Episode 3 | Emily Bliss, DPT | Returning to Running Postpartum
by Nikki Parnell — April 3, 2020 — 📸: Heirloom Images Photography
In this episode, we sit down with Emily Bliss, a passionate women’s health physical therapist, run coach, and mom of two little babes. We dive right in to topics that any mom, especially mother runners, will be able to relate to. The nitty gritty issues we face when we’re postpartum — pelvic floor weakness, leaking (especially when running), diastasis, back pain, etc. Emily shares many tips and tricks for how to strengthen these weak areas and how to manage the pressure in our bodies when doing simple movements. She also gives us pointers for how to check in with our bodies and examples of many safe strength exercises we can do to gage if we’re ready to run after having a baby. All I can say is, get ready to take notes! This is a great resource! And these exercises are beneficial to incorporate into your running even if you’re not newly postpartum, you’ll see a difference in your performance and you will undoubtedly feel stronger.
This conversation reminded all of us just how flabbergasting it is that there is not a system in place for women to automatically have an appointment with a PT after birth. Any time you have surgery or some major traumatic thing happen to your body, it’s expected that you will need physical therapy to recover. Why are we allowed to BIRTH A BABY (hello, that’s a traumatic process for a body to undergo) and then we’re handed our baby and left to our own devices to heal and rehab our bodies correctly? Without the right wisdom and know-how. There is a huge disconnect. We’re so thankful to have people like Emily that are trying to fill that void and help mamas find their strength in the physically and emotionally harsh land of postpartum. Many of the things we go through are very common, but that does NOT mean they are normal. Life can be better than what we resign ourselves to! With a little body awareness, functional strength training, and help from a PT even once (!) we can get back on track. And the great thing is, it’s never too late.
We also speak with Emily about mom life and how she balances this career and momming and running. She is such a humble human. She says she “doesn’t excel at anything”, but we disagree. She radiates positivity and knowledgeable encouragement to mamas trying to get back to themselves and the sport they love. Plus she’s an incredible runner herself, qualifying for Boston recently off an underprepared, haphazard at best training cycle. As moms, we can relate though, to the feeling of not performing as well as we’d like in all our many aspects of life. It’s hard to be doing a little bit of a lot of things and it often feels like we’re failing. The lack of sleep and often sick kids sure don’t help a mama feel productive and it’s hard to get runs in during this time of life, let alone have the energy for anything else! BUT here we are, showing up, doing all the things, and drinking lots of coffee. Feeling like failures but kicking butt nonetheless. Give this episode a listen! It will certainly help you #runhardmomhard.
Have a Listen!
Show Notes:
Emily is a Physical Therapist at Step and Spine Physical Therapy in Bend, OR
Find Emily on Instagram: @mumsontherunusa
Read more on her blog: mumsontherunusa.com
We talk about GPHAM: Global Pelvic Health Alliance Membership for finding a pelvic floor specialist near you!
Emily’s Favorite Race: Boston Marathon
Emily’s Sourdough bread recipe
** A fun bonus: Emily’s favorite Pizza Dough Recipe!
Nikki’s Favorite Thing this week: Stance Socks
Stef’s Favorite Thing: The Feed – Yum Butter and an easy way to order nutrition | Soft Flask Bottles
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