Marathons and Motherhood: A Journey of Redefinition

My athletic journey began two decades ago, largely inspired by my younger sister, Nicole, who is not only my closest companion but also my business collaborator and trainer. We shared a passion for cross country and track throughout high school, and while I continued running at the club level in college, Nicole pursued Division I athletics. After graduation, our competitive spirit endured, and I embarked on a quest to complete a marathon in every U.S. state, a feat my father accomplished in 2019. Initially, my focus wasn't on achieving record times; I simply aimed to perform my best in each race. However, watching Nicole conquer the challenging conditions of the 2018 Boston Marathon, a race won by my idol Des Linden, shifted my perspective. Despite having already finished ten marathons, none were part of the prestigious Abbott World Marathon Majors. The Boston Marathon, with its demanding qualifying standards, seemed like an insurmountable goal, requiring a pace an hour faster than my personal best. Yet, witnessing the sheer determination of the runners in that vibrant city ignited a new ambition within me.

Nicole became my coach, and as we traveled the country participating in marathons and connecting with other runners, my passion for the sport deepened. Four years later, we finally ran the Boston Marathon together, a moment filled with emotional tears, marking the culmination of a long and challenging qualification process. At 32, my husband and I had postponed starting a family to accommodate my training, but we knew that parenthood was in our future. A few months after Boston, I completed another marathon, unknowingly running it while three weeks pregnant. The final miles of that race were particularly difficult, marked by gastrointestinal distress that was uncharacteristic for me. Two weeks later, persistent nausea led to the discovery of my pregnancy. Despite having already committed to pacing a local marathon later that year, I harbored concerns about running while pregnant. Fortunately, my medical team provided encouragement, emphasizing that continuing activities I was accustomed to, with appropriate adjustments, could contribute to a healthy pregnancy and smoother delivery. This approach contrasted sharply with the more cautious advice given to my mother's generation, highlighting the evolving understanding of exercise during pregnancy. Research now suggests that maintaining physical activity, if already established, can aid in postpartum recovery and support mental well-being during the 'fourth trimester,' though medical consultation is always paramount.

Pregnancy transformed my relationship with running, shifting my focus from rigid schedules and performance metrics to prioritizing my body's immediate needs. The first trimester brought exhaustion, nausea, and a profound sense of unfamiliarity with my changing body, necessitating a flexible approach to training. Collaborating with Nicole, I learned to balance competitive running with the pure joy of movement. My new routine incorporated ample sleep, stretching, mobility work, cross-training, and yoga. Depending on how I felt, I alternated between running, run-walk intervals, walking, and rest days, taking more time for recovery. I also sought nutritional guidance from a registered dietitian and sports nutritionist to ensure adequate fueling, especially during periods of decreased appetite. This involved adopting a schedule of frequent small meals, often starting with a 'first breakfast' before a workout, followed by a 'second breakfast.' Liquid nutrition, like smoothies and hydration mixes, proved invaluable for maintaining calorie intake and supporting bone health. This mindful approach meant I never felt drained during training. My second-trimester marathon proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and the confidence gained from it inspired me to complete another marathon in my third trimester. As my body adapted to pregnancy, workouts required more effort, and I relied on a belly band to alleviate pelvic pressure. My pace naturally slowed, and the drive for intense exertion waned, leading me to focus solely on finishing the race at 33 weeks pregnant, embracing a run-walk strategy with my husband and dog. My first daughter was born in April 2023, and after her arrival, I participated in several half-marathons and the Every Woman's Marathon in November 2024 with Nicole, even including my daughter in her stroller for a portion of the race. The discovery of my second pregnancy in January 2025 reignited the desire to run a race in each trimester, this time with a heightened sense of confidence and purpose. Pregnancy ultimately taught me to relinquish control, embrace imperfections, and redefine success not by external achievements but by nurturing myself and my children. The journey of running while pregnant became a profound lesson in introspection, prompting me to ask: 'What does my body need today?' rather than striving for personal bests. The parallels between pregnancy, especially childbirth, and marathoning became strikingly clear: both demand presence, endurance through discomfort, and an unwavering trust that the finish line, or the arrival of a new life, will be reached.

Fortunately, I encountered minimal direct criticism for my decision to remain active during pregnancy. My immediate circle was supportive, although some from my parents' generation expressed understandable safety concerns. I initially chose to limit social media sharing to preserve my tranquility and concentrate on my well-being, my baby's health, and medical advice, rather than external opinions. When questions arose, they were typically borne of curiosity, not judgment, often from other women grappling with similar anxieties about how pregnancy might impact their physical capabilities. I embraced these opportunities to educate and demystify exercise during pregnancy, recognizing that this field of understanding is still evolving. This period taught me that pregnancy did not diminish my strength; rather, it compelled me to redefine it. It's been incredibly empowering to inspire other women, showing them that motherhood doesn't signify the end of personal aspirations. Goals can evolve and be integrated into the journey of raising a family, whether it's completing a marathon or simply engaging in daily movement. My second daughter, Stella, was born in October 2025. With two children, my capacity for running is naturally more constrained. When asked about returning to marathon training, I prefer to think of it not as 'coming back' but as 'stepping forward.' This mindset encapsulates the essence of motherhood: a beautiful transformation, not a return to a former self, but an advancement into a new, enriched existence.