Recently, I sat down and watched the movie, “Brittany Runs a Marathon.” I liked the movie. It was a movie about me, really. The movie could have easily been titled, “Robyn Runs a Marathon” our stories were so similar.
If you haven’t seen it, on a broad level, the movie starts by seeing an overweight Brittany, who is a glutton for bad life choices. After a visit with her doctor, Brittany decides to take control of her health and become physically fit. In the course of her journey, Brittany decides she is going to run a marathon.
Now granted, it appears we didn’t gain the weight the same way. Where Brittany was making unhealthy life choices one way, I made them another. By not really monitoring my food through all my pregnancies. Brittany and I both had a pretty sedentary lifestyle too. Like Brittany, I hit the point where I felt enough was enough, and I wanted to take control of my health and become physically fit.
I started walking and watching what I ate. I gave up sugar and white flour. To this day, those items are still not a part of my diet. Walking turned into jogging; jogging turned into running. Getting through a mile, became getting through two miles, to three.
Eventually I found myself on a half marathon course. As I ran, I saw there were a lot of people that were running the full marathon. They looked like me. My mental image of a marathoner was shattered. I realized my only mental picture of a marathoner was that of the people that win the things – teeny bodies that were muscular and fast. When in actuality, a marathoner is anyone. What Brittany realizes in the movie, and what I realized that day on the half marathon course, you don’t set out to win any race, your goal is just to finish it.
I don’t believe it is too much of a spoiler since the title is “Brittany Runs a Marathon” but Brittany ran her marathon.
And with a lot of hard work, I lost the weight and I ran one too.
At this point I have run seven marathons, countless half’s and other distances. I even recently ran a trail race with my friend, and fellow blogger, Jeff Cann. It was fun to change the venue to trail and try something new. And with Jeff, I had great company. But if you followed my running bits here, you know that, in general, I am in a bit of a lull. The heart that I came into running with is dimming. I fear I have pushed too hard for too long.
My runs now are slow and halfhearted. Since I lost the weight through healthy eating and running, I can’t ever close the running door. I feel connected to it. I am terrified if I stop running the weight will come back. And after years of eating like a saint, these days I tend to have a couple more “cheat” meals than I should, leaving my running shoes tied to my feet.
Me, I want to see the movie, Brittany 2. I want to see how her running journey goes. Did she run herself out? Is she afraid to stop running and gain the weight back? Will she have had a couple of extra cheat meals? Are any of her runs slow and halfhearted?
Overall, I really liked the movie – because it is FUN to lose the weight and accomplish your goals. That is something that is movie worthy. And even though I have recently found difficulty trying to maintain the same enthusiasm I had when I started, I am comforted to know this is just another chapter in the book and that enthusiasm is possible again.
Maybe it’s run it’s course and it’s time for a change 🤔 I wonder what you will do 📒📝✏️
You crack me up, Elaine! 🙂 I can read emoji 🙂
I knew you would laugh 💛
I did! Out loud too 🙂
You know I won’t give up 😉
I ran for seven years and then had to quit because of knee pain. I could walk, hike, do yard work or whatever, but I couldn’t run anymore. It actually started to hurt during my last marathon (my fifth). On one hand I hated to give it up, but on the other hand, I knew that running had been keeping me from doing other physical activities. I can promise you there is life after running! Nothing gets you the same workout as quickly and conveniently, but you find other things to enjoy. I hope you can keep running as long as you want to, but if you can’t, you’ll find other good things to do. 🙂
Thank you so much! That is really good to know. There IS another world out there, I just haven’t looked. Might be time to stop and try something new! Thank you! 🙂
I love this, and I am so proud of you Robyn. You are an amazing women, wife, and mother, and an athlete too. You will never go back to the old you, because you know we are inspired by you.
That keeps me on track too. By writing about my workouts, and lots of photos, and videos, I am accountable to myself, and that’s what pushes us.
Love you lady.
Aww, Susie – thank you so much! I AM inspired by you and all that you continue to do every day! You are so very inspiring. Your right, there is some accountability here when we share and I would never want to share that I gained all that weight back. That is definitely true! Thank you! Love you too!
You are my ‘chosen’ daughter, as I cherish several of my fellow bloggers.
Thank you, Susie!!
Susan and I both loved that movie. It was great that it came out so early in Susan’s running journey. Really motivating. The intricate self-loathing part was really well done. I wonder if there’s a book.
