Running after having a baby is HARD--& is so different for each pregnancy. In this episode, we unpack our experiences with running postpartum, including the mistakes we made because we had a lack of knowledge related to pelvic floor health. We discuss how we felt, when we felt "normal", and things we would have done differently. We also discuss the role sleep deprivation and hormones can play!

Tricia, a doctor of physical therapy with an emphasis on postnatal care, answers our listeners' questions related to running postpartum including how to return to run, how to stop leaking, whether you can run with diastasis recti, and more. Tricia also busts myths related to running after having a baby.

Whitney shares her advice as a running coach who coaches postpartum runners, including how she would train a postpartum runner for a marathon.

Our main message to all mother runners coming back after having a baby is that each postpartum journey is different. Do not compare yours to another! Also, see a pelvic floor physical therapist!! You can find one here:
https://www.aptapelvichealth.org/ptlocator

We also give a Shout-Out to our Mother Runner of the Week, Francesca @5ammommyrunner on Instagram!

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Miles with Moms Podcast
01:00 Introduction to Postpartum Running
03:01 Mother Runner Shout Out: Francesca's Journey
06:00 Diverse Experiences of Postpartum Running
09:00 The Importance of Recovery and Rehabilitation
11:59 Navigating Postpartum Challenges
15:02 Lessons Learned from Personal Experiences
16:03 Postpartum Running Experiences
19:59 Pelvic Floor Awareness and Health
21:55 Misconceptions About Diastasis Recti
25:49 Returning to Running Postpartum
31:14 The Importance of Sleep in Recovery
42:06 Postpartum Running: Getting Back on Track
43:47 Understanding Individual Recovery Times
44:44 Navigating the Postpartum Journey
49:39 Individualized Training Plans for Postpartum Runners
54:18 The Long View: Longevity in Running
56:34 Embracing the Postpartum Experience
01:00:42 Community and Support in Motherhood

About your hosts:

• Whitney Heins is a mom of 2 kids, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. Coming out of a 5-year injury cycle which included a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon, she is training to run faster as a master’s athlete. IG: @themotherrunners.
• Shanna Birchett is a mom of 6 kids under 8, including twins. She returned to running in 2021 after an 11-year break, running most recently a 2:44 marathon in the summer of 2024. She is the co-founder of Endure 365 running, endure365.com, which offers heart rate-based training plans. IG: @motherhood_running.
• Tricia DeNardis is a mom to 3 young kids and a physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation. After running 10 marathons, Tricia completed her first 50k in the fall of 2024, and is now hooked! IG: @burpeesandburpcloths.
• Olivia Garcia is a mom of 2 young kids, who used to work as a paramedic. She fell in love with running in 2019, despite surviving a marathon that didn’t go according to plan. She’s since cut more than an hour off her marathon time and gunning to break 3 hours. IG: ...

In this episode we chat about the importance of fueling for runners and share personal stories of their fueling fails and go-tos.

We share some humorous stories about their experiences with nutrition and food choices as runners & discuss the challenges of pre-workout nutrition, the importance of breakfast for long runs, and their personal race day rituals. The conversation highlights various nutrition strategies for runners, focusing on pre-race fueling, the use of gels and electrolytes during runs, the role of caffeine in enhancing performance, and the importance of post-run recovery meals. We share our preferences, highlighting the significance of finding what works best for individual needs in endurance sports. We also talk about mental challenges faced by runners, and the importance of finding joy in the process.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts
05:11 Celebrating Mother Runners: Tess Shipinski's Journey
09:17 The Importance of Fueling for Runners
14:06 Epic Fueling Fails: Learning from Mistakes
19:10 The Perils of Pre-Workout Nutrition
24:44 Breakfast Choices for Long Runs
31:03 Race Day Rituals and Food Choices
34:26 Fueling for Performance: Nutrition Strategies
36:51 Gels and Electrolytes: Finding What Works
39:31 Caffeine: The Secret Weapon for Endurance
44:57 Post-Run Recovery: What to Eat After a Workout
54:33 Fueling for Performance: The Importance of Nutrition
57:18 Mental Toughness and Overcoming Past Struggles
01:00:01 Finding Joy in Running: Personal Experiences and Wins
01:05:21 Navigating Pressure and Expectations in Racing
01:11:21 Community Support and Real Talk in Running

