Running While Pregnant
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Happy Mother’s Day everyone! I have a sister-in-law who is 4 months pregnant and a good friend’s wife who just gave birth to a baby girl. Both of these women were very active runners, completing marathons and halves, before being pregnant. I wanted to know how they felt being pregnant effected their running, what their doctors told them about running pregnant, and how difficult it was to not be able to do something that you love such as running. Here are some tips they gave me to pregnant runners:
1. Don’t Over Exert: Be very careful when running pregnant not to overexert yourself. When your pregnant you’re body exerts about 30% more energy than normal when in a rest state, thus you will have less energy when you go running. Fatigue often sets in after you have exerted yourself so carefully monitor yourself while running. Be prepared not to perform the same as your non-pregnant levels and try not to push yourself too hard.
2. Support Your Breasts: I’m a big supporter of breasts; pregnant women should be too. During pregnancy the breasts become larger and more tender. Pregnant women should try to wear softer nursing bras or athletic sports bras for the extra support. Come on guys, be like a bra, support the pregnant women you know!
3. Short Sprints: Try short sprints instead of running long distances. This can give you a good cardiovascular work-out while also giving you the need for speed. Not to mention tracks usually have bathrooms close to them. Perfect for a pregnant women!
4. Pile on the Calories: Your not just eating for two, you are eating for a runner and a soon-to-be runner! Give you and the little runners in your belly the extra calories you two need.
5. Center of Gravity: Once your body starts changing your center of gravity and balance will change. Try to run on flat surfaces as much as possible. Falling will not injury your child but falling is falling; the end result is usually not good. Unless you are falling in love. Wait, you’re pregnant. You should have already fallen in love. If not, hurry up and do it! You don’t have much time left!
6. Maintain: If you are a runner before pregnancy it is fine to continue running as long as you monitor yourself, knowing that you will not be setting new PRs during your pregnancy. If you didn’t run before being pregnant then this is not the time to start. Wait until you give birth then you’ll have plenty of time to start running!
I’m not a pregnant runner, but the fact they are doing it, I respect that. Please add any tips the pregnant runners I know may have missed. It’s all about spreading information and incresing the population. We all need all the hands on the farm we can get in an economy like this!
Tags: pregnant
Hi. Good advice on running while pregnant. I found that continuing to run at the beginning of my pregnancy was not that difficult. In fact, I felt great. Although I took it a bit slower only because my body forced me to do so. Doctors gave me the advice to “continue doing what you’re already doing”, even running and cycling, though 25 weeks of pregnancy. My body didn’t allow me to run at my 25th week of pregnancy so turning the run into a walk satisfied the need for freedom and fresh air that I normally gain from running. Its important not to “overdo it” but its also important to exercise when you are pregnant. Every woman will be different on the amount of exertion thats right for her. There is an idea out there that women can run a faster marathon than before during the year after giving birth. I’m not sure where this data can be found but wow! how cool is that. I mean, Paula Radcliffe did it. why can’t i?
Thanks for the article.
Thanks for the comment. Whether women run faster after pregnancy is interesting. I’m going to have to research that a bit more. If you try it yourself, let us know.
Have you seen pictures of Paula Radcliffe? I don’t believe she really gave birth. Next thing you’ll tell me is that a man has given birth…