Racing 4 Months Postpartum: Inside an Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier Comeback — with CARTER NORBO

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we welcome back Carter Norbo—home health physical therapist, lifelong runner, and mom to two-year-old twins and a five-month-old baby.After narrowly missing qualification for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2024 following the birth of her twins, Carter returned to racing postpartum and is now officially qualified for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials—just months after welcoming her third baby.Balancing full-time work, elite-level marathon training, and life with three kids under three, Carter shares what returning to high-level competition after pregnancy actually looks like. This is an honest conversation about postpartum recovery, training through pregnancy, fueling, strength work, and learning when less is more.We talk about:How her mindset around training during pregnancy has evolvedQualifying for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials postpartumThe realities and logistics of training as a twin momThe role of strength training during pregnancy and after birthLearning to be flexible when life (and recovery) demand itFueling appropriately for long runs while breastfeeding and postpartumWhy more training is not always better—especially after pregnancyThis episode is a must-listen for runners navigating pregnancy, postpartum return to running, or anyone curious about what it really takes to train at a high level while raising a family—without burning out or breaking down.Time Stamps1:00 Introduction2:29 going for another Olympic Trials qualification9:23 race day experience15:25 lessons from being a mom18:12 differences between pregnancies21:10 advice for her previous self27:03 plans for the future30:19 the Rabbit Chase Team37:35 Lever system for treadmill42:45 fueling and hydrating for running47:18 rapid fire questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH CARTER:Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/cnorbo/The Active Mom Podcast — a real mom's guide to pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause & beyond, for active moms and the professionals who help them get there.Quick-hit conversations with moms, providers, and researchers... because you don't have a lot of free time (you're probably listening at 1.5x right now).Follow so you don't miss an episode. Rate & review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — it's how the next mom searching for these answers actually finds them. Share it with the friend who needs it.Questions or topic requests? DM me 💌