Running on Empty

Eleanor Stowe describes how yoga restored her body and mind during pregnancy and postpartum

I got to know the toilet bowl really well during the first trimester. I had pregnancy sickness and every day was a drag as I waited and waited for the horrible feelings to pass. I would carefully manage my energy and blood sugar levels, leaving each meal not knowing whether I’d be seeing it again.

Going into pregnancy, I was pretty fit. I ran a few times a week, and cross-trained with yoga. I loved reading about strong women exercising through their pregnancies, running long distances, their Lycra tight on their bumps. This would be me, I thought. At six weeks, I felt a little nauseous, but I still managed a beautiful run in the hills, the white blossom of the hedgerows like daytime stars against a beautiful blue sky.

This was my last run until ten weeks postpartum – ten long months later.