Stephanie Bruce: Fifteen Years a Professional Runner, and Counting

This episode features longtime professional runner, entrepreneur, mother of three, wife, and so much more, Stephanie Bruce. In this episode Bruce, who is 41, shares the purpose and passion that’s driving her these days, as she moves into a new chapter in her running career. It’s a time of transition and exciting new paths forward.As a professional runner in her early 40s, Bruce shares valuable experience and information about what it looks like to age as a elite athlete, and how she's processing it. She continues to explore what's possible as a professional athlete, and also how she's making that happen–how she's navigating the changes that come with getting older. Bruce has been racing professionally for over 15 years, and in that time she has accomplished so much as a runner, and she’s not done yet. Some of her many career achievements include 10th at the New York City and London marathons; 6th at the Chicago Marathon; 12th at the Boston Marathon; 3 national championship titles–once in the half marathon, and two times in the 10k; 6th at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon–and the list goes on. But the significance of Bruce's pro career goes way beyond times and places. She’s been very open about her running journey and how she’s navigating living a full life outside of running, including having her three children–Hudson, Riley and Sophia–while continuing to show up year after year ready to perform at her best. Bruce is known for being a tough, smart, gritty racer and a powerful supporter of teammates, as well as other runners in the field. Last year, 2024, was a big transition year for Bruce: for the past decade, Bruce was a member of the HOKA Northern Arizona Elite team, also known as NAZ Elite. She learned part-way through 2024 that her contract wouldn't be renewed, and her time with the team would be over at the end of year. In addition, Bruce had her third child, at age 39, in September 2023, which meant that 2024 would be a postpartum return to full time training and racing. This is all to say, 2024 was a tumultuous year for Bruce. And she gets into it all in this episode. She also shares the pivotal experiences in her life that have played a huge part in shapinghow she shows up for running and for life. How to Keep Up with Stephanie BruceInstagram: @stephrothsteinSupport Our SupportersLagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first orderYMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.comUse the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchaseTo support WRS, please rate and review the showiTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44faMusic CreditsCormac O'Regan, of PlaytohComa-Media, via PixabayRomanBelov, via Pixabaypenguinmusic, via Pixabayaidanpinsent, via PixabaySergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running StoriesOver 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_projectWRS Instagram: @womensrunningstoriesFacebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStoriesWebsite: womensrunningstories.comEmail host Cherie: [email protected]'s Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/