Before we get into today’s Tuesdays on the Run topic, can I just say how much I enjoyed commanding the Boston Marathon sports desk yesterday and watching all of you spank it, even in those crap conditions? Marathon Monday will always be a celebration for me, even if I’m only there in spirit these days.
Moving on: Why do you run?
I started running in my 30’s to try to escape family genetics. I didn’t want heart disease or Type II diabetes or to be obese, like my dad, his parents, and all of his sisters. I started with maybe a mile or two on the treadmill after a strength training session (strength was my jam then) and eventually (over the course of years) worked up to the 5k and then 10k distance.
SBS and I at a Zooma race expo
I started running long in my 40’s because I was inspired by Sarah and Dimity, of Another Mother Runner fame. At that time they co-wrote a column in Runner’s World called “Marathon Moms” anyone remember it? It followed their journey training for and running the Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco.
That time I was in Denver for the Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half and was invited to drop in at Dimity’s place. I may be standing on a step or 3.
Marathon Moms and Kristin Armstrong’s Mile Markers were my favorite. I distinctly remember Kristin’s account of boarding the Boston Marathon bus to Hopkinton and thinking how wildly cool that would be.
My kids were little when I took on longer distances, in fact I remember sneaking in a quick mill run with ears trained to the monitor while Thing 1 slept. Or she sat in her bouncy chair or swing watching me while I got my run on. When I trained for my first marathon in 2007, I raced to get outside as soon as it was remotely light so I could be back before the Caveman had to head to work. Running was my “me time”. My time to get out and release stress, and also a form of self-care.
It was also a new way of defining myself. When I left the corporate world to be a SAHM, I was no longer part of that “tribe”. In my particular circles, most arranged childcare and carried on with their career. When I chose to stay home, I regularly got comments like “You stay home with your kids? That’s all you do?” “Can’t you find a nanny?” and “Tsk, all that education gone to waste.” Finding my running tribe definitely filled a void. And it was much less catty too. Running has brought me cherished friendships around the country and around the world. It’s become my favorite social outlet, because face it, other runners ‘get’ the lunacy of this whole running thing. And we all know we wouldn’t trade it for the world.
So for me, I run for physical and mental well-being, for the social aspects and for sheer joy.
Why do you run? How/when did you start?
I’m linking up with Erika, Patty and April for Tuesdays on the Run.
Reminder! Runfession Friday Linkup is this Friday and the last Friday of every month so join us! I promise you’ll feel better!
I love we can all be lunatics together! I applaud your decision to be a SAHM. I wish I could have done that.
Shame on those folks who made all those catty comments to you when you decided to leave the corporate world! The running community is the most supportive, welcoming, and friendly group of folks I’ve ever met in my life. No question about it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, either. The sense of complete understanding within just a split second, across any runner to another runner, is like kinship.
OMG, Dimity looks like she is about 7 feet tall!
How cool you got to meet those ladies. I read their books and they are great! I started running track in high school but never was a huge fan. It wasn’t until recently that I started running marathons and now I can’t get enough.
🙂 I love reading your blog. My reasons for running has evolved as my running has. 🙂 But I’m finding regardless of ‘why’ we run, we are all runners. Currently, I’m running for my health any my sanity!
Maybe more than anything just getting outside and getting the lungs filled up with air, sweating, taking the day in before the day really begins. I can’t believe it’s been a year already since you were here for the Flying Pig!
I love my tribe!
Love the new blog look! I run for health, to stay sane, and to try and keep those midlife pounds away;)
This is so lovely! So cool to learn more about your running story. I started running as a way to stay in shape and avoid family healthy issues, much like you – but now I run to explore, clear my head, and feel free!
I love hearing all the reasons you love to run and started. I have a lot of health issues in my family and I always hope I am outsmarting my genes…we”ll see.
I started late in my 40’s! I always wish now I would have started sooner.
