Anemic or just baby tired?

[hannahb]

So running sucks. It's hard. I can't get my speed back. Now I know I just had a baby and there's lack of sleep and all but I feel like it should turn around soon. I know it's going to take time and hard work to get fast but I'm slower than I was pregnant. I was anemic after having Andrew and was on iron supplements for a couple weeks. My OB never took follow up bloodwork and I'm wondering if I should get it checked. Or is this normal after having a baby? Running moms when did you get your mojo back?

[cinco]

I'm always low on Iron if I don't take supplements. I think it is worth a shot.

I was feeling more myself by about 4-5 months post partum (3 months of consistent running) I did a couple races around that time and they were still about 15-25 seconds off my pre-pregnancy pace, but I felt good. I had gradual improvements and was in PR shape around 9-10 months. I did have some endurance issues with long runs from lack of sleep though. I would get the strong urge to rest my eyes mid run. I've been up and down since then, but it is more issues with injuries, breaks in training, weight fluctuations, than anything else. I think if I wanted to be in top shape again, I'd have to train harder than I'm willing to do.

I don't think this weather is doing anyone any favors. I bet if you were consistently running outside or racing, you'd be faster than you think.

[hannahb]

Yeah the weather doesn't help. Nor does the fact we moved and all there are are hills and more hills. I may give it another month and if it doesn't seem to be getting better than see the doc. I'm a good min off my normal pace though, sometimes more

[mrshandy]

I didn't start getting my pace back until I lost the baby weight. Are you back to your pre pregnancy weight yet?

[runblondie26]

Hmm, only 2 weeks on iron supplements? My doctor didn't do follow-up bloodwork either, but I was told to take mine until 1 week after my pp bleeding was finished. Two weeks sounds like a very short amount of time. It's definitively worth following up with your doctor about this.

Ditto what all the other posters have said. You've been doing a lot of mileage. I bet if you were in a race, you'd dig out much better performance than you'd expect.

I feel pretty much like my old self again. I go out for runs and expect to feel all light and breezy. Then I get into it and wonder why it feels so hard when I'm still running so slow, lol.

It'll come back. A lot of H&F ladies will attest to the fact that they became faster AFTER having a baby.

[emuni04]

I got my pace back probably around 5-6ish months pp. I can't put my finger on it, but I had major supply issues and had to eat A LOT while BF'ing and I think that sort of bogged me down. I switched to formula at 4 months and that's when I noticed that I felt more like myself running.

[hannahb]

Thanks for all the feedback!