10 Questions About Pregnancy and Marathon Training

photo credit: Michael Hollander; Flickr Creative Commons

photo credit: Michael Hollander; Flickr Creative Commons

Many women have asked me if it’s possible to safely run and train for a marathon while pregnant.

This is a very important question and I’ve thought about dedicating a whole podcast episode to this topic.

Well, lo and behold I was recently invited to speak about this on the Run Run Live podcast. A big thanks to Chris Russell for having me on the show! You can hear me on episode 4-308.

Chris sent over 10 really great questions about pregnancy and running that he wanted me to tackle during the interview.

Here are the answers I gave based on my own experience of running through two pregnancies and the science I’ve read on this topic.


10 Questions About Pregnancy and Marathon Training

1. Unique Challenges

It’s my understanding that you’ve trained before, during and after your most recent pregnancy, what are the unique challenges are of mixing marathon training and pregnancy?

I had just come off running a marathon when I got pregnant with my 3rd son early in 2010 so I definitely had a fairly high fitness base. I was able to continue running my normal mileage at an easier intensity until around 22 weeks into my pregnancy. At that point my round ligaments couldn’t take the impact anymore and I had to transition to doing all low impact exercises.

During pregnancy the primary goal is doing what you can to have a safe and healthy pregnancy. There is a lot going on in your body at this time. Even during the 1st trimester your body is working hard on fetal development and it’s important to respect that. Maternal cardiac output increases by 30-50% and blood volume doubles. Breathing rate also increases during exercise, especially during the 3rd trimester when you have a larger body mass. So it’s important to listen to your body and be okay with the fact that you’ll have to slow down. I’ve heard it said that pregnancy is a time to “train for two, not for you.”

2. Safety

I’ve seen the experts voice different opinions on what is safe for pregnant runners. I’m sure you researched all of this being both a runner and a mom, what did you decide on as an approach and why?

Let me just preface this conversation by saying that I’m not a doctor and my advice is not a substitute for that of your doctor. If you have a chronic medical condition or history of miscarriage then you should always act with more caution and follow the advice of your doctor in regard to exercise.

But in general, aerobic exercise like running has been proven to be safe during a normal pregnancy and most women don’t need to lay aside their running routine during this time.

One of my pet peeves is that some people treat pregnancy like some kind of terminal disease. I’ve received comments like “are you sure you should be doing that?” and “don’t hurt yourself honey” more times than I care to count. I would often wait to announce my pregnancy until later because I wanted to act “normal” for as long as possible.

Another thing to keep in mind is that every pregnancy is unique even if this is not your first child. This is a time to exercise more caution and listen to your body. Now I certainly don’t advocate sitting on the couch for nine months but it isn’t a time to take on bigger challenges either.

Pregnancy and childbirth are much like a marathon experience and require a lot of patience with the process.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) which always takes a very conservative approach and states that,

“Continuing to run or do other aerobic activity during pregnancy for 30 min on most days of the week can reduce backaches, constipation, bloating, and swelling; prevent or treat gestational diabetes; increase your energy; improve your mood; improve your posture, muscle tone, strength and endurance; help you sleep better; and improve your ability to cope with labor pain.” They also say, “If you were a runner before you became pregnant, you often can keep running during pregnancy, although you may have to modify your routine.”

So if you’ve been running regularly before pregnancy then it’s fine to continue running at that level with less intensity during pregnancy as long as you listen to your body and adjust accordingly. However, pregnancy is not the time to train for a marathon for the first time or try and set PR’s. Your body needs to be invested in the healthy development of the baby.

The body will also present different challenges during the three trimesters of pregnancy. During the 1st trimester nausea, exhaustion and dizziness can be common. During the 2nd the center of gravity shifts, joints and ligaments get looser and women may start dealing with bladder pressure, urinary frequency and occasionally stress incontinence.

You will see a wide range of what people can do during pregnancy and this was true for me as well. During my 3rd pregnancy I experienced a lot of fatigue in the 1st trimester (which is very normal) and felt great during the 2nd trimester. I was able to do a half marathon and 15k during this time. However, once I got to around week 22 my center of gravity had shifted enough that it was putting a lot of pressure on the round ligaments. From this point on any high impact activity caused a lot of discomfort. So I began transitioning to the stationary bike, elliptical, yoga and strength training. In fact, I worked out by cycling and some strength training the day my son was born.

3. Perception by Society

I remember seeing Paula Radcliffe racing quite well and quite pregnant. Is there still any cultural backlash around that? Or have we grown up enough as a society to understand, what I’ve always known, that women are tougher than men?

