| AP Photo |
On Sunday, Amber Miller (at right) ran and walked the Chicago marathon. A few hours later, she gave birth.
I’ve seen lots of different comments about her choice to participate in the race at about 39 weeks pregnant. I have to say, I’m on the fence about it.
I mean, I wouldn’t want to do that. That does not sound fun at all to me. I don’t know that it’s unsafe, though? According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, it’s not the best, but it’s not the worst, either.
“It was pretty extreme,” said Dr. Kathy Sander, an obstetrician at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic who also runs. “The guidelines that we follow are if you are previously a runner prior to pregnancy, then it’s safe to continue with modifications. “My general feeling is I would hope that my patients’ modifications would include running less than 26.2 miles.” (Marathons and Pregnancy Should Not Mix, Roberta MacInnis, Houston Chronicle, Oct. 13, 2011)
I have a running buddy who ran throughout her pregnancy. You may know her: Zoë from Run, Zoë, Run. In 2010, we ran-walked at 10K, and she also walk-jogged a 5K after that (pictured at right). A 10K and a 5K are totally different animals than a marathon as we all know. (She didn’t take on her marathon until after little Goober was born, and that was no walk in the park.)
So, is it safe to run a marathon while pregnant? Especially near full-term?
I did a little search on the interwebs:
“Doctors warn that there are potential dangers involved in exercising too much during pregnancy. Low birth weight (defined as less than 5 1/2 pounds) is a concern especially if you are a pregnant woman running 60 miles a week. If you run long distances you may end up struggling to get enough nutrition for you and your baby. If you plan to run while you are pregnant doctors warn that you need to be vigilant about your calorie intake and really focus on balancing out running with eating.” (Should You Run a Marathon While Pregnant?, Michele Cheplic, Familes.com)
Basically, everything I can find say as long as you’ve been running and you get the “okay” from a doctor, it’s okay to walk-jog. Like Dr. Sander said above, though, the full 26.2 may not be the best idea.
Still. Who wants to do a marathon while that pregnant? Not me.
What do you think? Did you run during your pregnancies? Would you? Would you run a marathon while pregnant?
16 comments
I've never been pregnant, but I can't imagine putting myself through a marathon in that “condition” and I'd be too worried about the risks. However I *do* intend to run through a potential future pregnancy. 🙂
I just think it proves how AMAZING our bodies are. I think that this women went about it right. I cancelled my gym memebership and sat on my bum after 20 weeks when I was pregnant. However my lifestyle was different then it is now. Now I think I would continue to move as long as my body would let me. Run a marathon…uggh no – but still running if I could heck yea.
My kids were 9lbs and 9.7lbs and I was freakin huge. My hips felt like they would crack in half at any minute. Heck no would I want to run. Hats off to her she's one tuff mama 🙂 I might run up until 6 months or so, but condsidering I barely made it 26.2 miles not pregnant I doubt being preggo would be any better.
I love that she ran during pregnancy. I'm not even super opposed to the 26.2 distance if it's something your body is already trained for. BUT, I think it was INCREDIBLY risky to do a full THIS late in her term, and in the heat that Chicago had this year.
I wasn't a runner until after I had my kids, but I can't imagine it. I got VERY big and stuck out so far. I had a hard time walking down the hall without the underside of my belly feeling like it was hurting. a LOT. I guess with one of those sling things? I suppose a very tall person who doesn't carry so far OUT could do it easier than I could.If I were to get pg now, I would definitely continue to run. But I don't think I would run super long distances.Bottom line…we are all different and make choices based on our own situation, health etc. I am still pretty impressed by that woman!
This woman just made me mad because I ran the same marathon, and it was SO hard. I only finished a little more than an hour earlier than her, and I'm not pregnant. Not at all. Imagine getting passed by her! I don't get wanting to put your body through that many miles while pregnant. Running while pregnant sounds great, and I wish I had done it, but this is insane!
