August 24th, 2024 | by Kim Kreuzman
Today's Quench'd story takes us to North Carolina with Kim Kreuzman as she navigates running and motherhood. Kim Kreuzman is a business owner, run coach, runner, mom, and artist who lives in Charlotte, NC.
She is inspired by traveling to new places, loves a good audiobook, and she will never forget your dog’s name. You can find her on Monday mornings at @Morning.RunClub and online at @HamRunning / @kkreuzman.
Tears of a dream realized flooded my eyes: I could not hold back the joy of what we had accomplished. My daughter and I had crossed the finish line of our third marathon together, before she had even arrived to the world. And we were soon to meet. After finishing that race, my 18th marathon, I would have just six weeks to prepare for another life-changing finish line: her birth.
This last marathon felt so special. At 33 weeks pregnant, my intention as I toed the start line was unlike it has been any of the 17 times before. It wasn’t about setting a personal record or qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It was about slowing down the pace, staying in the moment, listening to my body, and sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience with my baby.
Today's Quench'd story takes us to North Carolina with Kim Kreuzman as she navigates running and motherhood. Kim Kreuzman is a business owner, run coach, runner, mom, and artist who lives in Charlotte, NC.
She is inspired by traveling to new places, loves a good audiobook, and she will never forget your dog’s name. You can find her on Monday mornings at @Morning.RunClub and online at @HamRunning / @kkreuzman.
Tears of a dream realized flooded my eyes: I could not hold back the joy of what we had accomplished. My daughter and I had crossed the finish line of our third marathon together, before she had even arrived to the world. And we were soon to meet. After finishing that race, my 18th marathon, I would have just six weeks to prepare for another life-changing finish line: her birth.
This last marathon felt so special. At 33 weeks pregnant, my intention as I toed the start line was unlike it has been any of the 17 times before. It wasn’t about setting a personal record or qualifying for the Boston Marathon. It was about slowing down the pace, staying in the moment, listening to my body, and sharing a once-in-a-lifetime experience with my baby.
Kim at the end of her third and final marathon of her pregnancy.
Kim at the end of her third and final marathon of her pregnancy.
Running while pregnant transformed me. It taught me the importance of self-awareness, confidence, inner knowing and adaptability, among other lessons. Reflecting on the journey of running a marathon in each trimester of my pregnancy, I’m reminded of vital truths I’ve learned about trusting myself, listening to my body, staying hydrated, and fueling properly. Training throughout pregnancy not only afforded me alone time to reflect on a special season of life as my baby was carried by the rhythm of of one foot in front of the other, but it also made me stronger, gave me energy and confidence, and prepared me for the physical demands of labor, delivery, and the “fourth trimester” postpartum time.
Running while pregnant transformed me. It taught me the importance of self-awareness, confidence, inner knowing and adaptability, among other lessons. Reflecting on the journey of running a marathon in each trimester of my pregnancy, I’m reminded of vital truths I’ve learned about trusting myself, listening to my body, staying hydrated, and fueling properly. Training throughout pregnancy not only afforded me alone time to reflect on a special season of life as my baby was carried by the rhythm of of one foot in front of the other, but it also made me stronger, gave me energy and confidence, and prepared me for the physical demands of labor, delivery, and the “fourth trimester” postpartum time.
Ever wondered what it took to run a marathon 33 weeks into pregnancy? This is what Kim used to run her third marathon of her pregnancy.
Ever wondered what it took to run a marathon 33 weeks into pregnancy? This is what Kim used to run her third marathon of her pregnancy.
Running while pregnant is a deeply personal journey and one that should always begin with a conversation with your medical team.Their guidance can help ensure your activity level is safe for both yourself and your baby. My doctors supported my decision to continue running because I had been running consistently for years pre-pregnancy.
Listening to your body is crucial. Pregnancy brings myriad changes, and being in tune with your needs is essential. For me, this meant adjusting my pace, modifying my training routine, and understanding that each run wasn’t just about me anymore—it was also about the tiny, developing human my body was growing.
Running while pregnant is a deeply personal journey and one that should always begin with a conversation with your medical team.Their guidance can help ensure your activity level is safe for both yourself and your baby. My doctors supported my decision to continue running because I had been running consistently for years pre-pregnancy.
