Happy Global Running Day! Today is a worldwide celebration encouraging everyone to get out and move. Everyone has a different reason for running: de-stress, increase energy, weight loss, postpartum depression, staying fit, etc. Whatever the reason may be, it’s all about the individual and how running makes them feel. Did you know you can join a virtual race to celebrate Global Running Day between June 4 and June 10 at NYRR Virtual Global Running Day 1M? It’s free to sign up and to participate, you need a Strava account (which is also free).

Running has been an on and off activity for me. When I’m finally out and running, I love it and ask myself “why don’t I do this more often?” Finding time is one thing but if you think about it, we can all take 30 minutes to do something out of a 24-hour day. I am the queen of excuses when it comes to physical fitness for myself. However, reality had finally sunk in and I am no longer able to squeeze into my loose baggy shirts, I am no longer playing ice hockey 2-3 times a week and I am no longer a server at a restaurant which requires a ton of running around. Instead, I am 10 months postpartum with two children, married to a surgical resident who is always working, I eat when I remember to which means shoving junk food in my mouth when the kids are napping or distracted for a few minutes, and I can barely get myself and the kids dressed by 10:00AM. I am mentally and physically exhausted by the time the kids are in bed and the last thing I want to do is leave my partner who I haven’t seen all day to go out for a run. Plus, we all know the cleaning I shoved off to the side from earlier in the day for “later” is finally here and it isn’t going to clean itself. My life just over three years ago didn’t require two small children and a dog all under three years of age to depend on me.

Thanks to my partner who was willing to support me through my stroller purchases (even though he thinks I’m crazy), I went out and purchased a multi-sport stroller, mainly used for running with the kids and dog during the day. I have my kids with me all the time so the stroller with my kids and dog are my running buddies who all deserve some recognition on Global Running Day. Sometimes my toddler is screaming and crying because she doesn’t want to be sitting strapped in a stroller and other times she is napping away next to my 10-month-old who is also napping (if I’m lucky). I don’t run all the time but I’m trying to get out more often with summer around the corner. We all start somewhere right? It has helped me with my mental health and energy levels which is why I plan to continue down this path. Also, my partner is working in Victoria, BC for the month of June so it’s a bit hard to stay indoors with the beautiful ocean view.

I would love to hear what motivates you to go out and run (walk or get out in general). If you don’t get outside, what’s stopping you?