Running Helped Me Survive Any Obstacles In My Path
by Therese Read Posted on Career, Single Life, Single Parent Journey, Wild Card

My mother has an affinity for nicknames, perhaps because she could not recall having one in her childhood.

She carefully selects one that reveals some aspect of a person’s character she has observed and embraces one of her most beloved interests or tender affections.

Her nickname for me emerged when she was pregnant with me. In her third trimester, my poor mother endured my relentless periods of movement, my simple response to an apparently frustrating situation from which I could not escape. Initially, my kicking kept her awake in the early morning hours. Eventually, the “running,” as my mother described it, shifted to the afternoon.

These seemingly eternal bouts of energy-fueled kicking left my mother frequently in pain and always struggling to situate herself comfortably in a chair or brace herself against a counter or table when standing.

The nickname she settled on for me was “Horsey,” because she knew full well my propensity for running, and she loved the beauty and elegance of horses as well as their determination and endurance.

And I have been running on and off ever since.

For me, running communicates me to that refuge of contemplation and connection within myself where thoughts and feelings foment. Over the past several years, it has helped me achieve a sense of calm and focus to tackle the daily challenges of being a single parent.

Finding the rhythm

It begins with the pounding of my feet, the beating of my heart, the inhaling and exhaling of my lungs.

Pounding, beating, inhaling, exhaling.

Pounding, beating, inhaling, exhaling.

After working through the pain, my body finds its gait with one foot in the air, one on the ground and that slight moment in between when I am flying.

I acquiesce to my body’s cadence, fall into the euphoria and return to my refuge.

No exercise during pregnancy

Running has been that rudder in my life that helps me focus on my body and mind and transforms my anxiety and frustration into strength and endurance. Sadly, when I needed running the most, I could not.

The beginning of my pregnancy left me exhausted and the remaining months were consumed with health problems, water weight gain and bed rest.

I looked down the long outdoor paths I ran and at the treadmill that stood quietly in my apartment. They had become strangers to me, almost alien, simply irrelevant, and it maddened me.

Walking could not relieve and release me. Hell, my body just hurt. I kept my stints with painful joints short and purposeful. I felt as though I would explode as my skin continued to stretch around my swollen belly.

Low-impact approach

After my son was born, I wanted to return to running, but my body needed time to heal and I needed to be patient. Because the weight gain had placed such stress on my joints, I decided to invest in a piece of low-impact gym equipment, the Gazelle, as a way to build my strength.

I gotta say those infomercials can be very persuasive with smiling, happy, pretty people having a great time. It looked fun and the machine was affordable, so I welcomed it and Tony Little into my home. It was a thoughtful purchase after midnight.

It was OK for the first 10 minutes and then I was just bored.

To be honest with you, I actually felt ridiculous. I mean … swinging back and forth? That just wasn’t my thing. The movement left me a bit unnerved; I just couldn’t find a comfortable rhythm.

It was awkward. And after a few sessions, I just kind of gave up on the Gazelle and Tony and eventually sold it.

I turned to my treadmill instead and began walking. Fortunately, I was young enough to bounce back and within 12 months after my son’s birth, I was running two to three miles a day between three to four days a week.

Running to beat big stress

Running helped me lose my pregnancy weight and was that time I gave myself to rejuvenate from tussles with my son’s father, the postpartum baby blues and work stressors.

When my newspaper closed in the early months of the Great Recession, I increased the miles I ran to five as well as the number of days.

Daily, I submitted resumes and cover letters and completed applications. My search landed me in an eerie online void of silence and emails with standard responses and “do-not-reply” in their address.

During that time, I experienced a profound rejection, alienation and loneliness that unbeknownst to me foreshadowed being a single parent when my son went to school.

Running helped me pound out my anger and frustration at not finding work for nearly 18 months. It kept my mind off the pain.

New jobs and new fitness plans

As luck would have it, former coworkers Frank and Kelly encouraged me to apply to a nonprofit where I worked with them as an editor. I toiled 10 to 12 hours, five days a week, and eventually moved to my own home.

I tried to date, but I just didn’t have the energy or interest in juggling a boyfriend with work and parenting.

I moved on to another position that involved an average commute of one hour and 15 minutes one way and 10- to 12-hour shifts that alternated weekly from day to evening.

And with every other weekend on-call, I ended up having just enough energy to love my son. I shared this crazy schedule with my wonderful coworker, Lorenzo.

