An American mom of one who lives with her Irish husband in London (they just moved there from Singapore!), Kirsten Poile replaced antidepressants with running and racing—and has never felt stronger both mentally and physically.
I run for my physical and mental health. I run to set a good example for my son. And I run to get some time to myself and to clear my head.
I have a history of depression and anxiety—a long history involving years of therapy (both group and individual), medication, and even a short hospitalization. Medication and therapy worked really well for me, but when my husband and I were planning our family, I didn’t want to be on medication while pregnant. After 10 years of being on psycho-pharmaceuticals, this was a bit daunting. So I gradually came off the medication with the support of therapy (sometimes twice weekly) and we became pregnant. And then we moved to Singapore.
Moving to the other side of the world is hard. Moving when 30 weeks pregnant is very hard. Moving with an anxiety and depressive disorder, leaving behind your 15-year profession to become a stay-at-home mom in a different culture is my recipe for disaster.
After giving birth to my son, I went through a pretty difficult period. It’s hard to tease out how much of it was the normal post-baby craziness and how much of it was my own internal craziness. So I tried going to therapy. We even tried couples therapy. I toyed with going back on antidepressants, but I figured I had come this far that medication would feel like going backwards. And then I started running.
My weight has always been an issue and I have exercised on and off for years. I’ve never really been able to maintain it (my weight or the exercise). I think this is because the focus has always been on trying to get thin. Now, my focus is staying sane and that makes a huge difference.
Being in a foreign country away from family without any help and with a husband working long hours and completing his MBA, I didn’t have much time for the gym. So I went for walks. And gradually as I got stronger, my legs felt like running, so it became a morning routine my son and I would do: run a couple miles and then let him out of the jogging stroller to run around himself.
I didn’t realize how much of an impact running had on my mental health until I had to take a break from it after minor surgery. I felt sluggish, grouchy and negative all the time. It took a few weeks to turn that around, but once I was running regularly again, I could see the difference. Maintaining my mental health without medication is a huge motivator. Training for races forces me to keep up with that consistency on my most negative days.
Since starting to run in Singapore, I have run one 5K, two 10Ks, a 12K, and three half-marathons. I have lost more than 50 pounds and my mental health has greatly improved. My last half-marathon was my first race when I truly felt like a runner. My pace is pretty slow, especially in this Singapore humidity, but I am strong. When everyone else started slowing down at the halfway point, I kept going. I took seven minutes off my personal best and completed the race with negative splits. It was the first time I really felt worthy of the label “runner.”
You were a runner the moment you took those first steps! Awesome journey, thanks for sharing with such vulnerability. Continued peace to you.
Thank you for sharing such a personal story. I think you have done an amazing job taking care of yourself and knowing the value of running for both physical and mental health. Keep on running and if your depression ever tries to show its face again read what you wrote here!!! :)
Good for you!! Your strength is palpable and I hope running remains a part of your life forever.
“Moving with an anxiety and depressive disorder, leaving behind your 15-year profession to become a stay-at-home mom in a different culture is my recipe for disaster.” – You are an incredibly strong person to do that. I am in awe your bada$$ness.
What a great running success story! Congrats Kirsten on your mental health, weight loss, and huge PR!
So nice to see an old college pal on one of my favorite sites. Awesome story, Kirsten. Congrats! xo
keep up the great work! your strength to overcome is amazing!
I think you are pretty inspiring, Kirsten. Thanks for sharing your story.
Wow, great job. You are an inspiration :)
What a great story of the mental health benefits of exercise! The research data is very promising and while exercise may not be enough for all moms,you are a terrific example of how alternative treatment/prevention options do exist and work! Thanks for sharing!
Great story. Keep up the good work. You are very inspiring
This is so encouraging! Great story, Kristen–thanks for sharing! So glad running is helping you in so many great ways! Keep it up!
Haven’t talked to you since Etown, so I was excited to see you featured here. Your story is incredible & you look amazing! Congrats on all you have accomplished.
Thank you for sharing. As a person who has struggled with depression, I applaud you for finding a “medicine” that works for you. I also feel running and having some “me” time was more therapeutic than any other medicine or counseling session. I know it’s not always that simple and it can always be a battle, but thank you for sharing. Way to go!
You are amazing!! You have accomplished so much while fighting your demons. You inspire me!
Kirs, that’s an amazing story! Didn’t realize you’d so much going on then…. Definitely inspired me to start running again! Glad you’ve gained so much strength, all on your own! Proud of you!!