She really did do a great job with that. Also, I really liked how they showed how no one would hold the door for her. I can attest, people don’t see you, or care (not really sure), but I can’t tell you how many times people just let a door slam on my face when I was big. There was a lot in that movie – really good.
That door holding thing didn’t stick with me after the movie. I guess we tend to remember the parts that hit home (self loathing). It never occurred to me that there was bias in door holding. If someone’s behind you, you hold the door. I guess I’m surprised that isn’t universal. It was neat to get mentioned in your blog.
I was so ashamed at myself for being so big – when someone didn’t hold the door I noticed it and threw it in the pot, “They don’t like me either” because I sure as heck didn’t like myself. There was a lot in the movie the struck me – like when the scale would go back up, go for another run. I liked that she put the scale away. Oh good! I was hopeful that I wouldn’t upset you by mentioning our run. I really liked it and meeting you, so I wanted put that out there!
Congratutations Robyn. I think I couldn’t run a maratón. I did It throght the mountains but my right knee can’t do It on the asphalt.
Thank you so much!
Robyn, I wanted to reblog this on my site, but you don’t have a button to do so. Is it that you want to choose who reads about you, and your family.
I wish I had a reblog button but I think it is because I have a different host than WordPress. I had no idea what I was doing when I started the blog – wish I had just done WordPress.
I have over 3,600 followers, and so wanted to share it with them.
Brave Robyn sharing your ‘before’ picture!🤩 I’ve never been a runner, but I used to walk at least 5 miles every day, usually more. My weight didnt change much, just converted from fat to muscle but I went from a size 18 pants to a size 11😯 I have put some of the weight back on, too much junk food and almost zero exercise. Like you, I know how to fix that. I haven’t gone back to size 18 again, but I need to stomp on the brakes soon.
Maybe the class you joined is your next adventure. Maybe you’ll join other classes or maybe the love of running will be forefront again. I dont think you have to worry about returning to your before size again. Once you’ve had those endorphins, you remember how great you feel😉
Thank you! I don’t think that was me at my biggest either. I reached the point where I didn’t want a single photo of me I was so big. Was time for a change. That sounds like me now too – I have put some of the weight back on. I think my body just expects to run that running doesn’t do anything for me anymore. You’re right – I don’t think I will ever let myself get that big again. The little bit of weight that has come back has been enough for me to want to change again. The gym classes may be my next focus. And I really need to watch what I eat!
That’s amazing! What a change between those photos.
I have some ideas for regaining your motivation:
—Add/replace with different types of exercise? E.g. something like a badminton club, where you’re more focused on the game aspect of it.
—Change your perspective on the purpose of a run—I used to run to explore, or just to get to the shops. Going out into countryside and running where you feel like running is an amazing feeling. I feel like goals always lose the novelty appeal eventually, and need to be replaced with a deeper meaning.
—For avoiding ‘cheat’ meals— ask yourself if you need them, or could you replace them with something healthier that is still rewarding? I find for me the only way to avoid unhealthy things that I too-easily indulge in, is to remove the temptation altogether— I buy mostly only raw ingredients, which forces me to cook decent stuff if I want to eat!
I’m totally with you on sugar and white flour!!
Hope some of that helps :).
Those are really good ideas! Thank you! I have no interest in eating anything with sugar or flour – but I do sometimes pick at the snacks I have for the kids around the house when I am hungry. I do need to get rid of those and just keep healthy choices around – for all of us to make the right choice, you’re right! Get rid of the temptation altogether. Thanks again for the ideas!
Great! You’re welcome, I’m so glad you found them helpful :). I always love trying to problem-solve lol.
Yes, that’s always the issue with tempting things. As long as it’s physically possible, you’ll probably always fall back into it. I bet your kids will love that though xD— just empathising with my childhood self now!
They will soon come to love the new options though :). We always had fruit around and it was always hard to resist. They’re great dopamine-boosters.
Life-long runner here (45 years and counting), so take my comments with a grain of salt since clearly I’m addicted!
I’d hate to see you quit something that clearly brings you so many benefits, both physical and mental.
It’s quite possible you’ve either hit a plateau and you’re bored with your running routine, or you’ve over-trained (or are succumbing to other life stressors) and your body is saying “I need a break.”
A mantra I often have to remind myself of: Rest is best. Even just a couple days off can help.
But I also know that running is a habit, and if one quits, or takes a weeks-long rest (or is forced to because of injury, surgery, etc.), then it’s REALLY hard to get back into the habit. You lose that hard-won conditioning really fast. It’s like starting all over again, and many can’t jump that hurdle.
