Runner hopes to inspire after breastfeeding in 60-mile race win
When a photo of Stephanie Case breastfeeding her baby during an ultramarathon she won without realising made headlines, the Canadian runner envisaged two different responses.One celebrating a new mum breaking down stereotypes of what women with a small baby can achieve. The other could leave women feeling she had set a "new, impossible standard" most mothers would never reach.The 42-year-old human rights lawyer entered May's 100km (60 mile) Ultra-Trail Snowdonia in Eryri six months after giving birth to her daughter Pepper.It followed a three-year journey through infertility, miscarriages and IVF which saw her step back from running the ultramarathons she grew to love.Stephanie, who had competed in elite events including the UTMB race across the Alps, entered the Snowdonia ultra as a "warm-up" for the Hardrock 100 mile (167km) run in Colorado, USA, in July.
It was her first race since 2022, shortly before finding out she was pregnant, before miscarrying. Because she had not competed for so long, she had no expectations besides managing the run while feeding Pepper.She had permission to feed at three points along the course, which she completed in just under 17 hours, faster than any of the elite female runners.Stephanie, who kept on running during postings for the UN in conflict zones like South Sudan, Afghanistan and Gaza, said lacing up her running shoes again was like reclaiming a core part of herself."It was so stabilising to know that all of the transformation and trauma I'd gone through trying to get pregnant and finally giving birth, that runner part of me was still there," she said.
She admitted the number of people in her situation – running a long, technical race, being female and a mum breastfeeding a young baby – was "very niche".But she said she hoped her achievement could change the conversation around what is expected of new mothers."Women breastfeed, women race. It's just the two things together. Other women have done it before and they will do it again.She said more stories of new mums doing things beyond "sitting at home taking care of the baby" were not being amplified enough. But she said she did not want her achievements to make women feel "overwhelmed and pressured". "If and when you do feel like setting a big goal, go for it because you deserve to pursue your own passions."
Just a few dozen miles away from Stephanie's unexpected win, another new mum was finding out how running could help with the mental health challenges that can come with having a baby.Solicitor Enlli Williams, 28, said she had always been active, paddleboarding and walking from her home near Abersoch on the Llyn peninsula.Enlli planned to join her cousin last year in the inaugural SheUltra, a 50km women-only ultramarathon on Llyn, but then got pregnant.
After her daughter Cali was born, she knew for health and wellbeing reasons she was "adamant" was going to run in this year's event."I struggled a lot at the beginning with Cali, although I probably didn't notice until the SheUltra how my mindset was, how down in the dumps I got."I struggled with anxiety, especially for the evenings. From five o'clock I was very anxious, thinking 'oh my gosh, we're not going to get any sleep'. But she said walking to train for the race helped her "get me back".
Like Stephanie, Enlli was breastfeeding and had to work out how to combine that with training."I don't think I walked more than four hours [consecutively] to prep because I was like, 'I'm not leaving her for more than that'."So my mum would come and meet me so I could feed her and carry on."
Enlli completed April's event in under 11 hours, stopping to feed six-month-old Cali and expressing while on the move by using a breast pump that fits inside a bra."It's so discreet now.... the pumps just slot in so you wouldn't really notice."She said exercising during pregnancy and post-birth "helps me so much" and advised new mothers to keep as active as they could. It's a message Sophie Power, the original poster girl for endurance breastfeeding, is keen to promote.
A photograph of her feeding her three-month old baby after completing the 100-mile (167km) UTMB in 2018 sent shockwaves through the racing world and beyond.The race has a strict no-deferral policy for runners who became pregnant, so Sophie went through "hell on earth", racing soon after having her baby."That photo spoke to millions of women around the world," she said. "It's not about the breastfeeding and the ultra."It's about the man next to me that's asleep and the struggle that women have to get back to fitness, to our own goals, to everything after [having a baby]."
Sophie's photo and a subsequent campaign means elite runner who get pregnant can now get deferrals. She set up the She Races charity to push for further gains, but like Stephanie, Sophie is more concerned about ordinary mums."When you're fit during pregnancy, labour's easier... recovery's easier, and your baby comes out fitter, with stronger lungs," said the Active Pregnancy Foundation ambassador.All three women said mothers should be encouraged to exercise and hold on to the things that made them tick before having a baby. "We don't lose ourselves and our identity in becoming mums," said Stephanie."We just have another layer."
