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Pregnancy & Motherhood

Support for the Journey Ahead.

Navigating the intersection of running with pregnancy and motherhood is a deeply personal journey, filled with unique triumphs and significant challenges. Our Pregnancy & Motherhood category offers a supportive space to explore everything from the physical return to postpartum running to the delicate art of balancing training with family commitments. We also provide a place for honest reflection on the difficult experiences of pregnancy loss, ensuring no sister walks that path alone. Whether you are navigating a changing body or managing a busy household, these stories offer the community and insight you need to keep moving forward.

These highlights are only a snapshot of the inspirational, educational and empowering words of our authors. Search the full archive.

Grief, That First Run, and the Women Who Carried Me

Melissa Boisvenue

If you opened this story because you’ve experienced pregnancy loss too, know this: you are not alone. There are women like you and me, from every corner of the world, who know the hurt you’re feeling right now. In what can feel like the most isolating experience — a grief that shakes you to your core — there exists a quiet, bonded community. A sisterhood of women who carry both love and our grief through the trails. We carry it together.

Running Reflections From a Nursing Mom

Amelia Kegan

Rather than cow bells and cheers, I hear the wherrrr—psh, wherrrr-psh, wherrrr-psh of my Spectra breast pump. At each crewed aid station, I’ve hopped into the car and pumped. I have a four month old baby at home, and I want to prevent my milk supply from diminishing during the race.

Running Into Motherhood

Cara Notarianni

Returning to running postpartum is hard in so many ways, but I eventually got into a groove with running again. I realized that my relationship with running did change, but not in the ways I previously feared.

Sisterhood of the Stroller

Linea Jantz

If you are in a stroller season, I am so excited that you’re taking this time for yourself, to still get out the door and run. I hope this stroller brings you some fun memories and makes you stronger than you thought you could be, both physically and mentally. Welcome to the sisterhood of the stroller!

Running through the Season of Pregnancy

Acadia Gantz

As I was finishing up my training as a Certified Professional Midwife, I began to think about my senior research project. What topic in pregnancy did I believe needed more research and more information to share with other midwives and pregnant people. The answer seemed fairly obvious.

Postpartum Challenges and the Journey Back to Running

Sadie Lloyd Mudge

Like any good pregnant woman, as soon as I found out I was pregnant I Googled absolutely everything, including all the questions I had about running: Did pregnancy affect your running? Did you have to stop running when you were pregnant? How long after giving birth did you start running again?

A Quiet Loss: One Trail Runner’s Experience with Miscarriage

Raelynn Zappulla Bauer

Brave is something I have been called a few times. Once, when I was about to run my first hundred miler – Grindstone 100. Second, when I attempted Lavaredo Ultra Trail after an agonizing DNF at my first attempt. And most recently when I shared publicly that I was miscarrying my baby.

Get It, Mama!

AJ Wojtalik

I never really thought of myself as influential until 2009, when I had my daughter. Once the feeling of being a human-growing badass gave way to the reality that this little person was looking to me to paint her universe, the wave of responsibility was intense.

How to Thrive in Your First Year as a Momlete

Kate Phillips

The first run after my son was born was the most liberating and downright ridiculous run of my adult life. I was barely able to run a mile and was delirious from the sleep deprivation, but with the green light from my midwife, I was not going to miss out on this opportunity.

A Miscarriage and a New Life

Candace Gonzales

In 2017, my husband and I had been married for 4 years. We never thought we wanted children, but something happened that year and we decided to go for it. Within a month of stopping birth control, I became pregnant.

The Choice

Katie Grossman

Like last month, I’m equal parts disappointed and relieved. On one hand, I wanted to get on with it. On the other, I’m excited to crack a beer and plot tomorrow’s adventure. I’m not pregnant yet. Darn, and also phew.

So, You Pee Your Pants When Running? I Do Too!

Amy Hatch

Here’s the thing, for the last six years I’ve struggled with incontinence while running. This is thanks to the beautiful and traumatic experience called childbirth. And, truth be told, it kind of sucks. I’ve always loved flying down hills, my feet flailing underneath me, and yet somehow still finding confident footing. Now, when I let loose like that, I end up with urine soaked running tights … which then leads to a mad scramble to find something, anything to put under my butt for the drive home. (Reusable grocery bags, a dirty sweatshirt and an old towel have all been deployed for this task).

Expecting More

Katie Grossman

When I became pregnant, I believed I’d fall into one of two categories with regards to running. Either I’d be the fittest pregnant woman to ever live, or I would be medically unable to run at all. There would be no grey area.

Motherhood and My Rekindled Love for Running

Silke Koester

It’s impossible to put into words the first hours, days and weeks of parenthood – the love, the fear and general how-does-this-thing-work deer-in-headlights look on our faces. It’s impossible to put into words the first hours, days and weeks of parenthood – the love, the fear and general how-does-this-thing-work deer-in-headlights look on our faces.

Pregnant Running Part 1: What to Consider & Expect

Megan Lizotte

Congratulations–you’re pregnant! Cue the unsolicited advice from literally everyone who has birthed [or for that matter, seen] a baby. You should probably cool your jets right now since you’re in such a “fragile” physical & mental state (because, hormones). It’s time to stick those running shoes in the back of the closet, jump into your fat pants (but don’t literally jump because your uterus might fall out), grab a couple pints of Ben & Jerry’s and park it on the couch with your good friend Netflix for the next nine months (and sorry ladies, but it’s actually 10 months). Yeah, that sounds like the healthiest & most exciting way to fully experience one of the most mind-blowing seasons of your life.

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