If you’re pregnant you might wonder if you can keep up with your distance running and go for that half marathon you had planned. Is it something you can pull off, without causing any harm to your unborn child?
While it’s perfectly fine to continue exercising, and even jogging, it’s not recommended to go for such a long distance as a half marathon. It’s a strenuous thing to do even when you’re not pregnant. It may seem like you’re making a concession by not doing a full marathon, but it’s still too long of a distance to go.
Save these kind of athletic feats as a way to celebrate a healthy and successful pregnancy, and a way to shed any post-pregnancy baby weight, after you give birth. This is a great way not only to take a positive look at things, but also to keep your baby as safe as possible, and a way to reminisce on these times later.
Can I Run a Half Marathon While Pregnant? Answer: No
It’s not that any major damage will occur to the fetus by the act of jogging, but to job for such a long distance is inviting trouble.
It might be true that generations ago as hunters and gatherers a pregnant woman may have had to run long distances either to gather or catch some food for her family. That is, if her husband didn’t catch it or gather it for her. Anyway, we don’t live in those times any more so there’s no need to jeopardize your pregnancy for a race of any kind.
Become a Spectator
You don’t always have to be in the mix to have a good time, and it can be just as fun and exhilarating, and less tiring, to cheer others on in their pursuit. Get your husband to run a half marathon, and get involved by being his personal trainer through the ordeal. On race day you can cheer him on as if it were you, and live vicariously.
Continue Jogging
Just because you shouldn’t go for long distances, doesn’t mean you have to give up jogging altogether. You can and should stay active while you’re pregnant, it’s great for the entire body, and for your baby. Walk outdoors if the weather permits, and get some Vitamin D in the form of sunshine. Get some fresh air, get your blood flowing, and your heart going. All of these things are great at keeping you in a good mood which transfers to a happy baby down below.
Pregnancy is Your Long Distance Challenge
Your only goal right now is to see things through this 9 month period and reach the finish line of a healthy, happy baby. If they could, they’d thank you for not making them bang around for hours on end as you run a half marathon.
Map a Plan for Next Year
Use your motivation to plan for a half marathon next year, after you’ve had your baby. That way you can make it a true family affair, and you can be happy in the planning of it, instead of disappointed that you can’t run one now.
Note: You may find a doctor that says it’s OK for you to run a half marathon, as a way to get you to not run a full marathon. But it’s still not advisable. Putting such a tax on your body when you’re eating, living, and breathing for two is not smart. This should be a time of moderation, health, and the best things for your baby, not necessarily the best things for you.
Settling Down
If you find that you’re one of those A type personalities that always has to be achieving something, you may find it hard to sit still long enough to have a happy and safe pregnancy. If this is the case you need to learn a big lesson on taking a chill pill. Learn to relax and have happy thoughts while you’re sitting still. There’s really no need for you to do anything but eat healthy foods, breath clean air, and stop taking medication, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products. You want to give your baby the best chance and give them the healthiest start possible.
