Running Races While Pregnant
I am not a doctor or medical expert and the information expressed in this post is my opinion and should not be taken as medical advice. You should consult your physician before pursuing running while pregnant. Tomorrow I'm running a 5 mile road race, the third of five races I'll be doing during this pregnancy. My first race was a four miler back in March at 13 weeks. At 16 weeks I did a 5K and then at 20 weeks I did a half-marathon. Running races while pregnant is considerably different than running when you're not pregnant. It can be more challenging in some ways and more enjoyable in others. Here's how I've found it is different:
Mindset:The first thing to recognize is that it is NOT a RACE. It's important to set aside all the competitive instincts that make me want to run faster to beat a PR or another person. I sign up for races during pregnancy for the camaraderie and spirit of local races, it feels good to run with others. I also really enjoy the courses of some local races, like the half-marathon I ran in May, it runs along Lake Winnipausakee, one of the most scenic areas in New Hampshire. It's important to let go of expectations when running while pregnant and just enjoy the moment: the scenery, the runners around you, the spectators. It can be a lot of fun and a break from competitive running, where my focus is mainly on the clock and my pace and the people I want to beat.
Hydrate: I've found that during pregnancy it is even more important to hydrate. One of the things you can do during a race is carry your own hydration, because you never know if the water stops will be there when you need them and this can be critical for a woman who is pregnant. Another thing I have found is that during pregnancy, especially as my belly gets bigger, that I get side stitches in my abdominal muscles that can be incredibly uncomfortable. If I drink an electrolyte drink, such as Gatorade or nuun, the side-stiches are greatly reduced.
Clothing: I tend to dress in less when I am pregnant because I warm up so much more quickly (your body is a metabolic machine when pregnant, keeping you and your baby sustained). So I dress in shorts and a tank, even if its on the cooler side because I don't want to overheat. I also wear bigger shorts and longer tops that cover my growing belly. I haven't experienced swelling in my feet, but some women do, so wearing a pair of shoes that is slightly bigger may be more comfortable. Another essential item is BodyGlide, to prevent chaffing. I've found that the first place I gain weight during pregnancy is in my thighs, so if I want to run comfortably I've got to use my BodyGlide! Now that I am 27 weeks, my belly is to the point where I need a little extra support so I've been wearing my Bella Band around my middle to add a little extra support. There are many support bands out there, it's important to find one that is comfortable and doesn't chafe, it could make your runs much more comfortable.
Run with a Friend: One of the smartest and most enjoyable things to do while pregnant is to run with a friend. Often when I'm racing competitively I have a hard time running with people because I'm focused on my time, but the times I have run with others I find to be much more fun. Running with a friend is also a good way to pace yourself, if you can carry on a conversation while you're running, then you're probably not going to overexert yourself. You can also ask your friend to keep you "in check" especially if -like me- you can get carried away with the spirit of the race and start running fast without knowing it. I asked my sister to run the half-marathon with me in May for this purpose, I wanted someone to talk to and to keep me from going to fast. We ended up having a great time!
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Races aren't "off limits" for pregnant women! You can run races while you are pregnant if you're smart about it and recognize that pregnancy is no time to set PR's or be a hero. If you choose to run races during pregnancy, use it as a time to get back to the pure enjoyment of running and to tap into the camaraderie of the local running community. It can really be fun!
Tomorrow I'll be running with two of my sisters: Danielle and Alissa and I'm excited to share a fun morning with them, without an expectations other than to enjoy the course and the company.
Have you raced while pennant? What advice would you give?
--Sarah