Running Again After Baby

sdurrahMpls
sdurrahMpls Posts: 75 Member
edited November 16 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi guys,

I'm in need of a little encouragement.

I am 8 weeks postpartum, and dealing with the fact that my body isn't going to snap back into the shape it was pre-pregnancy (not by appearance or fitness level). This is my third child, so you'd think I'd be aware of this by now, but it just hasn't seemed to click.

I went to the treadmill today feeling like I would be able to run just as well as I did during the first weeks of pregnancy. I was very wrong.

The goal was to run 3 miles- a distance I could do easily before.

After the first 9 mins, I HAD to stop and walk.

I was EXHAUSTED.

I completed another 9 min interval, a 2 min interval, and a 3 min interval. My final distance was 2.3 miles.

I'll be honest- I know this is not worth feeling down and out about. Once upon a time, I couldn't run much more than 30 secs without needing a rest. But it for some reason, it really hurt that I couldn't whip out 3 miles today.

I know that I will make it back to where I was. But I am inpatient. I also know I should be proud of the work I put in. But I think I am just needing to be cheered on by someone else today. Being your own cheerleader all of time gets tiring.

Replies

  • ABabilonia
    ABabilonia Posts: 622 Member
    9 minutes is actually a big accomplishment. As a newbie runner I know that it takes time and patience to become a better runner. At one point I couldn't even run five minutes without resting. Today I'm usually at 20 with no problems. Maybe you should try an app called C25K.
  • mitch16
    mitch16 Posts: 2,113 Member
    Give yourself a break--making another little human is hard work, and your body needs to repair itself a bit. Every day that you get out there and run (even if it's just for 9 minutes) makes you that much stronger and that much closer to your old self!

    (I know exactly where you are coming from--I'm just getting back into running after an ACL injury/surgery last year. My pace is way slower and I can't get anywhere near the mileage I used to and some days it makes me really sad too...)
  • pomegranatecloud
    pomegranatecloud Posts: 812 Member
    Don't feel discouraged. You just had a baby! You probably haven't run in at least 3 months right? You'll get back to where you were quickly once you start running regularly again. Starting again after a period of not running is always the hardest, but you'll feel much better and it'll be so easier in a couple of weeks. Keep it up!
  • Bluepegasus
    Bluepegasus Posts: 333 Member
    The base fitness is already there as you used to run. It might have been hard and that makes you feel discouraged, but believe me, your fitness will come back really quick once you're running regularly.
  • misskris78
    misskris78 Posts: 136 Member
    Don't get discouraged. Push through, and give yourself some credit. This happened to me with my second - and it was discouraging. But, I went on to PR a 5k 3months pp. For me, it suddenly just clicked again. Who knows why. Maybe it was hormones, or maybe my body was done repairing itself. As long as you're healthy and don't have any other underlying condition, your fitness will return. I promise :)
  • ko4q
    ko4q Posts: 46 Member
    I know the feeling, even though its been a while (my "baby" is 4 1/2 already). I ran consistently through both pregnancies, including a 6 mile run/walk the day my daughter was born...I thought getting back into running was going to be a no-brainer. My first run back ppd was exactly 0.25 miles and that was the absolute limit of what I could do. But, it got better. My next run a week later was 0.5 miles and then I hit the 1 mile mark and so on. I kept track of all my small, incremental advancements and before long, I was at 5 very, very slow miles. Once I could do that, I knew I could work a little on the speed. Point is, you are still healing, and if nothing else, adjusting to life with a newborn. Take it EZ, and stay hydrated-the last thing you want to deal with is mastitis (if your are also nursing/pumping). Good luck!
  • annacole94
    annacole94 Posts: 994 Member
    You really don't want to rush back to running. It's hard on the pelvic floor, and messing that up is a hard thing to recover from.
    http://www.pelvicfloorfirst.org.au/pages/returning-to-sport-or-exercise-after-the-birth.html

    They say 12 -16 weeks before returning to running. Not peeing yourself is probably a pretty high priority, so I'd take it easy and work up slowly.
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