September 2017

#279: How to Rock Your Race

Another recorded-in-front-of-live-audience episode: Listen in as Sarah, Dimity, Coach MK, and Coach Amanda share advice and anecdotes about how to have the best race experience you can. The ladies remind it’s not necessarily the time on the clock that equates to success or enjoyment. They talk about the importance of going out conservatively, then stepping on the gas if you’re feeling strong mid-race. At the end of the episode, the panel takes questions from some of the attendees of the AMR Run + Refresh Retreat in Spokane. No matter what distance race you’re stepping up to the start for, you’ll find in this episode pearls of wisdom to use pre-, during, and post-race.

To enjoy a free month of Bark Box with order of 6- or 12-month subscription, visit barkbox.com/AMR

 

Running for Two: Is It Really a Run Anymore?

We’ve been following Ashley Hinze as she runs through her second pregnancy. To catch up with her from the beginning, click here.

At 34 weeks, our PBAMR is stopping to smell the flowers with her firstborn.

I’m 34 weeks pregnant and am moving so slow that I have come to the conclusion that I am no longer running but, rather, walking.

At first, I was in denial. I was like nope, I am still running, I am allllllll good — but let’s get real. I was running so slowly that I was really just speed walking. BOB2 is growing fast and obviously in charge, already.

As sad as I am to say I am no longer running, I need to trust that little human. I have dug deep down into my gut and accepted this truth. I think. With this admission, I have started questioning if I still can classify myself as runner though — or, more specifically, a PBAMR (pregnant badass mother runner).

How can I still be a runner if I am not currently running? My heart breaks for my poor Sauconys every time I lace them up and the only real excitement they are going to get is stopping to pick up dog droppings. While I am sure entertaining for those watching from afar as I attempt to bend over and pick it up, it’s not the the excitement I (and my shoes) crave.

I know it needs to be different right now. I am growing a human. I am still moving — but am I still a runner?

A walk to the “sandbox,” which is what Reese calls it.

Heck yes, I am. I have come to the conclusion that just because I am not running right now, does not mean I am no longer a runner. Actually quite the opposite.

I am a runner. I am a badass mother runner. I am a PBAMR.

I may not be running but I am moving. Moving slow, but deliberately moving. I am learning to navigate exercise just like we moms learn to navigate day-to-day life with the humans we raise. Even with the best of intentions, our plans are bound to change when little humans are involved. We have all been there when that quick trip to the store becomes a 30 minute stand-off with a tantruming toddler. We all know how it feels to have your child dressed all nice for church and spill juice down their front. Life is bound to change — as are my plans for running.

My surface goal was to make it to 30 weeks running, which I did, but deep down I really wanted to run up until the day I gave birth. This just isn’t going to happen. Instead of plotting mileage, I am plotting time. Instead of plotting locations, I plot activities. It isn’t about the completion of the run but rather embracing what I can accomplish on the walk.

Soaking up her last snuggles as an only child

Reese and I plan our walks past parks or past our new house as it’s being built. We have time to take in the scenery and, more importantly I have time to enjoy the last moments before our family grows. Just me and my Reesie Roo. I will not weep (okay, maybe I will a little) that I will not be running on the day I give birth but you can bet I will still be deliberately moving.

AMR Women’s Running Retreat Recap: The Deep Dive (+ See You Next Spring?)

To quote The Princess Bride, when it comes to telling you about the Run + Refresh Retreat in Spokane: There’s too much. We’ll sum up.

Real 

Mother runners came from every corner of the U.S. plus two from Canada. None of us needed the icebreaker at happy hour that evening: By Friday morning’s group run, it felt like we’d been BRFs, well, forever.

Recover 

Thanks to Kolleen Riddick, a Master Trainer with Trigger Point, we learned how to pre-hab our hard runnin’ bods and recover from our hard work.

Runner’s Body

Dimity, Coach Amanda, and Coach MK showed the BAMRs how to build a strong runner’s body. BOSUs, bands, and clamshells were involved.

Race

Of course, we hit the gorgeous Happy Girls race and ran like mothers!

