Running Boston Pregnant... Twice with the Same Baby!

How many runners can say they’ve completed two Boston Marathons, just six months apart, with the same baby? Cathy Huang, a mom from Queens, NY, redefines what it means to be a resilient and determined runner. From navigating pregnancy while training to conquering the iconic Boston course not once but twice (first at 4-5 weeks pregnant and again at 32 weeks) Cathy’s journey is as awe-inspiring as it is unique.

Cathy, a seasoned marathon runner with 15 races under her belt, had qualified for Boston in 2019. She had planned to run it in 2020, but the race was postponed to October 2021 due to the pandemic. At that time, Cathy just got the news that she was 4-5 weeks pregnant and had to make a split second decision about pursuing her unicorn dreams or not. 

In the end, she trusted her instincts. “I ran it for fun with my friend, Victor, since it was my first Boston. I just wanted to soak up the experience.” She finished with a time of 3:42.

Then came the twist: her California International Marathon qualifying time was still valid for the April 2022 Boston Marathon. At that point, she would be 32 weeks pregnant, but Cathy thought, Why not? “I didn’t think I’d have time to train competitively after having the baby, so I figured, what the heck, let’s see what happens.”

Training for Boston 2022 while pregnant came with its challenges, but Cathy leaned on her years of running experience and an unwavering focus on listening to her body. She modified her workouts, incorporating Peloton rides to build quad strength while reducing impact. Despite some discomfort at 12 weeks, she adjusted her training and remained committed.

Her strategy? An 8:2 run/walk approach that allowed her to balance effort and endurance. She completed Boston 2022 in 4:19, a stunning achievement for a runner who was eight months pregnant on race day. “I always said I’d listen to my body. I wasn’t going to hurt myself to run the marathon and made adjustments as needed.”

Cathy didn’t stop there. Just two years later, at 25 weeks pregnant with her second child, she ran the Every Women’s Marathon this November, finishing in 4:14. From balancing hydration and bathroom breaks to managing stares from other runners, Cathy took it all in stride. “People thought I was crazy, or awesome,” she laughed.

Her doctor? A huge fan. “My OB actually encourages exercise during pregnancy,” Cathy shared. After Boston 2022, her doctor celebrated her accomplishment, even using Cathy’s story as an example for other patients.

With two young children now in tow, Cathy plans to focus on shorter races like half marathons and work on speed rather than distance. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing parenting and training but remains committed to keeping running a part of her life. “Running has become such an important part of who I am. It fills my cup and helps me be the best version of myself as a parent.”

Cathy’s story is a testament to adaptability and perseverance. To anyone inspired by her journey, she offers this advice: “Running is a personal journey. Listen to your body and chase your own goals instead of comparing yourself to others. Your journey is yours.”

If you have your own inspiring running journey to share, post it on Instagram or TikTok with #CarlethsRunnerStories and tag me @carlethkeys