I’ve been running most of my life, so I didn’t want to stop when I became pregnant. But running with #2 has proven to be much different than running with #1. I quickly realized no two pregnancies are the same and priorities tend to shift from pre-baby to post-baby.
Running when pregnant with Mr. President was a lot easier – from a time, weather, and physical (I wasn’t sleep deprived) standpoint – but I’ve made a commitment (to myself, my family, and baby #2) to run when I can.
Time
I wish I would’ve realized this when I was pregnant with #1 but I had all the time in the world. Time to myself. Time to run whenever I wanted. Time for the gym. Time to recover after a run. Time for stretching. Time for yoga. Time for me.
Now, my “me-time” is devoted to the cutest little boy in the world. Of course I wouldn’t change it for the world but my “me-time” is limited. Especially since I stay home with LJ and I have a husband that travels a lot for work. I have to get my runs in when I can – and sometimes that’s hard.
Weather
I was pregnant January – October with Mr. President and while those first couple of months were cold, the remainder of the pregnancy was great for running (I’m a Florida girl at heart so the heat doesn’t bother me). By the time I realized I was pregnant with #2, it was late September and the weather was starting to change. Since I run while pushing LJ, I have to ensure that the weather is warm enough to take him out. Anything below 30 degrees and we’re just not running. Thankfully, I received a BOB weather shield for Christmas – and it’s been a lifesaver through the winter – but these last few weeks have been miserable and I’m not comfortable running with him (add snow/ice to the mix and it’s downright dangerous).
Physical
I’m tired. Like, really tired. At 16 months, LJ is just now sleeping through the night. And after 16 months of interrupted sleep, sometimes the last thing I want to do is bundle up for a run. Is it an excuse? Probably, but it’s also important for me to listen to my body. With #1, I slept 9+ hours/night. I had time to sit down and relax (the word relax is no longer in my vocabulary). I had time for naps (even though I’m not a good napper). In other words, I was tired because I was growing a baby but nothing like I am now.
…But I wouldn’t trade sleep or time with LJ for 1,000 runs. Plus, he keeps me very busy chasing him. Which counts for something, right?!
Did you find that running during your second pregnancy was different than your first? In what ways?
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great post! Running with the second pregnancy is definitely challenging. Just did my last 2
Miles on Monday and am so glad I was able to go as long as I did. It’s all worth it though! So keep trucking mama.
This is my 3rd pregnancy but I didn’t start to run until after #2 was 6 months old, so this is a new arena for me. I am just tired. And my back hurts so I do run with a maternity belt but even then my back is sore the next day. I plan to continue as long as I can. 🙂
You still need to get some “me” time without the baby! If your husband travels a lot, when it’s you and 2 kids you will have even less free time than you do now and everything will be more than twice as hard as it is now. You’d think that would also make it twice as rewarding but it’s really just twice as hard. You have to play zone defense instead of man-to-man like you can now. Do whatever it takes to get in a good yoga class or something before #2 gets here. trust me on this one. Our kids were 4 & 6 years old before it ever really settled down.
you talk about time… oh my goodness, my baby is 11 months old and i feel like i have NO time now!!!!
You are amazing. I was planning on running during my first pregnancy, but my lower abs hurt so bad, that I knew it’s not a good thing to do. I listened to my body and enjoyed being lazy. Being pregnant with a toddler running around must be so exhausting! I’m already exhausted after a day with my daughter and I’m not pregnant 🙂
I had to stop at 16 weeks into my second pregnancy because there was two of them in there. There was no way I was going to risk pre-term labor. It was a long 8 months, but so worth it when I deliverd my two cuties at 39 weeks. After they came, it was difficult to get any running in for about 3 months… my older one was still in diapers and my husband traveled a lot too. I was pretty much on survival mode for the first 6 months. I slowly got back into it when my older went to daycare and I invested in a double stroller. It’s not easy– I have so much empathy, but it sounds like you have realistic expectations– run when you can. You are a gorgeous mama. Miss you so much!
Thanks, Lisa! Love + miss you too!
Yes! I ran fairly easily throughout my first pregnancy. For my second I had to give it up pretty early. It was so much more difficult on my body and I was exhausted all the time keeping up with a toddler and being pregnant.
It’s so much harder than I thought it would be. If only I knew… haha
Hi, this is something I have always wondered. I only have the one right now, but I can imagine how much more things change when you add a second into the mix! Good for you to try and maintain an active lifestyle and keep doing what you feel most passionate about.
I ran all the way through my first pregnancy, but couldn’t run at all with baby #2. He sat on my bladder which made running painful, and felt like I had to pee all the time! Add to that the fatigue you describe, and I just couldn’t do it. I kept doing yoga and swimming, but most of my exercise involved chasing around a very active 18 month old! Now that they’re 10 and almost 13 I do get to sleep through the night (!), but I still recall those sleep-deprived years. It isn’t easy, but good job looking on the bright side!
Your post has been exactly what I’m experiencing this time around. The biggest difference is TIME! With #1, I could run early in the morning before work or I would go to the gym afterwards. Now it’s either run with the jogging stroller, on the treadmill or in the early morning (if my husband is home).
Our toddler is 2 years old and now sleeps through the night (he waited until he was a year to do that!). I get the sleep at night but my full-time job is now chasing him instead of sitting at my desk job. And, yes, chasing a toddler all day definitely does count for something 🙂
I ran through pregnancy #1 and am still running at 32 weeks with #2, but my running has changed. I don’t run as many days as I did with pregnancy #1, lower mileage, slower pace but more strength training. I think I’m better at listening to my body this time while in with my first I think I pushed my body too hard!