Which elite post collegiate women don't have kids or never had kids? Did it extend or help their careers? What about those who had kids mid career: did it shorten or otherwise harm their athletic careers?
Which elite post collegiate women don't have kids or never had kids? Did it extend or help their careers? What about those who had kids mid career: did it shorten or otherwise harm their athletic careers?
Paula Radcliffe.
Naoko Takahashi.
Masako Chiba.
Yoko Shibui.
Reiko Tosa.
(However, I'd love to help them all have kids, or at least practice the procedure, Except for Paula.)
Usually having children shortens or lowers one's athletic career. That's not to say that some women haven't had children and gone on to improve. Ingrid Kristiansen, for example, was a far better runner after having a child than before.
On the other hand, looking after a child takes up a lot of time and energy. If one works and is trying to raise a child, then there just isn't enough time to run.
But a child is a whole lot more significant than a new pb or shoe contract. Some put off having a child their whole life. Maybe they are right to do so. But for others having a family is their greatest delight and fulfillment.
Lynne Jennings, Marla Runyan, Suzy Hamilton, Regina Jacobs, Ann Trason. Current fast women with kids just have one.
judi st. hilaire, francie larrieu, grete waitz, doris brown. Probably never wanted kids and as a result they had longer careers. Once more than one kid is involved (gwen coogan) I think you can kiss the career goodbye. Look at De Reuck: one kid, still running fast. It's just interesting to see how many chose never to have kids at all.