Why I Run: Bridget Boyle
Ten years ago, my mother called me to say she had just been diagnosed with leukemia. She was being admitted the very next day to undergo an aggressive chemo regimen. I had to put this near-hysteria-losing-my-mind panic somewhere. So, I started to walk-jog-walk to keep my world from crumbling.
Then I was running. When I run, I become centered again.
I ran through being laid off. I ran through my divorce, through packing up my home of 20 years and moving the kids to a new town, new school, new job.
I ran through dual diagnoses of my kids’ severe depression, the ever-present fear of teen suicide, the constant, self-blaming voice in my head that “I have failed as a mom.”
You have to be strong for your kids. Game face was on until I could lace up my running shoes and fall apart on the asphalt knowing that by the end of my run I would be re-glued again. Running asks only one thing: for me to be me. Slow me, strong me, whimpering me, fast me – whichever Me shows up, it is still okay. My runs make me a better mom, daughter, and friend-to-self.
I run to restore my place of peace.
Bridget is a mother of two, ages 20 and 16.
Why I Run: Randi Mitchell
I started running a year ago August because I was jealous. I was jealous of my husband and our three teenage sons after they returned from their runs with mud on their legs and smiles on their faces. They are trail runners and I wanted to be one, too. They were just having too much fun and I wanted to be a part of it.
On July 31, 2011, my husband and sons went out for Sunday breakfast. I didn’t tell them what I had decided at 2 a.m. the night before. I stepped through the gate in our backyard into the woods and ran. And walked. And ran some more. It was so much fun. It was slow, it wasn’t pretty, but I came home muddy and happy.
I have been running trails ever since. I have slowly improved. I have managed my knee pain. I have had great runs, tough runs, cold runs, and warm runs. I have dragged my Newfoundland dog out there with me, much to her chagrin. She’s adjusted and so have I. Now she perks up when she sees me getting my trail shoes and sits, waiting to go. I have also enlisted a dear friend to run with me and we have explored the many trails available to us in our area. We feel strong and powerful, and time with a best friend running is a dream.
Shortly after I started running, the whole family signed up for a four-mile trail race. I was quite nervous to take on that distance as I had only been running a couple of months. I accepted the fact that I would be the last person to finish the race. I was not. My 15-year-old son Henry ran it with me and crossed the finish line behind me so as to prevent that from happening. That is the kind of support I receive at home from my sons and especially my husband Tom, who beams with pride that I get out there. This is a man who ran a trail marathon last fall and is currently running a mountain series. He seems to take as much pride in my slow three mile runs as he does in his many running accomplishments. It is this support that keeps me going out there and keeps my slow progress in perspective.
I feel so lucky to be out there, running the trails.
Randi, “a stay-at-home mom for a long time,” went back to school four years ago to get a masters in social work. She will graduate this May.
Why I Run: Kathy Robischon
This is my attempt at creativity (from a Colgate biology major who shied away from any classes that required essays!):
An Ode to Running …
How do I love thee, let me count the ways …
I love the feeling of strength at the end of a long run.
I love the sense of accomplish after I push to a new PR or new distance.
I love watching the sun rise on morning runs when everyone at home is still sleeping.
I love seeing my kids’ faces at the end of a race.
I love that my husband supports my efforts even when it sucks for him.
I love how the perfect song comes on my iPod at the perfect moment in a tough run.
I love talking to other runners about running and training.
I love picking up my packet before a race.
I love exploring race EXPOs.
I love running skirts and how flattering they are to my legs.
I love a great sports bra.
I love ice baths after a long run, at least once they are over.
I love having a training plan so I can stay on track.
I love the tribe of mother runners who support my running.
I love being a badass mother runner!!