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In this episode of the Miles with Moms podcast, the hosts discuss their recent race experiences, the challenges of comparison in running, and the unique struggles of postpartum running. They share personal stories about their journeys, the importance of community, and how to navigate the pressures of performance while balancing motherhood.

Takeaways

• Running can be a challenging yet rewarding experience for mothers.
• Comparison to others can be detrimental to mental health and motivation.
• Finding joy in running is essential, especially after having children.
• Postpartum running requires patience and understanding of one's body.
• Community support can significantly impact a runner's journey.
• It's important to set personal goals rather than comparing to others' achievements.
• Taking breaks from competitive environments can help maintain mental well-being.
• Running should be fun and fulfilling, not just about performance.
• Every runner's journey is unique and should be celebrated.
• Embracing the process of running can lead to greater appreciation for the sport.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to the Hosts and Their Running Backgrounds

04:05

Race Experience: The Vegas Half Marathon

07:02

The Importance of Mental Toughness in Running

10:03

Balancing Family Life and Running

12:54

The Impact of Weather and Environmental Factors on Running

15:54

Comparison in Running: Past vs Present

18:52

Finding Joy in Running After Health Struggles

21:39

The Role of Community in Running

24:48

Postpartum Running: Challenges and Strategies

27:39

The Shift from Competitive to Enjoyable Running

30:27

Healthy vs Unhealthy Comparison in Running

33:35

The Journey of Returning to Running After Having Kids

36:21

Final Thoughts on Running and 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 long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. IG: @themotherrunners.
• Shanna Birchett is a mom of 6 kids six years apart, including twins. She returned to running in 2022 after an 11-year break, running 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 now runs ultras (& sometimes even wins them!). 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. With a 2:57 PR, she's cut more than an hour off her marathon time. IG: @watch_oliviarun.

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