I am a runner. I do not run fast or far, but I do run, and that is what counts. Deciding to BE a runner instead of just going running was a breakthrough for me. I removed the option of not going. I could not BE a runner and not run. It was a part of me and a part of everyday of my life.
After the birth of my baby I returned to my pre-baby weight in about a month. Don’t get disgusted and stop reading! I was able to do this because of an evil combination of 9 months of morning sickness and a Nazi gestational diabetes diet. Believe me, I would have much rather gained 30 pounds. My problem came when I started to breastfeed less and less and my over compensation for my lack of sugar during my pregnancy had turned into a major sweet tooth. I had also lost a lot of muscle tone during my pregnancy which added to the new flabby me. In the past I had gone to the gym or taken long power walks to stay in shape. But, with an infant, I had neither the time nor the inclination to leave her to do either one of these. So I started running.
I bought a jogging stroller and a really good sports bra and took off. I didn’t get too far at first, but I kept at it. After a while an amazing thing happened. No, it didn’t get easier, and I didn’t get that NEED to run or the fabled runner’s euphoria. I got snotty. I loved that I was a runner and other people were not. I loved that I trotted past people in my cute running outfit pushing my beautiful baby, and I would think to myself how they wished they were runners too. And, it did make me feel good. I might not accomplish anything all day, but if I went running then something was a success.
Most importantly I am giving my daughter a healthy mommy, and probably a more sane mommy as well. And, of course, a mommy that is better than those other mommies who aren’t runners.
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