The Running Mums Podcast

You can still achieve your running goals after becoming a mum, as run and strength coach Ruth Ashton explains.Ruth helps mothers of all abilities achieve their very best results, and in this week's episode she explains how you can do just that with the right plan and mindset.She also takes us back to basics, and gives some amazing practical tips for mums looking to start running, or get back to running, after having a baby.Many of us lack confidence in our abilities after having kids, but Ruth shows we really do have the power to do these hard things, it's just about unlocking our potential.You can find Ruth at rapt.runs on Instagram and her fuelling calculator is available here.

What a great chat I had with Georgina! She's an epic multi-marathon runner (40 marathons and ultras, and counting!) and ran through her pregnancies and even secured her PB after having kids.As well as sharing how she makes running work alongside being a mum to her three lovely girls, she is a huge advocate for breastfeeding and spoke about the changes she would like to see put in place for mums who are nursing but still wanting to continue racing and pursuing the hobby they love.Like myself, Georgina is lucky enough to be running London Marathon next year and she is taking part for a charity very close to her heart. We chat all about London and how she stays fit and strong to keep completing so many races.You can follow Georgina's progress on Instagram @diaryofamotherrunner.It's a really uplifting episode and shows you can take up running later in life and still achieve amazing things.Hope you enjoy!

This week I spoke to the wonderful Christine Bateman - a mum of three from Canada who has been on a rollercoaster ride with her running.She came to running after becoming a parent and her newfound hobby went from a source of comfort to an unhealthy obsession. As she pursued her quest of qualifying for Boston her anxiety took hold and all the joy she once found from running disappeared.All this was going on while Christine was suffering from adenomyosis and then undiagnosed ADHD. Her overtraining and underfuelling eventually caught up with her and then on top of all that, a fall left her with two broken arms and shortly afterwards she had to have major surgery.Amazingly, Christine has got through all of this and shares how she turned things full circle and found her love for running again, and made friends for life along the way. Now she runs without expectations or pressure, purely for joy, and she spreads that positive energy wherever she runs.If you've ever felt like the pressure has got too much, in running or parenthood, then this episode is sure to leave you feeling more positive that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there are great things around the corner when you find the right support.I hope you enjoy the episode!

Have you ever struggled to lose weight as a runner, found you can't get your head round carb loading or feel unsure whether your caffeine habits are healthy? Nutritionist Kate Law is a keen runner and mother, and in this week's Running Mums Podcast she shares her advice on all these topics, and so much more.We chatted about why what we eat is so important for our physical and mental health, how to lose weight safely, and whether this is something that can be done while in a training block for a running event.Kate debunked some myths about caffeine and carb loading, and shared why practice makes perfect for race day fuelling.We also chatted about body image, the desire to look like a runner and the warning signs you might be under-fuelling, as well as nutrition advice for breastfeeding runners.Kate can be found on Instagram and the SMILE study she mentioned can be read here.

This week's episode is with Emma Bord, mum-of-three, PT, six star finisher and all-round amazing runner! If you're lacking in motivation or confidence in your running, Emma is sure to get you signing up to your next (or first) race! Emma chats about her running journey, starting with a dare to run London marathon, through to completing six of the world majors within a year. She also shares her secrets to staying focused and running strong, even in those really tough moments, as well as how to commit to a challenge and stick to it.Emma recently wrote her book, Mum Power, which encompasses her supportive message to mothers — we can feel strong and like ourselves again after having kids, and she gives practical advice on how you can get there.Like many of us, Emma's passion for running has grown since becoming a mum, and she shows that we can still follow our dreams while also helping our children achieve theirs. I hope you enjoy the episode and feel inspired to take on an epic challenge of your own!

Your hormones play an enormous role in your overall wellbeing as well as your running performance, and optimising your hormone health is key to harnessing your full potential.Dr Nicky Keay, medical doctor, mother-of-two and author shares how understanding our hormones, from pregnancy to postpartum and beyond, can help us optimise our running performance.She shares why hormones shouldn't be seen as the enemy, and how they tell us vital information about how our body is functioning.You can find Nicky's book Hormones, Health and Human Potential here. To book an individual appointment for a for more detailed discussion with Nicky, visit her website.

If you thought slowing down was inevitable after having kids, think again!This week's guest is record-breaking stroller runner Julia Raye. She shares her inspiring running journey and how she took on the stroller challenge to beat the 1k record with her little girl.Julia juggles motherhood with working full time as a teacher and her amazing running, and she tells us how she makes it work. There's lots of advice for those looking to run with their kids too.Her passion is infectious, and she's sure to make you want to lace up your trainers, with or without your kids in tow!

Hooga Health and Wellbeing's Laura Vick tells us about her journey getting back to running after having a baby and gives some great tips for returning to exercise.Laura is a former nurse and midwife and mum of three, and I've been lucky enough to attend her wonderful family pilates classes for about a year. She's also a keen runner and completed London Marathon in 2017.She also chats about the enormous value of the pelvic floor and how she wishes it was something that was talked about more, so that more women could feel positive that things can improve with the right support.If you have a new baby, I hope this podcast gives you confidence to return to movement when you're ready. Remember that you will get back running, but there is no rush and your patience will pay off.You can find Laura on Instagram, Facebook and via her Hooga Health and Wellbeing website..You can email her at hoogapilates@outlook.comShe runs classes in Kearsney Parks and Temple Ewell in Kent.