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Reuters
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Eugenio Suarez, Ketel Marte lead surging D-backs past Rockies
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BBC News
10 hours ago
- BBC News
Runner hopes to inspire after breastfeeding in 60-mile race win
When a photo of Stephanie Case breastfeeding her baby during an ultramarathon she won without realising made headlines, the Canadian runner envisaged two different celebrating a new mum breaking down stereotypes of what women with a small baby can achieve. The other could leave women feeling she had set a "new, impossible standard" most mothers would never 42-year-old human rights lawyer entered May's 100km (60 mile) Ultra-Trail Snowdonia in Eryri six months after giving birth to her daughter followed a three-year journey through infertility, miscarriages and IVF which saw her step back from running the ultramarathons she grew to who had competed in elite events including the UTMB race across the Alps, entered the Snowdonia ultra as a "warm-up" for the Hardrock 100 mile (167km) run in Colorado, USA, in July. It was her first race since 2022, shortly before finding out she was pregnant, before miscarrying. Because she had not competed for so long, she had no expectations besides managing the run while feeding had permission to feed at three points along the course, which she completed in just under 17 hours, faster than any of the elite female who kept on running during postings for the UN in conflict zones like South Sudan, Afghanistan and Gaza, said lacing up her running shoes again was like reclaiming a core part of herself."It was so stabilising to know that all of the transformation and trauma I'd gone through trying to get pregnant and finally giving birth, that runner part of me was still there," she said. She admitted the number of people in her situation – running a long, technical race, being female and a mum breastfeeding a young baby – was "very niche".But she said she hoped her achievement could change the conversation around what is expected of new mothers."Women breastfeed, women race. It's just the two things together. Other women have done it before and they will do it said more stories of new mums doing things beyond "sitting at home taking care of the baby" were not being amplified enough. But she said she did not want her achievements to make women feel "overwhelmed and pressured". "If and when you do feel like setting a big goal, go for it because you deserve to pursue your own passions." Just a few dozen miles away from Stephanie's unexpected win, another new mum was finding out how running could help with the mental health challenges that can come with having a Enlli Williams, 28, said she had always been active, paddleboarding and walking from her home near Abersoch on the Llyn planned to join her cousin last year in the inaugural SheUltra, a 50km women-only ultramarathon on Llyn, but then got pregnant. After her daughter Cali was born, she knew for health and wellbeing reasons she was "adamant" was going to run in this year's event."I struggled a lot at the beginning with Cali, although I probably didn't notice until the SheUltra how my mindset was, how down in the dumps I got."I struggled with anxiety, especially for the evenings. From five o'clock I was very anxious, thinking 'oh my gosh, we're not going to get any sleep'. But she said walking to train for the race helped her "get me back". Like Stephanie, Enlli was breastfeeding and had to work out how to combine that with training."I don't think I walked more than four hours [consecutively] to prep because I was like, 'I'm not leaving her for more than that'."So my mum would come and meet me so I could feed her and carry on." Enlli completed April's event in under 11 hours, stopping to feed six-month-old Cali and expressing while on the move by using a breast pump that fits inside a bra."It's so discreet now.... the pumps just slot in so you wouldn't really notice."She said exercising during pregnancy and post-birth "helps me so much" and advised new mothers to keep as active as they could. It's a message Sophie Power, the original poster girl for endurance breastfeeding, is keen to promote. A photograph of her feeding her three-month old baby after completing the 100-mile (167km) UTMB in 2018 sent shockwaves through the racing world and race has a strict no-deferral policy for runners who became pregnant, so Sophie went through "hell on earth", racing soon after having her baby."That photo spoke to millions of women around the world," she said. "It's not about the breastfeeding and the ultra."It's about the man next to me that's asleep and the struggle that women have to get back to fitness, to our own goals, to everything after [having a baby]." Sophie's photo and a subsequent campaign means elite runner who get pregnant can now get deferrals. She set up the She Races charity to push for further gains, but like Stephanie, Sophie is more concerned about ordinary mums."When you're fit during pregnancy, labour's easier... recovery's easier, and your baby comes out fitter, with stronger lungs," said the Active Pregnancy Foundation three women said mothers should be encouraged to exercise and hold on to the things that made them tick before having a baby. "We don't lose ourselves and our identity in becoming mums," said Stephanie."We just have another layer."
The Sun
17 hours ago
- The Sun
Fears for 2026 World Cup as extreme weather threatens game delays, ruining the football and forcing fans to leave early
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Well, they released a brief statement in which they claimed health is their "top priority" and medical experts have been providing guidance. The world football governing body said: "Fifa's top priority is the health of everyone involved in football, and Fifa's medical experts have been in regular contact with the clubs participating to address heat management and acclimatisation." Fifa confirmed that a drinks break to give players the chance to take on fluids and cool down will take place at 30 minutes and 75 minutes if needed. They added fans will also be permitted to bring an empty clear water bottle up to one litre into stadiums. But while that is a helpful step for fans to be able to drink water a little easier, it is hardly going to make a major difference if fans are sat in unsheltered stands in the relentless driving rain with thunder and lightning or if temperatures reach dangerous levels in excess of 35C or even 40C. 11 11 11 11
