Prairie to Peak Running

Michelle Bolay

The question of the moment (other than, “how is the baby sleeping?”) has been, “are you back running again?” As much as I’d love to be back on a single track trail somewhere in the mountains, or even just cruising along the city roads on a stroller run, I’m not. Being only 8 weeks postpartum, I still have 4 more weeks of walking, pelvic floor exercises, and easy biking before running is an option.

Even then, it’ll be a slow build into a regular running routine, and only if my whole body is in agreement. As noted by Groom et al (2019), running is a high impact sport, and was found to have a 4.59 fold increased risk of pelvic floor dysfunction compared to low impact exercise. Following having a baby, women need adequate time to heal and regain strength, particularly in the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles. Once I reach 12 weeks postpartum, I will ease into running only if I am pain-free, I get the all-clear from my pelvic floor PT, and that I am continuing to fuel myself adequately, especially during my breastfeeding period. 

Further, in regards to breastfeeding, it has been seen that breastfeeding prolongs the presence of a hormonally altered environment which results in lower levels of estrogen and the possibility for slightly raised levels of relaxin to continue (Groom et al, 2019). This means a higher chance of injury due to looser muscles. Yet, while I say all of this, I have still had to consciously remind myself to take time to let my body heal, to let my stitches heal, and to let my body rest after such an intense and exhausting experience. 

Having been through this phase before, and have seen how recovery is crucial for future success, it is easier this time around. I have goals of running a 50 km in the spring, a 50 miler in the summer, and of completing a few local FKTs; all of which are driving me to stick with my plan. Perhaps I will come back even stronger (that’ll be a bonus)! It takes a village, and I thank my physiotherapists, my midwife, and my coaches for helping me stay strong on my journey and continue to grow as a runner and athlete.

References

Goom, T., Donnelly, G., Brockwell, E., Stuart Butler, Claire Callaghan, Victoria Liu, Tom 

Gray, Myra Robson, Mr Patrick Campbell, Elaine Miller, Teresa Cook, Dr Juliette McGratten, Antony Lo, Marika Hart, Maeve Whelan, Helen Keeble, Cinny Cusack, Niamh Kenny, Suzanne Carney, . . . Sarah Haag. (2019, March). Returning to running postnatal – guidelines for medical, health and fitness professionals managing this population. https://absolute.physio/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/returning-to-running-postnatal-guidelines.pdf.