Finding Her Stride Again: Returning to Running Postpartum with Coach Bruce Craven
Challenge
Returning to running postpartum while recognizing we don’t have the same time, flexibility or energy. After welcoming her son in May 2025, Andrea Hill returned to road racing just five-and-a-half months later — a milestone made possible through patience, smart training, and compassionate coaching.
Background
Bruce Craven has coached Andrea since 2021, helping her achieve personal bests (PBs) in distances from the 5K to the marathon.
Approach
In this latest chapter together Bruce regularly analyzed Andrea’s running metrics as she returned to training and checked in frequently, sometimes adjusting workouts on a daily basis to ensure she wasn’t overextending herself.
- Focussing on quality over volume (the first run-walks were at tempo pace or faster, a pace Bruce knew she could maintain good form in)
- Talking candidly about pelvic floor health and incorporating bite-sized strength exercises into Andrea’s days
- Trying new workouts so Andrea did not compare herself to before she had a baby
- Repeating workouts each week so she could see progress
- Setting realistic goals based on her fitness and how much time she had to train (training for a 5km race because could only only fit 20-30 minutes of work into a workout)
- Somewhat chaotic meetings while her son tried to grab the phone!
“I feel so lucky to be working with such a compassionate and experienced coach during a period where I sometimes feel like I’m relearning how my body works,” she adds. “Bruce not only knows me well as an athlete, but he’s also committed to staying up to date on best practices — even attending a postpartum exercise session at the American College of Sports Medicine conference just weeks before I started running again.”
Outcome
Andrea ran the 5K in the Great Big Cookie Run in October 2025 with a podium finish including 2nd overall and 1st in her age category! Now, as she moves into her off-season training, Bruce is helping to structure workouts and Andrea is looking forward to racing on the roads again in the spring!
If you’re ready to get back to running or want a training plan that adapts to your life, learn more about individualized coaching: https://cravensportservices.ca/training-services/personal-training-saskatoon/
“I feel lucky to be working with such a compassionate and experienced coach”
– Andrea Hill
“Bruce developed training plans that kept me motivated and injury free — while recognizing that I don’t have the same time or energy.”
– Andrea Hill
“Quality over volume. Realistic goals based on my fitness and how much time I have to train.”
– Andrea Hill