Mom on the Run-Isabel from The Running Teacher

Mom on the Run

Mom on the Run

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nurse of midwife. The information expressed in the series “Mom on the Run” should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor before running during pregnancy and postpartum.

Welcome to “Mom on the Run!” A blog feature that shares a mom-on-the-run and her story of running during and after pregnancy. My hope is to provide a resource for women who are thinking about running during pregnancy. The overarching theme: everyone is different. No two pregnancies are the same and of course no two stories of running during pregnancy are the same. In this series you will find a wide range of experiences that both inspire and comfort runners who are pregnant or have recently given birth. To read about other “Moms on the Run” click HERE.

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I'm excited to introduce April's Mom on the Run is Isabel from the Running Teacher. Isabel is currently pregnant with her second baby boy and has had a radically different experience during this pregnancy compared to her first. Here's her inspiring story:

Tell me a little bit about your pregnancy and your little ones:

We currently have a little boy, Alejandro. He will 4 before little Enrique makes his appearance. :) My first pregnancy was difficult. I thought I was eating healthy at 

the

 time, but I clearly was not. I gained 68 pounds, had gestational hypertension, and preeclampsia! I was also placed 

on

 bed rest three times, with 

the

 final time being at 29 weeks up until I was induced at 36 weeks.

Enrique’s pregnancy came as a shock and surprise. We weren’t planning for another child for at least two more years. I was in 

the

 midst of training for my first 24 hour race, when I decided to 

run

 a half marathon. I expected to place, but instead, found myself struggling from 

the

 start. For 

the

 next week, I suffered nasty headaches, nausea, and felt overly fatigued, to 

the

 point I just stayed in bed. I went to 

the

 doctor proclaiming I had Lyme Disease, as I had a tick bite at 

the

time that kept flaring up for three months. He humored me and told me 

the

 tick bite was infected and that, chances were, I did not have Lyme Disease. He ran full labs, which came back clean, except for one surprising results. I was pregnant! Enrique’s pregnancy is picture perfect. I credit my pre-pregnancy fitness level and change in eating habits.

Did you 

run

 through your pregnancies? If not why not? 

I ran through both pregnancies, except when 

on

 bed rest with my first child. I did not 

run

 near as much as I do now though, distance-wise. Two years ago, I started testing 

the

 waters with ultrarunning and got hooked. My long runs go up to 20 miles with my races being longer.

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11054559_10153109772765149_1142052903_o

Prior to pregnancy about how often were you 

running

?

Before pregnancy, I ran 50-55 miles a week.

How would you characterize your pregnancy, labor and delivery? 

It’s currently low-risk, thank goodness!

Once you found out you were expecting did your 

running

 change? Did you consciously drop mileage or ease back 

on

 pace?

I didn’t cut back 

on

 purpose; however, 

the

 constant and unrelenting nausea and fatigue forced me to cut back during my first trimester. Luckily, my fitness level was high, so despite 

the

 time lapse, I was able to pick up right where I left off, albeit much slower.

What was your 

running

 like during 

the

 1st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters of your pregnancy?

First: I ran 

the

 first five weeks not knowing we were pregnant. After that, 

the

 nausea and fatigue sidelined me for a solid 1.5 months. From there, I picked up 

running

 sporadically, depending 

on

 my energy level that day.

Second: With 

the

 nausea mostly gone, I picked up right where I left off, albeit slower. I didn’t want to risk 

the

 chance of injury by trying to pick up 

the

 pace, so I ran at an easy-pace every 

run

Running

 was a cinch throughout my second trimester, smooth as butter!

Third: My pace has definitely slowed more, but I’m still going. 

The

 fatigue is coming back, so my mileage varies week to week, but I’m still pulling an average of 30 miles a week. I also have round ligament pains now as well, so I wear a maternity support belt. It doesn’t take away all 

the

 aches, but it does help. I’ve found that my body needs longer to warm-up now, sometimes up to 25 minutes, before I can really 

run

 comfortably and pick up 

the

 pace. I also use Galloway 

running

 religiously to help stay injury-free and to help my body recover faster! 

The

 walk breaks also give me a chance to eat 

on

 long runs as well.

Did you incorporate cross training into your weekly exercise routine? If so what did you do? and what did you find most enjoyable?

