Every runner has a story...
At Sexy Mother Runner we believe that sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while motivating others. When I read Tara's story it took me back to all of the reasons why I started running. So much I can relate to. It's almost as though running was invented specifically for Moms but no one tells you that. They just expect you to figure it out for yourself. After you read Tara's story, please share it with your friends. You never know who might be needing that little push in the right direction.
Meet Tara:
First, I just want to say that my story isn't necessarily special or different from anyone else's except for the fact that it's mine. I started for reason similar to lots of other people's reason, and I continue because of the same reasons :)
I started running October 10, 2010...10-10-10...easy to remember my runversary. My youngest son was 3 weeks old, and his "older" brother wasn't yet 1 (SUPRISE!!!). Sage (my second) was premature, born 6 weeks early and 4lbs3oz due to preeclampsia. PE also helped me put on close to 70lbs while I was pregnant with him. Thanks to the short time span between the boys, I never lost the weight I put on with Sage yet continued to tack it on while pregnant with Brannon. After B was born, I was exactly 100lbs from what I was when I got pregnant with Sage. I battled post partumn depression with all 3 of my kiddos, but wasn't off my meds.
I started running to lose weight (I wanted runner legs...which meant I had to become a runner) even though I was never a runner before. I was the girl who told my BFF "I only run if someone is chasing me". It wasn't easy physically, but mentally, it was EXACTLY what I needed. I was off my medication within 6 weeks of starting.....and have never gone back. What I found on the road was peace of mind. I found something I could control when everthing else in life was being dictacted by a newborn, a 1 year old and a 7 year old girl-child. It was the only thing I had total control over.....and I needed that. I needed something to happen because it was what I wanted to have happen (goodness knows that doesnt happen with children, lol!)
Eventually, the weight started coming off. I didn't really follow the scale that much....I know in May of 2011 I was down 60lbs but the happiness and sanity I got from running replaced the happiness from success with the scale. I felt better. I was a nicer person. I was happier and healthier which in turn, made me a better mom and wife.
Fast forward to now.....I have a 25:23 5K (hoping for sub 25 this summer!!), 3 half marathons under my belt (2 more in the next 5 weeks and then I will be a Half Fanatic...whoop whoop) and I just signed up for my first full on September 28. Safe to say, no one needs to chase me anymore to get me to run :) Weight-wise.....I'm down over 100lbs....currently LESS than when I graduated high school. The best part, my husband tells me often that I look better today than the day we got married.....I'LL TAKE IT!!
I have said it before, MANY times....running saved me. It gave me the outlet I needed. It gave me the sanity I needed. It gave me confindence because all the things it "gave" me, I had to get out and earn myself.
Tara is also one of the writers for the 'Pistol Packin Mother Runners.' Be sure to check out their blog and Facebook Page!
We need more stories for our
Featured Friday Runner series!
We would love to hear from you!
Email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com with 'Running Story' in the subject line.
At Sexy Mother Runner we believe that sharing those stories is a great way to share the gift of running while motivating others. When I read Tara's story it took me back to all of the reasons why I started running. So much I can relate to. It's almost as though running was invented specifically for Moms but no one tells you that. They just expect you to figure it out for yourself. After you read Tara's story, please share it with your friends. You never know who might be needing that little push in the right direction.
Meet Tara:
First, I just want to say that my story isn't necessarily special or different from anyone else's except for the fact that it's mine. I started for reason similar to lots of other people's reason, and I continue because of the same reasons :)
I started running October 10, 2010...10-10-10...easy to remember my runversary. My youngest son was 3 weeks old, and his "older" brother wasn't yet 1 (SUPRISE!!!). Sage (my second) was premature, born 6 weeks early and 4lbs3oz due to preeclampsia. PE also helped me put on close to 70lbs while I was pregnant with him. Thanks to the short time span between the boys, I never lost the weight I put on with Sage yet continued to tack it on while pregnant with Brannon. After B was born, I was exactly 100lbs from what I was when I got pregnant with Sage. I battled post partumn depression with all 3 of my kiddos, but wasn't off my meds.
I started running to lose weight (I wanted runner legs...which meant I had to become a runner) even though I was never a runner before. I was the girl who told my BFF "I only run if someone is chasing me". It wasn't easy physically, but mentally, it was EXACTLY what I needed. I was off my medication within 6 weeks of starting.....and have never gone back. What I found on the road was peace of mind. I found something I could control when everthing else in life was being dictacted by a newborn, a 1 year old and a 7 year old girl-child. It was the only thing I had total control over.....and I needed that. I needed something to happen because it was what I wanted to have happen (goodness knows that doesnt happen with children, lol!)
Eventually, the weight started coming off. I didn't really follow the scale that much....I know in May of 2011 I was down 60lbs but the happiness and sanity I got from running replaced the happiness from success with the scale. I felt better. I was a nicer person. I was happier and healthier which in turn, made me a better mom and wife.
Fast forward to now.....I have a 25:23 5K (hoping for sub 25 this summer!!), 3 half marathons under my belt (2 more in the next 5 weeks and then I will be a Half Fanatic...whoop whoop) and I just signed up for my first full on September 28. Safe to say, no one needs to chase me anymore to get me to run :) Weight-wise.....I'm down over 100lbs....currently LESS than when I graduated high school. The best part, my husband tells me often that I look better today than the day we got married.....I'LL TAKE IT!!
I have said it before, MANY times....running saved me. It gave me the outlet I needed. It gave me the sanity I needed. It gave me confindence because all the things it "gave" me, I had to get out and earn myself.
Tara is also one of the writers for the 'Pistol Packin Mother Runners.' Be sure to check out their blog and Facebook Page!
We need more stories for our
Featured Friday Runner series!
We would love to hear from you!
Email us at sexymotherrunner@yahoo.com with 'Running Story' in the subject line.
Tara's story really touched me, I didn't go through the same struggles that she did, but two things she said really resonated with me. She said "What I found on the road was peace of mind." And "I felt better. I was a nicer person. I was happier and healthier which in turn, made me a better mom and wife." I completely, 100% agree with happier, healthier, better as descriptions for me too. She brought tears to my eyes reading her story. :-)
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