Balancing motherhood, marathon dreams, and the Women’s Run PH stage, Nicole De La Cruz proves that moms can chase personal goals without letting go of family time.
Motherhood in itself is a marathon—early mornings, endless responsibilities, and the constant balancing act of caring for your family while still holding on to your own dreams.
For Nicole De La Cruz, CEO of Women’s Run PH and mom of 3 young kids, the comparison isn’t just figurative. She’s literally training for her first marathon while managing a nationwide women’s running movement and raising her family.
“It’s time management. It’s very important. You need to know your priorities,” she says. “I prioritize my kids but I also prioritize myself.”
Her day starts before sunrise. At 4 a.m., while most moms are still trying to squeeze in more sleep, Nicole is already up—warming her kids’ bath, waking them gently, and getting them ready for school.
Only once they’re off does she lace up her own running shoes and head out with her husband, Coach Rio de la Cruz, to train.
From there, the pace doesn’t slow.
She rushes through a quick shower, shifts into CEO mode, and spends the day organizing Women’s Run PH events that encourage thousands of Filipinas to move.
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By evening, she draws a firm boundary—work stops at 7 p.m. “I just make sure that by 7:00, I have to be home and with my kids and we have time to play pa before we go to sleep,” Nicole says.
It’s a schedule many moms will recognize: a life lived in sprints and recovery, a balance between giving to others and saving a little energy for yourself.
Nicole admits it’s not about having fewer priorities, but learning how to make time for all of them. “Yung sinasabi parang ang dami namang priorities na ‘yan. You always set time for it. Make sure na parang hindi pwede mag-collide with other things.”
Her journey shows that carving out space for your own goals—whether that’s a marathon, a hobby, or simply quiet time—isn’t selfish. It’s necessary. And for Nicole, running has become both an anchor and an outlet, helping her show up fully as a mother, leader, and woman.
Because at the end of the day, moms aren’t just raising kids. They’re also teaching them—by example—what it looks like to chase dreams, keep promises, and find joy in the everyday miles.
Watch the full interview here:
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