Welcome to the MamasteFit Blog! Today, I want to share a personal (and slightly chaotic) story: how I trained for and ran a full marathon at nine months postpartum. This journey wasn’t glamorous, it definitely wasn’t textbook perfect, but it was real, raw, and full of grit (and probably poor decision-making). If you’re wondering if it’s possible to train for a marathon postpartum… let me tell you my story.
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Why a Marathon… and Why Now?
So here’s how this started: I signed up for the Disney Goofy Challenge—running a half marathon and a full marathon back-to-back on consecutive days. Sounded like a great idea at the time! I somehow convinced my sister Roxanne and a couple of our friends to sign up too. (By “convinced,” I mean I registered them all. Oops.)
I wanted to submit a qualifying time for better corral placement at Disney, which meant I needed a marathon time before July 1st… giving me exactly two months to train. Did I mention I hadn’t run consistently in nearly nine years? Perfect.
My Running History… and a Long Break
In college, I was a competitive runner. Post-college, I dabbled in ultra-marathons, which were less about time and more about just finishing. Then I had kids—four of them—and running just didn’t feel good during pregnancy or postpartum, especially with stroller logistics and pelvic floor changes.
But despite the lack of recent running, I stayed active during pregnancy with lots of strength training, low-impact cardio, and walks. That foundation helped more than I realized when it came time to start marathon training.
Postpartum Recovery First
Before any training, I prioritized healing. The first month postpartum was about rest, recovery, and letting my body heal. No rushing back to workouts, no bouncing around trying to “get my body back.” I just let myself exist in the newborn bubble with Zoe.
Once I felt ready (around 6-8 weeks postpartum), I started with low-impact strength work, gradually reintroducing core and pelvic floor engagement. I took a slow and steady approach to rebuild my base. For anyone else postpartum: this recovery phase is crucial. Skipping it often leads to injury down the road.
Return to Running: Slow and Steady
By around three to four months postpartum, I began easing back into running with our Return to Running Program: short run-walk intervals and low impact work to build up my body’s tolerance again.
It wasn’t glamorous. It wasn’t fast. My first five-mile “long run” with Roxanne was a huge reality check. My pace was slow (and I was embarrassed by it), but it was what my body could handle.
The Crunch-Time Marathon Training Plan (8 Weeks!)
With the race just two months away, I had to get serious—fast. Here’s what my training looked like:
One day of intervals: Short bursts of faster running with jogging recovery.
One tempo run: Sustained efforts of 5–8 minutes with short rest.
Weekend long efforts: A long Peloton bike ride on Saturday (to build endurance without impact), followed by my long run on Sunday.
Because of time constraints (and, you know, life with four kids), I peaked at a 12-mile long run. Not ideal for marathon prep, but I worked with what I had.
Mindset Shift: Letting Go of Speed Expectations
One of the hardest parts for me was accepting my postpartum running pace. Gone were the days of 7-minute miles. I had to be okay with running slow and walking when needed. My body was still healing, still adapting, and speed wasn’t the priority—finishing healthy was.
Nutrition and Recovery
Nutrition played a huge role in my training, especially while breastfeeding. I focused on protein (collagen was a big staple), electrolytes (LMNT saved me), and post-run recovery meals. Hydration and fueling during runs were also big learning curves—pickle juice at mile 20 was a surprising lifesaver.
Race Day: The Emotional Rollercoaster
Race morning was a mess (because… of course). I was sprinting up a muddy hill to get to the start line after pumping in my car and making a mad dash from the porta-potty. My heart rate was sky-high before the race even started.
The first half felt great—almost too great. I was holding an 8-minute mile pace and feeling ambitious. I even entertained the idea of placing top three. But by mile 16… reality hit. Hard. My legs were done. My pace dropped. The last six miles became a battle of willpower.
I walked through aid stations, calculated (and re-calculated) my pace and remaining time, and kept reminding myself: “Just finish under 4 hours.” Somehow, I did. Barely.
Finishing... and Collapsing
Crossing that finish line felt like both the best and worst thing ever. I collapsed into a seat, then realized I had to walk a quarter mile downhill to my car… followed by the awkward, cramping struggle to find my post-race snacks buried under piles of kid stuff in the backseat.
That night was rough. Leg cramps. Sleeplessness. Post-race soreness on top of parenting four kids. But I survived.
Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again?
Marathon training with four small kids, while breastfeeding, and only nine months postpartum? It was… a lot. I’m glad I did it. I’m proud of myself. But it’s not something I see myself doing regularly.
Half marathons feel more doable for this season of life. Training volume is more manageable, and I can still balance family, work, and fitness.
That said… Disney Marathon, I’m coming for you next.
If you’re looking for guidance on postpartum running or marathon prep, we’ve launched new Half and Full Marathon Training Programs designed for postpartum parents like me—complete with strength training, run programming, and modifications for busy schedules.
And for extra recovery support? I swear by Needed’s collagen and postpartum nutrition products—use code MAMASTEPOD for 20% off at thisisneeded.com.
Check Out More Marathon Training Videos Below!
Is This a Bad Idea? Marathon Training at 8 Months Postpartum
Running With a Double Stroller: Tips for Postpartum Moms Training for a Marathon
8-Min Mobility Flow | Week 2 Marathon Training Vlog + Real Mom Life
Marathon Training at 9 Months Postpartum | Long Run Vlog (3 Weeks Out!)
Marathon Training Vlog: Core + Lower Body Strength Workout for Runners (2 Weeks Out!)
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