Episode 28: Amy Leedham on Competitive Racing, Pregnancy, Birth & Postpartum
by Nikki Parnell — October 16, 2020
This week we talk with Amy Leedham – a Salomon athlete, sustainability consultant and new mom to an 11 week old little girl. We get to hear about her evolution into ultra running, how she moved to the Bay Area after going to grad school in London and began trail running. Eventually she became a sponsored runner and traveled overseas to run some epic races like OCC, the IAU World Championships, and CCC. It was so fun to get a glimpse of the European vibe and excitement of those experiences. 2019 unfortunately brought a season of injury as Amy developed a stress reaction in her hip that prevented her from doing most of her goal races. Then as she was recovering and getting back into shape she had a terrible-feeling race where her legs were a combo of “wet noodles and lead” and she strained her quad… she came to find out she was pregnant! Her body was already undergoing its many changes.
Amy shares what her pregnancy was like, the birth of her daughter, Aila, and her return to running postpartum. She went into pregnancy with high expectations that had to be readjusted but she still stayed fit and strong. She was pregnant during the extreme shelter in place and that brought challenges but also some upsides, which Amy focused on. She shares some of her birth story and she puts it into terms of showing up ready to run a 50 miler but instead the race was an 800m sprint (it was fast, to say the least). There were some hard days post-birth in the NICU in addition to the normal raging hormones and emotions that come after having a baby and she reminds us of how fragile and vulnerable our bodies feel after birth. (I loved her description of how her upper body felt as if it was resting on a “moldless jello” – been there!!). Since then, Amy has taken it slow building her body back up. She is focusing on strength, protecting her hip to prevent more flair ups as she gets back into running and is mindful of her energy balance in these early postpartum days, always asking herself if certain exercises will fill her tank or drain it. I think that is such a valuable perspective to have as you’re trying to take care of yourself as best as you can in a season with so many other physical and emotional demands.
It was a blast chatting with Amy and hearing her honest stories. And we were so inspired by the running she’s done and the big goals she still has and will no doubt achieve once her body is ready and the world opens back up. Like her instagram handle implies (@amy_the_punisher) she has a knack for pushing hard and punishing herself and friends in the best way when it comes to moving down the trail, so I think she’s going to use this newfound mom strength to keep punishing and doing great things in the mountains!
Give this episode a listen via the link below or search “Run Hard Mom Hard” wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe and share this one with your mom tribe! Thank you!!
***A huge thank you to this week’s sponsor: GIRL GET AFTER IT! Girl Get After It is a wellness community that brings womxn together through sweatworking events and gear that gives back. They are all about womxn supporting womxn, creating diverse and inclusive community, fostering connection and getting after what it means to be healthy. Go check out their CUTE apparel and be a part of this amazing girl squad movement! Plus, 10% of all profits are donated to a nonprofit that helps make a difference in women and girls lives all around the country!
Use code “RUNHARD15” for 15% off your order and follow them on instagram @girlgetafterit!***
Show Notes:
- Find Amy on Instagram
- Amy’s Blog
- Her Sponsors: Salomon, Inside Tracker, Equator Coffees
- Amy’s Favorite Race: North Face San Francisco 50 Miler
- Amy’s Favorite Meal: Burmese Chicken Soup
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