Half marathon 6 months after C-Section?

[Anonymous]

Is that a crazy idea? I've run a half before, and I would just want to finish, not PR or anything. I'm 3 weeks postpartum and wouldn't want to start training for at least a month and a half, and I'll for sure talk to my midwives about it at my 6 week appointment, but early bird registration ends soon and if I'm going to do it I'd like to register soon. I'm just not sure what kind of expectations to have for my recovery.

[Anonymous]

Unless you have a complicated recovery, I don't see why you couldn't do it with the goal of just finishing.

What's less clear is whether you'll want to. I mean, who knows how your baby will be sleeping, and training for a half sleep-deprived is miserable. I've BTDT, and know that things sound like a good idea at the time, but throwing in variables you can't control makes it much harder.

[Anonymous]

For reference my sister did a half marathon 3 months after both her babies. Still breastfeeding them. But she didn’t have a c-section so I can’t talk about that. I did my first half 10 months after my first baby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For reference my sister did a half marathon 3 months after both her babies. Still breastfeeding them. But she didn’t have a c-section so I can’t talk about that. I did my first half 10 months after my first baby.

From the prior PP: good for your sister, but that vast majority of women would neither want nor be able to dedicate the time to train for a half three *months* after giving birth. I had easy vaginal deliveries and recoveries, but three months? Why?

OP, the breastfeeding thing is another consideration, though there are ways around it (pump and dump at the starting line, etc.).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For reference my sister did a half marathon 3 months after both her babies. Still breastfeeding them. But she didn’t have a c-section so I can’t talk about that. I did my first half 10 months after my first baby.

From the prior PP: good for your sister, but that vast majority of women would neither want nor be able to dedicate the time to train for a half three *months* after giving birth. I had easy vaginal deliveries and recoveries, but three months? Why?

OP, the breastfeeding thing is another consideration, though there are ways around it (pump and dump at the starting line, etc.).

Aside from differences in recovery, the degree to which one needs to train for a half depends so much on one's individual body and running/athletic history. I know some people for whom running 13 miles is a huge accomplishment that requires a lot of training to just complete, and others for whom they can do it off the couch (although they might be sore and slow).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For reference my sister did a half marathon 3 months after both her babies. Still breastfeeding them. But she didn’t have a c-section so I can’t talk about that. I did my first half 10 months after my first baby.

From the prior PP: good for your sister, but that vast majority of women would neither want nor be able to dedicate the time to train for a half three *months* after giving birth. I had easy vaginal deliveries and recoveries, but three months? Why?

OP, the breastfeeding thing is another consideration, though there are ways around it (pump and dump at the starting line, etc.).

Aside from differences in recovery, the degree to which one needs to train for a half depends so much on one's individual body and running/athletic history. I know some people for whom running 13 miles is a huge accomplishment that requires a lot of training to just complete, and others for whom they can do it off the couch (although they might be sore and slow).

I am the PP you were originally referring to. Yes my sister does not really need to "train" much to do a half marathon even after having kids. We both started running 6 weeks after giving birth and she was easily able to amp it up to get ready for a half marathon. But she is a marathon runner to begin with so a half isn't too crazy for her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For reference my sister did a half marathon 3 months after both her babies. Still breastfeeding them. But she didn’t have a c-section so I can’t talk about that. I did my first half 10 months after my first baby.

From the prior PP: good for your sister, but that vast majority of women would neither want nor be able to dedicate the time to train for a half three *months* after giving birth. I had easy vaginal deliveries and recoveries, but three months? Why?

OP, the breastfeeding thing is another consideration, though there are ways around it (pump and dump at the starting line, etc.).

Aside from differences in recovery, the degree to which one needs to train for a half depends so much on one's individual body and running/athletic history. I know some people for whom running 13 miles is a huge accomplishment that requires a lot of training to just complete, and others for whom they can do it off the couch (although they might be sore and slow).

I am the PP you were originally referring to. Yes my sister does not really need to "train" much to do a half marathon even after having kids. We both started running 6 weeks after giving birth and she was easily able to amp it up to get ready for a half marathon. But she is a marathon runner to begin with so a half isn't too crazy for her.

