#asthmaticrunner

Give yourself some grace Mama.
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That’s what I would tell myself at the time this photo was taken 3 years ago. I was a first time Mom training for the NYC marathon and completely underestimated how hard it would be with a 10 month old. 
My recovery from an unplanned c-section was really really hard, my hormones took a long time to get back to normal, my daughter went from being a super sleeper to having sleep regression and would wake up in the middle of the night so I was exhausted! To top it off I had no childcare because I was terrified of leaving my daughter with anyone so I took her with me on my training runs in a jogging stroller. 
As much as I loved the jogging stroller, it took me a while to get the hang of it and even when I did, I didn’t love it for long runs. 
I tried making plans to do group runs with various running clubs and they rarely materialized so I would end up running on my own and lacked motivation going over 15 miles.
I made it to the marathon tired and undertrained. I was able to finish but I did not enjoy it, came close to quitting many times and it was my slowest marathon.

I took a nice long break from running after that and promised myself that if I would never put myself in that position again because it wasn’t worth it.
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So if you’re a new Mama, remember to give yourself some grace.
*pic is a flashback

https://www.instagram.com/p/CEdEQyDn9Sc/?igshid=bu4l1m9gny10

Post workout sweaty selfie. It’s okay. I ran, did a spin class and pushed 100lb double stroller with 2 kids up a big ass hill today
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#run #runner #running #runningforfun #runningisfun #motherrunner #momswhorun #diverserunnersworld #diversewerun #womensrunning #asthmaticrunner #irunwithmaud #irunwithsarmistha #runforbreonna #blackgirlsrun #blackrunners
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEIhK4pn3Tw/?igshid=1xeg33vq1owim

If they weren’t afraid of you, they wouldn’t try to silence you.
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Reduced polling stations.
Voters being turned away from polling stations due to lack of ballots.
USPS Mailboxes being removed from neighborhoods.
Mail being slowed down.
States rejecting ballots due to ballots reaching late because of the mail slow down even if they are postmarked by the election date.

This what voter suppression looks like!!
Let’s elect change to put an end to it
There are primary elections being held in 3 states today: Alaska, Florida and Wyoming.
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In person voting for Alaska ends at 8pm. Mail in ballots must be postmarked with today’s date.
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In person voting for Florida ends at 8pm. Mail in ballots must be dropped off at a designated secure drop box by 7pm. DO NOT mail your ballot. It will NOT be counted.
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In person voting for Wyoming ends at 7pm. Mail in ballots must be hand delivered to your county clerk’s office no later than 7pm. DO NOT mail your ballot today. It will NOT be counted.
Make sure you sign ✍️your ballot ✉️
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Your voice matters. Your opinion matters. Your community matters. Your issues matter. Your rights matter. Your vote matters.
Go vote
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#vote #votelocal #votingmatters #votebymail #mailinballot #saveusps #runtoprotest #blacklivesmatter #johnlewis #goodtrouble #rightsideofhistory #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforbreonnataylor #justiceforvanessaguillen #irunwithmaud #runner #blackrunners #runningmoms #momswhorun #asthmaticrunner #diverserunnersworld #diversewerun #amplifymelanatedvoices #blacklivesstillmatter #blackgirlsrun #womensrunning
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEChvndH8bz/?igshid=k73p0nqfj7pn

Breaking news!
I’m not running a marathon this year. I’m not running a half marathon either. Hell I’m not even running a 10k.
I have zero desire to run long distances right now and I’m perfectly okay with that.
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Before the pandemic hit, I was training for my first half marathon race after having my 2nd child. As much as I tried not to put pressure on myself, I still felt it.
Then I had a knee pain that required physical therapy and I thought “Oh shit.”
Then I kept getting sick thanks to having a little one in preschool bring home all the germs and I thought “Double Oh Shit!”
Then the pandemic hit and I cancelled my race(before they eventually cancelled) and felt relief. Like a weight was lifted off my shoulders.

I decided to take several weeks off and did spinning instead.

When I returned to running, it was in memory of Ahmaud Arbery. A 2.23 mile run that felt way harder than it should’ve. I was slow and felt so out of shape but I missed being outdoors so I decided to try again and again and again. Initially I was paying attention to all the numbers; pace, time, distance and would complain about my run. Then one day I stopped paying attention to the numbers and committed to just showing up for as long as my body felt good and then I would stop. Whether that was at mile 1 mile or mile 3. I would stop and walk home. I did this for a few weeks and something clicked. My mind and body felt better and I started to run stronger.

Instead of coming back from a run feeling defeated, I would come home with a big ole smile on my face and dance around for my cool down.

My runs right now are short and easy but super enjoyable which is exactly what I need them to be. 3-4x a week and having fun

Has your running or training changed during the pandemic?
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#runningforfun #runningisfun #diverserunnersworld #diversewerun #motherrunner #runningmoms #momswhorun #irunwithmaud #runforbreonna
#runnersofinstagram #instarunners #runnergirl #run #runner #runninggoals #running #runningmotivation #runhappy #loverunning #runoutside #runeveryday #runninglife #runners_of_insta #runningworld #asthmaticrunner #amplifymelanatedvoices #blackgirlsrun #blackrunners
https://www.instagram.com/p/CD2h8NfHHIA/?igshid=18bhb3z7az2v5