"I recently found out that I'm pregnant, and have no idea how I should adapt my training. I love running and average 35-40 miles a week. I've trawled the web for advice, but I still feel confused about whether it's safe to continue. I definitely don't want to give up!"
– Tracy Alderson
Paula's bump - to run or not to run?
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Your best answers...
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I'm now five months pregnant and, like Tracy, averaged 35-40 miles per week before conceiving. My GP and midwife have both been supportive as far as continuing to run is concerned. The only real concession I made in the early months was to reduce my mileage considerably during the very hot weather in July, as it's not recommended to overheat whilst pregnant. My pace remained more or less the same, although I was careful to listen to my body and ease back if I felt tired. – Minks
Click here to read the rest of Minks's excellent response
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The advice about running whilst pregnant is very confusing. As with everything to do with children, there are as many answers as there are children and runners. You just have to listen very carefully to your body. I found that I couldn't run after five months because the muscles around my ribcage hurt, and any new pain seemed like a bad idea, so I stopped.
My other major concern was the long-term damage that running might do, particularly as your breasts increase in size. A good sports bra becomes essential just to go for a walk, let alone a run. So my advice is to think about the long term. Having to stop running is very frustrating, but only temporary; stretch marks are forever! – Karen M
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My advice is to carry on running, as it's something you've always done, but don't take up anything new. I exercised right up until a couple of weeks before I gave birth to my third child. It was the quickest labour I had, and he was my biggest baby. Research suggests that it is safe and probably even beneficial to exercise in pregnancy, as long as your pregnancy is normal and you adapt your exercise. See your midwife regularly, and review your training if there are any complications. Good luck! – Angie Jackson
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I ran during two pregnancies. If you've always been a runner, carry on. I ran three half-marathons when pregnant, finishing when I was six and a half months, as it got too uncomfortable. Just lower your goals and enjoy your running. – SSmiffy
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Watch out for the over-stretching problem with hormonally-relaxed ligaments. And it's probably best to avoid running during labour... – eamonn
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Congratulations! I continued to run through my three pregnancies, though much less than usual, and I stopped competing. Run as often or far as you feel comfortable with; otherwise go for a swim, or walk as an alternative way to get out in the fresh air and get the blood going. – happy hippo
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Before I became pregnant with twins, I was doing 70-miles-plus a week, and sub-3-hour marathons. I walked/jogged up to 26 weeks (I'm currently 33 weeks), but then the weight of the two little rascals became too much, and I needed to stop so much for the loo it wasn't worth it. So I'm pretty much reduced to a three-mile walk and the odd swim. I'm doing something nearly every day, but do find I'm very tired, and doing too much makes me quite sick. My babies are doing very well, and they're a good weight, so I'm really pleased given that I'm a tiny person. My blood pressure is very low, and the walking helps with my swollen feet. So I think trying to keep up some sort of activity is invaluable. General advice for us mere mortals is reduce by 50 per cent and keep your heart rate below 140, but I think if you're an accomplished runner you can do more. – Mitchie Moo
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I'm now 29 weeks pregnant. I've continued to cycle to work every day, and I will be taking part in a 20-mile sponsored walk in Snowdonia in just under two weeks' time. My blood pressure is excellent, I have no foot or hand swelling, and my baby is healthy. My advice is just to go with how you feel, and remember that you may not be able to do what you could. – LozF
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I had my first child in August 2005. On the basis that I'd always run, I couldn't see any reason why I shouldn't continue during my pregnancy for as long as I felt OK, which was for about six months – including some races. When it got uncomfortable I moved to a cross trainer. Believe me, exercise in pregnancy does help with birth and recovery. – annajo
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Apparently I'm pregnant too (five weeks!) and I'm intending to keep on running. The three bits of advice from my previous pregnancy are:
1 - Sports bra
2 - Sports bra
3 - Sports bra
– Acorn Ambler
- And finally... congratulations to forum member Tonia, who give birth on Saturday September 30 to a 7lb 14 baby boy – the latest RW forum baby!
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Jane Hoskyn
