Allie’s Half-Marathon

Allie is the communications director for Mommy and Me Fitness. Allie resides in Mansfield and has been married to her husband Sam, for nine years. Sam and Allie have two children, Maggie, age 5 and Quinn, age 2 1/2. Allie works full-time for the Red Cross. We are privileged to have Allie on our team and to be able to share her story with you. Take a look at Allie’s fitness journey. We promise you will be inspired by her accomplishments!

I was 30 years old, 8 months pregnant with a soon to be 9 lb. 14 oz. baby boy, weighing in at my all-time highest… let’s just say bigger than a football player… a linebacker! I told a friend of mine I wanted to run a marathon by the time I was 35. This seemed like a safe thing to say at this time. With hormones raging & waddling to pee every 20 minutes – who would hold me accountable for anything?…My friend, Tom! After my little linebacker was born, Tom said, “So, you still gonna run a marathon?” My only response… “Yes, I am!”

At 6 weeks postpartum, I showed up at a Mommy & Me Fitness class with my bundle of joy in a stroller, wearing yoga pants that didn’t have enough stretch and a maternity tank top. The biggest fear I had, was walking into a group of moms who have been running together for years and having them look me up & down with this thought process: “Really? YOU are going to run with US?” NOT ONE mom gave me that look. The moms were great! Everyone was kind to me & doting on Quinn. And, then, I heard the Instructor yell out… “Let’s run Girls!”

Angie, founder and CEO of Mommy and Me Fitness, was at the front of the line-o-moms cheering us on, and me, at the back, trying not to sweat like a linebacker or leak like a milk-faucet. I remember the road, the slight pitch uphill and thinking to myself: “This is it! You can do it!” And, I did. I wasn’t fast & I didn’t keep up. But, it didn’t matter. The line-o-moms were my encouragement & Angie dropped back to be my cheerleader. When I couldn’t run, she would walk with me & talk about how rewarding and exhausting it is to have an infant. How she missed those days. And, then she’d say, “You ready to run?” My only response… “Yes, I am!”

It was hot. I was tired. I was sweaty. Quinn started to cry & I started to leak. Class was over & at least 3 moms said, “Are you coming on Wednesday?” My only response… “Yes, I am!”

That was Day 1… 2 ½ years & 115 pounds ago.

I returned to work full-time at 12 weeks postpartum & couldn’t run with the line-o-moms anymore. My friend, Tom, would run with me after work with the same enthusiastic encouragement as Angie. I started running 1 minute at a time… 1 minute running, 1 minute walking. Then, 2 minutes running, 1 minute walking. Then, 5 minutes running. Starting out with my running routine, I realized I hated the first minute of running. I still do! I have learned that if I just kept running, I would only have to suffer through that first minute once per run. So, I did. Tom would say, “Are you going to keep running?” My only response… “Yes, I am!”

After a year of running, I ran a 10K in Columbus & was happy to finish. After another year of running, I ran a Half Marathon in Akron. I have never been fast & I may never be fast. However, I am pretty quick when there is a car coming & I’m trying to cross an intersection. I’m still thankful every day I run, that I can do so!

To me, running isn’t about winning a race. There will always be someone faster. It’s not about being the thinnest runner out there. My thighs will always touch. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other & seeing how far you can go, how your heart feels when you’re out there, how the wind feels when you go faster & how you feel stronger every time you run.

My fitness goal when I started running was to be able to keep up with my kids on the bike trail when they started riding. This summer will be my test.

My greatest reward has been seeing my 4-year-old daughter’s eyes twinkle when she runs, her curls bouncing & her giggles getting lost in the wind. She ran the 1-mile Kids Fun Run during my half in Akron. I welled up when I saw her on the side of the road cheering for me at mile 5 when I felt great. And, I was thrilled when she wasn’t there at mile 10 when I felt like stopping. And, I truly felt blessed when I saw her at mile 13 jumping up & down, yelling “MOMMY!” with her very own medal dangling around her neck. She later pointed to her medal & said,“Mommy! I winned! We all did!”

Three days after our races, I was putting Maggie to bed & she started to cry. She said she was afraid that she would never run the big race with me because she would always be too little & I would be too big. She was worried I would be too old by the time she was allowed to run the half marathon. I reassured her that she can run the “big race” with me when she is 16 (I checked the rules) & that I promise to run with her as soon as she is big enough. Two years ago I committed myself to one race. This year, I committed myself to at least another 12 years of running.

I hope you’ll think about why you run or why you want to start running. If it’s for the time or the thighs, good luck! If it’s for the health, well-being & future of your family, go run! You can do it! Am I going to run for another 12 years? Yes, I am!

About Juls, Author Of This Post

Hi! I'm Julie. I'm married and have 4 wonderful children. I love to keep busy with my active kids. Staying fit and eating healthy has become a part of our home as we raise our family. God has given us a body to take care of. I am continually learning how we can praise Him in our health and fitness everyday! Contact Author