Yes, I still think it’s pretty shocking for many people to see a woman running during pregnancy. I remember a lot of noise on social media when Alysia Montano competed in track events while quite pregnant and a woman who completed the Chicago Marathon at 39 weeks of pregnancy.

There have been several examples of elite women who have trained throughout pregnancy like Paula Radcliffe, Deena Kastor and Kara Goucher.

When I was pregnant in 2010 Kara Goucher was also pregnant with her son and I remember following her experience since we were due at nearly the same time. She slowed down her pace quite a bit but I still found it amusing that her slow pace was better than my fastest pace. However, I would say that women who continue to train for the entire duration of their pregnancy are more of the exception rather than the norm. Usually at some point there will be some modifications in the intensity and duration of exercise.

4. Advice

What are your top 3-5 bits of advice for women who find themselves pregnant during their training?  What is the advice you got and what did you find to be true and maybe not so true?

I did a lot of reading and there’s a lot of good advice out there. Of course everyone has a different experience during pregnancy so it’s important to focus on what works for you. But my advice would be to:

  • Focus on training for a healthy pregnancy. Having a healthy baby is every mother’s number one goal and personal running goals will take a backseat during this time.
  • Listen to your body. In your head you may think you should be able to still run a certain pace or distance but it’s important to slow down. Don’t feel pressured to keep running through your pregnancy if you don’t want to and don’t feel pressured to stop if you feel good.
  • Don’t neglect core strength. Keeping your back, abdominal and hip and pelvic floor muscles strong will give you a more comfortable pregnancy and easier post-partum recovery. Just make sure not to do exercises that diminish blood flow to the uterus like those that require lying on your back or doing things like crunches from the 2nd trimester on. You also don’t want to hold your breath during exercises.
  • Make sure to wear comfortable exercise clothes. You may need a larger size of running shoes as your feet can relax and swell during pregnancy. Compression socks and a belly support brand can also be helpful for more support and to promote better blood flow.
  • Your center of gravity shifts during pregnancy which will make a woman more clumsy.  Make sure that you don’t run on uneven surfaces or technical trails. It’s also important to warm up and cool down carefully. Relaxin, the hormone that relaxes your ligaments, is working throughout pregnancy and this will result in looser joints and ligaments that can make you more vulnerable to injury.
  • If you have the following symptoms at any time during pregnancy be sure to stop exercising and contact your healthcare provider immediately. Things to watch for include: abdominal cramping, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, chest pain, calf pain or swelling, or uterine contractions.

5. Recovery

Let’s talk about recovering from birth. Obviously giving birth can be quite rough on your body, especially if you have a C-section or other challenges. What did you do to minimize the impact of the blessed event and how did you recover to then go on and qualify for Boston!?

The timing of when you start exercising again post-pregnancy depends on how much you exercised during the pregnancy and what type of delivery you had. If you had an uncomplicated vaginal birth you will be able to begin exercising sooner than someone who had a cesarean.

But in general, start back slowly by walking several times per week and doing light stretching. Your joints and ligaments are going through a big transition post-delivery and your center of gravity will start shifting. Be sure to take it easy for the first 2-6 weeks (or whatever your doctor recommends). Listen to your body and proceed accordingly.

If you do start running during the first 6 weeks make sure that you take it slowly to avoid getting injured. Even if you were an avid marathoner you don’t want to jump back into heavy training right away. Your abdominal muscles will be very lax and this can throw your running form off as well as lead to back discomfort or other injuries. You’re also at a higher risk for stress fractures during this time. Be patient with yourself and remember that it’s important to rebuild a solid running base. Don’t take shortcuts and get injured.

My goals post-pregnancy were simply to let my body recover and slowly build back my running base. I mainly walked during the first 1-2 weeks post-partum and then slowly added in some running intervals. It was all about building back endurance before speed. I did deal with some plantar fasciitis at first and had to go slowly to keep this from getting worse. I did run a marathon 5 months after my 3rd son was born and since I was still carrying around some extra weight and breast feeding it was my slowest marathon to date. Then came the process of gradually dropping my times down. My current PR came around 19 months later.

6. Running Base

Do you think your experience and base of training helped you in the whole process? 

Yes, previous to my 1st pregnancy I wasn’t running regularly and I ended up gaining a lot of weight and not making the healthiest food choices. I truly believe that having a strong fitness base and continuing to exercise during my subsequent pregnancies made me stronger, increased my pain tolerance, and made me more patient with the process.


7. Health of the Baby

photo credit: Elizabeth Brixton, Flickr Creative Commons

photo credit: Elizabeth Brixton, Flickr Creative Commons

Is there any evidence that athletes have healthier babies?

