Nursing and Running | "Werk it" Out Wednesdays

You know what guys? I've been milk free (as in human milk) for about a year now and just realized that I never talked about my experience in nursing and running.

Because guys - it's definitely an experience and not for the self-conscious.

I talked about nursing sports bras HERE, but never elaborated on HOW you work in nursing around a run schedule - especially if you're training for a race!

 Lifting up a sweaty SPORTS bra isn't fun at all, but trying to put everything back in place while still sweaty ... HORRIBLE. So first tip, get a nursing sports bra. When I found the perfect nursing sports bra, nursing my daughter on the go became much easier. It was just trying to figure out the logistic of it.

And sometimes this means stopping mid run, sitting on the curb and nursing the baby girl. This is also were modesty really went out the window. I used to be so self-conscious of nursing my children out in public. I remember with my first, I legit went to the bathroom to nurse because I just didn't feel right. (ew) When I had my second, I still covered up, but finally realized that I didn't give a flying F what other people thought ... but still would be modest.

 
My third child? Forgetaboutit. I didn't derobe every time, but I did leave the coverup at home and just fed my baby when my baby was hungry. I didn't (and still don't) care if other people were uncomfortable. And in fact, my husband just wanted SOMEONE to say SOMETHING to me -- but luckily, it never came. Every where I nursed, I wasn't bothered. Even in the baby isle in Target, sitting on their sample rocking chair.

I was nursing still when I ran my first half marathon. My second son was just 6 months old. My mother was at home with the eldest and the baby ... 4 states away. What did I do? I brought my pump.

I pumped just before I left for the racing stalls and then pumped right after the race upon returning to the hotel (even though my breasts were soooo swollen, sweaty and in pain). I traveled and ran with a group of ladies who are all about women empowerment and didn't mind at all.

Basically, that's what I did for training as well. I would nurse before going out for miles and then nurse when I got back. I tried to schedule my training sessions around his nap time but shit, they eat like every 1-2 hours and when you're running miles ... it takes time! LOL

When I had my third, I wasn't training for anything particular ... but decided to run the El Paso Half marathon since we would be leaving within the next year. Every workout I went to, I would nurse her before hand. She was a little better at holding off feeding time until I got a shower in afterwards BUT sometimes, she wasn't having it. I would grab a baby wipe, pop open the nursing sports bra, wipe myself and then feed.

My mommy workout groups didn't mind at all. And when I did have to stop midrun? I stopped and fed. After all, just as getting in the miles is important - this (FEEDING YOUR CHILD) is important. I'd have to stop if she was bottle fed too. So, no big deal. You're a mommy 24/7 - you are a runner part-time.

She was only 5 months old when I ran the half and I was fairly certain I was going to have to stop to nurse her. My husband (and family) was going to be at mile 10/12 at the water station Team RWB was hosting. I kept them posted on my location and time on target. If she was hungry, I was going to stop and nurse her. If I was in pain, I was going to stop and nurse her. But when I got to the water station, my husband let me know that she wasn't fussy, she wasn't hungry and she was happy. I wasn't in pain, so we made the decision to keep moving. I nursed her after completing my half and she was just fine.

Do you see her in the Tula?? My hubby was wearing her while he volunteered.

My advice? Nurse or pump before working out. Nurse or pump after you shower, or make sure you have some way to clean yourself before nursing. I don't know if that makes any difference or not, but I just felt bad nursing sweaty! LOL

Whatever you do, you know you best. Do what works for you. Set goals and do what you need to do to reach them. All I know is, training for something after pregnancy helped me stay motivated to workout while pregnant and helped me lose weight fast after pregnancy. What works for me may not work for you though! But don't give up. Take it day by day and see what works for you.

"Werkit Out" Girl!