57: Jessica Stenson – 36 Weeks Pregnant and the Fire Is Back

When Jess Stenson last joined *Run With It,* she had just broken the Australian marathon record in Valencia. Eight months later, she’s back – 36 weeks pregnant, with baby number three kicking away as we record! After Valencia, Jess expected to feel fired up. Instead, the motivation faded and she wasn’t really “feeling it” in training. It took Haftu Strintzos’ Australian record on the Gold Coast, followed by a brilliant Commonwealth Games viewing experience, to bring it back. Jess talks about the Glasgow performances that brought the spark back, from Rose Davies and Jess Hull’s unforgettable finish in the 5,000m, to seeing Australian athletes succeed together in the green and gold. We also discuss the dwindling opportunities to represent your country as a marathoner on the world stage. Literally weeks away from birth (it's a girl btw!), Jess talks us through training during her third pregnancy, the lessons she’s carried from her first two, and why she’s far less concerned about losing fitness this time. With three kids soon in the mix, the bigger questions are around sleep, extra support and the logistical puzzle of fitting training in. Jess has also documented her pregnancy and training in *Room for Growth*, a YouTube series created to support athletes, coaches and families navigating exercise during pregnancy. Check it out on Jess' YouTube channel: youtube.com/@Jessica\_Stenson  Absolutely loved this chat with Jess and can’t wait to see her fire up towards some big goals in her post-baby come back! --  Run With It acknowledges the Wadawurrung People, the Traditional Owners of the land on which this podcast is recorded, and pays our respects to Elders past and present. -- Subscribe to Run With It wherever you get your podcasts, so you don’t miss a thing! -- Check out Jess' YouTube channel:  youtube.com/@Jessica\_Stenson Follow us on Instagram: @jess\_tren @runwithit.pod @elisebeacom -- Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom Graphic design by Kate Scheer