A healthy mom results in a healthier baby. Studies show that exercise during pregnancy lessens back pain, prevents excessive weight gain, improves sleep quality, and reduces delivery complications and time spent in labor. In addition, exercise during pregnancy results in babies that have healthier blood vessels even into adulthood and helps protect against heart disease. A study from the University of Montreal found that the babies of mothers who exercised had brains that were more fully developed.


8. Post Partum

Do you think your running helped you through the post partum and other mental challenges?

Yes, running was a good outlet for me and gave me both a mental and physical boost, even while dealing with sleep deprivation. Evidence shows that exercising post-partum helps prevent urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse. It also promotes blood flow to avoid complications like varicose veins, leg cramps, edema and blood clot formation. Improved circulation promotes healing of pelvic tissues and strengthens uterine and pelvic ligaments and tendons.

As an added benefit, exercise in the postpartum period has been shown to decrease the incidence of postpartum depression.


9. Finding Time as a Mom

Mom’s tend to struggle more with finding time to train. How do you work in family?

I think Moms also often struggle with feeling guilty about taking time for training and it often requires some creativity to fit those runs in. It helps to surround yourself with a good support system whether it be your significant other, family member or friends.

It worked best for me to train early in the morning. I would breastfeed my infant, put him back to sleep and then run before my husband left for work (often before he was out of bed). That way running didn’t get pushed aside by the busyness of the day. But I often did cross training by attending yoga classes at the YMCA where they had a nursery or by doing exercises at home. I often had to pause midway through a workout to take care of needs or have a kid crawling on me during portions of a workout. But if it’s a priority you can find a way to make it happen.

I think if I were to do it again I would invest in a treadmill which can make fitting those runs in a lot easier.


10. Top 3 Things Learned

What are the top three things you’ve learned from the process of training and pregnancy? If you had to do it all over again would you do it differently?

  1. Pregnancy can make you a tougher and smarter runner. For me, running a marathon is way easier than childbirth. Both pregnancy and running raise your pain threshold and make you realize that you can handle more than you think.
  2. Be comfortable with the decisions you make and take it a day at a time. I was pregnant for a 4th time in 2012 and lost the baby at 18 weeks. It was natural to wonder if my running had anything to do with this miscarriage even though the pathology report showed that the baby suffered from a genetic condition. Still, it was a very tough period of time as we dealt with this loss and as I had to again rebuild my running base. Running was a very helpful coping mechanism for me and I can’t say that I would do anything differently.
  3. I’ve learned not to just train for races but to train for life. Being a strong and healthy person is so much more important to me than making a certain race goal. I want to run the rest of my life and enjoy all the unique opportunities and experiences running brings my way.
My third son, Liam, born October 1st, 2010.   I either ran or cross-trained up until the day he was born.

My third son, Liam, born October 1st, 2010. I either ran or cross-trained up until the day he was born.

21 Responses to 10 Questions About Pregnancy and Marathon Training

  1. Amy April 1, 2015 at 12:31 pm #

    Awesome post and interview, Angie! I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with our second baby and being a runner that happens to also be pregnant can feel very isolating! At least in our area, pregnant runners are rare and running while pregnant definitely carries a social stigma.

    My husband and I went for a run together last night with our toddler in the stroller and I can tell my belly draws some looks, but like you said, it’s about being comfortable with the decisions you make and taking it one day at a time! I ran through my first pregnancy and will continue to run in this pregnancy as long as it’s OK’d by our midwife and it still feels good!

    Great information and advice for training while pregnant!

    • Angie Spencer April 1, 2015 at 3:12 pm #

      Thanks Amy! It’s great to hear that you’re able to run at 30 weeks into your pregnancy (and include the whole family occasionally). You’ll be healthier and happier for it! All the best during the rest of your pregnancy and happy running!

  2. Mary November 19, 2016 at 8:55 am #

    Hi thanks for the article. I am trying for my 3rd baby, my other two are in high school. I have already run four marathons this year, I recently ran NYC in 3 hours 36 minutes and that was only 8 days after a marathon in the UK (Wales) called Snowdonia (it has a terrible profile)! So I’m strong as a bear at present!

    I have been picked to be a Pacer at a spring marathon nearby and it’s totally flat, I have run this race three times already. I really love pacing as I find it very rewarding. If I was racing a spring marathon I would be aiming for 3 hours 22 minutes. For this marathon they have given me 4 hours 15, which is nice and slow for me. I think that even if I became pregnant between now and then (I would maximally be 16 weeks pregnant) I could still do the pacing. I would do a minimum of training, not go anywhere near my usual pace and simply enjoy the pacing – obviously, providing I felt great, and cancel it if I didn’t! Do you think this would be okay ‘hypothetically’? thank you 🙂 happy running.

