Post-Caesarean-Running-Fear: New Mum Fitness Plan
Over a month ago now, I wrote my post about the New Mum Fitness Plan with Kiddicare and SportShoes.com.
My lovely new trainers have seen a lot if action. If sadly, not from running.
I have self-diagnosed myself with Post-Caesarean-Running-Fear (PCRF).
I don’t know if it’s a widespread condition but I definitely have it.
Baby G is six months old next week so technically, I am healed.
Physically, I get the odd twinge if I get out of bed too quickly and I seriously think my stomach muscles (or what is left of them) are shot to pieces.
Psychologically though, I am far from healed. I am frightened.
There, I’ve said it. I am frightened to run.
Having experienced a normal birth with Boo, I don’t think I was prepared for the difference having a caesarean birth would be.
Maybe it’s just me but I have definitely been more tired and it has taken me much longer to get over the birth.
As a blogger, it would have been so easy for me to pretend I had been running but I have decided to tell the truth in the hope that any other women suffering from PCRF would feel better.
I have been power walking around the farm with the pram.
The light nights and warm evenings have helped and the fact that for a few weeks, Baby G got into the habit of only falling asleep in his pram.
This is the beauty of New Mums Fitness though. You can go at your own pace.
Kiddicare recently spoke to Kimberley Wyatt about her experience of exercising whilst looking after a family and working. The fact that celebrities can talk candidly about these things can really help.
So if you’re expecting me to sign up for the next marathon 5k, I’m afraid you will be disappointed. However if you fancy a power walk around our farm, you’re in luck.
I have a circuit route and I am trying to shave seconds off my time each week.
I may not be Olympic standard but I am quite pleased with myself.
I think I need a friend to run with, if just for moral support-you know in case my stitches come undone or something.*
I’d like to think PCRF might become a recognised condition. If it does, remember you heard it here first.
I hope in time to pick up the pace. Who knows, in another month I may have plucked up the courage to run.
Until then, you will see me doing laps of my little circuit and thanking SportsShoes that I have my lovely new trainers instead of my usual £4 cheap pumps which feel like I’m walking barefoot.
Have you suffered from PCRF? I’d love to hear your stories.
As part of her #MumOnAMission fitness programme, Kim and her team at InstructorLive have teamed up with Kiddicare to run an exclusive Fitness Event in London this August! To be in with a chance of winning one of five tickets, enter their survey now. That’s not all. Five runners up will win a brand new pair of Under Armour Micro G Optimum Running Shoes worth £79.99 from SportsShoes.com
*Please note I know my stitches won’t really come undone, I am just being dramatic.
Thank you for sharing this!im am exactly the same after my latest c section (I say latest being nearly 9 months ago!!) I too felt like as soon as I got back to gym that everything was just going to fall apart and out!!!just keep going at your own pace and what you feel comfortable with!x
Thank you so much. At times, it feels like it’s just you going through it. It is so comforting to think everything won’t all fall out and it’s not just me being weird AND finding an excuse not to run 🙂
I can understand your fear; so good that you’ve got space to walk around though. I really could do with more focused walking. I’m sure you’ll get back to running in time. They do a good job with the stitching, I’ve been told.
Lovely comp too; would like to be one of the runner-ups. 🙂 #MaternityMonday
Never fear PCRF is REAL!! I had it with my first and it took a LONG time for me to get comfortable with running again, I too powerwalked my way round London and thought nothing of walking 4 miles with the pram. Running? No chance.
Then the fear went away. Slowly. Bit by bit. It took a while and the next thing I knew I was running. First 5k, then 10k, then I got pregnant again and lost motivation.
And now once again I have PCRF. But this time I can’t powerwalk outside it’s too hot. So I know I need to get over the fear, and I will one day. Soon. My waistline needs me too! x
Firstly 6 months already?! Where did that time go haha. I think I’ve had exercise fear since I had my first, you’ve done better than me with your walking though! Just go at your own pace and I’m sure you’ll be running in no time xx
I am 7 weeks post C section and can’t imagine exercising any time soon, unless you count going up and down the stairs a million times a day as exercise. Walking is supposed to be very good for all round fitness, so I think you’re doing just fine.
I am with you, but mine is due to just being unfit. I left the Army a year ago to become a SAHM and haven’t done any exercise since. I think its because I had to do it in the Army and now I don’t I just don’t want to. I am sure though, by the sounds of it, you are going in the right direction. Good luck with it! 🙂 x #maternitymondays
I have been suffering Post Birth Running fear for nearly 13 years.. I don’t even have the excuse of having surgery! I wish I was more motivated and willing but I am just thorougly lazy! I hope you continue to enjoy our walks, I think taking it stedy is very wise and gives you a chance to build your confidence! #maternitymondays
I used to run a little bit but I just never really enjoyed it that much and then I hurt my knee so have never really been since. Now I’m afraid I may wet myself after having baby number 2……however I have been on a trampoline since and didn’t wee myself so maybe I’m just making excuses?? Ha!!
#maternitymondays
Ha ha I did think that too-I will let you know 😉
I think this is definitely a real condition! I can imagine it would be scary, just give yourself time lovely, there’s no rush x #MaternityMonday
I can relate, took me quite a while to get running again but I’m glad I did xx