Reflecting On My First Year Of Postpartum Running

It’s been almost 14 months since giving birth to Ben, and nearly 8 months since I was finally able to get back to running. I’ve gotten back to a decent enough place where I’m running 6 days per week, consistently stretching after runs (which I have never done – I know, bad!) and continuously training for strength and fitness, given races aren’t happening again quite yet.

I kind of hate that I refer to my current running state as ‘decent enough,’ but here’s why – prior to my pregnancy, my running was on an upward trajectory and I was improving at a pretty rapid pace with the support of my coach. However, upon getting back to the sport, I basically had to start again from zero, and I still don’t feel like I’ve completely regained my fitness and (much) more noticeably, my speed.

Easy runs used to be around 9:00 – 9:30 minutes per mile, and now they’re more like 10:00 – 10:30, if not slower. I know, it sounds silly and insignificant, but to me, it’s still kind of a blow to where I used to be. I know with absolute certainty that I’ll get back to that place, but when, and why hasn’t it happened yet?

This post was actually inspired by one of my absolute favorite female runners, Stephanie Rothstein, who was doing an Instagram Live last night. I submitted a question about regaining postpartum fitness and she was nice enough to respond! I have to confess that I literally cried my eyes out when she read and then answered my question in depth.

Mostly because she’s someone I look up to, not only as a runner – but as a mom and as an overall wonderful human being. I’ve listened to her on my favorite podcasts (Ali on the Run and I’ll Have Another) multiple times, and just think she is the absolute best. Her win at the Peachtree Roadrace in 2018 is still saved on my DVR to this day. To add to that, the day she won that race is the day I PR’d in the 5K – definitely a good sign!

Anyhow, beyond responding at all which was so kind, she took her time in describing her own journey back to running after having a baby, and I was surprised (and almost immediately felt better/re-energized) to learn that she’d had a similar experience, and had even felt a bit defeated at times – wondering if a return to pro running was going to happen at all.

I FEEL THE SAME! And because Steph went through something similar and was able to come out the other end as successful as ever, she’s right – I do need to give myself grace, trust the process and put in the work. Over time, I’ll get back there. Thanks Steph – you are wonderful!

In the spirit of reflecting on the positives since making my comeback to running, I am pleased (and thankful for) what I’ve accomplished in getting back to a full training schedule with only one small injury to my foot, which thankfully healed quickly with rest, and for participating in 6 races. I completed four 5K’s and two half marathons, the second of which I shaved 5 minutes off my time in just 3 weeks.

So yeah, I do need to chill and be happy with where I have gotten back to, even if I am (still) somewhat slow – for now!

How long did it take you to regain running strength and speed postpartum, and how did you keep pushing on without ever giving up?