past week so currently I haven't ran for a week but have switched over to weight lifting and spinning!

My doctor also gave me the okay for the half and full marathon so once you can pace yourself to go nice and slowly and know your limits. If you feel good and comfortable doing it, more power to you and I'm very jealous as I miss my long-runs a lot!

I was running fine at 9 weeks. Similar to you I could still manage 10k, not too troubled. Had also run half marathon and done duathlon at 5 weeks pregnant.
However by 20 weeks I was a lot slower and far more uncomfortable than I could have predicted. I couldn’t have run a half at 20 weeks. I have now had to stop running completely at 26 weeks due to complications. I would say if you feel fine, go for it, but bear in mind you will slow down and get more uncomfortable. It’s also whether you still fit into any running gear at 20 weeks!!

Belly support!
I had some high waisted running tights which supported me well until I was 28ish weeks, then it just got a bit too heavy with the bouncing.
I didn't bother with a proper belly support which may have helped me for longer as I was happy to just go strength training instead (also, hated having to take my inhaler in the heat)
But carried on working out until I delivered.
This time around I'm very much considering buying a stronger support to continue running later into pregnancy, and have no pressure to do anything 'regular' if I just don't feel up for it and would rather eat a chocolate bar! 😉
Good luck!