October 2013

The Most Important Mile of my Life: Karen Crowley

Karen with her daughter and husband at one of her first 5Ks in 2011.

Karen with her daughter and husband at one of her first 5Ks in 2011.

Mother runner Karen Crowley, 38, who writes candidly about living with a rare blood cancer at Adventures of a Cancer Girl, has vivid memories of her very first mile … many, many years ago. 
The first – and only – mile I ran during the first 35 years of my life was in eighth-grade gym class in 1989. My teacher was Mr. A, an extremely fit, extremely scary man.
We would “warm up” for every class by sprinting across the parking lot. I came in last every day, huffing red-faced to the finish line while the other kids rolled their eyes impatiently and Mr. A barked at me to hurry up. Toward the end of the year, Mr. A made a terrifying announcement: In a few weeks we would run “The Mile.”  Even worse: Anyone who stopped to walk would have to return during study hall or after school for a do-over.
As scared as I was of “The Mile,” I was even more scared of having to attempt the thing more than once. I was determined not to stop.
And I did it. I ran the entire thing. When a group of girls quit and started walking, I kept going. I came in last, but I hadn’t given up. I’d finished something that other people couldn’t.
But at the time, I didn’t see that. All I felt was relief that the dreaded mile was over, discomfort because I was tired and sweaty, and humiliation because I’d again finished last. I didn’t run another step until I was 35 years old.
I’ve been a runner for three years now, and I’ve just completed my first marathon. I think back to that first mile all the time, and I wish that 14-year-old had been able to see the value in determination, in refusing to give up. I wish she could have known that these qualities are far more important than speed.
It took me 20 years to see the value in that first mile. I’m glad I finally did.

At the end of 26.2: "As I was about to cross the finish line, my daughter jumped in and ran across it with me!"

Karen (wearing pink) at the end of the Kansas City Marathon earlier this month: “As I was about to cross the finish line, my daughter jumped in and ran across it with me!”

What was (or will be) the most important mile of your life? We want to know.
We’re going to make this an ongoing feature on the website (and potentially include some important miles in our yet-to-be-named third book, out in spring of 2015). Best way to submit is to email us your story with a picture: runmother {at} gmail {dot} com with “Most Important Mile” in the subject line. Please try to keep your mile stories under 300 words. Thank you!

Zombie Runs: Get Faster Running From the Undead!

Mom of two Jenn Sloggie-Pierce while she was still running for Team Human

Mom of two Jenn Sloggie-Pierce while she was still running for Team Human

Just in time for Halloween, Sarah and Dimity unearth the appeal of zombie runs by talking to three guests. First up: Bill Ward, the marketing guy for the series Run for Your Life, “a zombie infested 5K obstacle course race.” Bill describes zombie hordes and apocalypse parties, and he tells tales of runners finishing the race “infected.” Then the gals, um, pick the brains of two mother runners, Lori Vickerman and Jenn Sloggie-Pierce, to find out what happened when they got chased by the undead. (Spoiler alert: They both let loose a slew of swear words.) If you’re anything like Sarah, don’t listen to this creepy-but-hilarious podcast while running in the dark. But make sure you don’t miss Dimity stumbling over the pronunciation of, “inaugural.”
If you’re digging our podcasts, we’d be super-grateful if you’d take a minute (because we *know* you have so many to spare!) to write a review on iTunes.

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/podcasts.pagatim.fm/shows/amr/amr_102413.mp3]

**Also, the quickest way to get our podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

Tell Me Tuesday: Running + Racing During Your Period

aunt flo supplies

What’s in your Aunt Flo tool kit?

A while ago, mother runner Michelle posed a question to the the mother runner tribe on Facebook: How do you deal with your period—especially if it’s heavy—during a race? We’ve heard nearly all variations on this theme, and wanted to devote a post to some great advice and methods for dealing with Aunt Flo on the run.
For a racing and training time saver, Kerrie and Chandra suggested the Divacup. Said Kerrie, “It’s going to seem gross at first, but it’ll take you a heck of a lot longer between bathroom runs than a tampon will.” The Divacup also worked well for Chandra on back-country backpacking trips.
Ha.

