Rebuilding my hiking and trail running strength postpartum

How I got back on the trails, learned from my mistakes, and found a stronger foundation

After my second pregnancy, I went into postpartum recovery thinking it would be more straightforward. I’d done this before. I had big goals, bigger confidence, and a long list of hiking dreams to tackle in the months ahead. But let me tell you—rebuilding strength the second time wasn’t just hard… it was humbling.

I thought I knew what I was doing—But I had no idea

I was determined to recover faster this time. Hiking and time outdoors are so important for my mental health, and I didn’t want to feel like I was sitting on the sidelines for too long. After slowly working back up to daily walks, short hikes, and eventually solo missions, I was feeling good—really good. So I figured, let’s ease into running again.

Spoiler: downhill running postpartum is a trap.

I thought it would be easier than running uphill or flats. But what I didn’t factor in was how weak my core still was. I wasn’t doing any structured strength or rehab work, and that lack of support meant all the impact was landing in the wrong places—especially my feet and ankles. Cue tibial tendonitis.

It was a crushing setback. I went from hiking 16 km days at 4 months postpartum to not being able to run more than 1 km without pain. I had to pull back hard.

Hitting Reset—and doing it right this time

That injury was a wake-up call. I started working with a team of pros: pelvic floor physios, sports fellows, and a kinesiologist at Pacific North Wellness who helped me develop a customized strength program. They looked at where I was imbalanced, helped me rebuild from the ground up, and showed me how to move smarter.

I also had to totally shift my mindset. I was addicted to the PR chase in my Peloton spin classes—always pushing, always chasing. But now? I’m building my base. I’m currently working through Peloton’s 8-week “Build Your Power Zones” program, which focuses on form, endurance, and technique. I’ve never felt more grounded on the bike.

My Current Weekly Training Schedule

Right now, a “typical” week looks like this:

• 🏋️‍♀️ 3 strength training sessions (custom workouts from my kinesiologist, focused on mobility, balance, and targeting weak points)

• 🚴 3 spin rides in the Peloton Build Your Power Zones program

• 🧘‍♀️ 2–3 yoga sessions with Anna Greenberg on Peloton (she’s my go-to for postpartum-friendly flows)

• 🥾 1–2 hikes per week, with a goal of 1,000+ metres of elevation gain

• 🏃‍♀️ Optional: 1 trail run (~10km) or a weighted hike with River in the carrier

Big Summer Goals

This recovery has felt slower—but smarter. I feel stronger in a new way, and I’ve got some exciting adventures lined up this summer:

• 🇵🇹 Portugal – Hiking the Madeira Ultra Trail (115 km with 7,100 m elevation gain!) and exploring the Azores

• 🏕️ Lake O’Hara – Tackling the full Alpine Circuit

• 🎒 Multi-day trips – Including Egypt Lake, Shangri-La Zone, and Assiniboine Lodge

• 🏔️ Sea to Sky – A backpacking trip to Wedgemount Lake and some new-to-me day hikes in the Whistler backcountry

• 🍼 Plus: toddler-friendly hikes with the whole family as we wrap up the summer in the Rockies

What I’ve Learned

Rebuilding isn’t linear. Some days feel strong, some feel slow. But here’s what I’d pass on to any mama trying to get back to the mountains:

• Start small—and don’t skip your core rehab.

• Avoid high-impact activities until you’re truly ready.

• Get help. A great physio or kin is worth every dollar.

• Be kind to your body—it’s done a lot.

And if you’re someone looking for inspiration, a pep talk, or just a reminder that it’s okay to take your time… I’m right there with you.

Want to read how I stayed active during pregnancy? Check out this post →