So yesterday I was talking to my friend Alison and she's a runner. She ran the Marine Corps Marathon last year- with a semi busted ankle, mind you. Hardcore! Anyway, she's on a little bit of a scale back on running right now too (for reasons similar to mine), but she excitedly told me she had signed up for a 15K race in December yesterday.
This prompted us to discuss the running/racing debate that I have been having with myself all year long. I never actually planned for this to be something I had to think about this long. I'd hoped to get pregnant quickly, spend 9 months taking it semi-easy while my baby baked, then get back out there once I was a mom (assuming I actually have time to run). I wasn't supposed to be in September, not pregnant, and still not knowing what to do about running.
I know I've talked about it before, but running while I'm TTC or pregnant kind of makes me uncomfortable. I just feel like there's other lower impact things I can be doing for exercise that won't make me worry so much that I could be jeapordizing anything.
 |
| Walking Clyde is the new running?! |
Lately, I have been running, but it's sporadic and usually about 2 miles at a time. I'm definitely not in training mode at all and I have a hard time getting into running when I'm not in training mode. I've considered doing a 5K, but when I've thought more about it I basically opted not to, knowing I'm not in decent enough shape to PR right now, which is usually my goal when I race. That was the other part of my discussion with Alison, who feels that races are not just about PR's, it's also for the fun of it. I just think I will not have fun if I'm huffing and puffing and 5 minutes from my PR... but that's me.
Thoughts??
7 comments:
I say, do what makes you feel comfortable...and if you ever want to enter a race as a power walker, I'll be right there with you! :)
I always liked the signs that say "Dip Ahead" and I always wanted someone take a photo of me standing a little past the sign, you know, where the dip would be.
I know I'm not the fastest runner, I will never win unless no one else in my age group shows up, master plan: outlive the competition in the 80+ group...
But in my TTC journey, I don't want to miss out on all the fun. I did a 5k last weekend that was sooo crowded there was no room for passing, but a 9/11 run that goes by the Pentagon, yes please. Plus everyone got a metal! I'm a sucker for metals...I also got a 31 minute 5k time which, well, isn't great. Worst in years! But pass up the experience? Be upset I didn't PR? Nah.
I've been on the TTC bandwagon for 2 years. 2011 I got serious and I'm going through my second round of IVF in October. But what I don't want to do is put everything on hold. I've had to limit activity at certain times, but when the doc gives the green light I want to stay active. No marathons this year, but a 15k (that can be changed to a 5k if all goes well) why not?
Can't really offer any advice on running while TTC or preggo other than a friend of mine ran every day up until the day she delivered (she's REALLY hard core). I'm (fingers crossed) going to non-rev to DC to run a 5K in December with a friend (probably the same as the 15k you mentioned) as we debated on which distance to do. :)
Ok, so you know how much I love running, and I could not fathom doing it while pregnant. Many women do it, studies say it's safe, but it felt way too strenuous for me.
Then again, I had hypothalamic amenorrhea and was working with an RE to get pregnant, so I was hypersentive about laying off the workouts from the beginning. Every little twinge and cramp made me paranoid I was doing something wrong. Logically I knew running couldn't cause a miscarriage, I was still a ball of nerves.
I have every intention to continue running and working out with my next pregnancy. I'm envious seeing the women wearing "Running for 2" shirts. I wish I'd been more like that with my first pregancy.
Basically, what I'm trying to say with all this rambling is it's perfectly normal to be nervous, but don't let fear stop you from fully enjoying your pregnancy. Don't give up activities you love or spend your pregnancy being nervous. Enjoy every bit of it. Plan to keep running! And if not no biggie :P
I would think that casual running would be okay as long as your doctor is down with it.
Register for some 5Ks and just let go of the feeling that you have to PR and do it just to have fun and race again! (Easier said than done, I know! ;))
After I had my miscarriage, my doctor told me to keep it around 20-25 miles a week so I decided to follow his advice. I enjoyed doing short local races and getting back to doing something I loved, really took my mind off things. After finishing my first race post miscarriage I came home and told the husband that it was the first time I felt like myself in a long time. If you love running and racing then go for it!!!!
I think it depends on how much you WANT to do it- if you feel you are putting life on hold, I saw go for it- maybe don't train AS hard, or go AS long, but you can run and TTC, and putting your life on hold with TTC only makes it hurt more.
But if you really don't feel like it would be fun for you, it's OK not to run or race and to keep focussing on the journey. You've got yoga, and you could cycle or swim, and feel just as satisfied with running.
I think all I've done is summarise your points without adding anything! But I think underneath it all, I say "ask your gut"
Post a Comment