Why Running?

Running is so much more than putting one foot in front of the other. 

I have been running most of my life.  I ran indoor track, outdoor track, and cross country in high school. I also ran one year of cross country at the college level.  Since those days, I have run more miles pushing jogging strollers, running behind kids on bikes, running from not so friendly dogs on rural roads and so many miles training for races of all distances. Literally, all of the distances. (Minus an Ultra. It’s kind of on the bucket list.)

I used to laugh and tell others when asked why I ran so much, that as a mom, we aren’t given a medal for being a mom.  We aren’t given a pat on the back for keeping the kids busy all day, for getting the house picked up for the umteenth time, just to have it destroyed again, for washing, folding and actually getting laundry put away all at once.  As someone that had always worked, I didn’t have a smooth transition into being a stay at home mom.  I dealt with crippling postpartum depression and anxiety with my first born.  It was running that really saved me. 

While I had always been a “runner”, this time it had a new meaning.  It gave me a sense of control and a feeling of familiarity.  I wanted to feel physically and mentally strong.  Running gave that back to me.  I traded in my basic used Chico stroller, for a jogger, and my love for running was ignited in a way that has enriched my life beyond belief.  

Running helped me through two more postpartum journeys, the death of my father, personal health battles, the ups and downs of friendships, parenthood, and marriage. Running has tested me mentally and physically, and still I only ever regret the runs I don’t do.

These days I run for a multitude of reasons.  More recently, I have found that my passion for Running has begun to rub off on others around me.  In fact, I think it’s safe to say that the vast majority of the people in my life would not consider themselves runners. A few, however, have started to understand how it can become more than just running. I have people come up to me in the grocery store and ask me what shoes they should try. They ask what hydration mix I drink when it’s 100 degrees and 97% humidity, like it often is in Alabama during the summer. Being able to share my passion with others has brought this blog to fruition.

You don’t have to be a mom, or a parent, or even a woman for that matter, to get something from what I plan to share!

In this blog, I plan on taking on all things running!  Remember when I said, running is so much more than putting one foot in front of the other.  It really is!  Food and nutrition (nope I’m not a nutritionist), cross training, weight training (not a licensed trainer either, only speaking from personal experience), gear, hydration, and upcoming races.  So many fun and endless topics on the horizon.  

For quick and interactive experiences follow me on Instagram @nicki_realestate_ontherun and Facebook @nickirealestateontherun.