Getting Back Into Running After a Baby

Published by

Melissa (I Crashed the Web)

July 3, 2018

Getting back into running after having a baby is HARD. And I know that it’s going to be harder for me this time around because I wasn’t as active. Yes, I still ran/walked throughout the entire pregnancy, but with FW, I was literally running up until the day before he was born. With LM, the runs were much more walk/runs, so I expect that my return to running will be somewhat similar.

With B and FW after “running” the Cleveland Marathon 5k. I looked a little rougher after the next day’s 10k! Both were done while 39 weeks pregnant.

After running a 5k while pregnant with FW. I ran much more with him!

That being said – I’m getting ready to be back! The weather for the most part has been nice and I am seeing people out running all the time while I’m on maternity leave. And I yearn to be them – running, outside and free!

This week, I did a few walk/runs on the treadmill, in addition to my daily walks with LM outside. I was able to do them on the treadmill while she napped beside me, and were all taken VERY easy, as I’m still a few weeks out from my 6 week check-up. How easy? Let’s say that my first day my goal was to run a mile at a 12 min/mile pace. And it felt HARD.

Here’s how the week looked. In terms of steps:

Monday: 4.3 miles – ran/walk on treadmill

Tuesday: 3.6 miles – ran/walk on treadmill

Wednesday: 3.6 miles – ran/walk on treadmill

Saturday: 1.92 miles total … 95+ degree temps and me being alone with the kids for the afternoon meant not much activity during the day. But when B got home at night, I was really feeling the urge to get out there. Was it super hot and humid? Yes. But after being home alone with the 2 kids for the afternoon, it felt GREAT to run outside for the first time in more than a month! I only did just under 2 miles, but was happy to be out there.

As you can see, it’s not much. BUT – if I can keep it up and continue to run/walk a few times a week, I hope to be back running running soon!!

Some questions for you:

How long after you gave birth did you start running again?
Was it super hot and humid near you this weekend?

Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs!

5 responses to “Getting Back Into Running After a Baby”

Mary

July 3, 2018

I had a baby 6 weeks ago and am ready to start running. I haven’t run since November so it will be tough in this heat. You are motivating me to start soon!

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1. Melissa (I Crashed the Web)
  
  July 3, 2018
  
  Congratulations! You can do it. I’m starting off slow, but can’t wait to be back to normal.
  
  Reply
Deborah Brooks

July 4, 2018

I was not a runner until many years after I had kids. Things are always harder after the second baby. I think you are off to a fabulous start?

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Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

July 5, 2018

That’s awesome! I don’t have kids yet, but I’d really like to stay active and keep running if possible while pregnant.

What I can relate to is this heat and humidity – it’s been miserable in Philly, I can’t wait to get out of the 90’s and back to the 80’s, lol!

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Marcia

July 7, 2018

I waited the 6 weeks the dr recommended before getting back to running, and even though I was on bedrest for most of my pregnancies (16 weeks on) it all went really well. I was in Florida this past week and yes, very hot and humid there. .Not sure about home.

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I’m Melissa

Welcome to I Crashed The Web — proof that I’ve been oversharing online since the early days of blogging. It started as a blog (back when that was cool), morphed into a mom blog (when that was cool), and now it’s my happy place for all the things I love: running, baking, reading, traveling and life with my family of five.

I Crashed The Web