Run Like a Mother...

Earlier this summer, I made what seemed like a monumental decision for myself. I decided to join a training team for the upcoming Richmond 8K on November 13th. You may be scratching your head and saying, "I didn't know Sally was a runner?" Well frankly, I haven't been (I will say, I did stick out 1 season of track in HS). But, I wouldn't even say that I am a fitness nut or someone that has been too serious about exercise. But over the past year, I have been reading about some of my Facebook friends training for various races and talking about going on their runs. I was really impressed - many of these folks were moms, and moms with little kids. I began thinking, if they can do it - well, just maybe I could too? (sidenote - FB can be good for something). Then earlier this summer, I started reading about the Run Like a Mother Training Team. The team is led by a gal that runs Stroller Strides locally and also went to school with Jon from Elementary School through Virginia Tech. Although, I didn't know her personally, I had read about her through her website and Jon's FB updates and thought she would be a great leader.

Psychologically, it made a lot of sense to me to have a goal to work towards and that running would be satisfying. I also have just been looking for something, for me. Physically, not being the coordinated type, I felt I could handle putting one foot in front of another. Socially, it felt good to join a group of mothers who are also on a similar journey.

I started my pseudo training about July 1 - to try and get ready for the official training, which started Aug 14th. The schedule consists of 1 group run each week (Sat. mornings), 2 runs, 1 Xtrain (elliptical, etc) and 1 walk. So far, so good. Our running is starting out with interval training and advancing each week. We beginners started at 1 min run, 1 min walk for 20 min and now up to 2 min. run, 1 min walk for 23 min. So it helps that the schedule seems manageable although I am now really starting to feel that I am pushing myself. Hence my post. Get my irony here, but my wonderful insurance; whoops, wellness coach, states that by sharing my journey and having a support system, I'll find accountability to myself. Ha. Well, I think he may be somewhat right, but I do appreciate your support.