Once a runner

For me, running is not a sport. It’s not a hobby. It’s an old friend who has seen me through all the seasons of my life so far.

At times, running and I have lost touch. But it has always welcomed my return with open arms. That’s the great thing about old friends.

Before baby, I enjoyed signing up for local races to push myself and keep things interesting. I loved taking an hour and a half of my spare time on a Saturday to go for a long run.

But once Jake arrived, it’s funny how that spare time somehow evaporated and doing things for myself fell way down on the priority list. You hear this a hundred times from other Moms, but you don’t fully believe it until you experience it for yourself. Days seem to fly by in the blink of an eye. Taking time for myself now falls somewhere after housework…which, of course, means it doesn’t happen, even with plenty of help from a wonderful husband who does more than his fair share of things.

Friends and co-workers often ask me if I’ve started back running yet, and I tell them with regret heavy in my voice that I just haven’t found the time. One co-worker and fellow runner replied, “Well, once a runner, always a runner. It will always be there for you.” And this reminded me of all the other times I have lost touch and come back. Her statement was more comforting to me than I think she realized.

So, running Mamas, how to do you fit running into your life while balancing everything else? What’s your secret?

Megan Brooks is a Senior Public Relations Specialist for Texas Health Resources, Mom to a 4-month-old and Stepmom to an 11-year-old.