What I Learned Running Again After A Year Off

The past year has been a wild ride for Heather—becoming a mum, recovering from injury, and finding her way back to running. It hasn’t been easy, and her goals have changed more times than she can count, but the love for the sport never went away. In this video, she shares the highs, the struggles, and what it really took to make it to the start line of the Bath Half—on Magnus’s first birthday. It’s been a journey of patience, persistence, and learning to appreciate every step.

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⏱️ Timestamps ⏱️
00:00 - Intro
00:19 - How did we get here?
01:16 - Heather and the Bath Half - a long relationship
03:26 - Back on the starting line
05:18 - The journey back to running after giving birth
07:47 - Broken bones - broken (training) plans
10:09 - Getting in the right headspace
11:31 - Finding motivation from set-backs
12:34 - It's not always about time
15:29 - To the finish line 🏁
15:47 - To all events to come

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Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images

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[gtn]

What did you think of Heather's journey?! Let us know in the comments 👇

[teplak]

I love how Heather, even when "unfit, " still runs a 1:30 half marathon with a smile, creates great content, and effortlessly overtakes other runners. 🙂

[nataliamartinkova]

This is a very important video with great messages. "I just let my body recover", "it's okay to be unfit", "I'm grateful to be running". Congratulations, Heather, for being kind to yourself when you needed and for celebrating your son's birthday in a way that also celebrated your growth.

[andrzej_tv]

*Sounds great!* ❤🏃
*We really appreciate your work* 👍

[marc]

This video sums up why I love GTN and GCN. An honest experience, truly human and simply uplifting. Thank you.

[sophieannestansbury]

What a great video. Love the ‘no one cares’ message towards the end, something we probably all should try remember (and if they do care, they don’t matter!)

[SamThompson-zyiw]

I know it’s all relative to us individually but a 1:30 half marathon is amazing to me, especially one year post birth and injury, but most important is Heather’s attitude and appreciation of being able to run again! Good lessons for all of us at whatever stage of our journey we are on 😊

[angelfdeath]

That no one cares message is so true. We definitely build these goals up in our own heads but no one else knows or cares

[AlisonKirrage]

You seriously have no idea what a total inspiration you are to young mums. I’m now an old granny but I do wish I’d had someone like you to confirm that it’s just ok to get out there and enjoy your running/cycling/swimming when you have little ones to deal with.
Keep going and just enjoy every second!!

[EllaStitching]

What an inspiration! Heather, you also had a C-section which is MAJOR surgery and takes time to recover and heal from. Way to go!! 🎉

[jenniferduffy]

Great video. 4 month pp and found this really heartening and encouraging. Thanks for sharing your journey Heather, really inspiring to fellow new mums!

[jenc]

A week ago, I fell down my stairs and have badly sprained my ankle. I don't yet know how long it will be until I can run again. I had only been back running for a month after an injury, and this setback has been devastating. I can't yet comprehend having to do that all over again. I'm not sure I want to or have the strength to, yet. This video, and hearing about you having some of the same thoughts about being back to zero, or below zero, has given me a little hope that maybe I can get there. I'm still on crutches, so my goal atm is just to get back to walking. Wish you all the best with your journey back to full fitness 💪

[dannymaple]

Way to go Heather! You're right... It is a privilege to run. We all need to be humble about that and accept our shortcomings because at the end of the day nobody else cares. We run for us. Keep it up! You are an inspiration.

[skiploupe]

I agree, a great video! From the little asides of info re: postpartum training (totally interesting topic medically) to the challenges of getting back into running, getting injured, having to get motivated again, just all engaging. And by the way how cool to watch Heather passing others while holding a camera up and chatting into the audio - she‘s metaphorically running a race and a half, postpartum, postinjury, on camera, and expressing her gratitude about being able to do so! Humble bow of appreciation and respect to her. Thanks for the great content.

[aprilkerr]

Thanks for sharing your story so authentically! ❤

[Totola]

Loved this video. Thanks for so candidly sharing your journey with us. I had liked your run on Strava being in total awe of your time and not realizing everything that had gone into it. Not yet a mom, but you're total inspiration for when that time comes. Happy birthday to Magnus and congratulations to you for powering through the setbacks with such a positive attitude. Looking forward to seeing more of your content 💪🏽

[wohololao]

I'm a long time fan of GTN and GCN by now. I get legit happy when I see this videos about you guys and your lives. You guys have been almost every day in my house, that it most feels like we became close friends! Even if you literally don't know me 😂.
Cheers!

[chiekohoki]

I love, love, LOVE this. Today I'm a week postpartum exactly with my new baby Ronin; I'm looking forward to be able to run again and get faster again instead of slower and also being gentle with myself. Thank you for showing your journey and wonderful to see you running and training and enjoying yourself again <3

[chrisdark]

Heather ran an incredible 1:30

That’s a time 99% of runners can only dream of

Amazing ❤

[innesdunbar]

It was great to see you enjoying the race as well as getting the distance done Heather. Having running in my life a parent has been a very positive influence on my two and now my Granddaughter is growing up seeing her Granda, Mum, Dad, Uncle and even now her Granny running. Sport has been a big part of your life, why should it stop now you have Magnus? It has been good following your journey back as well.