I am not on the fence on this …I am on the side of the fence who says this was stupid and irresponsible and a bit selfish. sorry. there will always be other races to run, but a child? running while pregnant is one thing, a marathon at 39 weeks is another, does not matter who slow she went and how much training she did before.things can go wrong. she was playing with a life..2 actually…she made me mad. can you tell?
It made me a bit angry to see how much negativity she's received. Since when do we have a right to get all indignant about something like that? Honestly, there are two people who have a say – her, and her doctor. Period.
I ran throughout my entire second pregnancy. I was fine, however, I listened to my body. In that, if I felt something or just didn't feel right, I would walk instead of run..my doctor (who was female) advised me not to run, even though I've been a runner for the past 16 years. Do I think running a marathon while pregnant is safe .. . as long as you are under your doctors care and getting regular check-ups and you are listening to your body, you should be okay. I wouldn't use this time to try and PR of course.
I was a runner before getting pregnant…and then when I was pregnant I physically could not make my body run. And so I took almost a 2 year break from running. I am hoping next pregnancy I will have more energy and be able to run through it….but definitly not more than a few miles at a time!
I discussed this on my blog, too. I wish I had been that fit while I was pregnant. While I don't think it's for everyone, I'd like to see more women continue their athletic pursuits while they are pregnant, so that maybe the medical profession will have more faith in our bodies and stop treating pregnancy like a disease.
I don't think it was BAD of her – she didn't run the whole thing, she said she walked about half of it. If I'm blessed to have another baby, I plan to run through the whole pregnancy. I doubt I'd run 26.2 but I'd consider a half. As long as you're really watching your intake (eat more? OK!). For me, it would be my size that would hinder me – my first son was 9 lbs 8 oz, my second was 8 lbs 15 oz so I have big boys and I'm only 5'3″ so there's not much room for those big boys so I'm huge!
I don't think it was BAD of her – she didn't run the whole thing, she said she walked about half of it. If I'm blessed to have another baby, I plan to run through the whole pregnancy. I doubt I'd run 26.2 but I'd consider a half. As long as you're really watching your intake (eat more? OK!). For me, it would be my size that would hinder me – my first son was 9 lbs 8 oz, my second was 8 lbs 15 oz so I have big boys and I'm only 5'3″ so there's not much room for those big boys so I'm huge!
I ran a marathon while pregnant, and I PB'd! yay!Ok, the PB was not intended, but it happened nonetheless. I was well into training when I found out I was pregnant, and I got the “go-ahead” as long as I knew my limits. I decided to 'play it by ear' while out on the course, and while training. The only difference I noticed while running, was in the last kilometre I felt WAY more hungry than I had during other marathons.I was only 4 and a half months pregnant, though, not nine months! I also had run a half marathon during my one of my other pregnancies, so maybe that is why I wasn't afraid.My son was born very healthy, over 8lbs. I feel that running through pregnancy made me so much more fit for the recovery after the baby.As for that crazy Chicago Marathon Lady? Yes, I think she is nuts. I would have never attempted a marathon at that stage of the game–the bathroom breaks alone would have been entirely too much! Though, it is obviously a good way to make the baby come on time 😉
No thanks!!! I would not want to run/walk a marathon 39 w. pregnant. Extreme discomfort aside…I'd be scared to death that I'd end up giving birth on the side of the race course with thousands of people having to witness it. NO WAY! However, if that girl felt like she could…then more power to her. Wow.
I am the opposite of this woman. Its clear to me she's never lost a pregnancy…. which is where I'm coming from. I'm all for staying fit and running while pregnant, I think that's great. But putting your body through that kind of stress — not just the distance, but the HEAT — at 39 weeks DID in fact pose a risk to her child. There is no question about that. But risk exists on a scale, and she and her doctor perceived the risk to be low ENOUGH to take. To me? Zero risk is the only kind I'd be comfortable with when it comes to my child.I think she's very lucky, and I'm happy her and her baby are okay. If anything had gone wrong….. UGH. Could she have lived with herself????? That's what I'm talking about. I just could NOT risk it.