Disclaimer: The Run Like a Mother race series provided me with the t-shirt and tote bag as well as an additional shirt and tote bag for the giveaway. I was not provided with additional compensation for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.
Two weeks after the birth of my daughter, my husband deployed to Iraq. Bogged down by the overwhelming task of being a first time mom and without my right hand man, I trudged back to work at 8 weeks post partum. Despite having plenty of social interaction at work and family and friends checking on me, I still wasn’t my self. I attributed some of “that feeling” to being a new mom, some of it to my husband being deployed, and some of it to not having regular time for myself. I decided that in order to make myself happy, I wanted to find a new hobby. But, when I thought about all of the things that I enjoyed in my past, I always came back to my old hobby, running. With that, I decided to lace up my running shoes again and signed up for a 10k race.
To kick off my post partum running, I started off at the on-post gym since I could go there immediately after work. I remember being embarrassed of how I looked and how slow I felt on the treadmill in comparison to the others around me. Now that seems silly, but at the time, I was really ashamed of my new “mom body”. So, I stopped running inside and started going on runs outside, with Cora in her stroller. Outside, I didn’t feel judged. I could embrace being a new mom and it felt “easier” to be slow if I had a jogging stroller in front of me. But with time, I got into a regular routine and really embraced being a mother runner.
To see organizations like the Run Like a Mother race series providing support to women, especially moms, it makes me smile. I understand the struggles of being a new mom and the sometimes overwhelming reality of our new post partum lives. Running helped me recreate boundaries around the concept of self care. And, most importantly, running helped me no longer hate my body by helping me appreciate my new found strength and mental determination.
The quote from the founder of the Run Like a Mother organization, Megan Searfoss, “Run Like a mother. It’s who we are. It’s what we do,” really strikes a chord with me. Since the birth of my daughter, running is simply a part of me. It’s something I love sharing with others and it is so enjoyable for me to turn people on to the sport. And, the community of a women’s race, like the Run Like a Mother series, is a great way to start YOUR running story.
Similar to my story, Megan Searfoss started her national 5K race series to allow women of all levels and abilities to experience the gift of running as a means to finding balance in their lives. The organization also provides training programs for all levels and practical tips for Run Like a Mother registrants. Today, these Mother’s Day 5k events are located in Davis, CA, Frisco, TX, Hinsdale, IL, Milwaukee, WI, Portland, OR, Raleigh, NC, Ridgefield, CT, and Seattle, WA. And, until Run Like a Mother is in your neighborhood, there is now a virtual option for those of you that can’t attend in person can run too! They make it very easy for you to grab a buddy and sign up. Pus, in my opinion, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day. If you want running to become a way of life, register today!
And, thanks to Run Like a Mother, you can enter to win a Run Like a Mother t-shirt and tote bag to kick off your spring training!
Tell me, are you planning on running this Mother’s Day? What’s the mantra that gets you moving? And, I would love to hear your mother runner stories too 
Lisa
Disclaimer: The Run Like a Mother race series provided me with the t-shirt and tote bag as well as an additional shirt and tote bag for the giveaway. I was not provided with additional compensation for this post. As always, all opinions are my own.
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