Welcome to The Mother Runners
I’m Whitney Heins, the founder of The Mother Runners, a VDOT-O2 certified running coach, 2:56 marathoner, freelance writer, a former award-winning TV news journalist…& most importantly, a mom of two beautiful, crazy kids. I’ve been featured in Runner’s World, The Huffington Post, US News & World Report, & 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 Latest
Running is a tough sport. And it arguably takes more mental toughness than physical toughness to do it—from getting started, sticking with it, and going …
Being a runner has many wonderful side effects but one of them is NOT runner’s trots or runner’s stomach—diarrhea that endurance runners experience when going …
It’s true. I have to admit. I am one of those people that waits for the slightest hint of a brisk fall breeze and then …
When you become a mother (runner), everything changes including (if you are nursing), your chest. And you suddenly become involved in two endurance activities—running and …
It is marathon season! I love nothing more than fall marathon training. You’ve put in the miles in the summer heat and humidity. And, just …
This year I’ve been dealing with a plantar fascia tear on my right foot. It followed a hamstring tear, also on my right…and quad pain, …
Training
Running is a tough sport. And it arguably takes more mental toughness than physical toughness to do it—from getting started, sticking with it, and going …
Being a runner has many wonderful side effects but one of them is NOT runner’s trots or runner’s stomach—diarrhea that endurance runners experience when going …
It is marathon season! I love nothing more than fall marathon training. You’ve put in the miles in the summer heat and humidity. And, just …
This year I’ve been dealing with a plantar fascia tear on my right foot. It followed a hamstring tear, also on my right…and quad pain, …
The marathon taper is a CRITICAL component of any marathon training program in order to absorb your training and get to the start line fresh. …
Every time I have a running injury, I go through the same crisis: how on Earth should I eat when I’m not running? Should I …
Motivation
Running is a tough sport. And it arguably takes more mental toughness than physical toughness to do it—from getting started, sticking with it, and going …
The marathon taper is a CRITICAL component of any marathon training program in order to absorb your training and get to the start line fresh. …
Friends, I’ve been running most my life (since I was 6 years old) but I have had to learn how to start running many times—especially …
When you become a mom, suddenly your time is no longer your own—and that includes taking time to go for a run. But many research …
If you follow me on Instagram, then you know—I’ve been forced to take a lot of unplanned breaks over the past year and a half. …
Running in the morning is a saving grace for most mother runners. It most often is the only way we can ensure we get our …
Health & Nutrition
Being a runner has many wonderful side effects but one of them is NOT runner’s trots or runner’s stomach—diarrhea that endurance runners experience when going …
It’s true. I have to admit. I am one of those people that waits for the slightest hint of a brisk fall breeze and then …
It is marathon season! I love nothing more than fall marathon training. You’ve put in the miles in the summer heat and humidity. And, just …
What is the best birth control pill for female runners? This is a question I have gotten asked a lot of lately. Many mother runners …
Every time I have a running injury, I go through the same crisis: how on Earth should I eat when I’m not running? Should I …
Life happens. And there will inevitably come a time when you will be forced to decide when to skip a workout—and then how to adjust …
Gear
When you become a mother (runner), everything changes including (if you are nursing), your chest. And you suddenly become involved in two endurance activities—running and …
It is marathon season! I love nothing more than fall marathon training. You’ve put in the miles in the summer heat and humidity. And, just …
Massage guns for runners are all the rage these days with the Theragun being the cream of the crop. But are massage guns worth the …
My husband often jokes that my runner friends, my runner galentine (s), spend more time with me than he does. To be honest, I think …
Running with a jogging stroller is hard work! But it is worth it! By exercising and getting outside, you’re getting feel-good endorphins, spending quality time …
One of the perks of being a runner is the simplicity of it—put on your shoes and go. Mother runners love the peace and quiet …
Most Popular
When you become a mother (runner), everything changes including (if you are nursing), your chest. And you suddenly become involved in two endurance activities—running and …
The marathon taper is a CRITICAL component of any marathon training program in order to absorb your training and get to the start line fresh. …
What is the best birth control pill for female runners? This is a question I have gotten asked a lot of lately. Many mother runners …
Most runners want to run faster but by running alone, you cannot optimally achieve this. You need to train your muscles to work faster with …
Massage guns for runners are all the rage these days with the Theragun being the cream of the crop. But are massage guns worth the …
A couple of years ago I was in a doctor’s office getting blood test results when the nurse practitioner looked at me and said, “You’ll …
Survival Strategies
Running is a tough sport. And it arguably takes more mental toughness than physical toughness to do it—from getting started, sticking with it, and going …
When you become a mother (runner), everything changes including (if you are nursing), your chest. And you suddenly become involved in two endurance activities—running and …
Training for a marathon and being in a marriage have a lot in common. They both require a lot of work, grit, and commitment.
And let’s face …
Summer is already here and for a lot of moms that means less time for running because, well, YOUR KIDS ARE HOME ALL THE TIME! Many …
Here are two common scenarios for runners: you run a race and YOU DO AWESOME! You’re hungry to get another personal best! OR, you run …
When you become a mom, suddenly your time is no longer your own—and that includes taking time to go for a run. But many research …
Mother Runner of the Month
“The world would be a better place if there were more KCs in it.”
Those are the words used to describe December’s Mother Runner of the …
Meet our November Mother Runner of the Month Donna Villavicencio, and she will change your life.
As the owner/trainer of a women’s owned gym, triathlon coach, …
Allie O’Rourke of Petaluma, California is our October Mother Runner of the Month! And, she is, the best I can tell, one of those mother …
Mother runners, meet your September Mother Runner of the Month (& GRANDmother Runner of the Month) Leslie Barrenal of Santiago, Chile. Leslie has 3 kids, …
Kerri Maess, our August Mother Runner of the Month, started running about 9 years ago with her brother who weighed in at over 300 pounds and …
It’s safe to say July’s Mother Runner of the Month, Laura Filla, has found her passion: The St. Louis mom has run through her most …