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By Alyce Collins and Jill Justine
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I have always been incredibly active, and before I became a mom, I was an avid runner. I loved the thrill of putting my sneakers on, heading outside and seeing where the route took me. In the lead up to getting pregnant, I was the fittest I have ever been and I ran a marathon and three half marathons that year.
Once I found out I was expecting, I definitely took things down a few notches though. My baby’s health was my ultimate priority, so I modified my routine. I still ran, but just not as far.
I wanted to be able to continue running after my son was born too, but it turned out, my body had other plans. In June 2025, I went into the hospital hoping for a natural birth, but the cards did not shake out that way. I labored for 24 hours then pushed for two and made no progress. The doctor suggested I consider a cesarean section, and I knew that it was the right choice. It was an incredibly emotional decision, but I was grateful for my team of doctors and nurses who were there to support my husband and I.
Read More on My Turn
Following the C-section, I was waiting to regain feeling in my lower extremities. I waited and waited, but still nothing. Eventually, the feeling started to come back gradually, but I noticed there was still no feeling in my left side from the knee down. It also felt like I had no way of communicating or directing my left foot. I was willing it to move but nothing happened.
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It was incredibly shocking for me. I went form a healthy marathon runner, to suddenly unable to stand.
‘I Always Hoped I Could Run Again’
I had several physicians come to visit me in the hospital and I could tell they were cautious to name what I was experiencing. A neurologist said it was most likely a peroneal nerve injury by the way I described it. The peroneal nerve runs from your lower spine all the way to your toes, and she suspected that something had put pressure on it during labor (especially considering how long I labored for).
The doctor was hopeful that with time, it would heal. I just had to be patient.
All the while, my brain was telling my foot to flex or to point and I just couldn’t do anything. As I couldn’t flex my foot, I experienced foot drop where my toes would drag on the floor because I couldn’t tell my foot to take a proper step. I also couldn’t put any weight on that leg because I had no way of activating my muscles on that side.
Overall, the recovery was incredibly difficult, both physically and emotionally.
Aside from being a first-time mom who was recovering from major surgery, I was also left wondering whether I would ever regain the sensation in my leg and foot. I was so scared that my life would never be like it was before.
I left the hospital in a wheelchair and relied on a cane while at home. I would try to walk whenever I could, but everything felt off balance. For a while, I could not even walk and carry my own baby at the same time. I am so grateful for my amazing husband who helped me do all the things that I couldn’t as I recovered. My parents were also a major support during that time.
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I immediately started physical therapy, doing two sessions each week to try and speed up the healing process. We focused on restabilizing my core and some additional movements that helped loosen up the strain on the nerve. I did not stop there however, as I also went to a chiropractor, which I saw minimal improvement from, and an acupuncturist. I felt a significant benefit after doing acupuncture on my leg, and after just two sessions, I felt completely different.
As the weeks turned into months, I gradually started to put more weight on my left leg. It still did not feel completely normal, but I was getting better. I always hoped I could run again, but I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to build back my full strength and ability. Having faith that I would heal really helped and I prioritized my physical therapy exercises and taking care of my body in other ways.
I knew I needed to do everything in my power if I had any chance of walking or running again. Doctors kept telling me to give it time, so I did.
By the time I was 14 weeks postpartum, I managed my first run as a mom. I did not rush into it to avoid any further injury, but it felt so good to be back out there. That was a monumental step in my recovery.
I was able to complete a 16-week training block before completing a half marathon almost one year to the day of my C-section. I went from being unable to feel my leg, to crossing the finish line within a year. It was a major accomplishment, and I will never take that feeling for granted. It wasn’t about pace, personal record or proving anything, it was a reminder that every small step is a sign of progress.
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My story is unique and I do not want people to be fearful that C-sections cause nerve damage. I still do not have full feeling in my big toe, but now I see that as a fun little reminder of how far I have come and what my body has been through.
This time last year, I feared I would never feel like myself again. Now, I can run over 13 miles again and I feel truly unstoppable.
Jill Justine, 34, resides in San Diego, California, with her husband and 1-year-old son. She has used social media (@jill_justine_ on Instagram) to document her recovery from nerve damage and her journey back into running. She uses her experience to inspire fellow moms and to highlight the power of patience and belief in oneself.
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