4 Adjustments I Made To Train For A Marathon During Pregnancy

I have received a great amount of positive feedback and support as a result of my previous blog post, "Running a Marathon During Pregnancy." I have also received many inquiries of how I have been able to continue to train for a marathon and run long distance during my pregnancy. For this post, I felt it necessary to share four adjustments I made to train for a marathon during pregnancy.

I was already a runner prior to pregnancy and familiar with training for a marathon. Training during my pregnancy, however, has been a completely different process requiring flexibility, patience, and adjustments. Over the years I have learned that I should listen to my body when it comes to running and training for a marathon, but I must admit that I have not always done it. During this marathon training, however, I have become exceptionally better at listening to my body now that I am training during pregnancy and running with a body that is constantly changing. It’s ironic because I feel that I am in better shape today at almost six months pregnant than I have been in the past prior to a marathon. I am not injured, fatigued, or under-trained for the 26.2-mile marathon distance. 

Here are four adjustments I have made to successfully continue my marathon training during pregnancy: 

1. My New “Pregnancy Pace”

My goal from the beginning of my training has been to continue to do what I love, and that is run! One of the first adjustments I had to make (and continue to make) was modifying my running pace to a more comfortable customized pregnancy pace.  My new pace is not fixed and continues to change as my body continues to change.  My pace is determined based on how I feel and what is most comfortable to me when running. I have gauged this comfort level by my breathing and how I feel physically during my runs as well as after my runs. I never push myself and now always listen to my body.

 
2. Nutrition

I have always had a pretty healthy diet of low carbohydrates and lots of fruits, veggies, legumes, with chicken and fish twice a week.  Since my pregnancy I eat what I crave and do not limit myself when it comes to my diet.  As a result, I have dramatically increased my consumption of protein and carbohydrates to being the majority of what my meals consist of.  It has been a challenge finding the exact foods that agree with me, as I find that my runs can be affected by what I eat the day before and the morning of prior to a run.  I have also discovered that snacks during my runs of more than eight miles are essential.  Through trial and error, I have found that the easiest snacks for me to digest during my longer runs are fig bars, trail mix, bananas, and GU Energy Gels. 

 3. Hydration

Water has been so important to my training that I purchased a Camelbak, which is a running hydration backpack that holds more water than my previous water belt. I utilize this hydration backpack for any runs that are over an hour.  Water not only quenches my thirst but also gives me the energy I need to complete my mileage. I have not experienced any muscle cramps, fatigue, or dehydration during this marathon training, and I believe that proper hydration has been a key contributing factor.

4. Sleep

Plenty of sleep has been significant in my marathon training during pregnancy, which is why I include sleep as part of my training. Prior to pregnancy I could easily function on six hours of sleep. Now that I am not only training for a marathon but also growing a healthy future runner inside of me, it is essential that I get at least eight hours of sleep each night.  There have been some nights I have not been able to get a full eight hours of sleep and therefore will make up for it by going to bed at least an hour earlier the following night, or by catching a cat nap with my active 3-year-old the next day!

I am currently 23 weeks pregnant and less than two weeks away from running The Light at the End of the Tunnel Marathon.  I have successfully completed a 20-mile run two weeks ago and now am tapering (decreasing my mileage) to prepare for the marathon.  I have no expectations for the outcome of this race, but feel very confident in my training.  I think my biggest challenge for this marathon will be to locate the restrooms along the marathon course, as I have never been one to use a bush!

To receive updates on my marathon training and my marathon day experience connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/the.runnermama, Instagram: @therunnermama, & Twitter: @TheRunnerMama.

* The above is intended to share my positive running experiences and should not be considered as medical advice or training advice.