These nearly four years with insane schedules compelled me to explore other equipment: an elliptical, a rowing machine and a Total Gym strengthening machine.

Sadly, none of them could satisfy my body and soul, and I came to realize that they actually reflected my underlying feelings of being unsettled and anxious.

Running returns for good

The past three years have seen a return to running, but not in a way I expected. I decided to invest in a treadmill that fit under my desk at work. Going 2 mph for several hours was crazy fun despite the periodic cramp from the repetitive movement. I needed to find my rhythm.

In the meantime, a friend Monica recommended the C25K (Couch to 5K) app as a gradual approach to building up my strength and endurance so I could run 3.1 miles. After several months of just walking, I finally installed the app on my cellphone and began my training.

More than a year has passed since that app transformed my life. I run three miles a day four to five days a week and I am in heaven!!!

This year has been filled with profound frustration, deep reflection and several new ventures.

I lost a job when the position was eliminated and experienced the rejection and judgment of those recruiting and hiring during my search.

I am blogging about my life as a single parent and hope to share the stories of other single mom/dads.

During this upheaval, my running remains my rudder, helping me to keep my course, showing me that I can do whatever I put my mind to … one step at a time.

 

On Thursdays, I will be sharing a blog about a day in the actual life of a single parent. Every fourth Thursday, instead of a personal post, I will put together one where I assemble news on and about single parents nationally and globally.

I would love to hear from you! Feel free to send any comments and questions to me at singleparentandstrong@gmail.com. I am also on Twitter @parentsonurown and can be found by searching #singleparentandstrong.

2,134 Comments

  23. oprol evorter

    Hi! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about setting up my own but I’m not sure where to begin. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers

    Reply
  34. 카지노사이트

    Yes that price is fine. Great service as usual, I recommend your site to anyone who asks where’s a good place to get region free players.
    thank you so much for quick reply. i have recently purchased another player jvc 600blk from you guys and the dv333 became one for bedroom. so its not really urgent. i will send it out to repair center and see how much it will be. like you suggested i might be purchasing a new one depends on price. Your customer service is just great. i just told one of my friend who purchased dvd player from you about how good your service is and he is very pleased that he dealt with you.

    Reply
  39. Elijah Hewitt

    I don’t usually share any ways of making money online, however now will do an exemption. Have a look on that affiliate program: http://bit.ly/phallomax-affiliate-program . I started nearly 4 weeks back and I am now earning roughly $2000 a month – everything by participating on social media with my affiliate link. Easy income that you can do basically in your bedroom. Test it out and post your earning here, so others might see it is real program. Best Regards.

    Reply
  45. Dennis Roberts

    I do not usually share any ways of making money online, however this ime will make an exemption. Have a look on that affiliate program: http://bit.ly/phallomax-affiliate-program . I registered nearly 4 months ago and I’m already making roughly $4000 a month – all of that by sharing on forums with my affiliate link. Easy income that can be done basically in your bedroom. Test it out and let me know here, so others can see this is legit program. Best wishes.

    Reply
  101. boletin electrico baritone music

    Outsorcing Multinacional de Call Center requiere Técnicos, Tecnologos Estudiantes desde Cuarto semestre de carreras en sistemas, telecomunicaciones afines, que tengan mínimo (SEIS) meses de experiencia en soporte tecnico (Help Desk)Personalizado por Call Center. Requerimos personal técnica en sistemas,edad de 22 a 28 años con experencia minima de 1 año en digitación y manejo de archivos electronicos, disponibilidad de tiempo. Se requiere experiencia en tareas similares en obras sociales, excelente manejo de web y paquete Office.

    Reply
  103. electricista 24 horas precious cargo on board

    Lo cual me hace aconsejar a la gente que llame y pregunte antes de enviar los terminales a dicho servicio tecnico y asi podreis prebeerlo y buscar con mas tiempo un telefono de sustitucion, espero recibirla en buen estado. El problema, Gnomo, esque este post es muy, muy general y hay gente escribiendo por muchiiiisimas razones,(pantallas rotas incluidas) pero si te vas al origen y los primeros post verás que nos referimos a los fallos de placa base en la p3300.

