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Cinco, Brit and other runners who have had baby's...
How long was it after you delivered that you got the green light to start running again? I am trying to plan some late summer and early fall races and I am worried that maybe I am being a little too ambitious.
I am due June 9th, but a lot of people think she will arrive before then since I am so active. Anyway, here is a list of races and dates I am looking to register for. What are your thoughts? Too much too soon?
August 11th: Run thru Hell 10 mile OR 4.8 mile
August 25th: North Country Trail Half Marathon
September 8th: Woodstock Trail Half Marathon
September 30th: Brooksie Way Half Marathon w/ DH
October 21st: Grand Rapids Marathon
I really want to sign up for these ASAP for a couple reasons, A. so I can pay the lower registration fees and B. I can make sure they do not sell out before I get the chance to register.
2012: Running & Race Accomplishments:
2-12-12: Riverview Winter Fest 4 mile, 34:59 8:45 pace - 23 weeks pregnant
2-29-12: Leap Year 4 mile, 36:45 9:11 pace - 25.5 weeks pregnant
3-11-12: Corktown 5K, 28:33 9:13 pace - 27 weeks pregnant
3-25-12: Rock CF Island Half Marathon, 2:11:03 10:00 pace - 29 weeks pregnant
4-16-12 Boston Marathon, deferring to 2013
8-11-12: Run thru Hell 10 mile or 4.8 mile
9-30-12: Brooksie Way Half Marathon
10-21-12: Grand Rapids Marathon
11-22-12: Detroit Turkey Trot 10K
Re: Cinco, Brit and other runners who have had baby's...
I was told 6 weeks both times. I had c/sections and if you overdo it too soon with a c, you can reopen the incision. I walked less than 2 miles when dd was 10 days old and wound up with a (TMI) messy, leaking incision that the OB told me was related to activity.
It really depends how you deliver, not just how fit you are. And, fwiw, my first c/section was at 37w exactly because of severe fetal distress (cord/plancenta issue), not something I could have ever predicted or avoided.
Good luck! I'm sure you'll be fine. But don't plan on any major activity before 6 weeks. You will be running at the 6w mark but you might not be able to run much before that.
I think you will be back to comfortably running a few times a week by 4-6 weeks. But things to consider are lack of sleep, and time. You aren't supposed to run with a baby until they can hold their head, I think some strollers say 7 months? So while physically you may be back fast, you should consider the other new factors. If you don't have someone to watch the baby every day?
I think the Sept 30 is doable and maybe the 4.8 in August, but the others races do sound too soon.
Good luck!
complications/or hard delivery were things I forgot to say in my reply
I was cleared at 6 weeks, but didn't start running until 7 weeks. And it was HARD.
My friend delivered her baby six weeks ago (she was VERY active, still running 'til the very end, and went 10 days late) and started running at 2 weeks.
Her doc grudgingly cleared her at 4 weeks but wasn't very comfortable with it. My friend has gone up to 6 miles so far and said it's been very rough--the extra weight alone makes running more difficult than it was, let alone finding the time to "train" for anything.
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Thanks ladies, I figured I was being a little too ambitious by wanting to jump right back into things.
I may just follow Kate's advice and start with Brooksie way being my first race back. I still hope I can manage GR Marathon though. If not, maybe I can find a November marathon.
2012: Running & Race Accomplishments:
2-12-12: Riverview Winter Fest 4 mile, 34:59 8:45 pace - 23 weeks pregnant
2-29-12: Leap Year 4 mile, 36:45 9:11 pace - 25.5 weeks pregnant
3-11-12: Corktown 5K, 28:33 9:13 pace - 27 weeks pregnant
3-25-12: Rock CF Island Half Marathon, 2:11:03 10:00 pace - 29 weeks pregnant
4-16-12 Boston Marathon, deferring to 2013
8-11-12: Run thru Hell 10 mile or 4.8 mile
9-30-12: Brooksie Way Half Marathon
10-21-12: Grand Rapids Marathon
11-22-12: Detroit Turkey Trot 10K
Isn't Philly in November? I'd love to do that one.
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Green Living Reading List
I have had 3 uncomplicated and quick (almost too quick!) vaginal deliveries. My OB said I could start running as soon as I stopped bleeding, which was 5-6 weeks for the first two kids, but only 2 weeks this time. My first run was 2 miles at 2.5 weeks. It felt okay so I bumped up the mileage from there, running every other day or every two days. I was up to (a very slow) 10 miles as a long run by 6 weeks. I haven't had any issues, but did notice some slight pelvic and groin pain on some of the longer or faster runs. I always stopped immediately if I felt it. Speed wise I have a ways to go, but have been improving pretty fast the last couple weeks (so around 2.5 months) I still haven't raced yet, but that is more logistics. MH works weekends, so planning for races is hard. Plus, Lucy still nurses every 2-2.5 hours during the day.
