Welcome to The Mother Runners
I’m Whitney Heins, the founder of The Mother Runners, a VDOT-O2 certified running coach, 2:56 marathoner, 1:20 half-marathoner, freelance writer, a former award-winning TV news journalist…and most importantly, a mom of two beautiful, crazy kids. I’ve been featured in Runner’s World, The Huffington Post, US News and World Report, and more. I’m thrilled to share all I learn with you so you can be your best selves on and off the roads. After all, running makes us better mothers, and vice versa.
Running is such an individual sport but when you become a mother, it can require a whole team of people and major schedule finessing to help you get out the door. It can require countless times of crying babies being pulled off you and pre-pre-dawn wake-ups to ensure it happens before the day’s craziness sets in.
At The Mother Runners, you’ll find information for all things at the intersection of running and motherhood brought to you by my personal experiences and research, and conversations with other Mother Runners and experts.
The Passionate Runner Podcast
I have the pure pleasure of hosting a podcast ABOUT RUNNING for RunnerClick called The Passionate Runner podcast. On the podcast, I speak with experts and running pros to share insider knowledge and inspiration so you can run your best and BE your best in the time that you have.
The Blog
The Latest
What to Expect After You Run a Marathon
I am writing this post one month after I ran my marathon. Being injured for…
6 Reasons You Should Run a Marathon This Year
Running a marathon is not for the faint of heart. Marathon training is hard work…
7 Best Electrolyte Drinks for Runners
Most long-distance runners know that they need to fuel their long runs with energy gels….
Your Pregnant Running Nutrition Guide
Fueling well is crucial for any runner’s performance. As a pregnant runner, nutrition is even…
9 Healthy Habits to Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
Next to injury, getting sick is a runner’s worst nightmare. And, unfortunately, as mother runners,…
8 Fastest Marathons in the Spring in the U.S.
Now is the time of year runners are charting their goals for the new year—and…
Motherhood Running
Your Pregnant Running Nutrition Guide
Fueling well is crucial for any runner’s performance. As a pregnant runner, nutrition is even…
9 Healthy Habits to Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
Next to injury, getting sick is a runner’s worst nightmare. And, unfortunately, as mother runners,…
36 Running Tips to Try in 2023
UPDATED December 20, 2022: Here it is, the holy grail of game-changing running tips that…
How to Fit in Exercise During the Holidays
‘Tis the most wonderful…and hectic…time of the year! The holidays are crazy. Often the toughest…
A Complete Guide to Running While Pregnant
UPDATED November 25, 2022: When it comes to running while pregnant, a lot has changed. For…
Why Do My Hips Hurt When Running?
Talk with many female runners and there is a good chance they have many things…
Run Training
What to Expect After You Run a Marathon
I am writing this post one month after I ran my marathon. Being injured for…
6 Reasons You Should Run a Marathon This Year
Running a marathon is not for the faint of heart. Marathon training is hard work…
7 Best Electrolyte Drinks for Runners
Most long-distance runners know that they need to fuel their long runs with energy gels….
Your Pregnant Running Nutrition Guide
Fueling well is crucial for any runner’s performance. As a pregnant runner, nutrition is even…
9 Healthy Habits to Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
Next to injury, getting sick is a runner’s worst nightmare. And, unfortunately, as mother runners,…
8 Fastest Marathons in the Spring in the U.S.
Now is the time of year runners are charting their goals for the new year—and…
Weather-Related Running Tips
7 Best Electrolyte Drinks for Runners
Most long-distance runners know that they need to fuel their long runs with energy gels….
How Do You Stay Motivated to Run in the Winter?
I have always loved running no matter the odds–however, my motivation to get out the…
Best Winter Running Gear for Running in the Cold
We’ve had an unusually warm fall. As I write this, it will get up to…
Can You Go Running with a Cold?
Cold and flu season is upon us, mother runners, (and COVID season is now, sadly,…
How to Adapt to Racing in Bad Weather
My two dear friends are toeing the line as we speak for the Indianapolis Monumental…
Best Rain Jackets for Running in 2022
Updated November 1, 2022: Some people love it. Others hate it. But no matter what, when…
Motivation
New Year’s Resolutions Every Runner Should Have
Ahh, it’s almost the new year. This means so many of us are setting fitness…
How Do You Stay Motivated to Run in the Winter?
I have always loved running no matter the odds–however, my motivation to get out the…
How to Make Running a Habit in 2023
As the new year looms, many people want to try to make running a habit….
How to Fit in Exercise During the Holidays
‘Tis the most wonderful…and hectic…time of the year! The holidays are crazy. Often the toughest…
How to Get Over a Bad Race, According to a Sports Psych
Bad races happen. Bad races happen to good people—and good runners. Even when everything has…
Running and Depression: Can Running Make You Happy?
For most of my life, I’ve been drawn to running. It is a compulsion I…
Gear
Best Winter Running Gear for Running in the Cold
We’ve had an unusually warm fall. As I write this, it will get up to…
Best Cushioned Running Shoes: HOKA Bondi 7 vs. Bondi 8 Review
It’s no secret that I am a big Hoka One One running shoe fan. When…
Pillow Review: Lagoon Sleep Pillow vs. Pillow Cube Review
Lack of sleep is my kryptonite. It dawned on me (pun intended) that even since…
Best Rain Jackets for Running in 2022
Updated November 1, 2022: Some people love it. Others hate it. But no matter what, when…
2022 Holiday Gifts for Runners (+ Mother Runners)
UPDATED November 25, 2022: Holiday shopping season is officially here! With that means it’s time…
How Should I Dress for Running in Fall?
Ahh, fall running is finally here. I love running in the fall more than most…
Most Popular
9 Healthy Habits to Avoid Getting Sick This Winter
Next to injury, getting sick is a runner’s worst nightmare. And, unfortunately, as mother runners,…
How to Make Running a Habit in 2023
As the new year looms, many people want to try to make running a habit….
Best Winter Running Gear for Running in the Cold
We’ve had an unusually warm fall. As I write this, it will get up to…
A Complete Guide to Running While Pregnant
UPDATED November 25, 2022: When it comes to running while pregnant, a lot has changed. For…
Your Strength Training For Runners Guide
UPDATED November, 9, 2022: After being injured and out of running for 2.5 years, I’m…
Best Rain Jackets for Running in 2022
Updated November 1, 2022: Some people love it. Others hate it. But no matter what, when…
Mother Runner of the Month
Mother Runner of the Month: KC Metz
“The world would be a better place if there were more KCs in it.” …
Mother Runner of the Month: Donna Villavicencio
Meet our November Mother Runner of the Month Donna Villavicencio, and she will change your…
October Mother Runner of the Month: Allie O’Rourke
Allie O’Rourke of Petaluma, California is our October Mother Runner of the Month! And, she…
(Grand) Mother Runner of the Month! Leslie Barrenal
Mother runners, meet your September Mother Runner of the Month (& GRANDmother Runner of the…
Mother Runner of the Month: Kerri Maess
Kerri Maess, our August Mother Runner of the Month, started running about 9 years ago with…
Mother Runner of the Month: Laura Filla
It’s safe to say July’s Mother Runner of the Month, Laura Filla, has found her…