Motherhood and Miles: Careth's Running Adventure

In this episode of the Return to Run podcast, hosts Amanda Basham and Careth Christine share their personal journeys in running, motherhood, and the challenges of balancing athletic performance with family life. Amanda recounts her experience at the Broken Arrow Sky Race, while Careth reflects on her transition into running post-kids and the impact of the pandemic on her athletic pursuits. They discuss the importance of coaching, the thrill of stage racing, and the resilience required to navigate the ups and downs of running and parenting. In this conversation, Careth Christine shares her journey as an ultra runner and mother, discussing her experiences at the Bandera race, living in a trailer, and balancing motherhood with her passion for running. She reflects on her unique home birth experience, the challenges of postpartum recovery, and the pressures of competition in the ultra running community. Careth emphasizes the importance of exploring her athletic identity while navigating the complexities of family life and the evolving landscape of the sport. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Return to Run Podcast 01:33 Amanda's Experience at Broken Arrow Sky Race 06:39 The Thrill of Stage Racing 08:58 Balancing Family and Racing 10:58 Careth's Pre-Kid Running Journey 20:01 Careth's Transition into Running Post-Kids 24:45 Navigating Pregnancy and Running 27:27 Life Changes During the Pandemic 33:04 First Marathon Experience 37:08 Trail Racing and Overcoming Challenges 46:02 Coaching and Growth in Running 46:56 Journey to Bandera: A New Challenge 49:31 Living in a Trailer: Embracing the Adventure 51:41 Running as an Outlet: Balancing Motherhood and Passion 53:40 Navigating Time Constraints: The Stress of Parenthood 55:41 Life Changes: Moving and Family Dynamics 57:21 Pregnancy and Racing: A Unique Experience 01:00:33 The Birth of Shiloh: A Home Birth Story 01:09:27 Postpartum Recovery: Returning to Running 01:13:37 Exploring Athletic Identity: Finding My Place 01:19:16 The Pressure of Competition: Balancing Expectations 01:24:41 The Future of Running: Embracing the Unknown