This Runner's Trials

16May/1224

All moms make sacrifices

Posted by runnerstrials

Wyatt started solids a couple of weeks ago!

The first two times, he had no problem eating his rice cereal. But the next few days, he refused to even open his mouth for the grain. I suspected he didn't care for rice cereal (can you blame him?) so we decided to move to sweet potatoes. And what do you know? He cannot get enough of them!

I called his pediatrician before we stopped the rice cereal, though. I wasn't sure if there was a medical reason he needed to start with cereal or not. The nurse asked if he was exclusively breast-fed (EBF). Minus the formula he needed on his third day of life, reflux meds for 4 months, and an ounce of apple juice he needed after 10 days of constipation (yeah…), he has been EBF.

I told the nurse this and she said, "wow, I hope he appreciates the sacrifices you made for him one day!" (For the record, she asked if he was EBF because EBF babies need more iron after 6 months, hence why iron-fortified rice cereal is often recommended.)

The nurse's comment kind of shocked me. One, because she's a nurse. Two because, well, breast-feeding has luckily been really easy for Wyatt and I. The first two weeks he had trouble latching on and staying awake enough to eat, but since then it's been wonderful. I never had any pain, I have a good supply, pumping isn't that bad, he enjoys eating, and it comforts him. I actually think moms who use formula make way more sacrifices when compared to me. I don't have to buy, mix, heat up formula or clean bottles (unless we chose to give him a pumped bottle). I just stick my boob in his mouth and that's that.

But the real reason the nurse's comment irked me was because it's just another example of moms being pinned against one another. Everyone has (strong) opinions of what's the best way to parent.

I am so, so sick of hearing that "breast is best". That working moms are the only ones who have it tough. That those who let their babies cry it out are cruel. That moms who use Baby Led Weaning are "asking" for their child to choke. That parents who co-sleep love their babies more. I can go on and on, and I'm sure every mother out there has heard these comments and so many more.

Can we just stop with the arguing and black and white thinking? All moms make sacrifices and no one has it easy. We're each doing the best we can. There isn't one right way to parent; there are millions of right ways. It takes a village to raise a child, and it would probably benefit that child if the villagers were a little kinder to one another and more open-minded. <3

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14May/128

Running isn’t for everyone

Posted by runnerstrials

A friend asked me the other day how I made myself like running. I really had trouble answering this question.

Partly because I'm not really sure I've ever been successful in making myself like anything. I wish I enjoyed cooking, cleaning, or drying my hair. But I just don't. I'd rather rush through doing these necessities (that term is used loosely) so I can spend time doing things I find fun.

But I see where my friend was coming from. Running is a great workout, it's convenient and popular so it makes sense she'd want to learn the "secret" to getting into it. I get it. I've dabbled in triathlons and had a lot of fun during the actual races. I like swimming, biking, and running separately but training for all three events at the same time? That actually wasn't too much fun at all.

I was honest with my friend: I didn't have to make myself like running. Did I love it from the get-go? Heck no. I was a sprinter in high school but promptly hung up my running shoes at graduation, and I loathed land workout days in college when we had to run instead of row.

When I actually started running, I wasn't aware that I was beginning a habit. I was sick of the gym and headed to the park one day. I ran/ walked and enjoyed myself. So, I started trading gym sessions for run/ walks in the park. The walk intervals got shorter, the run intervals got longer, and eventually I canceled my gym membership. I didn't toe the line at the start of a race for two years, and it was another five years before I started caring about my time and doing speedwork.

I didn't make myself do anything: my running love affair happened naturally.

That's not to say it was easy. I was a collegiate level athlete when I started running, but running was still incredibly tough. I had zero endurance and it made my body hurt. This also doesn't mean that every run was roses and rainbows. I've had my fair share of crappy runs, painful runs, why-the-hell-am-I-out-here runs, I-hate-running runs, and I'm-never-doing-this-again runs.

Luckily, the good runs have far outnumbered the bad, and I can confidently say that over the past nine years, I've fallen head over heels in love with running. It's fun, it makes me happy, and I can't imagine my life without it.

But running isn't for everyone. You don't have to be a runner to be in shape (check out how ridiculously fit my non-runner friend Amanda is, for example).

There is a secret to being a lifelong fitness fanatic, though: do something you enjoy.

Try a bunch of different activities. You may find your running on a yoga mat, a spinning bike, a rock climbing wall, a golf course, or in a zumba class. Just don't force yourself to like it. Don't over-think it. Don't worry about looking like a fool. We all have to start somewhere. Get out there and work it, and continue doing whatever activity you enjoy most.

Happy sweating!

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11May/125

Every day is Mother’s Day

Posted by runnerstrials

On Sunday, I'll celebrate my first Mother's Day. You may think I'm thrilled to finally to be able to partake in this "holiday", but that's not exactly true.

I'm not the biggest fan of Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Valentine's Day. These days were invented so we can honor our loved ones and show them how much we appreciate them (and so the greeting card industry can be more profitable). But for too many people, these days are actually just a reminder of what they don't have.

I'm aware my view is cynical and not shared by many. On Sunday, my thoughts will be with my friends who long to be moms, my cousins who just lost their mom, and everyone else who is missing someone this Mother's Day.

I don't need day devoted to motherhood to remember that I'm a mom. Every day feels like Mother's Day. Granted, I have an infant so it's pretty hard to forget about my role.

But I'm pretty sure my mom doesn't ever forget how much she is needed either. Probably because my brother and I won't let her since we harass her with texts a few dozen times per day.

I also don't need to be given flowers or taken to brunch to feel honored. My child is the best gift I've ever gotten, and even on the hardest days (and there have been many), I feel honored to be his mom. Don't get me wrong, I believe moms deserve to be pampered and get breaks, but I personally need "me" time a lot more often.

Of course, when Wyatt is old enough to bring me breakfast in bed or make me a card using crayon, I'm sure I'll be eating my words and proclaim that Mother's Day is the best day ever. And when he's a teenager who doesn't want to hang out with me, I'll love that he'll (hopefully) pay me extra attention on the second Sunday in May.

But I really hope he doesn't wait for a holiday to roll around to make me- and the other people he loves- feel special. Even though I willingly entered into the position of mom (more like begged and pleaded), it's super hard work, and one day it'll be nice to hear how much I'm appreciated. Though I already feel like Wyatt shows me in his own way how thankful he is for me.