    Reply
  110. precio certificado electricon express

    Reconocida empresa multinacional, requiere Practicacnte tecnólogo en administracion de epresas gestion empresarial debe contar con disponibilidad de tiempo, tener carta con fechas al día para inicio. Requisitos: Ser estudiante de Ingeniería industrial desde 8 hasta 10 sem, contar con disponibilidad de tiempo, tener carta con fechas al día para inicio. Se solicita personal con mínimo 2 semestres aprobados en carreras de: sistemas, informática, telecomunicaciones, redes, mantenimiento y reparación de equipos de cómputo, desarrollo de software, electrónica, análisis y profanación.

    Reply
  111. acueducto

    Tras recibir su aviso llamada en nuestro Centro de Atención Telefónica, un técnico experto y cualificado en la marca Siemens se pondrá en contacto con usted y se personará en su domicilio para resolver con eficacia la avería de su electrodoméstico en el menor tiempo posible. Conocemos todas las averías de los electrodomésticos Siemens, sus componentes y soluciones. Siemens ha revolucionado el mundo de las lavadoras y ofrece los mejors frigoríficos y congeladores.

    Reply
  112. boletin de instalacion electrica planos

    Un servicio de urgencia a un precio de no urgencia, que junto con nuestro DESPLAZAMIENTO GRATUITO, hará que su electrodoméstico Bosch, vuelva a funcionar como el primer día al mejor precio posible en Madrid. Deje que le ayudemos, y confie en nuestra experiencia, como miles de clientes ya lo han hecho en toda la provincia de Madrid, tanto en Madrid capital como en cualquier población de Madrid.

    Reply
  113. madrid barajas airport

    Por lo general todo el mundo confunde la garantía de la tienda (que en el caso de fnac en ordenadores es de 7 días), con la del fabricante (que puede ser uno, dos, tres más). Al fin y al cabo tú recibiste un artículo, con mal servicio post-venta, pero yo pagué por adelantado dos DVDs a principio de julio y todavía estoy esperando hoy, a punto de poner el pie en octubre. Sí aceptaban enviarlo a reparar al servicio técnico del fabricante (Blusens) bajo garantía, a lo que accedí (la laternativa era quedarme para los restos con el ejemplar estropeado), aunque tras ver testimonios como los que estoy leyendo ahora me temo lo peor.

    Reply
  114. mantenimiento de vitroceramicas grandes

    El Parlamento creó una comisión de investigación sobre las actividades del SREL con 13 diputados que han descubierto estupefactos en estos cuatro meses escuchas ilegales, topos, archivos desconocidos, intentos de enriquecimiento y un alud de irregularidades que amenazan con dinamitar este servicio secreto creado en 19 0. La parte central de nuestra investigación es determinar cuántos electrones libres había en el servicio”, dice François Bausch, uno de los parlamentarios del grupo Verde que ha metido la nariz en las alcantarillas del servicio secreto. El servicio mejorará después de esta crisis”, augura una fuente oficial del SREL.

    Reply
  115. precios de lavadoras en sears

    En Estepona ofrecemos a nuestros clientes un servicio para SIEMENS de calidad cumpliendo las más altas expectativas y ofreciendo garantía en nuestras reparaciones a sus electrodomesticos. Ofrecemos un servicio de asistencia técnica SIEMENS en Estepona para electrodomésticos, aire acondicionado y equipos de calefacción y agua sanitaria. Si usted desea solicitar un servicio urgente en Estepona, contacte con nosotros y solicítelo, en un máximo de 2 horas atenderemos su avería.

    Reply
  116. historia de electrodomesticos en stand by

    Servicio técnico de lavadoras en Ciudad Pegaso, para la reparación de lavadoras nuestros técnicos cuentan con las herramientas más modernas en el mercado, la reparación de averías la solucionamos en el mismo día que usted nos lo solicite. Los robots aspiradores son otro de los electrodomésticos que han cambiado nuestra manera de concebir las tareas del hogar.

    Reply
  118. secadoras de pelo

    Tanto nuestro servicio técnico de lavavajillas Bosch, servicio técnico de lavadoras Bosch, servicio técnico de frigoríficos Bosch, servicio técnico de cocinas Bosch, servicio técnico de secadoras Bosch y servicio técnico de vitrocerámicas Bosch garantizan por escrito todas las reparaciones, trabajando por toda España. Ponte en contacto de inmediato con nuestro Servicio Técnico Especializado en la Reparación de Lavadoras, Frigoríficos, Lavavajillas, Cocinas, Vitrocerámicas y Hornos de la marca Bosch a través del teléfono: 500 1 9.