My solution to the sense that I’m sluggish and no longer having fun is usually making an effort to run with others, or cross-training, adding something new and interesting into the fitness mix while cutting back on the running in the short term. Where I live now, with winters of deep snow, xc skiing has become the perfect “break” from summers of long runs. I also have a stationary bike I’ll pedal on days I just don’t feel like venturing out for a run, for whatever reason, yet still want to burn some calories.
A last thought: your running and fitness achievements – basic self-care – are something worth modeling for your kids. You should be proud of yourself, and I bet they are, too.
You’re right! I lost a lot of weight through running and now I am addicted to it in the wrong way. I run to keep the weight off. For years I had to run 50 miles a week. Last year I stopped that and said I just need to run 2,000 miles in the year. I have to run at least five miles a day now in my head – it’s all TOO MUCH. I have been afraid to lose my conditioning, but in a way I already have. I run so slow and half heartedly now. I need a break. I find that if I take a rest day the run the day after is so much better. I need to incorporate some more rest time and get away from mileage goals. I do love to run – it helps me mentally and physically. I think I need to be a smarter runner.
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the movie, even when it became predictable.
My own story is of losing the weight via intense gym sessions and dieting… to the point that, many years later, I realized limiting myself to 440cal/day, with 1.5 hrs on a stairmaster at it’s highest setting was anorexia. But, dang, I looked GOOD for awhile! But once I achieved my fantasy body, I started going out to show it off. Slowly but surely, clubbing became more frequent and the gym faded away. I was okay for about 5yrs then it felt like all the weight came back overnight.
If running doesn’t bring you as much joy, maybe sample some other workouts. I loved circus arts and pole, which of both require tons of abs and arms. Stilt walking burns tons of calories (I think it’s the fear). I want to try African dance but my knees aren’t up for it. Bollywood workouts look fun!! There’s soooo much to try!!
Same! I ate so sparingly and asked so much of myself physically. I probably ate more than you did, but it was all fruits and vegetables. I went vegan there for awhile. And then I started to slowly add stuff back. Maybe too much stuff.
Those are some good workout ideas! Bollywood does look like fun – there is a lot out there to try!
I was down to one 220cal frozen dinner per day. I’m currently “98%” vegetarian but will prob have to give it up because, like prev times, I’ve quit focusing on getting balanced meals and eat almost nothing but starchy foods.
I hope you find a workout that you enjoy!
I get how you feel Robyn! It gets harder with each passing year. Running with a group was what kept me going. We’ll get our enthusiasm back! Just to find what will help. In the meantime, keep going.
Thank you so much, Joy! Running with a group would probably help. Also, I should sign up for a race like you did to keep the motivation going. That always motivated me when I first started, I should do it again. We’ll find our enthusiasm, you’re right! I will! You keep going too!
Must check that movie out. I remember listening to a running coach on the TV. She talked about running as being the same thing as being in long term relationship. You go through ups and downs. Sometimes you need to spice the relationship up. She talked about completely new goals, new running locations, changed distances, different music, changing the frequency of the runs, even having a break for a month or so to do a completely different exercise.
That is a good analogy. Because me and my love, running, are on the outs kind of right now. I don’t want to sever our relationship at all. I need something to help spice our relationship up, for sure! Great ideas!
Haven’t watched the movie but Seems like I’ll relate to it. 😍
I’ll surely check it out 😃
Great! Hope you like it! 🙂
I think you should be hugely proud for your achievements because none of that is easy. Maybe that was one chapter of your life. Maybe, maybe not. Depends if you want to want to do it, or just feel like you should, like to keep your weight stable. If your heart isn’t in it, there’s so much more to explore, so much you can put your talents and passions to. Whatever makes you happy, not what keeps the weight off 😉
Caz xx
That’s a good point. Thank you, Caz! xx
I’ve lost 27 pounds in the last two years, but the only running I do is away from the gym…
Great job!
Love the parallels with the movie — I’ll have to check it out. It really is amazing how “mainstream” marathoning has become.
By the way, I’ve run two marathons and they were pretty much disasters (like, requiring paramedics level)… So don’t take your accomplishment for granted!
Hah that comment should have been me (I guess I wasn’t logged in).
Haha! I always get nervous when I get a comment from “someone” – it’s so ominous! Thank you! Great job to you on yours as well. