Running from (with) mom guilt: exploring experiences of being a mother and training for and running marathons

Mothers tend to make sacrifices within their family role, including their physical activity levels. The purpose of this exploratory study was to understand how mothers balanced the roles of being a mother and training for and competing in a marathon, including the strategies used and barriers experienced. Eight mothers (Mage = 36.75), with children under 8 years old, participated in two semi-structured interviews (during training, post-race). Inductive thematic analysis resulted in the creation of two inter-related themes: (a) identity conflict and (b) balancing strategies. Specifically, identity challenges including: being a runner before mother, managing multiple identities, and feelings of guilt for not prioritizing the mother identity. Strategies were identified that helped minimize feelings of guilt and perceived lack of time: self-compassion, eliciting social support, and comprehensive planning. Findings from this study can advance academic literature and help inform training programs for women who are navigating motherhood.