Welcome! This Blog is run by two amazing lady runners who don't fit into a box.

Chrys:
I am a runner who does NOT fit into the stereotypical body type of a runner. I have hips, a bum, thighs, and breasts. I jiggle all over the place no matter how much spandex I put on, and my gut usually hangs over my shorts. I work in the mental health field, and have a passion for inciting outrage regarding the media's portrayal of women, their bodies, and their abilities. I am a beautiful woman who sometimes struggles to remember it. I am a runner who sometimes feels more like a slogger.

And

Rachel:
I have the spirit of a runner inside me that just won't let me quit- no matter how much I sometimes would like to! Physically, I certainly have many of the things Chrys mentions up there- hips, thighs, bum, boobs, tummy, all of it- and Lord knows all of it likes to jiggle around while I do just about anything, especially running! I am passionate about body image, the Health at Every Size & Size Acceptance movements, and love finding inspiration in as many places as possible. Working as a therapist, one of my personal goals is to live as in-line with my values as I possibly can- this blog is one of the ways I figure all that out.

Join us on out adventures in running and ramblings on Body Image.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Everyone Has Their Struggles

I ran my first race in.... I don't even KNOW how long, over the weekend.  In many ways it was great!  I got to wear a kilt, I got to wear several clashing shades of green without being judged, I finished, and I finished in a decent time, and I had an unexpected partner to run with, who is an acquaintance that I got to know a little better.  In several ways, though it was AWFUL.  My asthma decided to let itself be known right as I was getting ready to leave for the run.  It was SUPER hilly, and I have NOT been training on hills.  I didn't realized just how often I have been drinking water on my training runs, and I didn't bring my hydration belt, so I was SUPER thirsty a good chunk of the time.  Did I mention it was hilly?  OMG, was it hilly.  My muscles were NOT prepared.   All in all, though, it was a great race.  I mean...  Chance to wear a kilt, Men in kilts, and Beer at the end?  With friends?  All the rest pales in comparison.

Recently a good friend, who ran my first half marathon with me, just got cleared for yoga and is able to walk more than like 20 min.  Another friend had to bow out of this weekend's race (an 8k - so about 5 miles) due to pain in her last run.  I also talked some with my sister and her struggles with medical issues, which has COMPLETELY derailed her running several times.  She is just now being able to get back in to it, close to 3 years after completing her first and (to date) only marathon just before things fell apart.  She just started a blog too, Running With RA, which you should totally check out.

Anyhow.  Sometimes it's really hard to be motivated to run. Sometimes I feel like things are REALLY hard.  Sometimes it just seems unfair.  Right now, though.  Right now, I am thinking about the fact that we ALL have our battles to face.  Right now I am thinking about the fact that everyone's battle is different.  Mine may seem "easy" compared to some of my friends'.  Right now.  Mine may seem trivial at times.  This is not to say that I should feel any less frustrated.  That I *should* feel any way.  In those moments it IS hard!  It IS painful!  But it still does give me some perspective to think about what other people may be going through.  Today, that is humbling.