Running for Two: Hydration

Written by Christina // March 31, 2011 // Pregnant Running // 1 Comment // 539 views

Running For Two
Running For Two is a new series on LV Running Scene written specifically for women who are pregnant and still running. Christina is currently running through her pregnancy and encourages women to continue running during and after their pregnancy. In this series she will cover issues such as fighting nausea during the first trimester, active wear, racing while pregnant, hydration during runs, braving the cold weather, cross training and stretching.

Prior to this pregnancy I typically got up at the break of dawn, took a few sips of my coffee and hit the road. Whether it was a quick three mile loop or a nine mile trek to the Parkway and back I never took water. During summer morning runs I’d eventually dream of a tall pint glass filled with crushed ice and fresh water. I started to drown in visions of this crisp beverage. Running through the Parkway along the babbling stream did not help take my mind in any other direction.

My OB stressed the importance of maintaining a good level of hydration every day, especially before, during and after exercising. Staying hydrated helps regulate your body temperature, aids in digestion and provides support when your blood volume increases (by a whopping 40%). Did someone say Whopper? From that moment forward I made it a point to skip the pre-run coffee and have water instead. I also tucked an 8 ounce bottle of water in my jacket pocket for frequent sipping. Since my morning outages were not as lengthy as before I could usually get by with 8 ounces and follow up post-run with my ice water.

There are scientific studies and personal opinions about staying hydrated. Some believe that any non-alcoholic beverage will assist in maintaining your hydration levels – good news if you’re a tea or coffee junkie. The word on the street is that caffeinated beverages dehydrate as opposed to hydrate, but a caffeinated beverage is better than none. If you’re aiming to optimize hydration, which should be a goal for your bouncing baby, then stick with water.

I’m lucky that I enjoy the taste of water. Spruce up your glass with some fresh lemon, lime and or orange slices. If you’re up for a little bubbly, test out flavored sparkling waters. I’ve seen a lot that are naturally flavored with no added sugar. Just take it easy – they can add some gas to your digestive system. Try to stay away from artificial sweeteners, sugary and sodium filled waters that will add unnecessary calories and additives to your daily plate.

Whatever your palate accepts when it comes to water options please keep a beverage within reach. You have a little one counting on those smart choices.

Happy running!

Christina “Muffin” Roberts, wife and mother, is running through her second pregnancy. Disappointed with the lack of information on pregnancy and running available today, she wanted to write about her experiences in hopes of sharing what she’s learned and to encourage fellow pregnant runners to keep on running.
Christina blogs at http://muffinmadness35.blogspot.com/.