Miles with Moms
This is a podcast for moms who run, by moms who run. Our goal with this podcast is for mother runners everywhere to never have to run alone–or feel alone in their mom life struggles or journey to accomplishing BIG GOALS–because guess what? Taking time to take care of yourself and to chase big goals as a mom is not only OK–it is AWESOME! For you and the lessons you’re teaching your kids.
Miles with Moms
The Comparison Trap for Moms Who Run
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 5-year injury cycle which included a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon, she is training to run faster as a master’s athlete. You can follow her on Instagram at @themotherrunners.
Shanna Birchett is a mom of 6 kids under 8, including twins. She returned to running in 2021 after an 11-year break, running most recently 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. You can follow her on Instagram at @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 completed her first 50k in the fall of 2024, and is now hooked on the ultramarathon distance! You can follow her on IG at @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. She’s since cut more than an hour off her marath...