Returning to running post pregnancy – weeks eight to ten

After starting to do a bit of running post baby, a big question I’ve had recently is how I am ever going to fit running in again the way that I used to. Realistically, it won’t be the way it used to for a very long time. So the next question is, how will I make it work to train for a marathon.

When I started to look for more information on marathon training in my quest to break 3 hours, I saw a lot of posts from people talking about balancing family time to train for a marathon. That’s sort of how I feel right now, though it’s hard to see how it would work with a newborn relying on me!

As I’m typing this, she’s sleeping on my chest, a habit which I’m trying to break to encourage her to sleep in her bed. But it’s so hard to give up the cuddles! My excuse this morning is that she’s been a bit refluxy and is more comfortable on me.

It does mean though that all I’ve had time to do today is scoff down my breakfast in the 7 minutes she fell asleep in the bassinet.

So going out for a long run feels like it would be impossible!

I’m sure things will get a bit easier as she gets older. She is only 10 weeks old, and I don’t need to be doing long runs yet. But if I’m going to achieve my goal of running a marathon in the first few months of next year, I will at some point.

How to fit it in definitely feels like something that’s going to take some figuring out.

I have managed to get some running in the last two weeks. At this point, the main way it has been happening is when people have offered to push the pram so I can run.

This has meant I’ve been able to do 30 minute runs on Wednesdays and Fridays pretty consistently.

I’ve also done parkrun the last two weeks while my husband walked with the pram.

The challenge is going to be how to extend this further. I can think of a few things that I’m going to try as she gets older:

1. Running pram (when she is old enough)

2. Working out expressing/bottle feeding

3. Crèche at the gym (she is over their minimum age but I haven’t tried it yet)

4. Learning to be away from her!

It’s going to be a long road. I guess that’s what a marathon is!

Here is a summary of my running in weeks nine and ten postpartum:

1. 5 x 30 min runs, easy pace

2. 2 x parkruns (23.28 and 21.20)

3. Walking on non-running days

4. 50km total (walking and running per week)

5. Strength/pelvic floor exercises daily

The second parkrun in 21.20 was definitely my limit for now. I’m going to do a few weeks of easier running before I try again.

My second parkrun back after giving birth

Read about my first race postpartum here.