    Reply
  119. Servicio tecnico electrodomesticos lg madrid

    Manuel Rodríguez (.) ha afirmado que es la primera huelga general convocada por todos los sindicatos de la mesa sectorial en la historia de la Comunidad de Madrid. La convocatoria de huelga coincide con la de la Asociación de Facultativos Especialistas de Madrid (Afem), cuya asamblea votó la semana pasada a favor de un paro indefinido a partir del 2 de noviembre, de lunes a jueves. CSIT extiende así la convocatoria de huelga para finales de noviembre lanzada el pasado miércoles por los médicos de Madrid , representados en la Asociación de Facultativos Especialistas de Madrid ( Afem ). No se puede amar a España ( a Catalunya) sin estar dedicado al bienestar de la población que constituye tal país (España y/ Catalunya).

    Reply
  128. fontaneros moratalaz mapa de europa

    Sabemos que su satisfacción es lo primero, por eso nuestro técnico una vez evaluada su avería, y reparada, le ofrecerá una serie de consejos útiles para que usted pueda disfrutar de su lavadora Samsung durante mucho más tiempo como el primer día. Si su lavadora ha dejado de funcionar le empieza a dar problemas y necesita de un servicio técnico en Madrid, no dude en solicitar nuestra asistencia técnica Edesa continua a domicilio, llamándonos cuando quiera, servicio de asistencia Edesa las 24 horas del día los 7 días de la semana, siendo no festivo.

    Reply
  129. fontanero cercarial dermatitis in humans

    En España Eutelsat y sobre todo Astra e Hispasat a través de empresas pioneras como Gesico (Gestión de Sistemas de Comunicación) explotan el negocio de la banda ancha para dar acceso bidireccional a Internet y han conseguido dar un importante salto cualitativo con la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías vía satélite mucho más óptimas y eficaces que el ADSL.

    Reply
  130. fontanero autonomous desk

    Las principales averías que sufren las lavadoras son por uso y desgaste de piezas., lavadora no coge agua, lavadora no responde al programador, lavadora no desagua, lavadora pierde agua, goma de tambor rota, puerta de lavadora no abre, lavadora hace mucho ruido, lavadora no arranca. Nuestro servicio técnico de lavadoras Zanussi, están disponibles de lunes a viernes de 9 a 20h y sábado de 9 a 2h en la reparación de electrodomésticos. Nuestras reparaciones en Barrio de Salamanca están garantizadas por escrito en los materiales empleados como en la mano de obra.

    Reply
  131. fontaneria santigold tour

    En cualquier caso si el problema persiste bien sigue saliendo agua por el tornillo del cacillo, te recomendamos que lo lleves al punto de atención técnica más cercano, en el link que te adjuntamos a continuación puedes ver los puntos que te son más cercanos a tu domicilio. Como era de suponer, en atención al cliente me remiten a la tienda donde la he comprado (en este caso amazon) y en amazon ahora aparece sin stock y plazo de entrega de 2 a 5 semanas :'( Todavia me vuelvo a nespresso ! Hola, Constan, tomamos nota de tu comentario, que ahora mismo pasamos al departamento correspondiente de las oficinas centrales de minimoka.

    Reply
  132. fontaneros suecalandia

    Ofrecemos el servicio de reparación de electrodomésticos a domicilio además de proporcionar las piezas de recambio originales” y autorizadas por el fabricante para el correcto funcionamiento de los equipos. Si hace ya años de la instalacion de su equipo de aire acondicionado y ha finalizado la garantia de su equipo de aire acondicionado el servicio tecnico oficial zanussi de aire acondicionado de su marca puede que ya no se haga cargo de la reparacion. Nuestra trayectoria de mas de veinte años, en el campo de las reparaciones en Barna nos ha permitido especializarnos y tener personal altamente cualificado para la reparacion de su aire acondicionado.

    Reply
  133. fontaneros profesionales lolnexus

    Como soy una ingenua y una boba volvi a insitir en el hecho de tener un sony vaio, en enero de 2011 comrpe otro portatil, a la hora de hacer el pedido insisti en la rotura anormal de la pantalla anterior la señorita del departamento de ventas, me dijo que eso no volveria pasar, ademas los ordenadores tiene garantia. Es una verguenza, es una verguenza, para determianr que le paso a un portatil se necesita como poco que un perito vea ese portatil fisicamente, a caso disponen de técnicos con poderes paranormales. Yo el problema lo tengo con un ereader 75 dias lleva en el servicio tecnico, a ver quien lo supera.

