Just before giving birth to her first child, pro runner Makenna Myler ran her way to the forefront of media headlines and a viral online conversation. Myler, who is an ASICS-sponsored athlete, sprinted a mile in 5 minutes and 25 seconds while nine months pregnant with her daughter.
Then, seven months later at the 2020 Olympic Trials, she finished 14th in the marathon. The world took notice — again. But it wouldn’t be the last time Myler drew attention for running, or pregnancy talk for that matter.
While carrying her second baby, a boy, in 2023, Myler shaved time off her already speedy mom-to-be mile, finishing the distance in 5 minutes and 17 seconds. (In comparison, her PR while not pregnant is under 5 minutes.)
Not only did Myler become faster while pregnant with her second child, but coincidentally, she also sped up after giving birth to kid number two. This February, 10 months postpartum, Myler finished seventh in the marathon at the 2024 Olympic Trials.
In making these impressive feats, Myler says running while pregnant has become more normalized, “which is incredible,” she shares. “That's what I wanted. I think a lot of people are like, ‘This is crazy,’ but I think it actually should be a lot more normal, right? Especially if you're competing at that level.”
Between motherhood, making history, and running miles upon miles, Equinox+ chatted with Myler to learn what goes on behind the scenes in her family of four and what training looked like throughout both of her pregnancies.