I think it’s awesome you stay at home! No one can replace mom 🙂 Have you ever read Marnie’s blog, she’s a SAHM and I always enjoy her thoughts 😉 So many of us read some of the same folks it’s hard to keep up lol
Oh dear, sorry you got such blowback about being a SAHM. There’s no choice that’s going to avoid criticism, is there, you just have to do what’s right for you and your family. I’m glad you’ve found another tribe through running. I was a SAHM after my third and then homeschooled, which gives a certain picture of me in some folks’ eyes that…. well let’s just say I don’t find it too accurate.
Fun to read about your running history! I started running 30+ years ago as a sophomore in high school. I competed through high school and college and road raced all through grad school. Now I just run because it is as much a part of my life as my nose:)
I too run for physical and mental well being. Running is such a great stress reliever!
Finding that running tribe when I became a SAHM really helped for me too, it definitely filled that void that I was feeling.
I started running in my early 20s to support American Heart and Stroke Association. My mom was sick and had cancer so I thought I would help with research then as I started training and wanted to quit I remembered I was doing it for her. (I wanted to quit when was only about 2 wks in) Reminding myself of the cause helped me overcome the hard part and before I knew it I LOVED it!!!
Always blows me away how unsupportive some people can be about others decisions to be a SAHM! Isn’t it amazing how tall Dimity is?! I had a pic taken with her and I swear I look like a child standing next to her 🙂
I think its so great to reflect on the reasons why we run. And often they change over the years.
I gave up an unhealthy habit – smoking – and replaced it with a healthy one – running. That was like 8 years ago. I’m mildly embarrassed to admit I smoked. Wow. Now the reason I run is BECAUSE I CAN!!!!
Escaping family history (my dad had his first heart attack at 45) and finding my own crazy tribe are two of my own reasons for running. Thanks for linking up with us today!
I started just a few years ago as a way to get healthier.
However, I have found that it helps me as much with my mental health (me time) as with my physical.
I started running to lose weight. I keep running to lose all the negatives that living can pile on top of me. I run because it makes me feel good!
I met Dean Karnazes and my husband signed up to run his first race, a marathon. Between the 2 of them I felt like I didn’t have a reason NOT to sign up for a race. Now I run for so so many wonderful reasons that go beyond the race.
LOVE DIMITY and met her awesome self at ZOOMA Napa last year too.
Wow I can’t imagine that response for being a SAHM. I mean I guess it happens, but wow. I’m glad you found a tribe of women to make you feel more at home with your decisions! Love that you have kept with running all these years!
Love the new design it looks great! I run for the same reason’s I actually got to the point in my life where I was 5’4″ and 190 pounds and on top of that I have a family history of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. That’s when I knew I needed to make a change. Running is what helped me loose seventy pounds, and for the most part keep it off and develop a healthier lifestyle!
Running is the most efficient workout I know. Time efficient, money efficient, transport efficient, result efficient. Plus, it works on my mind as much as my body. Keep it up! 🙂
Running has definitely been the thing I do for me now that I don’t work full time in an actual “career”. It answers the question “What do you do all day while your kids are in school?” quite nicely. No one really knows how to respond to “well, I ran for 3.5 hours…”
I started running in HS to get in shape for volleyball, then I ran to complete goals I set, and finally to enjoy time on the trails; a pretty typical runner’s journey.
I think the mental benefits equal the physical health benefits for sure! I didn’t start running until a few years ago and I love the people that I have met! I like surprising myself and just seeing how far I can go, the best is yet to come!
I run because it’s cheaper than therapy. It really does clear my mind and make me a better person.
i run for my sanity!
I started running to better my health and I quickly learned that it’s one of the few things that keep me sane.
I started running after the birth of my daughter 3 1/2 years ago. It was my “me” time and the only way I could be alone with my iPod. It turned into so much more, but I still crave my “me” time on the pavement.
I always love hearing how others were inspired to run! I still would love to meet Dimity and Sarah someday!
Digging that Georgetown shirt, Louise! 🙂
i started bc of a breakup. i had never raced a single distance and signed up for a 1/2 marathon in order to have a distraction from the ex (it was breakup # bazillion) and followed hal higdons plan and loved crossing that finished line. Now I run because I love it. Really. I can’t imagine not running- it’s freedom, it’s my me time, my girlfriend time and my way to have personal goals and see the country!