Forget about the wind resistance.

This is the second in a series of posts about running gear for various stages of mommyhood. I previously talked about basic gear for running. Today, I'll talk about what you need when running with a bump.

Sporting the baby bump holster on a trail run,
about two months before my due date.
Photo: You go, mama.

Running for two, at least in my experience, was pretty great. Slow, but lots of fun and often energizing. It controlled my queasiness in the first trimester and prevented swollen ankles in the last trimester. It kept me feeling strong and energized and probably kept my weight gain to a healthy level. And I'm pretty sure that continuing to run while pregnant built my endurance for labor and helped me speed through my postpartum recovery. But we'll leave the discussion on the possible benefits of pregnant running for another day.

Right now, let's talk about gear. As I learned, pregnancy is definitely not a time to skimp on getting the right gear. The need for comfort is at an all-time high. Regulating body temperature is important. Support is not a luxury. You can certainly invest in maternity running gear, a lot of which is extremely cute and comfy. But if you don't have a big budget or just don't want to buy specialized gear, it's also possible to stay comfortable in carefully chosen clothes from your own closet or favorite nonmaternity store. If you're looking to keep things simple here are the basics:

• Adjustable shorts/pants: Look at what you have and know that a lot of it might work for most of your pregnancy, since most athletic waistbands can stretch to sit comfortably below your bump. If you're shopping for new things, it's totally possible to skip the maternity section if you look for low rises, adjustable elastic or drawstrings, wide fold-over waistbands or soft and stretchy material. If you strike out in the running section, check out styles designed for yoga, which often have more flexible fits. As always, aim for fabrics that move with you and wick sweat to keep you cool. Thanks to pregnancy hormones, it's easy to overheat and sweat buckets just while sitting still. Look for anything that will help you stay cool and dry when you're on the move.
• Long-torso top: As fashion has shifted toward longer-length tops, it's become easier to find flattering nonmaternity tops that can provide coverage for a growing baby bump. Some close-cut men's athletic tops in the right fabric can work, too. Try something that you think might even be too long for you in the first trimester. You'll need the length later, I promise! If you go with a fitted style, remember that you may need more room underneath your top when and if you begin wearing belly support. More on that in a minute.
• Well-fitting shoes: During pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin makes your body's joints and ligaments more flexible in preparation for childbirth. The extra flexibility can also make you prone to pain and injury—even in your feet—particularly if you don't have the right support. The shoes you wear at 12 weeks may not be the same ones you can wear at 26 weeks. Constantly reassess the fit of your shoes and adjust your laces, change your sock thickness or get refitted as needed. I used an old pair of triathlon laces in my shoes to make it easier to adjust the fit. The quick laces also made it easier to put on my shoes without bending over in those last weeks!
• Belly support: For me, this included a stretchable belly band, an athletic bandage wrap and a maternity support belt—each used alone and together in varying combinations at different points of my pregnancy to prevent round ligament pain, uncomfy bouncing and bladder pressure. After one painful track run in my second trimester, I invested in a Gabrialla support belt and didn't have any issues after that.
• Fully adjustable sports bra: As a normally average-busted gal, I had been able to manage even the longest runs with a simple pullover compression sports bra. That changed with pregnancy, and I found it necessary to buy a completely adjustable sports bra that could grow with me—the kind with a hook-and-eye clasp closure at the back, adjustable straps and separated soft cups. An adjustable style by Moving Comfort worked for me, as did another similar style by Champion, though I can't remember the names of the particular styles. Even though I found mine at discount department stores, they were still a bit more expensive than the typical pullover compression bra, so I washed them often and rotated between just two.

Some other things I found to be necessities were an easy-to-carry water bottle and sun protection, like a brimmed hat and sunscreen (useful even in the winter!). A Nathan handheld bottle and natural mineral sunscreen worked the best for me. Staying hydrated is extremely important when you're pregnant, and if your running route doesn't have water fountains (mine didn't), always take water with you. It's also important to avoid overexposure to the sun, as pregnancy hormones make you more prone to sunburn.

With a baby on the way, sticking to a budget is often an important task. It's possible to keep up your running (or jogging, shuffling or waddling) without having to blow the nursery budget on specialized gear. As always, focusing on comfort and fit—wherever you find it—will allow you to keep logging and enjoying those miles. Even when you're running for two.

© 2011 GUF