Running For Two

Angela G.

Paula’s done it. Kara’s done it. It seems that these days, running through pregnancy is quite common and even encouraged. The old way of thinking had women exercising very little, or not at all. But times have changed and studies show that staying active during pregnancy may improve your health and your baby’s. Even if your job doesn’t depend on your running performance, you can still gain the benefits of running while pregnant, but you will need to make some adjustments.

I’ve been a runner for over thirteen years and have never imagined myself purposefully abstaining from the sport I love. When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first questions I asked my doctor was, “Can I still run?” Because of my vast running experience, my doctor gave me the green light. But she warned that I might get tired more easily and to take it easy. With all the reading I had done about professional runners sailing through nine months of running for two, I figured that cutting my mileage and decreasing my speed would do the trick. I imagined myself running several times a week, like I had done pre-pregnancy, and maintaining my status as a regular runner. But, I soon realized that pregnancy is hard work! Being tired all the time was an understatement, and I hardly had enough energy to eat regular meals, much less run a loop in Central Park. I’ve since adjusted my expectations and now I run for the fun of it. What used to be an average six or seven miler, has now been cut to three or four. I stop and walk if I feel the need, and I hydrate before, during, and after my run. Though I still daydream about marathons and marathon training, I don’t set goals for myself other than to listen to my body (and have fun out there!). I stay on even surfaces and steer clear of slippery spots and ice patches. Speedwork and hill repeats are a distant memory.

Just like a rookie runner, I’m finding that I enjoy running for the sake of running these days. Though I don’t run nearly as much as I had envisioned, the rewards don’t disappoint. When I finish a run, I have more energy and feel peaceful at the same time. If you’re thinking about running through pregnancy, here is a brief list of my (non-expert) advice:

Paula Radcliffe, World Record Marathoner

• Get your doctor’s permission
• Listen to your body
• Now’s not the time to race or train
• Choose even, well lit surfaces
• Stay hydrated
• Be careful not to overheat

Using these pointers during my pregnancy, hopefully I'll eventually be able to run like Paula and Kara, too!

Happy Running (for Two)!
- Angela G.