Disclaimer: Every person is different and every pregnancy is different. In consultation with my doctor, this is what I’ve found works for me. If you are pregnant, please consult your doctor regarding your running (or any other fitness routine) to find out what would be best for you.
I’m a firm believer that you have to spend energy to make energy, and this has never been more true for me than during my pregnancy. There were days early in my pregnancy when I was so fatigued that the simple act of walking up the stairs to go to bed was so exhausting it brought tears to my eyes. But luckily I soon noticed that I had a lot more energy on the days I worked out compared to the days I didn’t. Because of this, I started to increase my work out frequency (but not my work out intensity–that has been significantly lowered) early in my first trimester–and this included keeping up with my running.
Running while pregnant has certainly been an adjustment! Once I found out I was pregnant, I slowed my running pace by about 2 minutes/mile and started using the heart rate monitor that came with my runner’s watch (a gift from G last Christmas). I set my watch so an alarm goes off if my heart rate hits 168 beats per minute (bpm)–my absolute max–although my goal was to keep my heart rate around 150bpm. Running that much slower wasn’t easy at first. I’d often find myself creeping up to my old pace and then sure enough my heart rate alarm would go off, warning me to slow things down. It took about a week or so, but eventually I adjusted and settled into my new pace.
Right now I’m running 3 miles every weekday morning before work, and 5 miles on either Saturday or Sunday (for a total of 20 miles each week) and it’s been going great. If I notice my heart rate creeping up to 160bpm I slow my pace down. If my alarm goes off because I’ve hit 168 (which rarely happens anymore, but sometimes a steep hill will do it) I immediately stop and stretch until my heart rate returns to 150bpm. In the beginning my heart rate average would be anywhere from 150-160bpm/run, but now I’ve got it down to average about 140bpm/run. Becoming more consistent with my slower pace has really helped. I’ve also noticed that on cooler mornings my heart rate is even lower. We had a couple of fairly chilly mornings this summer and my heart rate average was in the 130s/run.
Running while pregnant is a whole new way of thinking. Gone are the days of going for a personal best or challenging myself to sprint up the huge hill on my way home. These days the only time I check my pace time is to make sure I’m running slow enough. And while I’ve adjusted to this new way of running, there are times I wish I could wear a sign that says: I’M 4 MONTHS PREGNANT & MY DOCTOR MAKES ME RUN THIS SLOW!
The other day a girl ran past me during my weekend run. It was the first time I’d been passed since being pregnant, and sure enough the competitor in me started picking up the pace.
And then my heart rate alarm went off.
Ah yes–that faithful reminder that I’m running for two.
I immediately stopped and stretched and humbly watched that girl run out of sight as I waited for my heart rate to slow down. And then I smiled to myself as I realized–there’s just no extra room for competitiveness when there’s a baby on board.
That’s awesome that you’ve been able to modify your work out routine! Did you do less in your first tri than you’re doing now in second tri?
You’ll hit your 400 mile goal before you know it! Maybe the babe will grow up with passion for running to
That is so great for you and for the baby. You should be proud of yourself about taking such good care of your little one. Keep it up! Your a wonderful mommy already.
That’s great that you’re still running. It reminds me of Charlotte from Sex and the City movie. Don’t worry about the speed.
Hey, I really loved my prenatal swim aerobics class. I met a lot of other pregnant women in our area and the classes kicked my butt. Maybe you could find one in your area.
That is great that you are running! It does make you feel better and will keep in good shape for delivery and after! I worked out while I was pregnant until 34 weeks, by then my tummy was too big and I felt too clumsy!
Good for you!!!
I stopped running because with twins everything is just different, but I would have definitely kept going if I had a singleton in there 😉
I can’t wait to get back out there and run! I miss it!!!!!!!
I think it’s so great you are continuing to run throughout your pregnancy. My mom continued to workout when she was pregnant with both me and my brother, and it helped her body bounce back so much more quickly than if she hadn’t. I hope to do the same!
I think this is fantastic! You’re running more each week with your little girl inside of you than I’m running with nothing inside of me. Well, except for oreos.
Good for you for still running. I was so too nervous to do anything besides light aerobics and walking. I still do something every day because I am a firm believer in excercising while pregnat. Good for you!
Karen
I’m so glad to hear that you are able to keep up the running, and that it is helping you feel more energized, and i’m sure more healthy overall. I also run now, but was really afraid of having to stop when we get pregnant. You are giving me hope, as it makes such a difference in how i feel! Good luck continuing!