Listening to your body is crucial. Pregnancy brings myriad changes, and being in tune with your needs is essential. For me, this meant adjusting my pace, modifying my training routine, and understanding that each run wasn’t just about me anymore—it was also about the tiny, developing human my body was growing.
I took a temporary step away from running after my daughter’s birth. The early weeks of motherhood were a beautiful whirlwind of contact cuddles and the joyous chaos of adjusting to life as a family of three. My body had just performed an incredible feat: I was in awe of its strength and deeply aware that it needed time to recover. During this time, I learned the importance of prioritizing my needs: hydration, nutrition, and rest. It was an adjustment to realize that rest wasn’t something to be earned. And simply existing as a brand new mother is significant work—your body and mind are recovering and adjusting to complex changes, and your child is entirely dependent. As a breastfeeding mother, I learned that neglecting hydration and proper fueling impacted my body’s ability to produce milk and that I had to take expert care of myself so I could take good care of my baby. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
I took a temporary step away from running after my daughter’s birth. The early weeks of motherhood were a beautiful whirlwind of contact cuddles and the joyous chaos of adjusting to life as a family of three. My body had just performed an incredible feat: I was in awe of its strength and deeply aware that it needed time to recover. During this time, I learned the importance of prioritizing my needs: hydration, nutrition, and rest. It was an adjustment to realize that rest wasn’t something to be earned. And simply existing as a brand new mother is significant work—your body and mind are recovering and adjusting to complex changes, and your child is entirely dependent. As a breastfeeding mother, I learned that neglecting hydration and proper fueling impacted my body’s ability to produce milk and that I had to take expert care of myself so I could take good care of my baby. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup.
There’s no such thing as “bouncing back,” but there is “stepping forward.” Slowly, I began incorporating movement into my routine. Our first walk, a few days after delivery, was a mere 0.1 miles, but it felt like a victory—because it was! At six weeks postpartum, with my doctor’s “all clear,” I felt ready to start running again, beginning with short run/walk intervals. Starting small and gradually increasing the distance was key to regaining my strength.
Running during pregnancy and postpartum has been a journey marked by moments of complete euphoria and moments of sobbing at 2 AM when nothing I do will soothe my baby’s cries. The excitement of running while pregnant was empowering, but there were also moments of doubt and physical challenges. The postpartum period brought its own set of hurdles—navigating my changed body, the demands of breastfeeding, and the emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood. These experiences have deepened my bond with my daughter, and they’ve strengthened my resolve as a runner. Running has become a shared joy, something we now do together as she joins me in the stroller. It’s a reminder that while a journey may have its challenges, it is also filled with moments of pure joy and resilience. And like all things in life—nothing lasts forever. The tough runs don’t last, and neither do the long nights.
There’s no such thing as “bouncing back,” but there is “stepping forward.” Slowly, I began incorporating movement into my routine. Our first walk, a few days after delivery, was a mere 0.1 miles, but it felt like a victory—because it was! At six weeks postpartum, with my doctor’s “all clear,” I felt ready to start running again, beginning with short run/walk intervals. Starting small and gradually increasing the distance was key to regaining my strength.
Running during pregnancy and postpartum has been a journey marked by moments of complete euphoria and moments of sobbing at 2 AM when nothing I do will soothe my baby’s cries. The excitement of running while pregnant was empowering, but there were also moments of doubt and physical challenges. The postpartum period brought its own set of hurdles—navigating my changed body, the demands of breastfeeding, and the emotional rollercoaster of new motherhood. These experiences have deepened my bond with my daughter, and they’ve strengthened my resolve as a runner. Running has become a shared joy, something we now do together as she joins me in the stroller. It’s a reminder that while a journey may have its challenges, it is also filled with moments of pure joy and resilience. And like all things in life—nothing lasts forever. The tough runs don’t last, and neither do the long nights.
Kim and baby EVJ at Kim's second race postpartum.
Thank you Kim for all the images!
Kim and baby EVJ at Kim's second race postpartum.
Thank you Kim for all the images!
Stay in the loop with our weekly cycling stories.
