16/04/2026
To all the mum’s who’ve been here…
4 months after Tabs had Eddie, she was ready to start running again. She found that each pregnancy took a little more from her, so the journey back to fitness never felt so intimidating.
Runs were slow, short, and incredibly hard. It was difficult for her not to look back at her paces and distances before the last 2 babies, and gym sessions were with one or two babies in prams. Every run was rushed, every gym session stressful. It seems like kids can always tell when you’re trying to do something for yourself!
But the weeks ticked by and I suggested she sign up to a half marathon, as this was a distance she had never run before, and I wanted Tabs to be able to experience a big milestone moment. So we chose the Canberra Marathon & Canberra Times Fun Run.
I very rudely took Johnny, our 10yo, to the US for a holiday in late Feb, and this is where things became the hardest… We got a home treadmill with the idea that she could run at night when the babies were asleep, but it was like they knew and they were both waking between 9-12pm, where before wake-ups tended to be after midnight. Some of those message screenshots were from Tabs on those lonely nights trying to get a 1-2 hour run in with babies waking regularly and needing her. Yes, she was swearing when referring to our youngest! We’ve all done it!
I got home in mid March, Tabs finished the last few weeks, and then she ran her little heart out in Canberra last Sunday. I was on baby duty that morning, and seeing her wake up early to help me feed Eddie, and then head off on her own, was a really emotional moment. But waiting at the finish line with all 3 kids, and seeing her run up that last hill, bright red, covered in sweat, legs like jelly, I could have cried with pride!
We had a very teary cuddle while the babies stared at us with confused expressions, as if Tabs had just gone for a leisurely stroll! On that day, I saw so many mums just like Tabs. And I realised just how impressive you all are. Not just the physical changes from pregnancy, but also the juggling act with kids when trying to train for an event like that.
Take a bow mums. And take a bow Tabs. I love you.
