by Kate Willoughby Hall, Richmondmom.com CEO and wanna-be runner who is so inspired by the ladies about whom you’ll read.
Almost two years ago now, I embarked upon a mission that I never, EVER thought I would: running my first 10K. Initially it started as a way of blowing off steam after I was laid off and literally had nowhere to go in the morning; running revved me up for the depressing motions of job-hunting. With the help of Rachel Pustilnik of Stroller Strides and our Team, then called Run Like a Mother (now the Mother Runners), we crossed the finish line in March of 2010, and I never looked back. Now with two 10k’s, two 8k’s and a bunch of 5k’s under my belt, I’m considering a half-marathon. Many of the ladies who started with us as first-time runners have done half-marathons, so I know if I can make the commitment to the training schedule with Rachel’s help (pictured here), that I can make it, too.
This group–primarily made up of first-time runners sprinkled with some real experts who were brave enough to do half and full-marathons were unique in that they were all moms, just like me. We all have a ton to do outside of running including wiping runny noses, worrying about paying bills and how in God’s green earth we are going to keep up with the running schedule outside of our Saturday morning runs, the only time we’re together. We all have ridiculous schedules and little kids who require a lot of time and a million and one things that get in the way of running and keeping up with training–but we made it.
More than anything, this team has taught me that runners are made–not born–and even if you were a chubby book-worm like me as a kid you can don a pair of running shoes and make like the wind; half the challenge is in our minds. The awesome ladies on our team range from just having babies and nursing to managing travel schedules cross-country to staying at home with several kids while their husbands travel. They are single moms, fifty-year-old moms, and moms who never thought they could run one mile without stopping, then amazed themselves when they ran five without a hitch.
Tracking my mileage this year I’ve somehow managed to find 150+ hours to run and still spend time with my kids plus get a whole bunch of other productive stuff done; I’m convinced it’s because of the stress-release running has provided me.The best part: the kids are starting to run in one-mile races, and this weekend my little girl just put on her new tennis shoes (new to her, hand-me-downs from a friend) and said, “Mama, are these fast enough for me to run with you?”
I am so thankful to the Mother Runners for sticking with the schedule and for the smiles, hugs, and high-fives during training and last Saturday as we crossed the magnifiicent (downhill!) 5-mile finish line. . .can’t wait to see you again for the 10k in the spring.
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