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by Alicia McCarthy
This isn’t a traditional race report, but it felt like the right place to share it.
Like many women in the running community—especially those of us who have had children—urinary incontinence is a very real and often unspoken issue. I’m a mother of twins, both delivered naturally after a long labor, and over time running became less about pace and performance and more about logistics: Where is the next bathroom? Can I make it through this run? Should I cut it short?
It’s something a lot of runners quietly manage. We plan routes around restrooms, avoid certain workouts, or just accept a level of discomfort that we don’t talk about.
About a year ago, I decided to address it and had a urethral sling procedure.
For those who may not be familiar, the surgery is designed to support the urethra and reduce or eliminate stress incontinence—the kind that shows up with running, jumping, or even coughing. Like anything medical, it’s a personal decision and not one I took lightly, but I wanted to share my experience because it has made a significant difference in my running and day-to-day life.
My recovery was straightforward. I took it very easy for the first four to seven days—no running, just rest and short walks. By about four weeks, I was back to slow, easy running, paying close attention to how my body felt. At six weeks, I had returned to my normal running routine without restrictions.
What has stood out the most over the past year is the absence of something that used to be constant: worry. I don’t plan my runs around bathrooms anymore. I don’t cut runs short. I don’t think twice about intervals, long runs, or race day logistics in the same way I used to.
I also want to acknowledge something that I came across frequently when researching the procedure: concerns about complications, including sexual side effects. In my case, I experienced no complications, including none in that area, and my overall quality of life has improved.
Urinary incontinence is common, particularly among women who have given birth, but it’s not something you simply have to live with—whether that means physical therapy, lifestyle adjustments, or, in some cases, surgery.
If this is something you’ve been dealing with and have questions, I’m very open to talking about my experience. Feel free to reach out.
This past year hasn’t been about a specific race result or PR, but it has been one of the most meaningful “running years” I’ve had—simply because I can run freely again.
This isn’t a traditional race report, but it felt like the right place to share it.
Like many women in the running community—especially those of us who have had children—urinary incontinence is a very real and often unspoken issue. I’m a mother of twins, both delivered naturally after a long labor, and over time running became less about pace and performance and more about logistics: Where is the next bathroom? Can I make it through this run? Should I cut it short?
It’s something a lot of runners quietly manage. We plan routes around restrooms, avoid certain workouts, or just accept a level of discomfort that we don’t talk about.
About a year ago, I decided to address it and had a urethral sling procedure.
For those who may not be familiar, the surgery is designed to support the urethra and reduce or eliminate stress incontinence—the kind that shows up with running, jumping, or even coughing. Like anything medical, it’s a personal decision and not one I took lightly, but I wanted to share my experience because it has made a significant difference in my running and day-to-day life.
My recovery was straightforward. I took it very easy for the first four to seven days—no running, just rest and short walks. By about four weeks, I was back to slow, easy running, paying close attention to how my body felt. At six weeks, I had returned to my normal running routine without restrictions.
What has stood out the most over the past year is the absence of something that used to be constant: worry. I don’t plan my runs around bathrooms anymore. I don’t cut runs short. I don’t think twice about intervals, long runs, or race day logistics in the same way I used to.
I also want to acknowledge something that I came across frequently when researching the procedure: concerns about complications, including sexual side effects. In my case, I experienced no complications, including none in that area, and my overall quality of life has improved.
Urinary incontinence is common, particularly among women who have given birth, but it’s not something you simply have to live with—whether that means physical therapy, lifestyle adjustments, or, in some cases, surgery.
If this is something you’ve been dealing with and have questions, I’m very open to talking about my experience. Feel free to reach out.
This past year hasn’t been about a specific race result or PR, but it has been one of the most meaningful “running years” I’ve had—simply because I can run freely again.
About the Author: Alicia McCarthy started running in 2014 to alleviate stress while competing a Ph.D. while working full time with small children. She did the Portland Half Marathon that year and was hooked. She runs for solitude, to be close to nature, to have time with her Golden Retriever, and for the social aspect of being a Central Maine Strider. Alicia has passed her love of running on to her twins. She and her son will run the Old Port Half marathon in June and Alicia and her daughter are part of a DESTR (Down East Sunrise Trail Relay) team in July.
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