Balancing Act

Many elite women struggle trying to balance their instincts to compete with their desire to become mothers.

First-time mothers Blake Russell, Deena Kastor, and Kara Goucher will not be on the starting line at this year’s ING New York City Marathon. The desire to start a family creates unique challenges to full-time women athletes who also want to train to race marathons.

Pregnancy is especially difficult for elite women runners who are used to light frames. It can present a unique set of challenges such as dealing with high blood pressure, diabetes, and injuries brought on by sudden weight gain.

“You discover you’re gifted in the marathon,” Kara Goucher said in a telephone interview, “and the problem is you’re in your late 20s and you’re like, I want to have children. What do I do?”

For More: New York Times