Questions & Answers

I'm training for a 10K mud run. It was cleared by 3 doctors (my dad, my ob, and one of the ladies I train with). I've never been a great runner, but I can definitely tell a difference. I'm slower and more tired and OMG THE NIPPLE PAINS!!! I feel bad because this is a team run, and unlike last year I am ALWAYS behind the pack. Luckily my teammates are super supportive! I recently decided to go back to a bootcamp I had previously been attending. I take it slow and do the modifications they recommend, but I feel so much BETTER when I'm working out and doing healthy things for me. I saw a woman in our bootcamp who was 8 months pregnant and killing it. So inspiring! I hope my energy stays up enough for me to stay at least moderately active, but I won't overdo it if my body tells me otherwise. A few people are worried (the moms usually), but they have respected my choices.

Thanks for the responses so far, everyone! I really enjoy hearing how pregnancy affects everyone so differently. For me, before pregnancy I was running about 18 - 24 miles a week and even had my best time before I knew I was pregnant (6 miles in just under 60 minutes!). I love running and other workouts such as p90x, spin class and other group classes like kickboxing. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that breathing has become a little more difficult, so I've had to slow down my runs and even alternate between running a few miles, walking and then running again. It's a little frustrating, but still enjoyable. I've also just begun to feel like I have to pee during an entire run, and after stopping mid-run to relieve myself a few times, I'm realizing I don't really have to go! That's been frustrating. :-) I guess I never really thought I'd be able to continue exercising during pregnancy. My body hasn't given me any clues that I should stop, so...I guess it's okay? Thanks, again, guys!

(cont.) having an abnormal child was a lifelong responsiblity, and that I should re-check my priorities! Obviously he was clueless and I wanted to strangle him.... but other than that, if people judge me, they don't do it to my face!

When I found out I was pregnant the first time, I was training for my third half-marathon. I checked with my doctor and ran a 10K and two half-marathons; I just eliminated speed-training, carried a water bottle with me even on shorter runs and made sure I could speak at all times during my runs. However, after the 14 week, I felt so slow that running no longer felt rewarding, so I stuck with yoga and walking after that.
This time around, I was running less regularly when I got pregnant, and the fatigue hit me hard in the first trimester, so I stuck with 3 to 5K runs a few times a week until about 3 weeks ago (I'm 23 weeks now). This time I stopped running because everytime I feel the urge to pee during the whole run and it's highly uncomfortable! Now I do yoga, water aerobics and swim laps to keep in shape.
As for stigma, most people don't argue when I tell them I got the go from my doctor, except this one nurse who told me that running a race was one event in my life whereas (cont.)

My best friend ran a half marathon at 26 weeks - people were really supportive of her (as was I) and she did a triathalon at 11 weeks. She kept "running" until about 34 weeks (when she was diagnosed with preclampsia). At that point she was mostly walking with the occasional jog mixed in. As long as your doctor clears it and you aren't uncomfortable - go for it. Although I think my friend took it a little too far sometimes - I think if you listen to your body and don't push for any new PRs you should be fine and proud of yourself for keeping with it!

I did zumba several times a week before I got pregnant. Afterwards, especially in my first trimester, I got so tired after work that I had to only do Zumba once a week and would usually try and walk another time during the week. After I started the second trimester, I had a more energy and could do 2 classes a week more often. Around the 23 week, I started having bloody mucus especially the morning after my zumba class and my ankles would swell up so I had to stop Zumba all together which I hated. I still try and walk during the week especially when it is nice outside. Walking on a treadmill makes me feel like a am carrying a bowling ball but for some reason when I walk on the walking track at the park, it doesn't feel as bad. Good luck!!

Very shorty after I got pregnant, I could no longer run. I was no marathon runner to begin with, just a 5k-er, but I got so winded so fast that I just couldn't do it. Instead, I do a lot of walking. I'm allowed to exercise at work (I'm a firefighter (on light duty right now)) so I walk for about 45 minutes 3-4 times a week, lift some light weights, and take walks with my husband and dogs on the weekends. I think it is different for everyone. Like you are able to keep running, I just couldn't anymore.

I'm only 5 weeks but I feel so exhausted. I get more thirsty when I'm out running. Whereas before I was able to do 5k in 50 minutes, now I'm doing about 2.8k in 30 min. I'm not sure if I've slowed down significantly or not. Later on, I'm planning to get a belly band so that I can handle running as my belly starts to show. I'm not planning to stop running during pregnancy either, so it's good to hear about someone else who is running at 16w! I'm hoping that in the next few weeks I will be less fatigued and more able.