Ha.

Michelle recommended Bifera as an iron supplement for ladies with a heavy flow and low iron.
As far as painkillers, said Danielle,Aleve helps to lighten the flow. It’s a godsend.”
Emily, Sarah, Angi, and Michaela, raved about the Mirena IUD. Said Sarah, “I have a Mirena (love it) and have virtually no periods, unless I put in a really long run. When I do spot though, the cramping is awful. I think mental toughness is definitely required to deal with these sorts of “extras” as a woman runner.”
“Another Mirena lover here!” added Michaela, “My 8-10 day heavy periods are now 2-3 days of very light bleeding or spotting. LOVE IT!”
Maria, however, cautioned “If you have Mirena, make sure you check it monthly. Mine punctured through my uterus after 1.5 years and I had to get it removed laproscopically.” If you decide to go for the Mirena for birth control or period control, remember to check its placement regularly.
images

Agreed, except if they come from another mother runner.

Penny had a warning for pad-using runners: “Be careful with pads. In a rainy race, I had an ‘adhesive malfunction’ and ended the race with it sticking out the back of my shorts.”
Amber said her periods lessen as she increases the intensity or length of her runs: “When I am running harder and longer in prep for something, I end up not getting my periods at all.” (A note of caution about losing your periods totally: exercise induced amenorrhea is a no-win situation: your bones sufffer and your fertility suffers, to name just two victims.)
Allison suggested natural (and caffeine -induced) remedies: “Herbally, I love B complex, Dandelion Tea, and Chaste Tree Berry. Oh — and a skinny latte after a grueling workout always gives me a boost.”
Leslie, also OR nurse, suggested Novasure, a quick, hormone-free procedure to lighten or stop periods, for runners who have a lot of Aunt Flo troubles.
Christine sought assistance from her OB, and was prescribed Loestrin FE.  She said “it’s awesome. Barely any bleeding at all, and PMS is a thing of the past.”
Just to confirm: You don't have to wear them solo.

Just to confirm: You don’t have to wear them solo.

Oh, and we recently learned about the “I am strong” running bikini set from “Believe I am”, technical undies which have thin, built-in, breathable lining that acts like a pad, providing backup on your heavy (or light) days or just with that lovely leak issue we mother runners might know a bit about.
For those who just need a breather when Aunt Flo comes to town, Susan recommends paying attention to what your body needs. “The days before AF I am totally unmotivated and give myself license to lay around. Within a couple of days, I’m ready to begin again.”
Have you dealt with Aunt Flo on a run recently? What devices and methods work the best for you?
 

The Most Important Mile of my Life: Michelle San Antonio

Michelle running an especially memorable 5K.

Michelle, running an especially memorable 5K.

Today’s Most Important Mile comes from Michelle San Antonio, a BAMR from Rhode Island.
I didn’t run through my first two pregnancies, but when I became pregnant with our third, I had become a diehard runner, and knew I’d continue running for as long as I could. Unfortunately, I miscarried at 7 weeks. I didn’t blame running, and neither did my doctor, and thankfully neither did my husband, family, or friends.
Several months later, we got pregnant again, and I continued running. It was essential for my mental health, especially as I struggled to enjoy the pregnancy, thoughts of the miscarriage still so fresh in my mind.
Unfortunately, at a six-week checkup, I again found myself looking at an ultrasound image that told me everything I needed to know. I was heartbroken, and in disbelief, but mostly numb. At a followup appointment two days later I learned that for the second time in less than a year, I’d need a D&C.
This was three days before a 5K I had planned to run, and as I sat there feeling like my body was completely failing me, I decided I needed to take at least one small step to regain some control of the situation, and asked if the D&C could wait until after the weekend. I needed to have some say in what was happening to me, and was thankful I got the ok to wait.
When I lined up at the race three days later, I was already near tears. And as we started, I found myself running faster than I had in months, and I knew it was the anger finally rising to the surface.
Over the course of 3.1 miles, I experienced all over again the emotional roller coaster of both failed pregnancies, and felt so many negative feelings falling away behind me as I ran.
But in addition to running away from all the bad, I knew I was running toward something better. As I neared the finish, I was overwhelmed with the thought that it was all going to be ok. I was suddenly more sure of that than I had ever been of anything.
The final mile of that race was one of the most cathartic experiences I’ve ever had. Despair was replaced with hope – and I had running to thank for it.
And to end on a happy note – I became pregnant 6 weeks later, and our third baby boy (now almost 4 years old!) enjoyed a very healthy 42 weeks in my belly (I ran for 30 of those weeks) before joining us. He was definitely worth the wait.

