SO I finished my 5 day running streak! Yay! Yes it took me longer than 5 days but honestly - I’m a mom and I don’t think I’m going to get the opportunity or energy to run for 5 days straight again very soon, lol.
But this challenge still made a very big difference in my life, and in my training! I’ve been stuck in my head for a while now, struggling with motherhood, feeling tired and not to motivated to run. But you know me, I’m a sucker for app or a tool that can help make a difference in my life.
So here is my 5 day –Line up!
Day 1: Family Run –
We went on a family run and we had quite a nice Sunday after a busy weekend, I wasn’t up for a run, but my husband said he was tired of sitting in the cold house. So we packed the kids into the pram and headed out. My husband enjoyed it so much we did his first 5km and both kids fell asleep.
I had a total of +33% upliftment in my mood according to the Mind Uplifter tool. Which felt accurate – After sitting at home and feeling Lazy, mistaking it for feeling relaxed, I felt great after the run! Just what I needed to get my motivation together for a new week.
Day 2: Family Run walk –
It was freezing, but definitely warmer outside than inside, so after work my Husband said were a ‘GO’ for a Run walk – he was a bit sore from the first day’s run but definitely still wanted to do something, so we took it slow.
I had a total of +18% upliftment in my mood according to the Mind Uplifter tool. Getting out the house and warming up, spending time with my Family was just what my mind needed.
Day 3: Solo Trail run –
This run felt amazing. My kids had both sleep really well the previous few days, and I was starting to think that maybe the fresh air and them spending time with us outside while we run was good for their moods too – Making them sleep better! So this run was great, but also woke up feeling happy and motivated after 2 days of committing to this running streak!
I had a total of +16% upliftment in my mood according to the Mind Uplifter tool. SO not much of an improvement according to the tool, but I woke up feeling great, no doubt thanks to good sleep and previous days exercise.
Day 4: Family Run –
Another short family run – the cold front was moving in on us and we started our run a bit late. But it felt great to head out and get moving, despite feeling frozen and wanting to just stay cuddled up.
I had a total of +25% upliftment in my mood according to the Mind Uplifter tool. I started to feel a bit tired here after running 3 days consecutively and the cold… I do not cope good with cold, so this definitely helped emotionally!
Day 5: Long Trail Run –
So this day happened on a Sunday – with 3 Rough days in between then and my last run. Kids didn’t sleep well, it was absolutely freezing and that makes me feel depressed. Also my Husband and I had a big argument the previous evening and I think I worked till about 1amon a order for a client – so if it wasn’t for my coach I probably would have stayed home. But I got up and went for a run, is was 3 Degrees Celsius when I woke up. My car window was frozen, and so was my emotions.
I had a total of +42% upliftment in my mood according to the Mind Uplifter tool after my 17,5km Trail Run, and it felt amazing! I was so absolutely glad got up and went for a run.
On my last day’s Long run I really thought about the struggles I’ve felt internally these past few months- and they come and go, but I’ve neglected my Running, and in turn neglected myself, and that is all round bad for everyone, Me, my Husband and my kids. I now feel motivated again to get out the house every day, or second day - just to uplift my mind and feel a bit better, to cope better with Motherhood and all the other stuff.
So my conclusion; Using this tool made me realize a few things again –
- When I continuously train - no matter what the intensity, some days harder and some days maybe just a basic ‘get out the house’ run will in long term make me feel better – even though I’m exhausted from the kids, work, household stuff and my own emotions.
- Running and exercise is my antidepressant, it has also given my husband and I the opportunity to head out the door together and just spend 30—45min together.
- When I feel better so does my household – Seriously don’t want to jinx it, but I really think the kids sleep better after a Pram run!
All-in all I feel much more motivated, and I’ve even kept my training going after the run streak has stopped, I’m thinking of my goals that I so loosely dropped because I felt like ‘Whats the point?’ – and I’m getting back to them!
So go! Try this tool Click here for more info!
Sometimes we all need a little nudge in the right direction, and this tool will show you, exercise really does make a difference! Remember to use the following tags and share the love with this awesome live study! #UpliftingMinds #SoundMindSoundBody
written by
Jani du Toit
Mother, Blogger and Pattern maker from Pretoria
Age group: 30
Club: ASICS FrontRunner