I've posted this on c25k but thought I'd repost here as well (and HELLO to familiar faces from when I graduated! Xx)
I completed c25k a couple of years ago and found I LOVE running - went on to run cross-country and fell-running up to half marathon distance (so those of you in the early weeks: keep it up, it's all really do-able if you just stick at it!). I then had to stop in order to gain weight to qualify for fertility treatment, so a year of no running followed by 9 months carrying a very big baby and still no running. (I did keep hillwalking throughout, and have a fairly active job where I'm on my feet all day).
Just wondered if any of you are starting/returning to running after having a baby, and whether you have any wisdom to share? I had a rough, pelvic-floor-annihilating delivery (10lb9oz back-to-back baby, forceps and extended episiotomy. NOT the most fun I've had with my knickers off!!?!?!), but 8 weeks on am pain free, healed, and after religious pelvic floor exercises am no longer weeing on the floor (yay!).
I'm starting Pilates this week (run by a physio and tailored for new mums) to sort my core. Do we reckon I can also start c25k again?
And sorry for the huuuuuge post! Finishers medals to anyone who's read this far!
Amy xx
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We've got a gorgeous boy (won't say 'little': I'm quite keen to try and take all 15lbs of him to see the consultant who told me my low BMI would cause a low birthweight and ask her to tell us again 😉) and are loving being a family of 3.
Such lovely news about that very precious baby of yours!
I would start the Pilates and speek with the midwife at the first session to seek advice. They are the experts! Even if you have to wait a while longer its fine, you are on your come-back lap!
I am planning to speak to the physio, yes, but have already seen my GP who is brilliant, and cycles and runs competitively, so 'gets it'! He said there's very little detailed, peer-reviewed research out there and lots of contradictory anecdotal evidence, so can only really say 'listen to your body'. My body is saying 'oh my god let me at those hills before the frost! Mud! Big skies! freeeeeedom!', and I'm not sure it's talking responsibly 😉
No I agree. So let your brain take control and start easy..... use the programme.
Then keep listening and see how your body is handling it.
Enjoy. but maybe reign back the enthusiasm just a tiny bit for a short while. Your body has been incredibly busy recently, and you also have more on your hands now with the little one.
Ey up TF 😀 good to see you back. Congratulations on the baby 👶
Running and Pilates etc will be fab for your pelvic floor 👍. You’ll soon be back on it. Then it’s a running pushchair and racing baby about the place. Pity it’s so hilly 🙄
My niece has been gifted one. Good for the upper body too not to mention the calves 👍
I like the hills! Am hoping I might be able to leave my husband with a freezer full of breastmilk and the baby so I can get off road (guess that might knacker even a good running buggy?). X
Ohh TTF! I remember you and your inspiring fell-running posts, your efforts to put on weight, qualify for fertility treatment and tolerate a weird range of heckles. Good to have you back, and I look forward to turns of phrase like "muscle and bone held together by stubbornness".
I don't believe that I am qualified to give post-partum running advice
Hello hello! It's so good to be back here. So many of the gang still about 😊. Hope you're good.
I've got that same half marathon tentatively in my sights for Easter time, depending how things go. We shall see how the diminished muscles respond to the still-very-strong stubbornness!
Hello hello you absent one 🙂 How lovely to hear from you and many congratulations on the birth of your (well, I was going to say little one but that's not totally accurate is it 😩) I remember that you went through a lot to get to this stage.
I can give you zero advice regarding a return after childbirth but just wanted to say hello and welcome back 👋👋👋
Hey me and Murph are doing the Monsal half marathon next spring I am stupidly excited to run through cold tunnels 😃. You still in that Neck of the Woods ?
No pressure but Jo Pavey fed her baby on the run 😃
Welcome back tea fairy and congratulations on the little one!! My 'little ones' are great big gallumping teenagers I'm afraid, so maybe others will advise on the return to running! Good luck and look forward to your posts again!🙂
Congratulations!!! I had to stop running during my pregnancy due to SPD. I wasn’t any where near your level though!
As far as I am aware as long as you feel good you can get out there and go for it. I started again at week 1 and took it easy.
I first did it with the buggy but now go out without (I don’t have a running buggy I have a baby jogger which says you can’t use for jogging 🙄) and get some time to myself.
I didn’t have a difficult birth so can’t comment from that point of view but I’d just say take it easy and try and listen to your body and do what you can.
Thanks glossy (and sorry to hear about your spd: I was lucky and escaped it but had a friend who didn't and it's miserable. Did it resolve when your baby arrived?)
I've been to postnatal Pilates today and the physio there says wait til 12 weeks post partum, so am going to spend a month trying to strengthen my core then get back to it!
There are quite a lot of articles on the internet on how to build up, and all seem to recommend pelvic floor exercises and strength training alongside a gentle build up starting from run/walk. Am assuming you have had your 6 week check and all is ok. Good luck.
Many congratulations Mum! Pilates and brisk walks sound a good plan. What about swimming? such good all round exercise which would strengthen muscles and improve cardio. Or maybe gentle water aerobics or similar? Look forward to hearing your updates.
Swimming isn't a bad shout but if I'm having a baby-free hour I'd rather be out in the hills than in our slightly grimy local pool. The Pilates is great because it's specifically post-natal and we can bring our babies to lie on the mats while we attempt to recruit long-forgotten muscles!
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