Running is one of the most physically demanding exercises out there, and for women who just gave birth, running postpartum can be even harder. For professional runner and Olympic hopeful Stephanie Rothstein Bruce, training after giving birth to her second baby in 15 months became an opportunity to inspire mothers everywhere.

Rothstein, who in 2014 joined other high-profile runners as an Oiselle-sponsored professional runner, is currently training for the 2016 Olympic Trials and showing off her baby body in the process. After giving birth just six months ago, her stomach is covered in stretch marks despite her rigorous exercise. Her photos on Instagram catalogue a mixture of her family, training regimen, and rebuilding her body after giving birth.

Rothstein writes on a caption accompanied by a photo of her new belly: “The strength and stability is coming back steadily but the appearance of abs and stretch marks remains the same. The not-so-glamorous part of getting strong post baby."

During her second pregnancy, she experienced diastasis recti, which is the separating of her abdomen muscles. According to Mayo Clinic, diastasis recti typically develops late in pregnancy, but is normally not as noticeable until after delivery. Fortunately for mothers, athletes and non-athletes, muscle separation often lessens in the months that follow. However, some degree of separation may stubbornly remain years after. She reports being able to stick three fingers between her two abdomen walls and has incorporated more core work to bring back strength in her abs while running.

About a photo of her stomach, which depicts both her defined abs and post-baby belly, Rothstein writes: “When I look down I see stretch marks that are here to stay, ab muscles that need continued strengthening, legs that are powerful, and feet that are ready to fly!”