I think you can probably physically do all the races you are signed up for, assuming an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. I will say I am glad I am not running a full marathon until November, but that is more because of the mental aspect of training.
Good luck! I'm sure you'll be rocking some PR's within 6 months of having the baby, if not sooner.
2012 Goal: working towards pre-pregnancy speed!
04/15 KI Metric Marathon/16.3 m (2:05:55, 7:43 pace)
05/06 Frederick 13.1 (1:41:09)
11/04 NYCM
Also, check out Cate's blog (Cate's World Kitchen) I'm not sure if she comes on any more, but she already has some awesome PR's. I think she is running a marathon soon too.
2012 Goal: working towards pre-pregnancy speed!
04/15 KI Metric Marathon/16.3 m (2:05:55, 7:43 pace)
05/06 Frederick 13.1 (1:41:09)
11/04 NYCM
Of course, I am basing this off if I have a quick delivery w/ no complications.
Great idea about checking out Cate's blog. She's a "friend" on face book too. I will message her as well.
Thanks!!
2012: Running & Race Accomplishments:
2-12-12: Riverview Winter Fest 4 mile, 34:59 8:45 pace - 23 weeks pregnant
2-29-12: Leap Year 4 mile, 36:45 9:11 pace - 25.5 weeks pregnant
3-11-12: Corktown 5K, 28:33 9:13 pace - 27 weeks pregnant
3-25-12: Rock CF Island Half Marathon, 2:11:03 10:00 pace - 29 weeks pregnant
4-16-12 Boston Marathon, deferring to 2013
8-11-12: Run thru Hell 10 mile or 4.8 mile
9-30-12: Brooksie Way Half Marathon
10-21-12: Grand Rapids Marathon
11-22-12: Detroit Turkey Trot 10K
Duke's House: Eating and Running with the Big Dog in Chennai: eatrunbrit.com
2010 Race PRs:
5K - 24:57 10M - 1:28:20 13.1M - 1:57:29 26.2M - 4:28:29
I just want to say I wouldn't have any expectations about when you'll deliver as you may be disappointed/frustrated. I was very active with both pregnancies (ran till 35 weeks, spin class till 39 weeks, etc.) and with both I went 10 and 9 days overdue.
That said, I had fairly easy deliveries with rather minimal tearing (2nd degree) and started running 5 weeks pp. But I didn't really start training for anything until 2.5 months pp and ran my first half marathon 5 months pp. So I agree with the others and would probably aim for the Brooksie race as your first half. Although you could try for the Run thru Hell and do the 4.8 miler and just take it easy.
I did my 1st run at 4.5 weeks PP (and was back in the gym at 2.5 weeks) and starting running with my run club again at 6.5 weeks PP.
I was able to PR in a 10 mile race at 4 months PP and a half marathon at 5 month PP. I personally would have been able to do all the races you are looking at (the 4.8 option not the 10 mile) but you need to keep in mind I had a very easy vaginal delivery though with a small 1 stitch tear. I was also blessed with a very good sleeper which helped a lot as well.
Good Luck! I love your ambition!
Thanks for posting this. Good for me to read too!
I am tentatively planning on a 1/2 in late October for now. I haven't ran since 21 weeks, and now with bed rest it's going to be a longgggg road back.
Boy/girl twins born at 37w1d and 37w2d
I realized after my third one that the best laid plans when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth and parenting end up just being frustrating. I would commit to a race farther away than you think it should be. You never know how your delivery will go (early or late), what kind of complications could arise (with delivery or with baby), what kind of baby you will have (colicky or never sleeping), the impact of other things (weight, marriage, work)...and all of those things can seriously impact your performance, which for someone as competitive and committed as you are could be disappointing.
In your shoes, I would not plan to run seriously before 6 weeks - too many factors. I would look at the first race or two back as fun, not competition.
The good thing that I can share with you is that I was never faster than I am after kids. I think your body learns a whole new definition of uncomfortable and how to function under stress, which helps in running. But I think you have to be *awfully* patient with yourself to get there.
Yes,I'm smiling...I'm a marathoner!
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CO Nestie Award Winner-Prettiest Brain-Back to Back!
