Week: 24
Waist: 36 inches (no change)
Feeling: Pretty good
Dare I admit it? I’ve been running throughout my entire pregnancy and with the sixth month almost upon us I’m still clocking up around 12 miles a week. It’s now clear I have a baby on board (pictured) and it’s amazing how many people I’ve been running past since we moved here 18 months ago have suddenly started smiling and saying hello. Which is heartening.
When I was expecting BB and carried on donning my trainers it wasn’t long before I discovered people seem to view pregnancy as some sort of illness, requiring one to sit on the sofa and eat crisps for nine months. I also discovered – and became increasingly infuriated by – people who dished out their advice on the subject despite having no medical knowledge whatsoever.
‘I’m not ill, I’m pregnant’ I would find myself saying over and over again. Having run six to nine miles at least twice a week for more than 10 years, there was no question in my mind that hanging up my trainers in favour of the sofa would be more of a shock to my system than continuing to pound the pavements. Every pregnancy book you find will tell you – assuming your blood pressure is ok – to continue your normal levels of activity as far as possible. What’s more, I love it. Why would I stop?
Of course there’s a certain amount of moderation involved – while I’m running for around an hour twice a week, I’ve cut my distance from nine miles to six, a snail’s pace for me. Hills are out – instead I’m sticking to the nice flat promenade along the beach where we live – and where I used to aim for an effort level of 10 I’m sticking to a maximum of 7.
As with BB, adapting from a fast runner who set myself speed challenges between lampposts and always incorporated a hill on the route has taken some getting used to, but at week 24 we’re bumping along nicely. I’m alternating running with swimming, meaning I no longer do two runs in a row, and at my new slower pace I’m taking in sights I didn’t used to notice and am appreciating nature a little bit more. It’s also pretty much the only time the baby and I are on our own together – the perfect opportunity to think about and bond with the baby.
I’d go as far as to say I’m finding it easier at this stage than I did with BB: when I was expecting her I would have to include at least one loo stop on my route, if not two by week 24 thanks to her bouncing around on my bladder. (It cost 20p to use the public loos where we lived at the time – I often wonder if they ever noticed a spike in revenue). This time, however, I’ve had to make a pit stop on just two occasions, and that was weeks ago – the baby’s in a totally different position.
I ran until I was 36 weeks pregnant with BB, and without a doubt this helped me recover from the birth faster than I would otherwise have done. While it would be great if I could do the same this time, I’m not sure I’ll manage it. With the third trimester approaching I can feel my muscles softening, especially around my pelvis, and after each run it’s taking me longer to recover. But as long as it’s comfortable and I’m enjoying it, I’ll continue.
I only hope the smiles and hellos from my fellow runners and walkers continue too.
If, like me, you’re a pregnant runner here are some links I’ve found useful:
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/staying-healthy/reader-to-reader-running-and-pregnancy/2420.html
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/staying-healthy/two-for-the-road/286.html
Wow. You have motivation. My idea of exercise is sex and that’s literally as far as it goes lol. I spend my day sitting on the sofa!!
Good for you!!! Wow! I wasn’t as hard core of a runner as you before I got pregnant. Mostly because I don’t run when it’s cold outside. lol But I’m almost 20 weeks pregnant and get out of breath just walking up the stairs. This is my second pregnancy, and it’s been rougher on my body than the first one was. I’m trying to do some yoga and pilates though.
Great post!
I love running and was very active until I got pregnant with my youngest – I intended to carry on running whilst pregnant but we had some scares early on so I stopped. Getting back into it was HARD!! So glad I did though, nothing better than heading out with some music (bizarrely my idea of some peace and quiet!!).
Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
Xx
Good for you, absolutely no reason why women can’t maintain their fitness regime during pregnancy if their bodies are used to it!
Wow I am in awe of you. Thank you so much for sharing this and linking to #MaternityMatters! I swam and did pilates all through my pregnancy and lots of people told me to slow down and not do so much but I honestly felt it helped with the sickness and also my frame of mind. And I think afterwards it helps with your self confidence and ability to return to ‘normal’ too. Having had another section this time around I was glad to have kept active during my pregnancy so that I wasn’t carrying too much weight during surgery too. x x x
Thanks for sharing your personal experience. When I was pregnant, I didnt do any physical activities or exercise that is why I had a hard time. I will definitely run for my next pregnancy and see how my body will adapt to it and help me during labor.