Name: Michele Gorman
Age: 35
Hometown: Jefferson, Massachusetts
Occupation: reebok classic leather men shoes
Time Running: 19 years
mens ted baker shoes: I run both for my physical and mental health, and to show my daughter that I’m more than a mom. I also love the social aspect of it, and have gained many new friends through the running community!
My first postpartum run came in October 2021. I still remember what I was wearing: a sky-blue tank top with a yellow heart in the center, new sneakers with neon yellow laces, loose-fitting shorts that felt comfortable around the scar from my Cesarean section, a dusty running watch that beeped when it connected to GPS, and polarized sunglasses knee high boots love moschino ja26064g0bja0000 nero.
For the first time on that fall day, I felt like the runner I had been before my daughter was born in August 2021. And while I’m still coming to terms with where my running is these days, I’m learning that a new reality is okay.
On that 22-minute run, I was happy—happy that my obstetrician had cleared me to run after I endured major surgery just six weeks earlier. I was happy to be outside in the sunshine, breathing nike air max exosense womens casual shoes, reebok womens classic legacy recycled shoes.
Looking back on that run now, I believe it was the day when my mentality around exercise began to shift. Today, as the mother of a 2.5-year-old, I realize that I need to just get out there and run—and whatever distance or time that brings, I am mostly okay with that.
Whether in school, work, running, or motherhood, I’ve always been disciplined and given my all to every feat I commit to. However, I soon learned when you’re a parent and a runner, you have to be okay with sneakers mann diadora eclipse premium.
Becoming a parent evening oxford shoes am able to get in (on top of being a spouse, working full-time, and taking care of my sick father who lives in a different state), rather than harp on what I’m not able to do (in terms of running) on a particular day.
asics tiger gel kinsei og mens running shoes white metropolis swim, knee high boots guess gerald fm8grd lea10 grey elliptical at the gym to try to make up for lost running time, instead of taking extra time to rest. If I missed even one goal mile time during a tempo run, tribute leather sandals saint laurent shoes.
Although I’m still learning, I’ve been giving myself more grace during (and after) my runs as a parent than I ever did before my daughter was born. I’m not even sure that grace existed in my vocabulary before I became a parent.
I’m more relaxed than in my pre-motherhood days, too. I want to show my daughter that I am more than just her mother, and a large part of that is getting out there and logging miles—however many that may be.
nyc marathon themed shoes anxious person, the postpartum period was filled with ups and downs, like being elated with my new baby while simultaneously feeling completely overwhelmed and like a failure of a parent. While the invisible aspects of being a new mom hit me really hard, affecting my day-to-day activities, emotions, and well-being, I was lucky that I had running.
Running has always been a saving grace for me, and those early days of motherhood were no exception. I was increasingly thankful for whatever miles and minutes I was able to get out of a run, which usually happened during my daughter’s nap. Those miles were my time to reset, recharge, and just feel like myself.
A little over a year after my first postpartum run, when the new mom haze was lifting, I signed up for a half marathon, the Shape + Health Women’s Half Marathon in Central Park. I love following a training plan, then celebrating with the race. Since high school, I’ve run three marathons, a dozen half marathons, and numerous other races. So it was only natural for me to want to get back to the road-racing scene.
To keep reality in check and to give me confidence, I leaned on a friend who’s a running coach to set up a 19-week plan. I told Coach Kelly my two goals were to make it to the start (and finish) line in a healthy state, and to cross the finish line, no matter how long that took.
Although there were times during the race when my mind wandered into thinking I might be able to beat my half marathon PR, I reminded myself my return to running postpartum didn’t have to look a specific way or happen by a certain time.
At that race, I made a big dent in the journey to reclaim myself. Although my time was not a PR, the race marked my most meaningful 13.1 yet: my first big race as a mother. I’m proud of myself for following an ambitious training schedule while balancing my work and family life.
It wasn’t lost on me that for my re-entry into the racing world, I chose an all-women event in which I was surrounded by incredible, strong athletes with their own journeys and goals. Nor was it lost on me that I now have a daughter, who was on the sidelines cheering me on.
Less than three weeks after the Shape half, I laced up for the 2023 RBC Brooklyn Half. It didn’t go as expected—I stopped to throw up at the mile 11 water station and ran/walked adidas fz1850 ultraboost dna prime blue womens running shoe black white.
Once I crossed the finish line and recovered, though, I ultimately laughed about this experience, as it reminded me of parenthood: One minute my daughter is smiling and giggling at me dancing in the kitchen, and the next moment she is screaming over her banana being cut into pieces. When my A and B goals went out the window with that race, I relied on goal C: just have fun.
On top of juggling a full-time career, and being a mother and spouse, I often travel back and forth from New York City to Massachusetts, where my dad lives, to spend time with him while he goes through an ampullary cancer diagnosis, take him to chemotherapy appointments, and do chores and errands that he doesn’t currently have the energy to complete. My mom died from colorectal cancer when I was just 14, so much of my dad’s caretaking duties fall on my older sister and me.
Before I travel to see my dad, I always pack my running gear. Whether I’m home or away, going for runs clears my mind and offers a mental refuge from the demands in my life, including motherhood and caring for a sick parent. I imagine it also makes my dad happy when I walk out his door to go for a run, maybe reminding him of my high school days when he watched me compete at every track and cross-country meet. He’s always been one of my biggest supporters, and that hasn’t changed despite his current cancer diagnosis.
I’ve met many friends through the running community, especially from my neighborhood group in Queens, New York the Hellgate Road Runners. This group holds me accountable, and provides a chance to socialize and build friendships through shared miles.
I’m grateful for the running challenges I push through, and because of those, I believe I’m a better version of myself. ecco street tray classic sneaker always return in a happier mood. Getting outside and running helps tame my anxiety and grounds my often negative thoughts.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Small progress is still progress
Be happy with what you’re able to do today; don’t worry so much about tomorrow.
khaite puglia leather sandals | 2. Have fun
Runs and races can be more about enjoyment rather than just for a specific time or pace. How lucky am I to be able to go out and move my legs in a city that I love?
3. Give yourself grace
Allow yourself to feel what you feel. If today isn’t an ideal day to run, try again tomorrow.
Michele’s Must-Have Gear
→ Brooks Ghost Women’s Cushioned Road Running Shoes: After being plagued by leg and foot stress fractures for years, I switched to Brooks’ Ghost models. I will never look back!
→ skechers monster marathon running shoessneakers 232190 bkmt 232190 bkmt: I’ve never succeeded as a run-as-you-feel type of person, which is why I rely on my Garmin to tell me how I’m doing. I might put a little too much confidence in this device.
→ Goodr Polarized Sunglasses: I didn’t quite believe the hype over the no-slip of this brand. No sunglasses could be that good for running. But once I purchased my first pair, I became addicted to buying more. Plus, you can’t beat the fun model names such as “I Have These on Vinyl, Too” and “Nine Dollar Pour Over.”
