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Motivation Monday: Pass It On

[ 18 ] 02/15/2010 |

Most Sundays, my parents make the 1 1/2 hour drive south to our house to visit, maybe help us out with a house project, and have dinner. I love seeing them, even though I’m pretty sure the main draw for them is the grandkid. (Okay, not pretty sure, I’m positive. My mom flat out TELLS me as much).

Today was no different. The sun came out for the first time in days, my husband and Dad were outside working, and I was itching for a solo run. And Mom was happy to oblige so she could have some one on one time with the kid. Perfect.

I quickly suited up in my running gear and was standing by the door getting my GPS programmed and running play list loaded when Mom told me that she’d been running and a few days ago had gotten up to two miles.

Go Mom! My mom is 59 and has not run in years. She played soccer in a co-ed league up until about five years ago when she was in a head on collision that messed her back up enough that she had to quit playing soccer. Since then, she’s mostly done Curves, which is great.

But it’s not running TWO MILES. Wow.

She was kind of down on herself about only making it two miles – and I pointed out how very awesome that is – and how it took me almost eight weeks to be able to run two miles. She has gotten there in less than a month.

Mom decided to start running again after we had talked about my upcoming half marathon. She’s literally watched me go from barely able to run for SIXTY SECONDS to running six miles straight. For a long time she had herself convinced that because of her age, she wouldn’t be able to take up running again.

Silly, silly Mom! I knew you could do it!

I am so, so proud of my Mom. And even better and kind of unbelievable to me? She decided to start running again because of ME. She saw I could do it, and knew that she could too.

There are so many things about this healthier lifestyle I am living that are outstanding – weight loss, a sense of accomplishment – but motivating someone else, someone that I hold so dear, is by far the BEST thing that has come out of this journey.

Remember this – even if you think nobody is noticing all your hard work and dedication, I’ll bet you that someone is taking note. And that you – YOU – are inspiring them to take steps to change their life for the better.

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Category: Heather, MIND IT, Motivation Monday

About heather: Thirty-three year old wife, mother, runner and wannabe renaissance woman striving to look and feel even BETTER than she did before babies. View author profile.

  • Nancy

    That is awesome! Your mom is four years older than me. Maybe I will be able to run the whole 5k next month. No wait, I will be able to do it. Thanks for the motivation.

  • mature_mom

    How I wish I could also run like your mom. The most I can do so far is brisk walking. Maybe one day I could also experience the thrill of a run.

  • babyboy3

    That is so cool. My mom will not run because she is afraid of messing up her knees but she is a walker. I have her convinced to do the Bellin Run this summer which is a 10K, we are going to walk it but it will be her first one.

  • http://www.whooosthatgirl.com Lissa_ShrinkingJeans

    Love, Love, LOVE this!!

  • http://christy.shrinkingjeans.net Christy_TheSistherhood

    Awwwwww, Heather. I just want to reach through the screen and hug you tight! I'm so proud of you for inspiring your mom, and I'm so proud of you mom for getting out there and trying! WAY TO GO HEATHER'S MOM!! WOOT!

    I think you're right. Inspiring people might just be the BEST part of this entire journey.

  • JennyGirl

    My wonderful mother was extremely active while I was growing up. She was 135 pounds and 5’9”. She ran a eight minute mile while seven months pregnant.

    She was diagnosed with MS when I was in 13. Because she could not move around much she gained a lot of weight. When I was 24 she was reaching 270. She hated everything about herself. So she started working out even though it was so hard for her. She was losing some weight and feeling better about herself. Then she was in a plane crash when I was 25. She broken both her legs (one was crushed), her sternum and collar bone. She was in a hospital bed for five months, unable to move. Two years later, I am 27; she had neck surgery in November (still problems from the crash).

    I organized a family 5k on March 6th and I told my mom she could do it with us on her wheel chair. She was so excited that I was helping our family get healthier, but I could tell that she wanted to be able to run it right beside me. A couple weeks ago she told me that she walked a mile and that she is working on walking the 5k with me in two and a half weeks. She is my hero! How can I slack in my training for a half marathon when my mom is working against a broken, MS ridden, and obese body to walk a 5k! She is amazing!

  • http://thesassymama.blogspot.com Heather

    Oh my goodness, that made me cry. Your mom sounds amazing!

  • http://www.littleladybugthatcould.blogspot.com ladybugs714

    That is awesome Heather! Go Heather's Mom! Woot! How true that some of the people that you end up inspiring are the ones you least try to impress! That makes me smile….great story!

  • empowermephotoguy

    Love this blog! Incredibly motivating! Your mom is a testiment to the fact that if you can imagine it, you can achieve it. Visualizing is so important…seeing yourself running (and finishing) that half marathon! Seeing yourself as a thinner, healthier you! Visualization is so empowering! Congrats to you and your mom! You're both very inspirational.

  • anng

    It feels good to help others get motivated to move more….no matter what their previous level of physical conditioning! I have several friends that have gotten on the band wagon and my dh is even exercising in the evenings!!

  • http://www.theskinnyfight.com/ skinnyfighter

    Go Mom!! I'm so proud of her. She should be proud of the two miles. That's big.

  • TheaDramaMama

    Emma just said to me tonight that she can't wait until she's old enough to exercise like I do. That's the kind of stuff that keeps me going!

    And a big ol' WOOHOO!!! to your mom! That's amazing!

  • SJs_April

    Love this. Well said, my friend.

  • http://dalewis.blogspot.com/ thelewis4

    I LOVE that you inspired your Mom! That is AWESOME!

  • http://www.theskinnyfight.com/ Adrienne

    Go Mom!! I'm so proud of her. She should be proud of the two miles. That's big.

  • TheaDramaMama

    Emma just said to me tonight that she can't wait until she's old enough to exercise like I do. That's the kind of stuff that keeps me going!

    And a big ol' WOOHOO!!! to your mom! That's amazing!

  • SJs_April

    Love this. Well said, my friend.

  • http://dalewis.blogspot.com/ thelewis4

    I LOVE that you inspired your Mom! That is AWESOME!