Running Mother...

Before I became pregnant with Allison, I took up running.  I often referred to it as my therapy.  Since then, and my work with mothers struggling with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, I try not to refer to my running hobby as "therapy" or make jokes about it being cheaper than a therapist. I did do these things once, but now I recognize how damaging that can be. However, running is a huge part of my self care strategies and in that it is immensely important to my mental health. We also know that exercise is important for every person's mental wellness, so yay running!

There are a few reasons I love running, and on a run last week I realized running has several similarities to motherhood. Which made me love it even more. 

1. It's not easy. It makes you sweat, and breath hard. Sometimes things hurt. 
2. The hardest run leaves you with the greatest level of satisfaction. 
3. It is a one person sport. Yes you can say that you are racing against the other racers, but most runners I know are aiming for a PR (personal record). 
4. You are measured by improvements, not "winning"
5. You can wear leggings all the time. 

Just in case you're not a runner, here is a little more explanation as to what I am talking about.

1. Motherhood is hard. It makes you sweat, and breath hard. Sometimes things hurt. 
2. Raising kids is not easy, but after each terrible phase, you really feel like you did it. The reward of love and kisses and silly kiddos after a long hard week of parenting is so satisfying. 
3. While it can be tempting to get caught up into Mommy Wars, and the increased focus on such differences, the truth is, I am the best mother for my children (and you are for yours). There is no need to compare against each other, but to simply to better than we did before.
4. There is not magic "Perfect Mom" line that we reach. Everything is fluid and some days we are just rocking the mom thing, and other days not so much. But every day we keep the kids alive is success.
5. Leggings.  (and if you are a LuLaRoe wearer, check out the fundraiser Angela and JoAnna are doing to support us!)


So in conclusion, I love running, as much as I love mothering. And I hope you join me for our first Raincoat Run 5K and Family Fun Run on Sunday!


This Mom Wears Rainboots (and running shoes)

-Elizabeth 

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