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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Exactly how it feels when I run.

Exactly how it feels when I run.

July 13, 2015 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, mamahood, running

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and healthy mama®, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #gethealthymama http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

I woke up, and even before my feet hit the floor to pick up Natalie from her crib, even before I knew the day was starting out earlier than I wanted it to, I was ready for my morning run. We’ve been outlining what we want to accomplish each weekend because the two days go by so fast if we’re not bossy with our time, so naturally it was already on my mind.

healthy mama energy drink maggie whitley

My first cup of coffee was just as I hoped it to be: warm and comforting, with a touch of hazelnut. I sipped it slow and played with the kids on our woven rug. A little while later, I made breakfast for the family and then got ready for my run.

healthy mama energy drink maggie whitley

It’s been nearly five months since I became a runner, can you believe it? What’s inspired me to keep on going, to work through the pain and the wobbly legs and the daily commitment to exercise, is remembering how it feels when I run.

It’s something like this:

It’s an overflow of peace. I can run fast or I can run slow. I can turn a corner quickly and run down the adjacent street, or I can jump up the curb’s edge, or I can leap over a crack in the sidewalk. I can (and I do) run up steep hills, and then as I walk back down and reach where I began I turn around and run up the hill again. All because I can.

running maggie whitley

When I’m out running, it’s just me and the sound of my tennis shoes. The beat coming from my ear-buds encourages me to maintain my speed. My body feels light and my hands are free. Practice makes perfect, my body has tightened up and becomes more familiar. The only thing holding me back is the clock, but even so, I boss it around and decide how I’ll use my minutes.

My running workouts are almost always planned. During the week, as I’m behind a double stroller, I hand out water and re-position rattles and call after our dog, but during the weekend I am boundary-less. I am an overflow of peace, and I run to catch myself.

running maggie whitley

One of the most common reactions is something like, “HOW do you run with two babies and a dog?” And I almost always respond with, “I don’t know how I wasn’t running before February.” Sure it’s hard to get the stroller downstairs, along with the kids and Bauer, but you find a way. Some mornings are harder to get going, of course. The kids don’t always sleep well, or I am restless myself, when the new day arrives. The clock tries to threaten me with time, but I always find a way to boss it around once more.

healthy mama energy drink maggie whitley

I like to have a little something in my stomach before we leave in the morning. Usually a muffin or a banana to give me fuel, along with a cool drink to help keep me hydrated. Target carries a new line of prenatal/postnatal products called healthy mama®, which includes a caffeine-free protein energy drink. Obviously my interest was piqued since Natalie is still nursing. I tested it out over the weekend and am here to report back a positive experience. I’ve only had a few protein drinks before, but this one surprised me with its pleasant taste. Also fun, the full line of healthy mama® products at Target have such creative names (Tame the Flame!, Nip the Nausea!, Calm the Crazy! —wink), but I hear there’s a “while supplies last” deadline for purchasing.

running maggie whitley

Over the weekend I finished my 4-mile run in 57 minutes. I am proud to be chasing my goals to become a better version of myself (self-care is so important!). What goals are you chasing today, and how does that make you feel?

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10 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, mamahood, running

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Comments

  1. Charlie says

    July 13, 2015 at 7:59 am

    Maggie! I love this! Where are your shorts from? Trying to get into running myself :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      July 13, 2015 at 9:55 am

      The brand is Actra, I’m having a hard time finding a website for them (so odd), but here’s a link to the store I bought them from: http://www.six02.com/ They’re running shorts with a wide waist band, so comfy!

      Reply
  2. Bridget says

    July 13, 2015 at 8:17 am

    Good for you. I like the idea of bossing the clock! Your instagram posts have inspired me to start adding running back into my exercise routine! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      July 13, 2015 at 9:55 am

      HOORAY! Bridget, that seriously makes me feel happy. What a great thing to read this morning, thank you! :)

      Reply
  3. Jackie says

    July 13, 2015 at 8:33 am

    I’m trying to get into running and am slowly building up my endurance. I would LOVE the pouch/clutch that you’re wearing so I could keep my hands free. Will you be offering them anytime soon??

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      July 13, 2015 at 9:57 am

      I wish we could run together! I have learned so much! If you are running solo, my first tip of advice is to not give up. Push through that first month and keep going, even if it means you’re walking more than running. (No one is keeping track of your speed.) I’ve found at mile marker 2 I find my pace and really pick up speed. So, don’t quit too early :) So very excited for you Jackie! And yes, those pouches will be in my shop this week — hopefully tomorrow morning!

      Reply
  4. Skye says

    July 13, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Yes! I love that feeling of being in control and in charge of my body for that hour every day! :) I am very excited about these pouches too ;) keep it up girl!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      July 13, 2015 at 12:17 pm

      Yippee ;D

      Reply
  5. Laura says

    July 14, 2015 at 4:10 pm

    You are so inspiring Maggie!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. What is your rhythm for self-care? - Maggie Whitley Designs says:
    October 30, 2019 at 10:12 pm

    […] putting myself to bed early (a personal favorite) or meeting with a friend to discuss a book. Some nights I go for a run. Some times, and perhaps the most tender form of self-care, it’s reaching for my […]

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
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It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
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Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
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It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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