Your awesome my friend! I’m going to start running. I say that everyday. But I’m not running just to loose weight, but because I REALLY want to become a runner!
it’s so incredibly inspirational to read about your fitness routine! congratulations for adjusting and continuing your running:0)
Keep it up! It will really pay off. My pregnancy and recovery were super-easy, and I attribute that to working out 5 days a week while pregnant.
Good for you for running! I’d definitely buy a “baby on board” t-shirt just to wear while running.
I hear you on it being difficult to pull back on the workouts. It’s just not like me slow down my normal “push it as hard as you can” workout mentality. Although, doing it for our beautiful babies makes it easier to swallow, doesn’t it? 😉
I ran the entire time I was pregnant with my first. I even ran two miles on the treadmill the day before I gave birth…well it was definitely more of a waddle than a run by the third trimester. Keep it up! With the last two, I only walked. I was too sick and pukey the first trimester to keep up anything. Morning (all day) sickness kept me from doing a lot!
Love your blog, Jennifer
how funny! i’m glad you can still run! i’m praying I can run when i get pregnant! I will def be making a sign for myself though!
Good for you! That was my plan while pregnant (well, working out, not running) but I had such bad morning/all day sickness and then was put on bedrest. I have to say I’m jealous! Hopefully I can follow your lead with the next one!
I am so inspired by you and your running; pregnant or not pregnant. I remember back in January when you said that you really wanted to become a runner and said it was a goal to run 400 miles this year! You are SO gonna make that goal and more. Congrats and keep up the great work.
I’m so glad to hear that you are continuing to run! I only made it until about 6 months along, but it definitely helped!
As for wearing a sign . . . wait until after the baby lol. I’ve done several races now that I’ve wanted to have a shirt printed with “my 2 month old baby is cheering me on.” Or something to that effect!
You are my hero!
That’s totally fantastic that you have been able to keep it up. My mom did that with all my siblings and I (there are eight of us). She recovered lickety-split after the delivery and she was able to do all natural for all of us because her body just handled the pain so much better. She was skinnier than she was in college after her sixth and she was in her late 30s then!
You are a rockstar. I don’t run, period (for multiple reasons, but if I was pregnant you better believe I would NOT be running even more).
i think you are awesome! i ran through my first tri and then continued with an eliptical machine and step classes until the end. my labor and recovery were lickity split! good luck!
I’m glad you posted on this. I am a runner and have wondered how that might change once I get pregnant. I never knew you had to monitor your heart rate so closely…might need to check into a monitor for myself! I keep checking your ticker (which I love!) and girl, you are getting close to your goal!
Thanks everyone!
@blondie–I’ve been working out about the same frequency during my first trimester as I have been during my second, I’ve just prioritized my running about halfway through my first trimester b/c I knew I wouldn’t be able to run as much later. And yep, I hope to make my 400 mile goal by next month!
@sabrina’s spot–I totally forgot about that in the SATC movie! My friend Jill and I are looking into water classes right now and hope to check one out this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it!
@leah.maria–Good for you for getting back into your running so quickly after you son was born!
@Mrs.LifeAccounts–Ooh, your mom is my hero!
And I’m so happy to hear about all of you who stuck with your workouts and had an easy recovery. I sure hope I enjoy the same benefit!
Good for you! Being fit helps also for baby delivery (your body will work better with you) plus it is easier to catch that crazy tempo after the birth if you are trained.
I’ll echo all the other commenters’ posts in complimenting you on keeping up with the running!! I had to laugh when reading the part about wearing a sign noting that you need to run that slowly…now you are probably at my normal pace 😉
Keep it up, especially after the little one is born. You’ll be rewarded with a comment that my daughter gave me the other day: “I want to be fit like you.”
Congrats on your upcoming new arrival!
Aww Jenny–what a wonderful compliment from your daughter!! I definitely hope my children value exercise and taking care of themselves as much as G and I do. We really want to instill that in them (the value of being healthy–not necessarily a certain size!). Thanks for the comment and congrats to you on already getting your daughter started off on the right foot!
I agree, Exercising while pregnant is one of the best things we can do. I ran and worked out at the gym until my last day in my first pregnancy (a year ago.) I’m pregnant for the second time and have not stoped runnin, in fact, I run a marathon at two months. I feel great and have a lot of energy.
Just happened upon your blog (linked from Life by Nicole). I wish I could’ve run farther into my pregnancy, but I just felt too jiggly by the beginning of my second trimester. I managed to run a half-marathon seven months postpartum, although it was hard! I’m looking forward to checking out more of your blog, especially since your daughter isn’t too much older than mine.