Keywords

running, fueling, mother runners, marathon, health, fitness, nutrition, personal stories, challenges, motivation, nutrition, running, pre-workout, breakfast, race day, marathon, food choices, digestive health, training, athletes, nutrition, running, gels, caffeine, recovery, endurance, hydration, marathon, performance, fueling, running, nutrition, mental toughness, performance, joy, racing, community, support, expectations, motherhood

About your hosts:

• Whitney Heins is a mom of 2 kids, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. Coming out of a 5-year injury cycle which included a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon, she is training to run faster as a master’s athlete. IG: @themotherrunners.
• Shanna Birchett is a mom of 6 kids under 8, including twins. She returned to running in 2021 after an 11-year break, running most recently a 2:44 marathon in the summer of 2024. She is the co-founder of Endure 365 running, endure365.com, which offers heart rate-based training plans. IG: @motherhood_running.
• Tricia DeNardis is a mom to 3 young kids and a physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation. After running 10 marathons, Tricia completed her first 50k in the fall of 2024, and is now hooked! IG: @burpeesandburpcloths.
• Olivia Garcia is a mom of 2 young kids, who used to work as a paramedic. She fell in love with running in 2019, despite surviving a marathon that didn’t go according to plan. She’s since cut more than an hour off her marathon time and gunning to break 3 hours. IG: ...

In this episode of the Miles with Moms podcast, we discuss the challenges and lessons learned from running injuries. We share personal experiences, emphasizing the mental and emotional toll injuries can take on runners, especially mothers.

This conversation highlights the importance of strength training, understanding the root causes of injuries, and overcoming guilt and shame. We encourage other mother runners to embrace their journeys and prioritize self-care while navigating the complexities of motherhood and running. We also talk at great length about the profound impact of running injuries on mental health and identity.

Takeaways
Understanding the root cause of injuries is important.
Comparison with others can lead to unnecessary guilt.
Quality training is more important than quantity of miles.
Emotional support is vital during recovery.
It's okay to take time off to heal. Being injured can affect many aspects of life, not just physical.
The mental aspect of running injuries can be more challenging than the physical pain.
Running is often a core part of identity, making injuries feel like a loss of self.
Support from understanding friends is crucial during recovery.
Finding alternative therapeutic outlets is essential when running is taken away.
Injuries can lead to a spiral of mental health challenges, including depression.
It's important to seek professional advice for injury management.
Not all injuries require complete rest; some can be managed with strength training.
Invest in your health; it's worth it.
Be your own advocate in healthcare settings.
Every season of life, including challenges, will pass.

About your hosts:

• Whitney Heins is a mom of 2 kids, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. Coming out of a 5-year injury cycle which included a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon, she is training to run faster as a master’s athlete. IG: @themotherrunners.
• Shanna Birchett is a mom of 6 kids under 8, including twins. She returned to running in 2021 after an 11-year break, running most recently a 2:44 marathon in the summer of 2024. She is the co-founder of Endure 365 running, endure365.com, which offers heart rate-based training plans. IG: @motherhood_running.
• Tricia DeNardis is a mom to 3 young kids and a physical therapist specializing in the pelvic floor, pregnancy and postpartum rehabilitation. After running 10 marathons, Tricia completed her first 50k in the fall of 2024, and is now hooked! IG: @burpeesandburpcloths.
• Olivia Garcia is a mom of 2 young kids, who used to work as a paramedic. She fell in love with running in 2019, despite surviving a marathon that didn’t go according to plan. She’s since cut more than an hour off her marathon time and gunning to break 3 hours. IG: ...