Here’s a bit of the Life part of Life Family Crafts as I’ve phrased it in my blog header. Hi, my name is Jenn and I used to be a runner. I guess I’m still a runner, but it’s definitely a statement with qualifications. I’ve run twice since having my second daughter three months ago, and it has been and will be a slow and difficult return to some semblance of my former running self.
This is me passing off my gel bottle at the Detroit Marathon. I only ran 20 miles – I used it as a training run for Honolulu…

Running and fitness in general used to be a huge part of my life. For a period of about seven years this so-called mild mannered accountant ran nearly daily, taught and trained in kickboxing (Muay Thai – the real deal!) three days a week, and also fit in a few adventure races. I identified myself as a runner. My social world revolved around running and kickboxing. There was a core group of friends that traveled to run half and full marathons around the country – I’ve run Chicago, New York, Honolulu, Phoenix, Marine Corps, and Toronto marathons and a ton of half marathons and shorter races – you saw my t-shirt quilt here.
Honolulu Marathon with my buddy Kevin
Baltimore Half Marathon with the hubster – Baby on Board!
I ran through a majority of my first pregnancy – being sensible and taking it nice and easy. I had to stop around six months because my pelvis started to hurt too much to run. That pelvic pain continued for nearly a year postpartum. I went into my second pregnancy running sporadically.
Marine Corps Marathon – Finally hit my goal time of 4 hours!
So here I am almost five years after running my last marathon. I have two beautiful daughters, so I can’t complain too much about the 25 pounds I need to lose. I should count myself lucky that I can run at all. It will probably come back more quickly than I think. I’ve done this before – I ran my first marathon six months after bunion surgerys, and I had to recover from a broken collarbone another time. I’m being held back some because my old nemesis Morton has returned to my right foot – Morton’s neuroma is like carpal tunnel in your foot – ouch!
I know I won’t be running the mileage I used to, and I can’t maintain the weight I used to be – that required an insane number of hours on the road and in the gym! But I REALLY miss the freedom of a good run, and how my body felt when I was fit and strong. I am going to recapture some of that feeling, and demonstrate to my daughters that it’s important to take care of yourself by being active.
I can do this. I know I can do what I set my mind to do. I’m setting a realistic goal of running a half marathon this year. I’ll keep you posted periodically on my progress – hopefully you won’t get sick of me blathering on about running and weight, and maybe being accountable here will help motivate me.
Good for you! As a reluctant runner, I am anxious to hear about your return to running. I did two halfs last year within 6 weeks of each other and they did me in. So I love to live vicariously through other people, who actually love the sport.
Rachel
http://www.holy-craft.blogspot.com