Sara has a great blog which I read often. I encourage you to give it a read. In the meantime, get to scrolling.
I have always been an athlete, playing soccer through college, but I never loved to run (unless it was as part of an organized sport.) I started to just running in March 2010 after my father was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. I needed to feel that happy, endorphin rush I missed from playing competitive sports. It was the only thing I could do at the time that helped me deal with the stress and sadness of this very sudden and unexpected diagnosis.
My parents had been divorced since I was one years old and I was all my Dad had so the responsibility for his care was mine. I didn’t mind this at all, it was just a lot to handle as I lived 45 minutes away, worked full time, was commuting 3+ hours a day and was planning a wedding for that May. While knowing the hourglass was running out, I was trying to keep up my daily responsibilities while taking care of my Dad, getting him to all his appointments while trying to savour what little time we had left together.
Running became my solace and it was something I needed for me and my emotional health and well being. I continue to run today for different reasons, mostly to stay healthy, to be a good role model to my toddler, and to relieve stress. Running has always provided me with comfort and grounding when things get tough.
2. What is your running/fitness routine for a typical week?
Right now I am training for the Boston Marathon, so a typical week right now is running medium to long distances 3 days, 3 days of cross training that consists of yoga, strength training (I teach Group Power) and spinning and one day of complete rest. I have been really focusing on a stronger core to help my running, so I try and get a good core workout at least 3-4 days a week, mostly though Blogilates videos on YouTube.
3.What is your favourite distance to run? Why?
I think my favourite distance to run is the half marathon. It’s not as time consuming to train for as the marathon but you can really challenge yourself. Plus, there has been an explosion of half marathon races recently, so you can find a lot of options throughout the year.
My best running memory would be crossing the finish line for my first full marathon. I have never been so tired or so happy in all my life. I ran that marathon with my running team, there were about 30 of us who trained together and were all running our first marathons. It was an incredible day full of so much accomplishment, pride and camaraderie. It’s an experience I will carry with me forever.
5. How do you balance running with your busy lifestyle?
Well, I have an almost 2 year old and I commute 3+ hours a day to and from work, so it can definitely be a challenge. My husband does daycare drop off in the morning so I can be up and out of the house everyday by 5:15 am. I drive into my office and get my workouts done early in the morning before work with the exception of Thursday’s when I teach Group Power at my home gym in the evening.
On the weekends, I am out the door as soon as the sun is up to get my runs in before my son wakes up for the day. If I didn’t work out early in the morning, it would be almost impossible to get it done. By the time I pick up my son at night from day care, have dinner, do our bedtime routine and he goes to bed for the night, I get my stuff ready for the next day and it’s almost time for me to go to bed and do it all over again. Thankfully, I am a morning person and my husband is really supportive and knows I need to work out to keep sane, so this schedule works for us.
6. How do you stay so upbeat and positive as you recover/bounce back from an injury?
Thankfully, my injuries (past and present) haven’t taken me completely out of running, just set me back at times, so I always tell myself that it could be worse and I need to be thankful that I can still run. Right now I am working closely with my PT and he recently just changed my marathon training plan to help me recover better from my long runs and hopefully help with the nagging calf problems I am dealing with. So far, I am really enjoying this change in plan. It has me focusing more on cross training, which I wasn’t doing with my last plan. Focusing on the positives of my new plan has kept me upbeat and energized. It’s really all about perspective. I would rather look at the positives rather than dwell on the negatives.
7. Finish this sentence – Best piece of running advice you received ….
Don’t compare yourself to others, you will only be disappointed. There is always going to be someone faster, more efficient, etc than you. You have to enjoy and celebrate your accomplishments.
8. Do you have any current running goals? What are you doing to reach it/them?
My current running goal is to get to the start/finish line of the Boston Marathon healthy, and then, do my best to PR it. I know this is an incredibly difficult course, so I am training to the best of my ability and doing my PT exercises everyday. That’s the best that I can do.
9. What is the longest break you have taken from running? Why?
The longest break from running I have taken is when I was pregnant with my son. I ran until I was 30 weeks pregnant, then decided to stop because he was so low I felt I had to pee every step I took, so I hung up my running shoes and took up spinning instead. I had him at 36 weeks and unfortunately had to have an emergency c-section, so I was supposed to wait 8 weeks to get cleared to run, but I started back up around the 5 week mark, so all in all, I took about 11 weeks off.
10. If you could tell your (less experienced) running self something, what would you say?
There were so many things I did wrong when I first got started, and let’s be honest, I’m still a work in progress. I’d tell myself not to underestimate the power of proper nutrition, a good training plan, stretching and proper sneakers/clothing, these things can make all the difference in your experience.
11. Is there anything I didn’t ask you had you that you would like to share?
I have been looking for ways to make my running matter, not only to myself but to others. I’ve recently gotten involved with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF.) My mother was diagnosed in August 2010 with this incurable blood cancer and I am helping to raise funds for research to find a cure. I am running the Boston Marathon with the MMRF’s PowerTeam.
Connect with Sara:
Nice to 'meet' you Sara! Great post 🙂 I love your advice in not 'comparing yourself to others.' That's an easy trap to fall into sometimes. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Thank you, you too and a huge thanks to Crystal for highlighting me!! <3