And I'm the first PP, and I get that entirely. I don't need to train much for a half, either, since I've been a runner for nearly 28 years. But that's not most people.

OP: it really depends on your base of training. In your shoes, I'd pick a half that is part of a larger running event, i.e., with the option to switch to a shorter distance without penalty. That way, you can do the half if it works, but retain the option to do a shorter distance if training doesn't work out for whatever reason. Good luck, either way!

[Anonymous]

I’m a runner who has had two c sections. I did a 10k 8 months after my second and a half a year to the date I went into labor.

In addition to running, I’d recommend pilates once you get cleared. My abs were mushy and couldn’t support me for the long runs.

[Anonymous]

More power to you if it’s a safe measure

[Anonymous]

I think it is not safe. Maybe you will be completely fine but if your pelvic floor is not back in shape you risk more long term issues.

As a French person I am appalled by how little attention doctors here are paying to this. In France you never get clearance to exercise before completing PT for your pelvic floor (5-10 sessions minimum depending on your first assessment). Having given birth in the US I didn't pay much attention and bragged to my French friends about being back in the gym 6 weeks after giving birth. I thought they were acting the proverbial anti-gym frenchiness...

Well, I am the one who can't jump on a trampoline now without leaking . 2 years after my daughter's birth and I am finally trying to change this with a proper keggel and pelvic floor routine. I wished someone had told me that rushing into running after giving birth was not a priority: keggels were..

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is not safe. Maybe you will be completely fine but if your pelvic floor is not back in shape you risk more long term issues.

As a French person I am appalled by how little attention doctors here are paying to this. In France you never get clearance to exercise before completing PT for your pelvic floor (5-10 sessions minimum depending on your first assessment). Having given birth in the US I didn't pay much attention and bragged to my French friends about being back in the gym 6 weeks after giving birth. I thought they were acting the proverbial anti-gym frenchiness...

Well, I am the one who can't jump on a trampoline now without leaking . 2 years after my daughter's birth and I am finally trying to change this with a proper keggel and pelvic floor routine. I wished someone had told me that rushing into running after giving birth was not a priority: keggels were..

THIS. And don't assume that a c-section protects your pelvic floor. Pregnancy damages the pelvic floor the most, and the surgery itself can cause further damage. I would absolutely not rush into running or any high impact exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it is not safe. Maybe you will be completely fine but if your pelvic floor is not back in shape you risk more long term issues.

As a French person I am appalled by how little attention doctors here are paying to this. In France you never get clearance to exercise before completing PT for your pelvic floor (5-10 sessions minimum depending on your first assessment). Having given birth in the US I didn't pay much attention and bragged to my French friends about being back in the gym 6 weeks after giving birth. I thought they were acting the proverbial anti-gym frenchiness...

Well, I am the one who can't jump on a trampoline now without leaking . 2 years after my daughter's birth and I am finally trying to change this with a proper keggel and pelvic floor routine. I wished someone had told me that rushing into running after giving birth was not a priority: keggels were..

This seems over the top.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is not safe. Maybe you will be completely fine but if your pelvic floor is not back in shape you risk more long term issues.

As a French person I am appalled by how little attention doctors here are paying to this. In France you never get clearance to exercise before completing PT for your pelvic floor (5-10 sessions minimum depending on your first assessment). Having given birth in the US I didn't pay much attention and bragged to my French friends about being back in the gym 6 weeks after giving birth. I thought they were acting the proverbial anti-gym frenchiness...

Well, I am the one who can't jump on a trampoline now without leaking . 2 years after my daughter's birth and I am finally trying to change this with a proper keggel and pelvic floor routine. I wished someone had told me that rushing into running after giving birth was not a priority: keggels were..

This seems over the top.

What do you mean by "this seems over the top"? Your post seems a little heartless, given what PP shared, but maybe I'm misunderstanding your meaning.

[Anonymous]

I did cherry blossom 6 months PP. the biggest issue was I was still breastfeeding and I felt like I was going to explode st the end.

[Anonymous]

Focus on your babies people.