Six months ago, professional runner Stephanie Rothstein Bruce gave birth to a baby boy—her second in 15 months, Self reports. Now she's rocking her stretch marks proudly as she trains with the goal of representing Team USA at the Olympics while simultaneously inspiring thousands of women on Instagram. “It’s a journey not talked about very publicly as many women see elite runners as these superhuman women with super fit bodies and sometimes can’t relate," the 32-year-old from Arizona says. On her Instagram, Bruce is chronicling what she calls "the not so glamorous part of getting strong post baby." "When I look down I see stretch marks that are here to stay, ab muscles that need continued strengthening, legs that are powerful, and feet that are ready to fly," she posts.
Self calls Bruce's Instagram "honest and totally inspiring" (great examples of that here and here). "I felt that not many women … shared the real and raw part of" pregnancy and childbirth, Bruce tells the magazine. “I can run 5:20 pace for a half marathon, but I still pee my pants, have diatstisis recti (a separation of the abdominal muscles), stretch marks, and other postpartum issues." According to People, Bruce wants to show women that even professional athletes don't have perfect bodies after pregnancy. "I hope more pro runner ladies don't wait for their careers to end to have babies," Bruce posted after placing second in a major race last week. "I hope runner mamas everywhere find belief and strength and humor in their post baby comeback … Because the mom strength and power is real y'all." (This mom's photo of her post-baby body went viral, too.)
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