Running

I am (finally, after the sickness passed)🙋🏼‍♀️ although I’m not sure I’d call it running. The only thing that seems to help me is to take walking breaks and take off all the pressure. Doing any form of physical activity when you’re pregnant is excellent so well done for keeping it up ☺️

Well done to you too - and i’m glad you’re out of the sickness patch 🩷 I am doing an hour at least of something everyday. Usually broken up into a couple of things. So important for mental health and baby. You’re right re pressure actually. I am comparing to non pregnant me when I don’t think is helpful 😆 were you pretty active pre preg ?

I think you just have to accept that your pace won’t stay the same as if you weren’t pregnant, no matter what shoes or leggings you wear 🙈. During my first pregnancy, I was jogging until about 16 weeks, then switched to walking 6-7 km a day, which I kept up until I gave birth at 41+2. Now, with a toddler, I’m limited to walking about 2 hours a day while he naps in the pram. This is the most I can manage to stay active and, more importantly, to stay mentally healthy. Also, don’t push yourself too hard because maintaining a consistently high heart rate during pregnancy isn’t ideal for the baby. It’s best to keep your exercise moderate to avoid any risks. I always keep an eye on my heart rate while being active.

fine with pace dropping! it’s dropped from about 5 to well over 6 which is fine but it’s feeling laborious even at that speed! very well done for staying active for your whole pregnancy! even walking 2 hours a day is more than the average brit. incredible for making the time with a toddler. thank you! i do a variety of things like tennis, running, swimming etc so a balance of stuff. we’re fortunate enough to be david lloyd members so have a choice of stuff to be doing which is great

I went for my first pregnancy run yesterday 🥳 (20 weeks but have been too sick until now). Just 20 mins and very slow 😂 I really felt the weight and pressure of my bump though! Was thinking of looking for a bump band, or wondered if proper maternity running leggings would help 🤔

@Em I used to be so active, have been running for 7 years and completed various marathons and half marathons so right now I’m feeling very much back at square one. I keep telling myself though that my body is doing so much work even without running. There’s plenty of time for it to come back once baby is here ☺️

@Em I’m still trying to run although like you said, it’s way more tiring. Still keen for the exercise and helps clear the head like nothing else. I try to wear really supportive legging over the bump (I haven’t gotten any new leggings, the pre-pregnancy ones still work on this front) and have been using the treadmill more than I did before as it’s so dark these days I don’t want to risk tripping while running in the park. Think best we can do is try to keep it up while listening to our bodies! I’ll be keen to hear about any recommended bands if you get one.

@Zoe yay well done on your first run back! 4 months out not pregnant can be hard to come back from let alone carrying a mini human. this is what i’m thinking too - for the compression aspect? i can’t find any kind of fitness groups that have traction on Peanut!

@Ashleigh you are incredible! i’ve done a few halfs but good grief a marathon is a completely different beast 😅 yes agree - it’s tricky mentally but we will navigate this! grateful i’m able to keep active but wowee do i feel heavy 🤣

@Julia it is more tiring - and my body feels more like lead that it ever has done. do you feel as though the support over bump helps? i’ve not bought any mat fitness stuff yet as im not really showing so trying to avoid but equally my normal stuff doesn’t fit well. an odd in between. it is dark - spring is on the way i hope. over the winter! i agree, def not worth running in the dark. it sounds like we’re all doing really well 🥰 i’ll be sure to post on here if i do buy anything that helps!

@Em all distances are fab! A half is a feat in itself too ☺️ any running is absolutely mind over matter - so I reckon that puts us all in good stead for labour & birth ☺️

@Ashleigh hehe you’re right. after running a sluggish 5 i don’t know how i ever ran halfs 🤣 kudos to our pre and current pregnancy fitness 💪🏽 absolutely agree! we got this 🩷

I’ve only just started back running (18 weeks) as I’ve been so sick and tired up until now 🤣 used to run all the time! I done my first 5k run Monday & again today, but it took an extra 15 mins 🤣 I felt out of breath and kept feeling like I needed a wee 🤣🤣 so had to slow down a bit!

@Lucy ahhh well done for going! 💪🏽 i feel you with need the loo! my bladder is worse in the second tri than the first 100%. did you enjoy your run or did you just find it harder ?

@Em I found it much harder, so much harder, but feet great doing it and so glad I did!! I’m already like, shall I go again tonight 🤣 but also don’t want to over do it! Xx