I do basic lower-body, body weight exercises and strengthening exercises at home, along with upper body exercises using dumbbells…oh, and planks. I have a love-hate relationship with planks, but they’re quite useful, seeing as I was asked not to do my other core work. Planks are awesome because not only do they work your core, but they work your entire body in just one move!

Did your attitude towards 

running

 change during pregnancy? 

Definitely. I’m competitive by nature, but with pregnancy, I had to learn to let go, if I wanted to safely continue doing what I love. I 

run

 for pure enjoyment now, and every 

run

 is done at an easy-pace. To me, each 

run

 is a blessing! I hope to continue up until 

the

 day I delivery, but I know that things can change quickly during pregnancy, so I take it day-by-day and week-by-week.

Did your 

run

 any races during pregnancy? If so what was your approach to racing, was it different than normal?

I ran Tortoise and 

the

 Hare 13.1 and 

the

 Women’s Health Run10Feed10 Atlanta Fun 

Run

 during my first trimester. From there, I ran Miles for Maria 6 hour in November, although I had to sit out after 15 miles, due to an angry hamstring.  Most recently, I ran 

the

 6 hour race, A Stroll in Central Park, where I pulled 26.8 miles in 

5:55

, just shy of 

the

 6 hour mark. JWith my OB’s blessing, I’m in 

the

 last few weeks of training for 

the

Running

 Dead Ultra 50k, followed by Maria’s Spring Fling 6 hour Race. [At the time of this post Isabel had completed the Dead Ultra 50K. You can find her

race recap

on her blog.]

My racing approach is simple now. I 

run

 for pure enjoyment, and I always make sure I can talk comfortably while 

running

. Basically, 

running

 is like a walk in 

the

 park for me, nice and relaxed, no pressure.

What was 

the

 most challenging aspect of 

running

 during pregnancy? 

The

 most challenging aspect of 

running

 while pregnant is trying to stay hydrated and trying to eat enough in terms of what I need to keep little Enrique healthy and to keep myself fueled for my runs.

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When did you stop 

running

 during pregnancy? Or did you 

run

 right up until your delivery date?

So far, I haven’t stopped and don’t have intentions of stopping until I POP! I have races set up through May 9

th

, ending with 

the

 80’s Rad Retro 10k, which is 4 days before Enrique’s due date.

With my first pregnancy, I ran throughout 

the

 entire pregnancy, except when 

on

 bed rest. They took me off of bed rest a week before being induced, in 

the

 hopes that perhaps it would relieve my stress levels. I started 

running

 three miles a day immediately up until they sent me to 

the

 hospital to be induced for high blood pressure.

What was your return to 

running

 like postpartum? How soon did you start 

running

 and did you feel your attitude towards 

running 

was different?

With my first pregnancy, I attempted to return four weeks after delivery, and it was too soon. I had absolutely no energy for nearly a week and was quite sore. After that, I waited another month before trying again. My return was S-L-O-W. It was a humbling experience  to start all over again.

This time around, I don’t have a plan set in place for postpartum 

running

. I’ll start off walking, and then, if all feels O.K., I’ll cross-train 

on

the

 bike or do pilates. 

The

 rest of my pregnancy and 

the

 birthing process will determine how quickly I return to 

running

, whether that’s a month or more. I honestly can’t tell you what will happen this time around. My main concern is getting back my strength first, as I don’t want to risk injuring myself.

[Tweet "Sometimes returning to running after pregnancy can be humbling @therunningteach shares her story. #MomontheRun #motherrunner #fitpregnancy"]

What advice do you have for 

running

 during pregnancy?

Do what feels comfortable. If you need to back off, then take a rest day. Definitely incorporate cross-training to stay injury-free. It’s especially important for your ligaments and joints. 

Run

 at a pace comfortable for you, and remember to fuel properly.

Where can readers find you? If you don't have a blog or social media accounts you may leave blank.

Web: The Running Teacher

Twitter: @therunningteach

Instagram: @therunningteacher

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/therunningteacher

Check out Isabel's Running and Pregnancy Posts: 

Featured 

on

 For Two Fitness

Dealing with Round Ligament Pains

Want to be featured as a Mom on the Run? Email me!

--Sarah

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