After having my debut on the Another Mother Runner blog and thoroughly enjoying the experience of getting to talk about my love of running – I wanted to extend that to the women I run with. This week I would like to introduce to you a fellow mother runner – one that I have never actually ran with! Amanda and I actually met through my blog (initially) and then met in person at a WOOT Cocok’s pedicure day! 

I love reading Amanda’s blog about another woman’s journey to a healthy lifestyle while battling all the same daily struggles we all go through. She is so courageous in the topics she covers – IBS, need I say more – and how truly approachable she is! I hope you enjoy this posting and Amanda’s blog as much as I have and still do! 

Running has taught me…

To appreciate the struggle, celebrate the victories and to just let everything else go.

I never, ever, ever ran.  I always said it was just not for me and that it was just too hard.  I would literally go 2 minutes and then feel like I was about to pass out from exhaustion.  I always have had body issues and worries about my weight.  My focus was always on the scale and always on needing to lose pounds.  There were no other goals or motivation.  On January 18th of 2011 I saw an article on Yahoo.com about women bloggers who overcame their battles with weight.  It was not so much obsessing about food as it was celebrating amazing healthy meals.  The focus was not always on pounds lots but rather, miles gained.  At that moment I realized, I needed to change what my focus was on.

Right away I set a goal to run a 5K race that was just over 6 weeks away.  I knew if I worked toward this goal, it would help me realize my potential and it would give me a great sense of accomplishment!  I began some runs with WOOT and met Tricia who put up with my need to stop and walk…a lot!  We ran a few trails, ran along the sea wall and just enjoyed the conversation and support!

I worked up my ability to run without stopping and then ran my first 5K on March 5th!  As soon as I finished, I saw that my accomplishment felt way better than any diet would ever feel!

I continue to run and am now training with another group of women here in Germany!  We meet twice a week and are preparing for the Paris Half Marathon on March 4th!  It will be an amazing rush of pride to complete a half marathon 1 year after completing my first 5K race!

Running has taught me to appreciate the struggle, celebrate the victories and to just let everything else go.  By running with women’s running groups I have learned that running CAN be a group sport; however, rather than competing against one another, we are cheering each other on!  You can really base your life on the lessons you learn from running…whether you think you can or you can’t, you’re right!

Cheers to WOOT and Ramstein Runners!

Amanda Groff

www.groffsgirl.com