Interview with Sarah Bowen Shea of Another Mother Runner
Do you ever watch people running by on the sidewalk and wonder how you could do that too? Or do you watch them and think they must be crazy?? Either way, this week’s topic is for you!
On the podcast this week, I have Sarah Bowen Shea of Another Mother Runner giving you her best tips for getting started running regardless or your size or physical fitness. Sarah (in the blue and white jacket above) is one half of the Another Mother Runner duo. Dimity McDowell is her partner (in the blue shirt above). Together they have been promoting positive movement for women for the past 10 years.
Dear Running, I Love You ❤️
Running can seem really intimidating before you start or if you have been away from it for a while. And yet there must be treason why so many people do it regularly…
I have seen running from every aspect and so am a good ambassador for the activity!
My running career has taken me from marathon/half marathon runner to unfit couch potato and back again numerous times. I have been injured and wishing I could run. There have been times I didn’t like running and there have been times I loved and craved my regular runs. I have run at my highest weight and I have run at my lowest weight. While pregnant with twins, I ran with multiple vomit stops from my constant pregnancy nausea. I ran the first hesitant steps postpartum when it felt like my whole body was different and may never return to normal.
Angry runs? Yup! (those are usually my fastest). Happy, in love with life runs? Lots. Fantastic runs with some of my best friends in the world? Too many to count. I have run in the heat, in very cold temperatures, thunderstorms, in wild fire smoke (probably shouldn’t have done that!), and on beautiful warm spring afternoons. On call, I have run very long runs in circles around the hospital, waiting to be called back. I have run with my husband, with my dad, with my Aunt and with my kids (makes me so happy!).
Bottom line, running is the most important thing I do for myself. There have been many times in my life where it really is the only thing I was doing solely for Me. Not for work. Nor the kids. Not for some sort of “I should’s”.. I run because I feel great when I do. My body feels good. I sleep well. Stress and anxiety gets purged and I come back a renewed person.
My Truth About Running
Don’t get me wrong, not every single run feels good. I have had many that feel like a grind. Where everything hurts and I feel impossibly slow. Runs I just wanted to end. But, I have NEVER regretted a run. Every single one has given something to me. The ones where I just wanted it to be done? They have taught me how strong I am and that I can push through to accomplish my goals.
So How Would You Start?
Sarah has some great tips in the podcast for beginner runners. Essentially it boils down to this… Leave your ego at the door and listen to your body. Go slow and take it easy. Nobody is handing out hero cookies for speed (or at least I haven’t found them yet..). Going out too fast and too far to meet some ideal you or someone else has set for you will result in two things: painful uncomfortable runs and injuries. I really think most of the time that people “hate” running, it is because they are pushing too hard, too soon for their body. The first months of running are about building a base. It may feel so painful slow at times, but if you are consistent, you will get faster and be able to go longer.
Just consistently be consistent. (That works for so many things we talk about here 😁 )
Listen to the podcast episode below. Check out Another Mother Runner at anothermotherrunner.com or check out they podcast on iTunes.
Special Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before you undertake a new exercise program.
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