On our first book tour for Run Like a Mother, we—Dimity + Sarah of Another Mother Runner—struggled with what to write when we signed a book. Just our names felt too impersonal, as did the reader’s name plus our names. Good luck sounded like it left too much up to chance, while keep at it felt too pushy. Aim high or reach your goals? Too much like a motivational poster you’d find in a cubicle.
Standing behind an expo table one day as I—Dimity— cracked another spine of a book to sign, I recalled a conversation with a #motherrunner, who had just finished her first half-marathon on a hilly, challenging course.
I asked her if she would train for another. Yes, she answered, “Running just makes me happy.”
By happy, of course, she didn’t mean an ear-to-ear grin on her face during—and after—her miles. She meant her whole self was more balanced, patient, strong, motivated, confident, and forgiving (both with herself and with others) after she laced up and headed out.
We signed her book many happy miles, and that phrase is likely the second most common one around Another Mother Runner. (Bad*ss mother runner is definitely in the lead.) We still sign our books with it; we use it to sign off on our weekly podcast; and we continually use it to focus our perspective, both professionally and personally.
We started the Many Happy Miles party in 2019 and we had a lot of fun planking, foam rolling, sitting (wall sitting, that is), setting our race and life goals, Marie-Kondo'ing 15 minutes at a time, and of course, adding many happy miles week after week.
In 2020, we have lots of new things in store, including an app where all of the workouts, challenges, on-demand strength videos, and other surprises will be easily accessible for busy #motherrunners. Guest coaches will take over a few months during the year, providing new perspective and guidance to runners of all different abilities.
All of the elements in the Many Happy Miles program lead up to our mantra around the halls of AMR: Helping you feel balanced, patient, strong, motivated, confident, and more forgiving in 2021.