For readers who may not know you yet, how would you describe yourself?
I’d say I’m a pretty laid-back person, which I think comes from growing up in country NSW. Family, friends and community are really important to me, and I’m happiest when I have a goal to work towards or something exciting on the horizon.
I’m also big on being genuine and keeping things real. Especially online, I think it’s easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out, when really, none of us do. I’d much rather share the highs, the lows and everything in between — the real, everyday moments that make up life.
Where did your love of running begin?
Like a lot of people, my love for running started during the 2021 lockdown. I lived right near Centennial Park in Sydney, so I wanted to make the most of my “hour of exercise”, and my husband suggested we both start running. I signed up for a charity 10K, which was the longest I had ever run, and that’s really where my love for running, racing and being outdoors began.
You’ve completed five marathons. What has running taught you about yourself that you don’t think you could have learnt any other way?
Running has taught me that nothing is too hard if I really lock in and set my mind to it. The girl who couldn’t run a lap around Centennial Park, which is 3.7km, would never have dreamt that one day she’d run five marathons, yet here I am.
The beauty of that mindset is that you can apply it to every part of your life, and I definitely carried that belief with me into my birth.
You’ve recently become a mum to Millie. How has motherhood changed your relationship with your body, movement and running?
Looking back at photos of myself when I was the fittest I’d ever been, I can’t believe how much I tore myself apart for not looking like the runner I thought I should look like. Pregnancy and motherhood have taught me that my body can run a marathon, grow a human, run through pregnancy until 35 weeks and give birth to a baby, and none of those things have anything to do with how I look in the mirror.
I hope Millie grows up being proud of how strong she is, rather than worrying about how she looks.
There’s often this pressure on women to “bounce back” after having a baby. Has becoming a mum changed the way you think about that idea?
Bounce back culture is both a blessing and a curse. There’s this idea that you need to look exactly how you did before having a baby, which I hate because it’s so unrealistic. But there’s also the idea that you can have a baby and come back stronger than ever, and that’s something I actually love.
The idea of coming back stronger than I was pre-pregnancy has helped me not feel like I’m losing all the hard work I put in before I fell pregnant. I’m giving myself grace and not putting pressure on myself to look a certain way. Instead, I’m focusing on building a strong foundation to come back to.
What has physical recovery after birth been like for you?
Physically, it’s been tough. I had a caesarean section, and every day I have to remind myself that it was major surgery and that I need to take it easy.
My scar looks incredible and has healed really well, but I can still feel the pain deeper underneath it. It’s definitely been a reminder to be patient with my body and give it the time it needs to recover.
Was there anything about postpartum recovery that surprised you?
The thing that has surprised me the most is how hard it can be to find time to do anything for myself. I really wanted to be doing some light exercises, approved by my physio, to help with my recovery, but Millie loves being held, so it can be tough to find time to do anything for me.
I have, however, prioritised putting on a little bit of makeup and brushing my hair every day. It’s incredible what that can do for your mood when you feel like you’ve done something for yourself that doesn’t remind you of how tired you are.
After pushing your body through five marathons, how did this compare to birth?
Running a marathon and giving birth are both incredibly hard, but they’re also incredibly different. Until you’ve done both, it’s hard to say which one is more challenging because they each come with their own set of physical and mental challenges.
A marathon is a 15 to 20 week block of training, followed by 42.2km of grit and determination. Pregnancy is 39+ weeks of, in my case, every pregnancy symptom under the sun, followed by major surgery. Then you’re given a tiny human to look after while learning how to breastfeed and navigating the biggest hormonal change of your life.
So, very different kinds of endurance events!
How has your relationship with your body changed since giving birth?
I don’t think my relationship with my body has changed too much. I’m still learning to give myself grace, and I have to remind myself every day that I grew and birthed a beautiful, healthy little girl.
I also have to remind myself that I’ve been through major surgery and that I need to take it easy and give my body the time it needs to properly recover.
Was there a moment when you realised your body needed more time and patience than you perhaps expected?
My body needs the most patience during the night when I’m up feeding Millie. When I hear her cry, I want to get up as quickly as I can and pick her up, but sometimes I can still feel pain around my scar when I do.
I have to remind myself that rushing and potentially doing more damage to my body isn’t going to help my baby. Taking those extra couple of seconds to get up carefully means I’ll be able to be there for her for much longer in the long run.
How did you feel emotionally when you started thinking about running again?
Emotionally, I am so ready to run again. I adore running and find that it’s one of the best things for not only my physical health but my mental health too. It’s such a great way to clear my mind.
I stopped running at 35 weeks pregnant, so I cannot wait to be cleared to run again, get outside and do something for me.
It’s been hard not being able to race and challenge myself this year, but pregnancy has been its own race. I keep reminding myself that races and marathons will always be there waiting for me.
Your 5 favourite postpartum products so far
Mumma Milla Scallop Cami for wearing around the house and then out to the cafe.
I feel so much more put together than I do in a traditional nursing cami.
Silverettes for those early breastfeeding days. A little postpartum essential!
Lactation cookies. Need I say more?
Yeti Rambler 1L cup with a straw for all those times I wake up at 3am feeling thirsty. Being able to drink one-handed is so helpful, plus it doesn’t leak when I’m trying to drink over Millie’s head while feeding!
A comfy matching knit set. While I love my PJs, it’s nice to feel like I’ve made a little more effort when someone comes over. I feel a bit more like myself rather than like I’ve been in my pyjamas all day.
We’d love to hear why you enjoy wearing Mumma Milla!
I love that all of my Mumma Milla pieces can be worn at home while breastfeeding, but also when I need to pop out to the shops or grab a coffee. They’re cute but also really functional, so I don’t have to worry about disposable nursing pads, which can be annoying and aren’t great for the environment.
I wore my Scallop Cami and crops in hospital every day over a traditional nursing bra because they felt so supportive and comfortable.
Then I noticed three other mums in the hospital all wearing their Mumma Milla Scallop Camis in the hallways, which honestly speaks volumes about how good they are!
What is your advice for other mums out there?
My advice would be to be kind to yourself and remember that you and your beautiful baby are learning each other every day. You’re both doing this for the first time, so when you’re feeling overwhelmed or frustrated, remember that it’s okay to not be amazing at everything straight away.
Try to find someone you trust to get your information from, and don’t feel like you need to listen to every opinion about how you should be doing things!
At the end of the day, nourishing, caring for and loving your baby is what matters most to them, so don’t forget that.
