Kate is a writer based in Berkeley, California. She primarily covers climate change and health. Find her running trails in the Berkeley Hills or on Twitter: @KateRaphael1.
In the world of elite running, a woman who returns to peak performance after pregnancy is often considered a novelty -- but it's more common than you would think. This misconception originates from outdated and bigoted assumptions about what different bodies can do.
When coach and retired professional runner Lauren Fleshman attended the Olympic Marathon Trials in February of 2016, she hadn't run a step in six months. She was not there to compete in the race, and the first thing people commented on was her appearance. Friends