    • Angie Spencer November 19, 2016 at 9:40 am #

      Hi Mary,
      Congratulations on your recent marathons! It sounds like you have a very strong fitness base and I wish you the best of luck getting pregnant.

      As you know every pregnancy is different but with a normal uncomplicated pregnancy you should be fine running an easy marathon at around 16 weeks. Typically this is before your center of gravity shifts too much which can throw off your running form a bit. Of course you’ll want to clear this with your healthcare provider. Your most important goal would be to train for healthy baby but many women are lucky enough to be able to run all the way through pregnancy.

      All the best!

  3. D Drexler March 8, 2017 at 4:47 pm #

    HI! What do you think about training for your first marathon when you find out you are pregnant? I am at mile 20 of my training program and just found out that I am preggo, maybe 6 weeks?
    Any advice?

    • Angie Spencer March 9, 2017 at 12:15 pm #

      Congratulations on your pregnancy! It can be a challenging decision to decide whether or not to continue with your marathon training during pregnancy. However, if you’re already up to a 20 mile long run and your body has been responding well then you’d probably be fine to continue training and run the marathon. But you’d want to get the clearance of your healthcare provider and make sure that you keep all your training runs at an easy intensity. Pregnancy is definitely not a time to be setting challenging time goals and pushing yourself to the max. Typically during the 6-12 week period of pregnancy you may notice a lot more fatigue and possibly GI upset due to the rapid fetal growth and changing hormones. You’ll want to make sure that you build in extra rest, focus on good nutrition and stay well hydrated during this time, especially if you’re training for a marathon. Like I’ve mentioned before, pregnancy is a time to “train for two” not just for you. So listen to your body and let it be your guide. Wishing you the best!

    • Rama September 29, 2021 at 1:42 pm #

      Hello Drexler,

      I’m also in the same boat. Trained for a Chicago marathon. But recently came to know that I was pregnant. How was your marathon run when you were 6 weeks pregnant? Please share your experience!

  4. Joanne April 30, 2017 at 3:03 am #

    Hi angie I love your blog such and inspiration I’m currently 5 weeks pregnant and will be 10 weeks when I do a half! I’m still training and know that I will have to take it slow but I’m determined to do it and you’ve helped me realise that I can do it thank you!

    • Angie Spencer April 30, 2017 at 2:28 pm #

      Hi Joanne, Congratulations on your pregnancy! Keep up with the great work of training for the half and more importantly a healthy baby 🙂

  5. Andrea September 3, 2017 at 1:15 am #

    I was 14 weeks into training (13 miles) for my first marathon when I discovered I’m pregnant. I’ll be 17 weeks on race day – thought I was going to have to pull out but my midwife has given me the green light as long as I take it easy and listen to my body. I’ve had to adjust my expectations for my finish time, but maybe that’s a good thing anyway for a first marathon, I’ll be forced to take it extra carefully 🙂
    Good luck everyone! X

    • Angie Spencer September 7, 2017 at 9:18 am #

      Congratulations on your pregnancy Andrea! I’m glad that you’re working with your healthcare provider and have adjusted your expectations for the race. You’ll never regret taking it easy and listening to your body. Best wishes for the race and the rest of your pregnancy!

  6. Kara January 13, 2018 at 8:17 pm #

    Hi Angie,
    Thanks for the post! I just found out that I’m expected our 3rd baby. It was definitely an unexpected surprise as I’m training for my 1st Boston Marathon. I’m 38 & our youngest is 6. I’ll be 22 weeks on race day. My previous pregnancies both caused abdominal pain that prevented me from running very much during pregnancy but so far I’ve had zero symptoms with this pregnancy. My OB has given me the okay to run it if my body continues to feel good. (Obviously I won’t be getting a PR!) I’m wondering if you know of any way to connect with other women who might be running Boston this year with a similar scenario. Thanks!

    • Angie Spencer January 14, 2018 at 12:51 pm #

      Hi Kara,
      Congratulations on expecting your 3rd baby later this year and running the Boston Marathon in April. I can definitely understand that it’s not a combo you expected to have. It’s smart that you’re working closely with your OB to continue running as long as possible. I don’t know of any specific groups that are targeted specifically toward running Boston while pregnant but there are a couple of Facebook groups who might be able to direct you. One is called Running While Pregnant and the other Running Through Pregnancy. Best wishes for a great marathon and pregnancy!