2011 Bests
5K-22:49 10K-47:38 Half Mary-1:51:50
2012 Race Report
1/1-New Year's 5K-22:11
2/11-Sweetheart Classic 4-mile-29:49
3/24-Coulee Chase 5K-21:40
5/6-Colorado Marathon-4:08:30
5/28-Bolder Boulder 10K
Thank you all for your responses. I knew I was probably trying to tackle for too much, too soon.
2012: Running & Race Accomplishments:
2-12-12: Riverview Winter Fest 4 mile, 34:59 8:45 pace - 23 weeks pregnant
2-29-12: Leap Year 4 mile, 36:45 9:11 pace - 25.5 weeks pregnant
3-11-12: Corktown 5K, 28:33 9:13 pace - 27 weeks pregnant
3-25-12: Rock CF Island Half Marathon, 2:11:03 10:00 pace - 29 weeks pregnant
4-16-12 Boston Marathon, deferring to 2013
8-11-12: Run thru Hell 10 mile or 4.8 mile
9-30-12: Brooksie Way Half Marathon
10-21-12: Grand Rapids Marathon
11-22-12: Detroit Turkey Trot 10K
Active does not equal early baby, just as inactive doesn't equal late baby, if that makes sense. I worked out until the day I delivered x3 and I had a 37w, 4d baby, a 40w, 1d baby, and a 40w, 3d baby...so, you just never know
I had 3 vaginal, fairly easy and uncomplicated deliveries and I got back to exercising b/w 5-6 weeks PP. I wasn't setting any records, but at least I was out there trying to regain normalcy. I ran a 5k at 7 weeks PP after my most recent baby, but it was more of a jog than a race.
I did a 10 miler last weekend and my DD is 8 months. I have to say, it was a bit disappointing. I just don't have time to get there and run 10-15 miles on a Saturday morning anymore. I was able to cover the distance, but I just couldn't find my groove and my pace was a bit disappointing. If you believe that you will be able to get out there and run as much as you want to w/o a newborn interfering, you should sign up for any race that interests you
I echo what PP said completely but wanted to add my experiences/2 cents...
I had a normal vaginal delivery and started running again at 3 weeks postpartum. Granted it was slow with walk breaks and not nearly as much mileage, but I was out there. The hardest part has honestly finding the time to run/work out.
Im (hopefully) running a 15K race on Sunday which will be my longest run since Zachary was born. It should be interesting...and I have a half marathon in early May which should also be interesting but Im pumped for both.
Oh and do your brain a favor and dont tell yourself youre delivering early, youll go bonkers! I convinced myself I was going to deliver 2 weeks early and was 4 days late!
zachary happens!
I just want to chime in with my experience. I ran until 24w and continued working out until the day I delivered, about a month early. I had a super quick and easy L/D and recovery.
I couldn't wait to start working out and running after having my son. 6 months PP, I'm still waiting.
my son had reflux and was super needy when he was young. Also, I BF which can take a lot of time in the beginning so I simply did not have the time or energy to run or workout as often as I had hoped. I went back to work when he was 3.5 months old - so add work into the exhaustion of caring for a needy baby and a house... yeah, not so much. I consider myself lucky if I can squeeze in a walk or workout video these days. At this point my goal is to get back to running a few times a week with the hopes of running a half sometime this summer or early fall.
I would stick to smaller goals at first - you really have no idea how easy or difficult your life may be once you have a baby. Physically your body may be up to it, but it doesn't mean that you will have the energy or time right away.
I agree with others who said you shouldn't count on going early just because you're active. I ran right up until the very end of my pregnancies, and still went 10 and 7 days overdue.
I had fairly easy deliveries; both times I only ended up with a minor tear. I was told to wait until after my six week postpartum check-up to start exercising again, but both times, I started walking on the treadmill after two weeks and running after four weeks. I ran the Boston Marathon just under five months after DD1 was born and felt comfortable doing so, but any sooner than that I think would have been too soon. I remember planning out my training schedule and realizing I should have been doing 10 or 12 miles when I didn't even get the go-ahead to exercise from my doctor yet.
In my experience, I probably would have felt comfortable running the 4.8 mile Run thru Hell and the Brooksie half-marathon. Maybe the Woodstock half-marathon.
If the races fill up quickly, and you don't mind eating the cost if you can't run, you could always sign up for them now just to be safe, but as others have said, you really can never know what to expect -- how long you'll be able to continue running during your pregnancy, when you'll actually have the baby, whether you'll need a c-section, how you'll feel after delivery, how long your recovery will take, or even whether you'll want to leave your baby to spend the time training. (I remember those three-hour training runs were tricky when I had a newborn who needed to nurse every two to three hours.)
Good luck with everything!