Running & Pregnancy
“Are you still running?!” This is a question I get asked a lot at 22 weeks prego. And the answer is a resounding YES. Movement for me is medicine. It has become such an essential part of my day like brushing my teeth. And nothing can match up to a runner’s high. #iykyk
A little background…
During my first pregnancy, I did more high intensity workouts and not as much running other than like 3 miles here and there. My second pregnancy was a whole different ball game because it was after 1 year of fertility treatments which resulted in an IVF pregnancy. For those of you not familiar with the infertility process, running is not recommended. That whole year prior to conceiving via IVF, we tried IUI’s and it was suggested I limit my weekly miles and at times withhold from running all together. As an avid runner, and high strung person going through the most stressful time in my life, you can imagine the frustration.
Thankfully, our first round of IVF was a success! We were pregnant! I still had to hold off running the first trimester. SO, no surprise that on week 12 , I laced up and hit that pavement! And kept on running until the day I went into labor. After months of running deprivation, I was beyond grateful for my running freedom.
Pregnant w Jack around 32 weeks…
Currently at 23 weeks pregnant…
This is the most I have run during all of my pregnancies! According to my Garmin app, I average about 26 - 30 miles a week. I have cut back on my speed and eliminated my usual weekly speed workouts. However when I am on my peloton tread, I partake in interval runs or else it would just be boring. I watch my heartrate and listen to my body. Some days I do a 10 min mile and others I will mix in an 8:30 or an average of a 9:23/9:30 pace. Usually it is on the slower end. The bigger the belly gets though, the more pee breaks are needed. Some days are better than others. Luckily I live on a golf course and center my longer runs around the bathrooms. It truly is the only way or else I would be in depends. Just kidding. I am not that nuts.
These screenshots give an example of some of my runs on average. It is a mix between treadmill and mostly outside. I prefer running outside but the early mornings are too dark these days. For some reason, I find I always run faster on the tread when pregnant probably because I just want to get it over with…haha.
The bigger the belly gets though, the more pee breaks are needed. Some days are better than others.
Ironically I was often told that all my running was “potentially” a cause of my infertility, and here I am spontaneously getting pregnant running 35+ miles a week. And after all the struggles…Crazy. But also, totally God working His many miracles behind the scenes. It makes me wonder if there is any truth to the relationship between running and fertility after all. More on that topic another day. Needless to say, I didn’t stop when I found out we were pregnant. As I said, movement is medicine. It boosts my mood, and gives me energy especially in those first few months where I felt like a walking zombie. First trimester fatigue + two little kids is the WORST. Somehow after a run, I always felt better.
Very HAPPY after a 10 mile run this past weekend!
Another aspect that has been crucial to maintaining my running routine during pregnancy is cross training. Currently I am taking Barre3 classes 3-4x a week. I cannot say enough about how amazing these classes are. The workout itself is a combination of strength, cardio, and mindfulness. I used to always have this nagging hip pain aka “runners hip” and ever since I started Barre3, the pain is gone. It is the perfect compliment to your running routine. I also like how the method places a lot of emphasis on lengthening and strengthening your muscles. My other form of cross training is the peloton bike and tennis! The bike is an awesome source of cardio when I feel like I need that extra boost. And tennis is so fun. I could play for hours.
And people keep asking me when I “have to stop” when it comes to all of these workouts. And my answer is “when I go into labor”.
Here is the thing, it is not easy to run pregnant. In fact, almost everything is harder and that annoys me which is why I don’t love it. And it progressively becomes more challenging, so I adapt; slower paces, maybe even walking up a steep hill (gasp! For me this is a big deal), less miles in one day etc. It is not perfect, but as I said nothing beats that runner’s high. If I can’t have my skinny margs, I at least need my runs. #iykyk