    • Kate January 26, 2018 at 10:05 am #

      Kara
      My name is Kate I will be running my first Boston marathon this April and I’ll be 20 weeks pregnant! I’m 10 weeks right now and finished a half marathon last weekend. I felt good. I’m hoping I can still keep training. I’d love to stay connected through this process and possibly meet up in Boston! Congrats on your pregnancy and qualifying for Boston!!!

      Kate

  7. Sarah Berrisford March 17, 2019 at 6:10 am #

    Hi,
    I am training for Edinburgh marathon which is now 10 weeks away. I have just found out I am 6 weeks pregnant.
    I’m not sure if I should withdraw or continue running?

    I am fit (did an Ironman last summer) and upto 15 miles already. I feel absolutely fine at the moment, but aware fatigue and morning sickness are probably just around the corner. I haven’t met my midwife yet.

    Not sure to what to do?
    The transfer deadline is this week so need to make my mind up.

    • Angie Spencer March 19, 2019 at 3:09 pm #

      Hi Sarah, Congratulations on your pregnancy! It can definitely be challenging to decide whether or not to continue with marathon training or not. Morning sickness and fatigue can certainly provide some complications when it comes to getting your training done. The most important thing if you decide to continue training for the race is to listen to your body and keep the intensity of your workouts a bit lower. It’s also helpful to get more sleep and focus on good nutrition. If you’re feeling conflicted about doing the marathon you might check if you could switch to the half marathon. That would still give you a sense of accomplishment but not be as demanding on your body. Either way, best wishes for a healthy and happy pregnancy!

  8. Elyse April 5, 2019 at 9:21 am #

    hello,
    I have a few questions about pregnancy and marathon running.
    I am wanting to try for my first baby this summer, just play the it is what it is game starting July/august, however my friends and I are wanting to run out first full marathon in oct the twin cities. we will be training and running a half by July. i just don’t know if I should wait to get pregnant or just wing it, and if I get pregnant I get pregnant. the most I would be at the race could be 4 months or less or not at all? advice on waiting or going for it? I use to be in the best shape of my life, we ran long distance weekly, but last April 2018 I broke my femur so I am currently getting back into my long distance running, I am much slower than I was and I understand what taking it slow and not pushing it is all about now.
    I am just so torn on to wait or wing it.
    thanks for the great read!

    • Angie Spencer April 6, 2019 at 12:16 pm #

      Hi Elyse,

      It’s exciting to hear that you’re looking to get pregnant in the near future. That can definitely bring up a lot of “what ifs” when it comes to making plans like taking on your first marathon. My advice is to go ahead with your marathon training. The best gift you can give your future baby is a physically and mentally strong mother. Be sure to listen to your body along the way, incorporate strength training, rest days, and dial in healthy nutrition. That will go a long way toward the success of your marathon and a future pregnancy. Best wishes!

  9. Paula October 21, 2019 at 9:56 pm #

    Hi Angie,
    I’ve been running marathons for the last 8 years (30 to be exact!). I completed 4 marathons in spring (2019 PR 3:20), then took it easy (25 miles per week) till I started IVF treatment 5 weeks ago. During those 5 weeks I only did light weight training and the elliptical. Now I feel good, and post-ivf bloating is gone (yeah!), So I’m ready to start running (very slowly) again. I’m 5 weeks pregnant btw! 🙂
    At week 7 I’ve got a marathon, that I’ve always wanted to do, but the nurses and doctors I’ve seen so far are of the “running isn’t for pregnant women” mindset… So I’m confused.
    I would love to do it, even if i need to take 8 hours, and just jog/walk those 26 miles due to the lack of proper training… Any thoughts?
    Thank you so much for your help!!!!

    • Angie Spencer October 22, 2019 at 3:31 pm #

      Hi Paula,
      First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m sure it’s exciting to be entering this new phase of life. And it can be challenging to figure out how to balance the changes that come with being pregnant and what your running life is going to look like for the next few months.

      For each woman that’s going to look a little different (depending on circumstances related to the pregnancy, overall health, etc). Some continue with their scheduled training and races being careful to take it easy and listen to their bodies. Others find that the anxiety of something going wrong is too much and decide to forgo training and races for the duration of the pregnancy. There’s no one right or wrong answer. This is something that you need to have peace about in your own mind while taking the recommendations of your healthcare team in mind.

      We all know that running and exercise is healthy for pregnant women but there are a few exceptions when it’s not recommended. If you do decide to do the marathon just take it easy, stay hydrated, and listen to your body. Wishing you the very best!!

  10. Paula October 21, 2019 at 11:45 pm #

    P.S. I just went for my very first (4 mile) run in 37 days, and although super slow, it felt great! So thinking of a 0.75 mile jog and 0.25 walk strategy on marathon day…?

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