“Running is so much part of my life": Nell McAndrew on why she is still training despite being six months' pregnant

“Running is so much part of my life": Nell McAndrew on why she is still training despite being six months' pregnant

20 Dec 2012 00:00

The super-fit model and marathon runner isn't hanging up the running shoes just yet and has tailored her training to be in peak condition

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Glowing: The mum-to-be is still working out

 

At six months ­pregnant with her second child, Nell McAndrew could be forgiven for putting her feet up this Christmas and tucking into the chocolates.

But this is super-fit Nell â€" the model who smashed the three-hour barrier at the London Marathon, and who can’t wait to get back to the Bupa Great North Run to beat her personal best of 1 hour 20 minutes.

Keeping in peak fitness is certainly paying off for her.

She glows with health, despite the demands of juggling work with caring for her six-year-old son Devon.

“I haven’t really had time to dwell too much on the pregnancy,” says Nell, 39.

“I’m a good six months pregnant now but I’ve just got on with the ­pregnancy and tried to carry on with normal life.

“Running is part of my everyday life so I’m carrying on with that as long as I can. Before I got pregnant I was ­running 80-90 miles a week.

“I ran the marathon and was in such peak fitness I felt li ke I was flying.

"Now I’ll run five miles a day and ­sometimes it will only be three miles, depending on what I have on with work and family.

“Running is so much a part of my life and I don’t make too big a deal out of it.

"I ran up to seven months when pregnant with Devon, so I’m just doing the same this time.”

Exercise: In gives model a buzz

 

Nell admits she’s surprised at the criticism she’s received at continuing to run during her pregnancy.

She says: “I don’t drink, or smoke. I’m exercising, which I’ve always done, and it’s good for me and my baby.

"It’s a shame there isn’t as much ­information out there as there could be about exercising in pregnancy.

“It’s important not to start a new exercise in pregnancy without advice from your doctor or midwife.

“But if your body is used to running, and you taper down and vary your training, it is fine.”

She adds: “I get a real buzz from running. I’m doing it for my body and it’s something for me.

"It’s good for you mentally and physically and I’m protecting my long-term health.

“I’ll keep running as long as I can â€" I’ll be the old lady running half marathons.

"Running helps balance your hormones and helps you sleep, which will be good as I’ll suffer more broken nigh ts further on in the ­pregnancy.

"It keeps you feeling well and, touch wood, I’ve not suffered any ailments, apart from feeling sick in the first few weeks. As long as I feel OK, I’ll carry on running.”

Nell also does gym workouts â€" and early in her pregnancy she filmed her new fitness DVD, Peak Energy ­Recharged, out on December 31.

She has tailored her fitness regime to help prepare for the coming months.

“Staying fit and in good shape is a great preparation for the birth,” says Nell.

“Having a baby is a bigger ­challenge than the marathon. I ­prepared for that, so it’s important to prepare well for the birth too.”

Mum: With husband Paul and baby Devon

Nell’s ­married to property developer Paul ­Hardcastle, who is over the moon about the new arrival due in March.

However, as excited as Nell is, she is also cautious about buying things for the baby yet.

During her first pregnancy in 2005, Nell was told her baby had no chance of survival and she had to have a termination.

Happily all is well in this pregnancy, but Nell hasn’t dashed out to buy a blue or pink babygro yet and hasn’t found out the sex.

She says: “I’m very excited but I don’t want to sit around and talk about baby names and look at pushchairs. There is plenty of time for that.”

Nell plans to take it easy after the birth. “This time, my aim is simply to have a shower every day and get Devon to school on time,” she says.

“I want to take it easier with work as I’d like to enjoy the time with my baby.

“After having Devon, I took on too much too soon, with modelling and charity work (she has raised over £1million for charities including ­Cancer Research).

"I ended up running myself into the ground.”

While Nell won’t push herself in training after the birth, she has her sights set on the Great North Run in September when she’s back to fitness.

She adds: “I know I can beat my personal best. Whether I do it next year depends if I’ve got the time and energy with a new baby.

"But I will be back running it and I can’t wait.”

 

NELL MCANDREW’S PEAK ENERGY ­RECHARGED IS OUT ON DECEMBER 31 â€" VISIT WWW.NELLMCANDREW.TV