Pregnancy & Baby Index: Pregnancy - Fitness: Can I still run a half-marathon during pregnancy?
Can I still run a half-marathon during pregnancy?
Lisa Stone
Is it safe for an expectant mom to run a half-marathon? Lisa Stone, an ACE-certified Pre-and Post-Natal Fitness Instructor, has some advice.
Your question
I'm training to run a half marathon and planning to get pregnant. Can I
still run a half marathon if I just find out that I am pregnant? - Carol, Miami
The expert answers
Carol,
The first thing you need to do is talk with your caregiver about your pregnancy
and running plans. Many women continue to run safely throughout their
pregnancies, so unless you're at risk for preterm labor or another related
complication, I don't expect that your caregiver would have a problem,
especially since you're already in training.
That said, please realize that
you may feel unusually tired and/or nauseous in your first trimester of
pregnancy, so you may need to cut back on your training schedule. Many
competitive female athletes tend to overlook their body's signals for when
to slow down, especially during pregnancy.
Remember: Your main goal is to grow a healthy baby, so don't ignore your body's efforts at helping you reach that goal!
Lisa :)