Send us a text

In this episode, we share how we got faster—something we have been asked about a lot. But this conversation comes with many caveats: running is not just about being fast or getting faster. And we don’t know everything there is about running & getting faster. But we do know what helped us shaved time off our PRs—so we are sharing that. 

In this episode, Whitney, Olivia & Shanna (Tricia had to work) talk about how we improved our marathon performances over time. We share insights on difference training methods, the importance of fueling, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with running—and also just being a woman with hormonal shifts. We share what hurt and helped our training, & hope this gives you some helpful info on what to do to go after your goals (whatever they may be). We urge you to run your own race, put on your blinders, and enjoy the process (without comparison!). 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Context

07:06 Personal Journeys in Running

20:38 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Growth

23:00 Embracing the Journey of Motherhood and Running

24:09 Navigating Hormonal Changes and Training

25:38 The Importance of Coaching in Running

27:31 Understanding Heart Rate Training

29:53 The Balance of Pace and Effort in Workouts

31:58 Adapting Training to Life Changes

34:31 Finding Your Own Path in Running

35:40 The Role of Self-Belief in Running

37:06 Reality Checks and Learning from Experiences

39:45 The Importance of Coaching and Training Plans

42:04 Evaluating Fitness Through Marathons

44:54 Learning to Enjoy the Process of Running

46:43 Finding What Works for You

48:32 The Need for Flexibility in Training

50:57 Encouragement and Community in Running

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]