As a part of our #StrollerStrong Virtual Run - I'm taking the next 6 weeks to celebrate stroller runners of all kinds! Today's guest post is brought to you by my awesome friend Renee.
This girl used to tease me up and down for running. I think, "running is stupid" was the most common response to
my invitations to run! I'm so proud of her for venturing out and trying something really new and really hard.
If only she had decided running was cool when we were still neighbors!
I think her honesty and struggles will be really relatable for lots of new mamas and new runners alike!
We all have to start somewhere, and with dedication and commitment like Renee's - you just can't fail! Enjoy!
This girl used to tease me up and down for running. I think, "running is stupid" was the most common response to
my invitations to run! I'm so proud of her for venturing out and trying something really new and really hard.
If only she had decided running was cool when we were still neighbors!
I think her honesty and struggles will be really relatable for lots of new mamas and new runners alike!
We all have to start somewhere, and with dedication and commitment like Renee's - you just can't fail! Enjoy!
New to Stroller Jogging? New to Jogging? Yeah me too!
“This sucks so hard, why do so many people do this?” Is all I can think while pushing my single BOB stroller, with my almost three year old daughter happily watching “Super Why” and eating endless gummies. “Seriously, everything hurts, this can’t be good for me.” I can jog for about 5 minutes before I need to slow to a walk for a minute or two. Then I pick it back up to a jog for as long as I can. The sound of my labored breathing and heavy foot-falls reminds me that I’m not a “natural born runner.” My entire being doesn’t scream “runner.” So why then am I out here again this morning, trying to be a runner? Well, I don’t believe that anyone is truly a “natural born” anything. Everything takes effort, and work, and in my case an extremely hard-head! When I set my mind to something, truly set it to something, I will make it work.
So every morning for the last week, I get all the snacks, and download every kid show on the iPad, and I set out to jog the entire way to the local park. I haven’t yet made it the entire distance, about 1.5 miles, at a full jog. And when you realize you can’t jog for a mile and a freaking half without stopping you tend to get discouraged. But like I said before, I’m extremely hard-headed! I will be a mom who can jog, I will get my fitness level up, and I will be able to make that entire jog to the park without stopping one of these days! I’m not sure when, but I will do it.
“This sucks so hard, why do so many people do this?” Is all I can think while pushing my single BOB stroller, with my almost three year old daughter happily watching “Super Why” and eating endless gummies. “Seriously, everything hurts, this can’t be good for me.” I can jog for about 5 minutes before I need to slow to a walk for a minute or two. Then I pick it back up to a jog for as long as I can. The sound of my labored breathing and heavy foot-falls reminds me that I’m not a “natural born runner.” My entire being doesn’t scream “runner.” So why then am I out here again this morning, trying to be a runner? Well, I don’t believe that anyone is truly a “natural born” anything. Everything takes effort, and work, and in my case an extremely hard-head! When I set my mind to something, truly set it to something, I will make it work.
So every morning for the last week, I get all the snacks, and download every kid show on the iPad, and I set out to jog the entire way to the local park. I haven’t yet made it the entire distance, about 1.5 miles, at a full jog. And when you realize you can’t jog for a mile and a freaking half without stopping you tend to get discouraged. But like I said before, I’m extremely hard-headed! I will be a mom who can jog, I will get my fitness level up, and I will be able to make that entire jog to the park without stopping one of these days! I’m not sure when, but I will do it.
Here’s how:
- I will be kind to myself - Keep my inner “non-runner” self in check
- I will continue to run 20 feet further than I want to everyday
- I will make this fun for myself and for my daughter - we talk to dogs we see and point out things to each other.
- I will keep track of my goal and I will mark the small successes, even if it’s just to myself!
- I will NOT worry about how this looks, I will NOT judge my form or posture in the windows of the businesses I run past. I will NOT wonder if people think I look like I’m dying. NONE of those thoughts will help me get to the park without taking a breather.
Whatever your goal is, small or large. Fitness gains or weight loss, running a race or just making it to the local park. This is about you, what your body can do if you train it, and teach it.
Meanwhile, practically, my hamstrings are dying, so you can find me stretching well, and doing the foam roller to work out the kinks, and slathering on the Deep Blue Rub! Because tomorrow I plan to run more of that mile and a half than I did today! Heck, maybe one day I’ll be able to run there and back!
Meanwhile, practically, my hamstrings are dying, so you can find me stretching well, and doing the foam roller to work out the kinks, and slathering on the Deep Blue Rub! Because tomorrow I plan to run more of that mile and a half than I did today! Heck, maybe one day I’ll be able to run there and back!
I'm so glad that Renee shared her story here - so often all you see online are the big highlight reels of people you don't feel you can ever measure up to. I love her honesty and how dedicated she is to reaching these goals as a beginner.
We ALL have to start somewhere!
If you're excited to cheer Renee on in her running journey, or want to see the amazing stuff she share about working out with kids and using essential oils for your family - be sure to follow her on Instagram and her Gnarly Family Fitness Facebook page! I absolutely LOVE her timelapse workout videos!!!
EDIT: Renee shared an update blog post - read part 2 HERE!!
We ALL have to start somewhere!
If you're excited to cheer Renee on in her running journey, or want to see the amazing stuff she share about working out with kids and using essential oils for your family - be sure to follow her on Instagram and her Gnarly Family Fitness Facebook page! I absolutely LOVE her timelapse workout videos!!!
EDIT: Renee shared an update blog post - read part 2 HERE!!
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