Running Postpartum & Motherhood: What It Actually Looks Like in Real Life — with run coach LAURA NORRIS

Send us Fan MailWhat does it actually look like to keep running when life shifts in a big way — like pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and becoming a parent?In this episode of the Active Mom Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Norris — certified running coach, science writer, and co-host of the Tread Lightly Podcast. Laura has coached more than 500 runners, from brand-new runners to podium finishers, and is known for bringing a thoughtful, evidence-informed approach to training. You may also recognize her work from Runner’s World, NPR Life Kit, Outside, GQ, Self, and Shape, or from her long-running website and Substack.But this conversation isn’t just about coaching theory.Laura shares what it was like to move through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the transition into motherhood while continuing to run, coach athletes, and rethink what training and performance look like in a new season of life.We talk about the messy middle — the recalibration that happens when your body, priorities, sleep, and identity are all shifting at once.This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about running, motherhood, mental health, and the evolving relationship many women have with sport over time.We talk about:Running through pregnancy and postpartumLearning to listen to your body when expectations and reality don’t matchThe identity shift that can come with transitioning into motherhoodRecognizing and talking openly about postpartum depressionGetting your kids outside and building a family culture around movementHow Laura’s coaching philosophy has evolved after becoming a momIf you’re navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or the early years of motherhood while trying to stay connected to running, this conversation will likely feel very familiar.And if you coach runners? Laura shares some great perspective on how lived experience changes the way we guide others.Time Stamps1:00 Introduction2:18 distilling studies in a concise way5:09 navigating running and motherhood12:33 having a breech baby16:17 recovering from a c-section22:28 handling different stages of childhood29:15 finding yourself in motherhood34:20 being a running coach38:43 collaborations on the podcast43:50 exposure and normalization48:03 rapid fir questionsCONNECT WITH CARRIEIG: https://www.instagram.com/carriepagliano/Website: https://carriepagliano.comCONNECT WITH LAURA:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/Website: https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/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 💌