girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

Can you still run while pregnant? I heard you aren't really supposed to get your heart rate up too high, but I miss running. I haven't ran in about a month. The fatigue was the main reason why...It got harder. But the fatigue and exhaustion is easing up at this point. Is it safe to run? I really want to, but I'm afraid so I haven't

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

as with anything ask your dr., but i asked mine this at my first appt a few days ago, and mentioned that i couldn't keep my heart rate under 140 unless i was walking. she suggested running 10 minutes, walking 5-10 minutes and so on. and no long distances. so that's what i'm doing for now.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

It's safe, but I wouldn't go overboard. Listen to your body and stay hydrated!!

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I ran until 4 months...the only reason I stopped is becasue the baby is pushing on my bladder

I miss it too but do it as long as you can and without geting your heart rate up too high....

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I wasnt a long distance runner pre pregnancy- just 4/5 miles 5 times a week. First tri was hard but i kept up my running routine and took off when i had no energy. Second tri i had a burst of energy and felt like myslef again and was able to run with no problem. Third tri was when it went down hill. I had to stop to pee every 1/2 a mile and would feel the pressure of the baby which would create cramping. So in the third tri i would walk 3 miles instead a day. I am 37 weeks now and down to a 2 mile walk 4 days a week and some light weights. i cant wait to get back into it after the baby arrives. I actually just purchased a treadmill so i can run for the first few winter months in the house while she is sleeping.

Dont give up running- if you feel good enough to do it then GO FOR IT! Your body will tell you when things aren't right and when you should slow down.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I wasn't running as much as I had when I found out I was PG so I stopped. I can't wait to get out there again!

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I say just listen to your body and drink LOTS of water. If you are worried about your heart rate just get a heart rate monitor. Depending on you age and how fit you are, you can probably run and keep your heart rate under where it should be - esp when you are in second trimester and feel better.

I have a friend who was a runner who ran LONG distances well into her third tri but

and of course the disclaimer "this is just the opinion of one poster and does not reflect any true medical knowledge. please be sure to consult your doctor. . etc etc "

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I'm not an avid runner, but both of my cousins are. One of which is an ob-gyn specialist too. They both ran throughout their pregnancy. One stopped because she was getting clumsy off balanced towards the end, but she wound up running the NYC marathon in November after she gave birth in late April.

They both worked out regularly (read daily) and pretty intensely throughout their pregnancy even taking spin classes they day they gave birth. I think if you were a runner before getting pregnant than it's fine to continue. They both said that being in great shape made their delivery and recovery so much easier than they had anticipated.

ETA: Obviously check with your doctor and go by what he or she says about heart rate.

Message edited 10/7/2010 7:26:18 PM.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I was running 5 times a week, intervals and distance, and weight training before this pregnancy... I am still in the first tri and exhausted, but I am continuing to do light weights, zumba, and running intervals.... not sprints like i was though, just trying to keep my heart rate down... I also used the eliptical...

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I always heard that you can keep running or working out if you did before getting pregnant. But i'd check 1st. I felt too tired for a while too but recently I have more energy so ive been going again.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

you can totally keep running. you should totally check with your doctor though but my doctor said that i could even do long distance races if i wanted to - i dont want to though i have no energy. just wear a heartrate monitor and stay under 85% of your max. I am hoping to have more energy during second tri so that i can start running again, right now all i can do is walk/jog intervals. good luck, main thing is to just do what your body can do and dont push yourself.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

The last time I ran was a month ago and I wasn't aware that I was pregnant. I had always presumed that I would run throughout, but since i had some spotting, I would rather take it easy. I had it in my head that I'd run for 5, walk for 2, but now I'm nervous.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

Posted by pteradactylmama

I say just listen to your body and drink LOTS of water. If you are worried about your heart rate just get a heart rate monitor. Depending on you age and how fit you are, you can probably run and keep your heart rate under where it should be - esp when you are in second trimester and feel better.

I have a friend who was a runner who ran LONG distances well into her third tri but

and of course the disclaimer "this is just the opinion of one poster and does not reflect any true medical knowledge. please be sure to consult your doctor. . etc etc "

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I ran through my 7th month...much slower than I was but I was running 8-9 miles as my long run and 5-6 a few days throughout the week. You can most definitely keep your heart down to 140...just go slower and pace yourself. I recently stopped because my hips were hurting due to the extra weight I was carrying. So now I do other forms of cardio to keep in shape.

Also, I ran a marathon when I was a few weeks preggo. I didn't know I was pregnant and ran a PR and felt great...and my baby wasn't affected at all.

Just listen to your body like the other ladies have suggested.

Re: girls who exercise regularly or runners in particular?

I am a runner, but have taken off with both my pregnancies. I figure its the one time I can be lazy and not feel bad about it. I just don't want to risk it. I know most doctors have no issues with it and some woman continue to run, but I just don't feel comfortable doing it so I walk instead if I have the urge.

I am dying to get back to it though! Especially on really stressful days, I miss it so much.