One Runner Gives It Up for Pregnancy – Can You Relate?

I never intended to continue running throughout my entire pregnancy. I know women do it, successfully, all the time – but I really didn’t have the desire to keep it up for the entire nine months. After all, my running goals aren’t really that ambitious. I like 5Ks and 10Ks, but mostly I just run for fun. And I really didn’t see how running could possibly be fun in the later stages of pregnancy. So, I decided to continue running until my seventh month. Then, I would retire my running shoes (they were about to reach their maximum mileage anyway) and wait until next year to get back out there. 

How wrong I was. No, I didn’t run right up to my due date. Not even close! My due date is still four months away. The truth is, I haven’t laced up my shoes in weeks. Running, for me, is a thing of the past (for now anyway … I fully intend to get back out there after my baby is born).

I realized I needed to stop right around week 18. Even though I felt mostly OK, I couldn’t control my heart rate. The weather was still cool, but after less than a mile I felt overheated. I needed water a lot, but I didn’t want to carry it with me (I prefer hands-free running). I also worried about the terrain. I wasn’t running on trails or anything, just sidewalks, but I didn’t want to trip on a stick or a curb and risk a fall that might harm my baby.

The bottom line: running just wasn’t fun anymore. Instead of providing stress relief, it created anxiety. And who needs that? Not me (or any other mom-to-be!). So, I quit. 

Admittedly, I miss it. I love getting outside on breezy spring days, running through nearby neighborhoods with the Black Eyed Peas as my soundtrack. I love setting personal records in races (the only person I ever really need to beat is myself), and I love how running reminds me of how far I’ve come in terms of my own capabilities (three years ago, I couldn’t even run one lap around the track without a break). But more than that, I love the little life that is growing inside of me, and I want to keep her safe and healthy. Sorry, running, you just don’t compare!