How to start running – BADASS Mother Runners

HOW TO START RUNNING – BADASS MOTHER RUNNERS

Being a mum is pretty hard! But I guess you know that already! Being a new mum can be even harder so before I go any further, I want to tell you this; you’re doing a great job! It may not always feel like it, but you are! You’ve got this!

I must confess it has been a while since I was a new mum as my daughters are now 13 and 10. I’m currently busy navigating a whole new minefield that finds me falling headfirst into the teen years and living in a house that’s bursting at the seams with hormones! We all know that kids don’t come with an instruction manual, things would be a while lot easier if they did, and what works for one mum may not work for another. Even so, we are all on this journey of discovery together. I’ve learned a lot so far on my journey as a mum, many things through trial and error, I’ve learned ways to make things easier and strategies to cope with certain challenges. There are some things I wish I’d known when I was a new mum and there’s one thing, that I wish I’d discovered much earlier in motherhood, and that, believe it or not, is running. Please don’t stop reading, I understand that it sounds weird and you may think that 13 years of motherhood have driven me slightly mad (could be true) but I shall explain…

The demands on new mums are incredible (as again I’m sure you are aware), looking after a tiny human whilst sleep deprived is a challenge, to say the least! I don’t think I ever confessed to struggling, I was too stubborn and determined to manage everything. I remember one particular occasion where my firstborn was a few weeks old and suffering from terrible colic, she would cry for hours and hours, one evening when my husband got home from work, about 10pm, I handed the baby over walked into the kitchen, closed the door and cried. I cried for a long time! I sometimes think back to that moment now and think wow right now I would go for a run and that would have made me feel so much better! If only I had known that then!

HOW TO START RUNNING – BADASS MOTHER RUNNERS

I never was one for sport and hated PE in school. I didn’t discover running until 4 years ago when a friend suggested I try the ‘Couch to 5k’ when I was looking for a way to shift a few festive pounds without handing over all my hard-earned pounds to an expensive gym. I started the plan with more doubts than expectations and no one was more surprised than me as the weeks crept by and I was still going, feeling more and more invincible with each run! What I don’t think I realised at the time was that I’d found an incredible way to cope with a stressful job. I would get home from work agitated and frustrated, unable to focus on what I needed to do first. Trainers on, out the door… 30 minutes later I’m back, calm, elated and ready for anything! Ready for homework or tantrums, ready for bedtime stories or snuggles and games! Happy mummy! I left that job, but the running stayed with me and I discovered a whole new world and with it an amazing community of incredible people! People I didn’t know I needed until I found them; there’s another thing that people often fail to mention about motherhood; that it can be very lonely!

So, what’s the point of this story? Why is it relevant to you or any other mum out there? We all need something for us. Something to make us feel powerful, invincible even, and as weird as it sounds running could be the key! A little block of time, just for you, to take back control, to breathe and to switch your brain off to recharge! As mums we need to look after not only our physical health but our mental health too and running is renowned for not only helping with fitness but also having a positive impact on mental health, anxiety, and depression.

It’s super easy to get started, you don’t need any fancy equipment or membership to a posh gym, just a pair of trainers and enough courage to get out the door! You can even take the baby with you in the pram if you want/need to! The ‘Couch to 5K’ plan is a great way to start, it builds you up week by week and with the free Ap, you have someone incredibly encouraging in your ear telling you when to walk and when to run… it’s that simple! 30 mins, 3 times a week is all you need and by the end of week 9, you’ll be running nonstop for 30 mins! You’ll be more confident and be feeling incredibly badass!

There’s a load of new friends to make too, especially online in communities like ours ‘Badass Mother Runners’ you’d be hard pushed to meet a more encouraging, supportive group of ladies. All ages, all abilities, all on their own journeys.

HOW TO START RUNNING – BADASS MOTHER RUNNERS

Here’s our top 5 tips for getting started;

If you’ve recently had a baby it’s a good idea to get yourself checked over! There’s a fabulous thing called a Mummy MOT (who knew?!) Your body has been through a lot and things will have changed, show it kindness and patience.

Don’t feel guilty! With motherhood comes the not so welcome gift of ‘mum guilt’. You shouldn’t feel bad about taking time for yourself. Running can help your mental health and we all know happy mummy = happy baby!

You don’t need lots of fancy kit, just a pair of trainers and sports bra! Lots of running shops do something called a ‘gait analysis’ where they look at your running style; things like how your feet land, and they can help you find the best shoes for you. Its also worth getting your bra size checked too if you haven’t done so for a while – no one wants boob chafe!

NO ONE IS JUDGING YOU! Don’t be worried what other people might think or be scared that people might look at you, they won’t! (If anyone does glance in your direction they are probably thinking ‘wow, she’s amazing/badass/smashing it’!) People really don’t care, they are far too interested in what they are doing to wonder about that woman running down the road. So, make yourself a killer playlist or listen to that audiobook you’ve been desperate to read for ages and just enjoy ‘your time’.

There’s no such thing as too slow! Believe in yourself and trust the plan, your brain actually has no idea what your legs are capable of! Keep it steady, build up slowly, & be proud of yourself – you’ve can do this!

Wanting to give running a go – find this fab group of supportive women here