    Reply
  138. Visitar el Website|

    Movimiento rectilíneo: Comprende el mecanizado de piezas Valencia realizado por cepillos, mortajadora, brochadora. Las nuevas herramientas y plaquitas MIFR 15 para ranurado frontal, para una profundidad de hasta 15 mm, incrementan significativamente las opciones de las herramientas de pequeño tamaño.

    Reply
  139. Aprende Más Aquí|

    En el caso de las rectificadoras, estas máquinas utilizan discos abrasivos robustos con la intención de realizar mecanizados por abrasión en materiales como el metal el plástico para obtener la forma deseada. En el fresado CNC de la herramienta de corte se mueve en las tres cinco dimensiones para lograr la forma deseada en la pieza.

    Reply
  140. mettcom

    Somos especialistas en el desarrollo de piezas mecanizadas de gran precisión que requieren tolerancias muy estrechas tanto dimensionales como geométricas y acabados superficiales con tecnología de última generación. Para determinados objetivos sectores se requiere de piezas de mecanizado de alta precisión , componentes clave en maquinaria industrial de todo tipo que tienen que tener la máxima calidad y un acabado perfecto.

    Reply
  142. Sitio relacionado

    Las nuevas tendencias en los sectores industriales orientadas a los criterios de competitividad y servicio, han sido irremediablemente punto de referencia en su meta empresarial, basando todo su empeño en el concepto de servicio integral. Previamente a la operación de decoletaje, y según el tipo de pieza aplicación final que va a tener, será necesario realizar otras operaciones como cilindrado, taladrado, roscado, fresado brochado.

    Reply
  170. india visa

    What is electronic Indian Visa (India e-Visa)?
    Government of India has launched electronic travel authorisation or eTA for India which allows citizens of 180 countries to travel to India without
    requiring a physical stamping on the passport. This new type of authorisation is called an eVisa India
    (or electronic India Visa).

    It is this electronic India Visa Online that allows foreign visitors
    to visit India for five major purposes, tourism / recreation / short term courses, business, medical
    visit or conferences. There are further number
    of sub-categories under each visa type.

    All foreign travellers are required to hold an India eVisa (India
    Visa Online application process) or a regular/paper Visa prior to entry into the country as per Indian Government Immigration Authorities.

    Note that travellers to India from these 180 countries, which are eligible to apply for an India Visa online are not
    required to visit Indian Embassy or Indian High Commission for
    the purpose of getting a Visa to India. If you belong to
    an eligible nationality, then you can apply for an India Visa Online.
    Once the visa to India is being issued in an electronic format, then you can either carry an electronic
    copy on your mobile device or printed copy of this eVisa India
    (electronic India Visa). Immigration Officer at the border will check that the eVisa
    India is valid in the system for the concerned passport and person.

    Reply
  196. ket qua xo so

    I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great.
    I do not know who you are but definitely you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    Reply
  314. CBD Gummies

    Howdy! This article couldn’t be written any better!

    Reading through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He always kept preaching about this. I’ll forward this article to him.

    Fairly certain he’ll have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  397. massage therapy London

    I’m impressed, I must say. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and
    engaging, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
    The problem is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently
    about. I’m very happy I found this in my search for something
    relating to this.

    Reply
  514. Milwaukee SEO

    I was curious if you ever considered changing the page layout of your blog?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got
    to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way
    of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or
    two images. Maybe you could space it out better?

    Reply
  523. xo so thanh pho ho chi minh

    A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment.
    There’s no doubt that that you ought to write more
    on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people don’t speak about such subjects.
    To the next! Cheers!!

    Reply
  546. masters 2020 live stream

    I do agree with all of the ideas you’ve introduced on your post.
    They’re very convincing and can certainly
    work. Nonetheless, the posts are too brief for newbies.
    May you please prolong them a little from next time? Thanks for the
    post.

    Reply
  553. domino qq

    This design is wicked! You obviously know how to keep a reader entertained.

    Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my
    own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Fantastic job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Reply
  560. og global fun88

    Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading it, you will
    be a great author. I will make sure to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back
    at some point. I want to encourage one to continue your great job, have a nice day!

    Reply
  577. Franchesca

    Excellent post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this
    topic? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
    Appreciate it!

    Reply