Knocked up/ running issues

[violetbaudelaire]

Im 27 weeks pregnant. I entered the lotto for the nike women's half in DC right before I found out I was pregnant, and then didn't think twice because I figured I wouldn't get in. I did, along with 4 girlfriends who only know each other through me!

I ran 2 half marathons back to back at 5 and 6 weeks and was just slow, but ran them. My pace is 3-4 min slower per mile than pre-pg.

I've been trying to run throughout pregnancy in conjunction with yoga, trying to throw in a long run on the weekends.

I ran a great ten miles a few weeks ago and was actually able to run the entire thing with no walk breaks. And now everything is falling apart! I'm pretty sure I'm getting ligament pain. I'm using a support band which seems to help occasionally. I find myself having more bad runs where I'm forced to walk because of ligament pain or stop completely. On the bad runs there may or may not be tears involved. My ob said muscles weren't growing as fast as baby, and to just take a few days off and then try again.

The half marathon is in 2 weeks. I really want to run it ,
Especially because the girls all don't really know each other except for me. I just don't know how to make running not suck and I am not convinced I can do this.

So, does anyone have any advice on making running any easier? And is this race a pipe dream?

[mrshandy]

It was at this point in my pregnancy that running really started to suck. So I stopped for the most part. We also moved around that time so I got really busy.

Take it easy, go for a run/walk, listen to your body. You're not going to race it and that's ok. Just go out there enjoy the bling and try to not get on the sag wagon.

They make belly support bands for pregnant runners. Never tried one, but it might be worth a shot if you want to keep running.

[runaways]

Apr 12, 2014 9:04:08 GMT -5 violetbaudelaire said:

Im 27 weeks pregnant. I entered the lotto for the nike women's half in DC right before I found out I was pregnant, and then didn't think twice because I figured I wouldn't get in. I did, along with 4 girlfriends who only know each other through me!

I ran 2 half marathons back to back at 5 and 6 weeks and was just slow, but ran them. My pace is 3-4 min slower per mile than pre-pg.

I've been trying to run throughout pregnancy in conjunction with yoga, trying to throw in a long run on the weekends.

I ran a great ten miles a few weeks ago and was actually able to run the entire thing with no walk breaks. And now everything is falling apart! I'm pretty sure I'm getting ligament pain. I'm using a support band which seems to help occasionally. I find myself having more bad runs where I'm forced to walk because of ligament pain or stop completely. On the bad runs there may or may not be tears involved. My ob said muscles weren't growing as fast as baby, and to just take a few days off and then try again.

The half marathon is in 2 weeks. I really want to run it ,
Especially because the girls all don't really know each other except for me. I just don't know how to make running not suck and I am not convinced I can do this.

So, does anyone have any advice on making running any easier? And is this race a pipe dream?

I've never been pregnant, but can you plan to mostly walk it and do some slow jogging if your body cooperates? I mean, it sucks, but you'd probably feel better doing that than completely skipping it right?

[wannabe]

Could you do a Galloway-type run for the half? An easy one, like 30/30?

I'm super jealous! I'd love to run Nike DC someday!

[violetbaudelaire]

These are all great ideas. Galloway hadn't occurred to
me! I'm trying for 10 tomorrow so I'll try that strategy out.

I'm not above walking but the time limit is less than 4 hours and I don't want to be picked up by the sag wagon hopefully even if I have to walk all of it, I won't be escorted off the course!

I'm glad to know I'm not alone in the pregnancy-running suck. And I am determined to get the necklace!

You guys are so positive, I totally needed that!

[osulori]

I would definitely plan on walk breaks-lots of them. I was around the point you are in your pregnancy this time last year and anything over 7-8 miles wasn't happening without going really slow and taking lots of breaks. And even then, it wasn't exactly fun sometimes. I ran a 6.5 mile race at 29 weeks and there were a lot of walk breaks involved, even with the support belt (my kid had a lovely hold on my internal organs that the belt just couldn't help). But I did it Good luck at Nike DC, and be prepared for a lot of "Holy shit that girl's pregnant?!" comments from spectators!

[andrealynn]

You are getting to where running starts to be really uncomfortable. I'm glad you have the support band, that will help.

I would probably plan to do run/walk intervals the whole way. Something like 4:1. Sometimes it helps me mentally to have my breaks already planned out.

[violetbaudelaire]

I feel relieved to have a plan. The run/walk sounds like a good idea. I'm also so relieved so many people got to a point where running got hard. So happy I'm not alone! There seem to be so many women who are running a minute/mile slower than their regular pace and can just run til they deliver! I was feeling pretty frustrated.

[jene]

It is hard not to compare yourself to other pregnant runners, but just like everything else in pregnancy, everyone is different. I was about at your spot where I stopped consistently running and switched to more walking with short running periods.

[hannahb]

Apr 12, 2014 18:51:25 GMT -5 violetbaudelaire said:

I feel relieved to have a plan. The run/walk sounds like a good idea. I'm also so relieved so many people got to a point where running got hard. So happy I'm not alone! There seem to be so many women who are running a minute/mile slower than their regular pace and can just run til they deliver! I was feeling pretty frustrated.

Don't get frustrated. Every week is so different. Yes I was one of "those women" who ran up to the day of but there were weeks where I didn't run at all.

[chw57]

I had to stop running around 25 weeks because of round ligament pain. A four mile run would leave me so sore I could barely walk.

I think run/walk is a good plan, just take it one mile at a time!

[violetbaudelaire]

Apr 12, 2014 12:49:05 GMT -5 andrealynn said:

You are getting to where running starts to be really uncomfortable. I'm glad you have the support band, that will help.

I would probably plan to do run/walk intervals the whole way. Something like 4:1. Sometimes it helps me mentally to have my breaks already planned out.

I did exactly this (4 min run/1 min walk) with the support band on my ten miler today and a)finished and b) had minimal discomfort. THANK YOU!!! I feel like I have a plan for the half now.

[violetbaudelaire]

Apr 13, 2014 6:00:53 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Apr 12, 2014 18:51:25 GMT -5 violetbaudelaire said:

I feel relieved to have a plan. The run/walk sounds like a good idea. I'm also so relieved so many people got to a point where running got hard. So happy I'm not alone! There seem to be so many women who are running a minute/mile slower than their regular pace and can just run til they deliver! I was feeling pretty frustrated.

Don't get frustrated. Every week is so different. Yes I was one of "those women" who ran up to the day of but there were weeks where I didn't run at all.

That's great you could run that long! I'm in awe and so impressed now that I'm actually pg and running. Until yesterday my only frame of reference were women with no problems running, so it was hard not to feel out of shape. It's like when you realize for the first time how wide the gamut of running paces is, I guess. I feel like a rookie all over again!

[mollyrunner]

I couldn't do any bigger distances over 27ish weeks...and I was slower for my shorter runs.  Sounds like you're doing awesome though, and it is great to get a plan for the race.  Will anyone be able to help you out if you need to stop during the race?  Sometimes I know it gets uncomfortable even to walk if you've been racing.  Just a planning thought.

[andrealynn]

Apr 13, 2014 12:42:27 GMT -5 violetbaudelaire said:

Apr 12, 2014 12:49:05 GMT -5 andrealynn said:

You are getting to where running starts to be really uncomfortable. I'm glad you have the support band, that will help.

I would probably plan to do run/walk intervals the whole way. Something like 4:1. Sometimes it helps me mentally to have my breaks already planned out.

I did exactly this (4 min run/1 min walk) with the support band on my ten miler today and a)finished and b) had minimal discomfort. THANK YOU!!! I feel like I have a plan for the half now.

I'm so glad it helped you!