The Mother Runners

The Mental Assault of Running Injuries (+ the Good Stuff, too)

• Miles with Moms • Season 1 • Episode 5

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In this episode of the Miles with Moms podcast, we discuss the challenges and lessons learned from running injuries. We share personal experiences, emphasizing the mental and emotional toll injuries can take on runners, especially mothers. 

This conversation highlights the importance of strength training, understanding the root causes of injuries, and overcoming guilt and shame. We encourage other mother runners to embrace their journeys and prioritize self-care while navigating the complexities of motherhood and running. We also talk at great length about the profound impact of running injuries on mental health and identity. 

Takeaways
Understanding the root cause of injuries is important.
Comparison with others can lead to unnecessary guilt.
Quality training is more important than quantity of miles.
Emotional support is vital during recovery.
It's okay to take time off to heal. Being injured can affect many aspects of life, not just physical.
The mental aspect of running injuries can be more challenging than the physical pain.
Running is often a core part of identity, making injuries feel like a loss of self.
Support from understanding friends is crucial during recovery.
Finding alternative therapeutic outlets is essential when running is taken away.
Injuries can lead to a spiral of mental health challenges, including depression.
It's important to seek professional advice for injury management.
Not all injuries require complete rest; some can be managed with strength training.
Invest in your health; it's worth it.
Be your own advocate in healthcare settings.
Every season of life, including challenges, will pass.





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.