And two familiar faces greeted the runners at the finish line. (Plus a familiar voice: SBS was race emcee, thus the mic in her outstretched hand.)

 

Relaxation 

Thanks to a rejuvenating class lead by Ara Lyman of Spokane Yoga Shala, we re-found our zen after pushing on the trails.

Recreation

Part of refreshing and retreating has to involve recreating. (As in recreation.) And some of the recreating may have involved cocktails and desserts.

Relationships

We built strong relationships–and took oodles of photos!–at Saturday’s celebration dinner.

Rejuvenation

After three days, we felt restored and ready to dive back into real life.

Are you ready to join the Tribe at our next Retreat? We’d love to have you!

AMR will head to Utah, on May 17 – 20, 2018, for the Ogden Marathon. Rest assured that running 26.2 won’t be required (although you can if you want). The Ogden race also offers an absolutely beautiful half-marathon, 5K, and even a marathon relay (oooh, intriguing!), which would be perfect for a team o’BAMRs.

Registration for the Ogden Retreat will open the first week of October. To stay in the loop, click here and sign up for the mailing list. Being on the list means we’ll notify you when we open registration next week. 

Is Ogden a trip too far for you? No worries, we’re ironing out the details for a women’s running retreat on the East Coast (possibly literally the coast–Cape Cod!) in October 2018.

Wineglass and Twin Cities Marathons: Course Reports, Merch, and More!

This coming weekend will be Mother Runner-a-palooza! AMR will have a presence at TWO great fall races: The Twin Cities Marathon Weekend and the Wineglass Marathon Weekend. Because we love to go the extra mile (pun totally intended), we have some special stuff for each race for the Tribe.

Twin Cities Bubble Crossing!

First up: Twin Cities!

Coach MK Fleming has a course report for you, which includes a few thoughts about the hill at mile 20.5.

Plus our own SBS weighs in on why this race is so special for her.

“If all goes according to plan,” she says, “Twin Cities will be my 14th marathon — yet only the second one I will have run more than once. (Boston is the other repeat-marathon. #Humblebrag) I’m running it again because it is an absolutely gorgeous course! It winds around numerous lakes that sparkle in the sunshine and it’s lined with trees showing off their fall colors. In my memory, it’s like running through a kaleidoscope of red, orange, yellow, and blue (lakes + sky).”

If her gushing praise weren’t enough to sell you on TCM, maybe our special tee and sweatshirt will…

Long sleeves for chilly fall runs.

 

Who doesn’t love a hoodie?

SBS, Dimity, and crew will be womaning a big ol’ booth at the Expo. Drop in to say Hi!

Ready to run at the Wineglass start!

Last but not least: Wineglass, a little gem of a race in Corning, New York.

Of course, coach MK Fleming has a course report for you, which includes a few words about how it is the boy your mom wants you to date.

Plus our own Adrienne Martini weighs in on why this race is her favorite way to spend a fall morning.

“There’s just something about this part of New York State in the fall,” she says. “The leaves are starting to take on some color. The mornings are crisp but not yet cold. And the course, even though it has a few dull spots along an interstate, meanders through small towns and over bridges. Once you get into Corning proper, the spectators are full of energy and joy. (And, most likely, wine.)”

Do we have tee and sweatshirts for this race? What do you think? 

There might also be a hat, too, but we’re going to leave you in suspense for now. Come to the Expo, which is in the gorgeous Corning Museum of Glass, to see what Adrienne and Crew will have on offer.

Scenes from Spokane: Mother Runners Run + Refresh Retreat

What a weekend it was!

We’ll have a more thorough wrap-up once we’ve had a chance to get home and Sweat X the heck out of some truly stinky running gear. For now, here are a couple of pictures from our third Run + Refresh Retreat!

Swag bags were packed by the chimney with care ….

 

… with the hope that some BAMRs would soon be there.

 

Change was found in the middle of a run…

 

…. and the slide was enjoyed by (almost) everyone!

 

A podcast was taped. It sure was neat.

 

And some Happy Girls got some air under their feet.

 

(Even though paparazzi were everywhere.)

 

After the race, there was yoga and self-care.

 

Then we went back into the world, hands in the air.

 

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