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
5 Minute Mobility Routine for Runners
Do runners want to be flexible or mobile? They want to be mobile! Having mobility…
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…
A Complete Guide to Running While Pregnant
UPDATED November 25, 2022: When it comes to running while pregnant, a lot has changed. For…
Pro Racing Strategies to Nail Your Next Running Race
I’ve been on a three-year hiatus from running races thanks to COVID and running injuries….
Why Do My Hips Hurt When Running?
Talk with many female runners and there is a good chance they have many things…
Your Strength Training For Runners Guide
UPDATED November, 9, 2022: After being injured and out of running for 2.5 years, I’m…
Motherhood Running
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…
Can You Go Running with a Cold?
Cold and flu season is upon us, mother runners, (and COVID season is now, sadly,…
Pillow Review: Lagoon Sleep Pillow vs. Pillow Cube Review
Lack of sleep is my kryptonite. It dawned on me (pun intended) that even since…
2022 Holiday Gifts for Runners (+ Mother Runners)
UPDATED November 25, 2022: Holiday shopping season is officially here! With that means it’s time…
Tight Pelvic Floor Muscles in Runners: Symptoms & Solutions
After childbirth, it’s become more common to think about the strength of your pelvic floor….
Run Training
5 Minute Mobility Routine for Runners
Do runners want to be flexible or mobile? They want to be mobile! Having mobility…
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…
Pro Racing Strategies to Nail Your Next Running Race
I’ve been on a three-year hiatus from running races thanks to COVID and running injuries….
Why Do My Hips Hurt When Running?
Talk with many female runners and there is a good chance they have many things…
Your Strength Training For Runners Guide
UPDATED November, 9, 2022: After being injured and out of running for 2.5 years, I’m…
Can You Go Running with a Cold?
Cold and flu season is upon us, mother runners, (and COVID season is now, sadly,…
Weather-Related Running Tips
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…
How Should I Dress for Running in Fall?
Ahh, fall running is finally here. I love running in the fall more than most…
The Surprising Benefits of Running in Heat
UPDATED July 7, 2022: Don’t worry if you are riding this struggle bus this summer….
Hydration Tips for Summer Running (+ 5 electrolyte drink reviews)
It should be simple. If you run in the heat, drink more water. But figuring…
Motivation
Running and Depression: Can Running Make You Happy?
For most of my life, I’ve been drawn to running. It is a compulsion I…
How to Cope with Fear of Reinjury
From 2019 to 2022, I was in a running injury cycle. I tore my hamstring…
How to Recover from Hitting the Wall in the Marathon
The biggest obstacle to completing 26.2 is hitting the wall in the marathon. So many…
How Long Does It Take to Lose Running Fitness?
UPDATED April 22, 2022: I wrote this post a year ago, and now I’m revisiting it….
15 Mom Hacks to Save Time (+ Run More!)
Life as a mother runner is BUSY. If there is anything we have in common,…
What Should I Wear for Running in the Rain?
Runners are like the mail delivery people: no type of weather deters us. We run…
Gear
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…
Vuori Shorts Review for Women
With the pandemic work-from-home lifestyle came a burgeoning love for athleisure—especially Vuori clothing. I remember…
Most Popular
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…
Best GPS Tracking Running Devices & Runner Safety Tech
The news of the kidnapping and murder of Liza Fletcher, mom of two boys 5…
Can You Run a Marathon While Pregnant?
A lot has been learned in just the past few years about what exercise is…
Should I Run a Race on My Period?
It can seem like the worst thing in the world: getting your period on race…
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…