I often post my running progress to social media, and I recently have had some mamas reach out for tips and advice about beginning their #motherrunner journey. And so, this post was born…
Here’s the disclaimer. I am by no means a running expert. At all. By any means. I found running in my 30s after becoming a mom. If you have been running your entire life and are looking to crush a 6 minute mile, then I’m not the person you’re looking for :) But, if you’re a mom and you’re thinking about joining Fit4Mom Reading’s Run Club and starting to run (or RE-starting to run again post-kiddos), then you’re in the right place.
My running journey and tips will only make sense if you know a bit more about me. Now, I realize that body-positivity can be a complicated thing, and I am going to do my best here to verbalize my thoughts, opinions, and personal experience on the matter. So, why didn’t I begin running in my youth? Well, when I was younger, I truly believed that running was just for super “long and lean” people. [In the interest of body positivity, I don’t want to use the words thin or skinny. I know those words can be just damaging as fat or chubby, so I’m going with "lean"]. I’ve never been super lean, and at 5’1”, I’ve definitely never been “long!” Then you add in the fact that I spent much of my youth as a serious perfectionist, and you can see why I avoided running: if I can’t be a “perfect” 6-8min/mile "long and "lean" runner, then why even bother??
Enter motherhood. You literally cannot survive one day as a mom while also being a perfectionist. I mean, you probably could, but chances are you would be quite miserable. Motherhood taught me to embrace the chaos and the imperfections. I learned that no one really cares if you’re perfect…in fact, moms often find community in other moms who share in the perfectly imperfect journey of motherhood. When I found Fit4Mom Reading, I started to realize that being a good mom and a healthy person has absolutely zero to do with perfection. I learned that 1 jumping jack is better than 0 jumping jacks, a modified plank is better than no plank, and a slow mile is better than 0 miles. One instructor actually once said something along the lines of, “anything worth doing is worth doing a crappy job of.” So, a so-called “crappy” workout is better than no workout. It also took me until my 30s to realize that a “super lean” waist size shouldn't be the goal: HEALTHY should be.
As I was working on “me,” Fit4Mom Reading advertised their first Run Club in Fall 2019. I stared at the “JOIN NOW” button a lot, and made wincey faces at it. And then I would leave it for a few days. Inevitably, I would come back to it a few days later and do the same thing. Intrusive thoughts would come back (“I’m not a runner,” “This is for long and lean people,” “I’m too slow, heavy, busy, etc etc etc.”). But, I kept going back to it. Finally my sister and my husband gave me the supportive push (ok, shove) that I needed and I signed up. And then things started happening:
Mentally, I felt so damn good. We’ve all heard of “runner’s high,” and it’s real. Even if you don’t get to that full “high,” I have found that running gives me the quiet I need. I suppose a psychologist would call it “flow.” Joy and clarity are always my feelings post-run. It calms the anxiety and clears my head.
I realized I could do a decent job at it! No, not 6-8minute miler status, but it turned out that I wasn’t so bad at it after all. Something I would have never discovered if I kept insisting on being perfect.
Physically, I felt so strong and healthy. I had never felt that way before, even when I was my most “lean."
I was working on a long-term project. I love me a good long-term project! Attainment of long-term goals has been shown to be extremely beneficial (especially when compared to instant gratification) psychologically speaking. And distance running cannot happen overnight - you need long-term goals. And sticking with them pays off both, physically and mentally.
You see the fruits of your efforts. I mean, you’re not running long distances in a snap, but you can feel it becoming easier as your entire body gets stronger. That first time you tried a mile felt like death…after a week or so, you’re smiling while during it :)
The friends!!! Runners are just the best people in the world. There’s no way around it. Every runner knows what it feels like to feel free, strong, and invincible…and every runner knows what it feels like to just have a sucky run. They also all know how it feels to get to your current point - no matter where that is for you. This was something I previously didn’t get about runners. No one is really concerned about being better than someone else. Everyone’s focused on doing THEIR best, and in doing so, encourage others to do the same.
So, to run or not to run? I think it’s pretty clear: DO IT!!
Now, what have I learned and what can I offer to someone starting this journey? Here we go:
Have a support system. It makes you feel like you’re part of something, and it puts you in the situation where other people hold you accountable. When you’re a mom, support looks a bit different… we don’t need a drill sergeant. We need other moms who want to do their best while also being realistic about the demands of being a mom (and the flexibility and grace needed) while deciding to take on distance running goals.
Have a PLAN. A flexible plan. I’ve often joked that I’m a Plan B planner in everything I do (mommying, teaching, running). I like plans. But sometimes having too rigid of a plan stresses me out (remember that perfectionist thing I was talking about?). So I have a general plan - a start, a weekly idea of what I want to do, and an end goal. Fit4Mom will help you plan via RunClub, since planning is usually the hardest part of getting starting.
Ok, not to sound confusing, but while you have a plan, you need to be FLEXIBLE. You’re a mom. And you’re a human. Your life will have things come up. Your body will have things come up. Accept when you need to sit out a run (or turn a run into a walk). It’s okay. Remember, this is long term. One crappy week is not going to ruin you.
Alter the plan when needed. If it says walk for 1 min, but you need 2 min, take 2 min! If it says run for 3 min and you only make it 2.5, then do that. Moving your body is the important part - don't get caught up in the details.
Always try to beat the “I Don’t Wannas.” It’s a real feeling and even those who love running get them. Sometimes you just don’t want to. When I feel like that, I always at least try. The worst thing that can happen is that your run turns into a walk. And walks are still SO GOOD for your mind and body.
Some other tips for overcoming the “I Don’t Wannas:”
Change your route. If you’re used to roads, hit a trail. If you’re used to trails, hit a track. If you’re used to indoors, hop on the treadmill. Where you usually go left, go right!
Grab a buddy. Grab a buddy and just enjoy each other’s company. You’ll probably be slower than usual because of conversation. But an extended “easy” cardio run is SO GOOD for you. It’s necessary to mix up your fast threshold runs with your slow, easy runs.
Change what you’re listening to. I like silence or podcasts/audiobooks (I know, I’m weird). But sometimes switching up to music helps me overcome the “I Don’t Wannas.”
Turn off your tracker. Just run to run. Don’t time it. Just enjoy it :)
Start slow. While it’s tempting to want to go all in super fast, it will likely make you and your body hate running. Do intervals of walk/running (again, that Fit4Mom plan will be super helpful!). Intervals, intervals, intervals!! That's how we do it. All runners had to start by walking.
Hate using a timer? Do fartlek intervals! No, I didn't make up that word. It's where you use landmarks instead of time (I'll run to that tree, then walk; I'll walk to that mailbox then run).
Get good shoes. Don't skimp here… your body can do so much more in the right shoe, and running is much happier in the right shoe. Locally, Fleet Feet in West Reading is amazing for getting you fitted and in the right shoe for you.
Do a mini splurge on some new gear. It will get you excited to run and you deserve it, mama.
I can't wait to see your transformation as you journey through Fit4Mom Reading's Run Club!