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 helping to motivate others. Tammy's story is is an excellent example of 'where there's a will, there's a way.' She's overcome the obstacles that so many runners face, obstacles that often deter a new runner.
Meet Tammy:
I
don’t know if I qualify as a runner… I’ve done 4 5Ks, and a ½
marathon. I have been running less than a year… BUT –
I know I qualify as a mother! I am a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) of 2 kids, boy age 10
and girl
age 5. Boy is in school all day, girl ½ day.
Being a SAHM is one of the toughest jobs in
the world… because face
it, you’re home all day – you can do EVERYTHING!!!
My
running career started while taking pictures of my sister (in-law,
but have known her since I was 2, and we’re the same age… you get
the point) finishing a full marathon. I stood at that finish
line for more than an hour watching strangers cross that line,
running in with their kids, their husbands, friends , sisters,
mothers, fathers…. It was so emotional! I cried the
entire time I stood there! I cheered my bloody head off for these
people! It was so amazing!! I wanted to know what it was
like to feel the other side of that fence, cross that line for
myself… I HATE TO RUN!!! Lol
That
was in May of 2011, I decided to go for it and started training for a
5K on Thanksgiving in late Aug/ early Sept that year. I didn’t
tell anyone but my husband and 2 kids and my mom that I was running.
(boy, was my sister and MIL a bit ticked!!) but it was local
and I was afraid of many things, the least of all was not finishing.
I did, and oh that feeling of completing a race – no matter what
your time was??!!! I was hooked!!! But the holidays were
upon us as was winter, so running took a back seat for the next month
and a half or so.
On
Christmas day, at dinner my husband’s family was sitting around
afterwards just talking. My sister,, Aunt and I started talking
about running. I had said I may want to try for the ½ marathon
in May, I swear my aunt said she’d do it too… I must have been
hearing things! For Christmas I had gotten winter gear and a
heart monitor from my mom’s (mom and MIL). I was set…. Dug
up a training plan and was good to go.
I
remember calling my sister after one of my 1st
runs crying that I couldn’t breathe, my lungs were burning!!
She said I was just probably running too fast for what I was use to
and the cold. Okay! Problem solved!
Over
the next few months, my miles increased, my speed didn’t… but I
was okay with that. I was having other problems! My
feet! Now, let me tell you… I hate feet!! Mostly
because I have stupid feet… a big ol’ bunion on the left foot
really screws up and limits footwear options! I had been fitted
for running shoes by a very good running store, and actually LOVED my
Newtons! (and still do…) but I was getting blisters like you
wouldn’t believe. Painful ones, not just regular old
blisters…. Of course not. Tried different socks, then
another pair of socks. Tried Body Glide, moleskin, blah, blah,
blah…. Was even filling my socks with corn starch before my
runs (yeah, I ran in clouds!!). Was about to have to replace my
shoes… when I was told maybe custom orthotics would work…. well
please hit me over the head with a 2x4!! I had a brand new pair
sitting in the closet b/c they were too painful to wear… but maybe
it was time to get that fixed! A wonderful local store fixed
them right up for me! Love, love, LOVE that store! My
painful blisters were gone!!! Oh, I still had blisters (and a
few black toenails) but they weren’t painful… I COULD RUN!!!!!
My
longest run before the ½ was 10 miles… with another issue
rearing its ugly head. ITB pain!!! ugh…. If it’s
not one thing, it’s another….
I
iced, I stretched, I rested, I strengthened, I popped the IBP and
repeated… daily!! It was okay… I ran the ½ in 2:45.
Which was my 1st
goal!! (I had 4… 2:30-2:45, 3 and just not last!!)
But I had walked more than I expected due to the ITB and blisters
that kept popping as I ran starting at mile 7…. Nice, eh?!!
BUT WHO CARES?? I FINISHED!!!! BRING ON THE FULL NEXT
YEAR!!!!!!!!
I
ended up finding out, after my next 5k that was a month later, that
my ITB was not tight, it had scar tissue build up from past
surgeries. (Nothing straight and simple for me!!) Had a
chiropractor do a release on it… and have not had any problems
since! (But, yes, I still ice, stretch and strengthen like a
fiend!!) AND… got Injinji socks!! Answer to my feet’s
prayers!! AND (last one) my 5 black toe nails finally fell off
and were starting to grow back!!
That
brings us up to about June of this year…. I had suspected
during my training that I suffered from EIA (exercise induced
asthma). I had borrowed my mom’s (such a no, no!!!) inhaler
and was managing well. My runs were still walk/run mixes
anyway. But I was okay with that. Went to the doctors and
was prescribed my own inhaler and a anti-allergy med to take daily.
Problem solved…. Or not. Summer training was a bust. I
just can’t breathe. Even with the meds. Running was
sporadic at best, more walking when I ran, lots of frustration,
depression and aggravation! Why do I run???
As
I write this, I’m recovering from a 7 mile run this morning.
I’m not giving up. I will find a doctor who can help me find
answers and a solution. I will train like I’m running the
full in May of 2013 – this gives me lots of extra time to go at it
slow. I’m registered for a 10K at the end of this month, and
a 5k in the middle of Oct. Hopefully I can find a few more
before the weather really breaks into winter in southwest PA.
But
I’m not giving up… as much as my head says to during my runs, I
AM NOT GIVING UP!!!!
I
have my sister who continually motivates and inspires me. I
have friends whom I inspired to start running. I have kids whom I am
trying to teach goal setting.
Also what achieving and hard work is really all about – esp. with
obstacles. I will not let these people down.
I
AM A RUNNER!!!!
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