23: Gen Gregson, on training while pregnant, overcoming adversity and always celebrating achievements

If Gen Gregson and husband Ryan could take turns being pregnant, Gen would happily have five kids. But in the absence of this sci-fi parallel universe, the four-time Olympian is extremely excited to be expecting baby number two – a new brother for Archer!

This episode is part of a mini-series featuring some of our mighty marathon mums. In this wonderful conversation, Gen opens up about training while pregnant – a lot of what she does is based on feel (and notes in Jess Stenson’s training diary). She talks about mum strength allowing her to appreciate what she’s already achieved and take the pressure off to do every single one percenter, which helps her run freer and perform at a higher level. We also talk about how she’s learnt to be flexible and adapt to adversity. Gen goes into the learnings from her marathons to-date (Gold Coast, Valencia, Paris, Melbourne), what it’s like to have two elite athletes chasing big goals under one roof, and how even elite athletes aren’t immune from mum guilt.

This episode is also dedicated to Jess Stenson, who wins the best supporting actress role in the conversation. (That’s what happens when you get two key members of the Jess Stenson appreciation society together on a Zoom call.)

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Gen Gregson is a four-time Olympian (Paris, Tokyo, Rio, London), and has ambitions to go to two more Olympics in her career. Gen started out on the track, earning herself an Australian Record in the 3000m steeplechase (9:14.28). After sustaining a horrific achilles injury clearing the final water jump in the Tokyo Olympics final, Gen had her first child, Archer while rehabbing double achilles surgery. She has since transitioned to the roads, taking to the marathon like a natural, running 2:28 on debut in her hometown of the Gold Coast, before being the fastest Australian across the line in a big head-to-head battle for an Olympic qualifier at Valencia (2:23:08). In 2024, she ran the Olympic Marathon at Paris and won Melbourne Marathon later that year. 

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Gen Gregson's Instagram: @gengen_lacaze

Run With It Instagram: @runwithit.pod

Elise Beacom's Instagram: @elisebeacom

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Intro/outro music by Dan Beacom

Graphic design by Kate Scheer