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#310: Running Through Grief
Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin have heart-to-heart conversations with four women runners who have suffered losses—and used running to help process their emotions and heal. A heavy topic, for sure, but the ladies still share some smiles + laughs. Marge Schupe shares the story of her two miscarriages, explaining how running helped her get back in touch with her body and see it as something other than “a complete failure.” Proof positive: Since last summer, she’s PR’d in 5K, 10K, and 13.1-mile races. Marge gives advice for dealing with a miscarriage. Next is Patti Cruz, who suffered numerous losses, including a one-two punch: the death of her father from cancer, then her mother being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. As a mom of two young sons, Patti defines herself as part of the “ultimate sandwich generation.” She discusses how running is a “coping skill” for her; Patti stresses the importance of taking time for exercise when dealing with the weight of grief or caring for a family member, saying it is a “luxury” to have that protected time to let out sadness and grief. Susan Heard, the third guest, opens up about why the podcast-recording date is bittersweet for her. Now a mere 10 days out from her first marathon, Susan tells the story of how witnessing a cousin run 100 miles helped her become a runner 4+ years after the death of her son from cancer. She talks movingly about how running and cycling outdoors helps her see and hear her son, as well as how running solo allows herself to “take out the grief pieces that are hard to look at.” The episode culminates with Gina Ebbeling, an AMR BAMRbassador whose husband, Jason, died suddenly in January 2017. She tells of running a special Mother’s Day half-marathon in honor of her husband. A mother of a 7-year-old daughter, Gina delves into a broader definition of self-care. Marvel along with SBS and Amanda at Gina’s process of self-discovery in the aftermath of her profound loss. And learn a new word—“rawity”—along the way.
In the introduction, Sarah shares the delight of witnessing unbridled joy + talent in three school dance performances. Then Amanda and Sarah discuss their own recent losses and how exercise provides a welcome chance to feel close to a departed loved one. The first guest is introduced at 11:14.
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Thank you so much for sharing. Running helps us through our grief.
I can’t tell you how well timed this podcast is for me. My dad died in January this year after being diagnosed with leukemia two months prior. I found all of the guests provided me insight, humor and a source of strength. Thanks to all of you for your honesty and openness.
I just listened to this podcast during my long run this morning and I just wanted to say thank you to these brave women for sharing their stories of profound loss. It was encouraging to hear the ways that running has helped them cope with loss. I can truly say that running has given me extra strength and courage to battle through the grief I faced and still face after the sudden loss of my 3 year old son in 2014. I started really getting into running as a coping mechanism after his tragic death and have found strength and perseverance I didn’t know I had. It has given my courage to make lofty goals and work to achieve them. In 2017, I ran my first marathon, a dream I didn’t ever think I was capable of actually accomplishing. I qualified for Boston! I could never have made it to where I am today if it weren’t for my faith and my new love for running!
I so appreciated this episode! I recently lost my dad and though I’m still reeling from the reality of it all, running has been a beautiful constant. My husband and I ran a 25K trail race just a couple of weeks after the loss and I never would have guessed how my body literally attacked that course. It seemed like I needed that release more than I realized! My faith sustains me, but running helps my head to clear and my body to work out all these complicated emotions. This podcast helped me know I’m not alone and encouraged me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks, running friends.
I’m so grateful for this episode. I’ve had 3 miscarriages since October and running has been so important for my healing. Running has helped me appreciate my body in a different way after feeling like it’s disappointed me so much this year. Training for races has also helped me have something to look forward to and give me a little bit of control over my life again. I hope Marge is blessed with a baby soon <3