Sweet little boy #3!

Sweet little boy #3!

What was (or will be) the most important mile of your life? We want to know.
We’re going to make this an ongoing feature on the website (and potentially include some important miles in our yet-to-be-named third book, out in spring of 2015). Best way to submit is to email us your story with a picture: runmother {at} gmail {dot} com with “Most Important Mile” in the subject line. Please try to keep your mile stories under 300 words. Thank you!

Ragnar Relay D.C. Recap

Aimee (far right) is far right. Since she's bent over, it's tough to see her sexy jorts.

Aimee (far right) is far right. Since she’s bent over, it’s tough to see her sexy jorts.

After traversing nearly 200 miles with 23 other mother runners, Dimity and Sarah have a lot of ground to cover in this race recap of the Ragnar Relay D.C. They get help in the telling from Aimee from Team Dimity’s second van and Lorraine in Van 2 for Team Sarah. Lorraine sums up the relay-running, sleep-in-vans experience best when she calls it, “a big slumber party.” Turns out the two teams have Aimee to thank for their unofficial battle cry of, “Fear the tutu.” Aimee talks about rockin’ “jorts” under her tutu, and she introduces us to new slang—“manky”—for stinky workout wear. Lots of laughs in this podcast, including Sarah’s tale of being recognized in a, um, compromising situation.
If you’re digging our podcasts, we’d be super-grateful if you’d take a minute (because we *know* you have so many to spare!) to write a review on iTunes.

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/podcasts.pagatim.fm/shows/amr/amr_101713.mp3]

**Also, the quickest way to get our podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

Find Out How to Run4Good

Oh, yeah, join Team Another Mother Runner on Run4Good app and let's get some good going.

Oh, yeah, join Team Another Mother Runner on Run4Good app and let’s get some good going.

Dimity and Sarah showcase their current favorite BOGO–Saucony’s Run4Good app —by chatting with two grant recipients, Amanda Fulmer and Jeff Knight. By logging your miles using the Run4Good app, you are helping community organizers get funds for their programs that fight childhood obesity. Amanda talks about trailblazing a track around the elementary school where she works as a P.E. teacher to allow the students to run laps at recess, while Jeff recounts the tear-inducing pride and joy of getting 17 high school students across the finish line of the 2013 Austin Marathon. Along the way, both Amanda and Jeff share tips for getting kids moving and organizing community running programs.
Multitask on your next run by listening to this podcast while logging your miles on the Run4Good app: Three mother runners who complete at least 10 runs with the app before November 4 are each eligible to win her choice of one piece of Saucony gear + an AMR lifestyle tee.
If you’re digging our podcasts, we’d be super-grateful if you’d take a minute (because we *know* you have so many to spare!) to write a review on iTunes.

[audio:http://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/podcasts.pagatim.fm/shows/amr/amr_101013.mp3]

**Also, the quickest way to get our podcasts is to subscribe to the show via iTunes. Clicking this link will automatically download the shows to your iTunes account. It doesn’t get any simpler than that!

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