The next installment of "People who have the runs"
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| "if the mind believes, the body will achieve" |
I run because I love it. I started swimming competitively at the age of 9 and continued my swimming career into college where I swam 4 years at Ball State University. After college, once I was married and had children years later, I gave up my career as a Registered Nurse to become a stay at home mom. As much as I love my life as a wife and mother, I felt myself feeling lost. Running helped to reconnect me with the athlete inside of me. It became something that was mine and mine alone. In addition to being a healthy role model for my family, it is therapy for me and it makes me truly happy!
How long have you been running?
I first started running regularly after the birth of my first son about 5 years ago. I started out walking and worked my way up to running 2 miles without stopping. It was at that point I signed up for my first local 5K race. Until I ran that race, I thought 2 miles was my threshold. I proved to myself I was capable of going further and from then on pushed myself to increase my mileage. I took about a year off during my pregnancy with my second son. After he was born, I upgraded to a double jogging stroller and we were back in action when he was about 6 weeks old.
How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
How I got started and why I chose running over other activities are both directly related to being a stay at home mom with a baby and a dog. At first, it seemed like the best way for me to get out of the house, get some exercise for both myself and my dog. At first I hated it but I really wanted to shed the unwanted pounds from pregnancy. Somewhere along the way I realized how happy I felt when I was running and how it made me a better wife and mother. Suddenly it was not just about exercise but became so much more!
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly?
I have found that having a goal helps keep me accountable. Signing up for a race and having a training plan to follow keeps me focused. I signed up for my first big race, The Flying Pig Marathon, almost a year ago. While the training was not always easy it certainly helped keep me motivated on achieving a huge goal! I signed up to run the race with three girls I swam with in high school. We had not seen each other since we graduated 15 years ago! It was a great way to reconnect with old friends! We started a private blog, wrote about our training, and spoke often on the phone.
What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
I ran a half marathon as a training run while training for The Pig. The weather forecast was not pleasant and there were severe thunderstorms in the area. The start of the race was in question due to inclement weather. The race started on time and it rained almost the whole distance. It was my first run in the rain and I realized I really did mind at all. I actually enjoyed it! I was grateful that race helped me get over my fear of running in the rain because on the day of my first marathon, I woke up to rain falling from the sky. 26.2 miles in the rain? No problem! Now, the only time the weather really influences me is when I have to run while managing my kiddos. I have only run once while pushing the jogger in a light rain. My jogging stroller also doubles as a bike trailer so it can be completely enclosed and he is sheltered from the elements but I still worry about what people think as they see me running in the rain pushing my toddler in the jogger. As far as feeling lazy.. well, when it comes to running or exercising, I know I will always feel better after a workout. Now if I could only harness that same motivation when it comes to cleaning my house...now that is a challenge!
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
The only running book I have read is "Run Like a Mother." It is a great book written by two contributing writings for Runner's World. For all the mother runners out there, I highly recommend it! They also write a blog that I follow regularly. I run and train alone so reading that book was very inspirational to me... knowing I was part of a "tribe" of mother runners.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
I don't think if it as "how am I going to fit running into my day?" Running has become such a huge part of my life and sometimes I feel like the real question is, "how will I fit (anything other than running) into my day?"
Do your friends and family support your running or thing you are crazy?
One of my biggest inspirations to start running was my sister, Becky. She announced one day that she was going to run the Chicago Marathon. My first initial reaction was, "yeah right." At the time, she was overweight and not the physical specimen of a marathon runner. In the middle of her training, she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and I thought that was it... her marathon journey was over. Against all odds, she stuck with it and she finished the marathon. I was awestruck and totally inspired! I think most of my family, while maybe not understanding me completely, are supportive of me and my goals.
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
I recently went on vacation to Myrtle Beach and had several lovely beach runs. It was such a nice change of scenery from my usual routes. I have always loved the beach and being able to combine two of my favorite things is just amazing! I went out at low tide so the sand felt perfect! I only wish I could do that more often.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
Without a doubt, the hardest race was The Flying Pig Marathon. It was a very humbling experience.
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| Jenny finishing the 2011 Flying Pig marathon |
Without a doubt, The Flying Pig Marathon. It was such an incredible experience! The city of Cincinnati gave tremendous support. I was able to reunite with friends I had not seen in years. I proved to myself that day how strong I can be... that if the mind believes, the body will achieve!
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
While training for the marathon, the ITB in my left leg started protesting. LOUDLY! I had a few training runs that brought me to a screeching hault because of the pain. I was afraid to see a doctor because I knew what I was going to hear: you need to stop running. That was not an option for me. I found an orthopedic surgeon through a friend of mine who specializes in sports medicine. He was able to quickly diagnose me with ITB pain syndrome and patellofemoral pain syndrome. I was happy his recommended course of therapy did not mean I had to give up my training. I was sent to physical therapy for a few weeks prior to the race and eventually opted to have a cortisone injection in my knee the week before the race.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I like to listen to music when I run. It is my time to listen to something other than Yo Gabba Gabba or Backyardigans. I almost always use my Garmin to track my mileage. I do not really plan my routes prior to leaving the house so it is nice to just run and have a device that keeps track of how far I have gone. I have embraced the idea of naked running and have been doing it more and more. There is something so simple and calming about just running with no gadgetry involved.
A lot of runners know that “Who has the runs” has a double meaning. How do you deal with the occasional “problem” that plagues every runner at one time or another?
Part of the humbling experience of The Pig comes from learning "what NOT to eat before running a marathon." I freely devoured fresh fruit, a salad with dinner, and chased it all down with some delicious Graeter's ice cream. Runner's diarrhea is no myth and hit me hard around mile 17 of the race. Luckily I did not make a mess of myself on the course and was able to make 3 different port o potty pit stops before I finished. In the 24 hours that followed the race, I had managed to drink an entire bottle of Pepto Bismol on my own and make several more trips to the bathroom. Lesson learned. I have since been diagnosed with IBS and am learning what I can and cannot eat to keep my stomach happy.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
DO IT! I try to recruit people all the time! I love to talk to people about how much I love running and what it has done for me. I actually recruited a neighbor to start running, gave her my copy of Run Like a Mother, got her to join dailymile.com and she just completed her first half marathon this past weekend!
What is your next big race?
As of right now I am not officially signed up for anything. There is a local 5K next month that I want to run to benefit Girls on the Run. I also have my sights set on running the Colombia (SC) Marathon in March. I need to tackle 26.2 again and know I can finish it without getting "the runs."
What is your immediate running goal?
I just ran my fourth race of the year 3 days ago. I ran the Savannah Rock N Roll half marathon. My goal was to break the 2 hour mark. I finished in 1:54.34. I have had my sights set on that race for so long... now I am finding myself reevaluating what I want next. I think for now I just want to run for fun.
What is your ultimate running goal?
My ultimate running goal is to never lose my passion for running. I am so grateful for having discovered what running can do for me. I want to share that with others. I think if I can continue to run, continue to be inspired by others and maybe inspire a few people along the way, I will be satisfied.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
I am a dailymile addict! Jenny W.
I am also on Twitter @luckymom2boys.
I am on facebook, too, but not as much as the others...the first two social media options are better ways to reach my virtual running peeps!
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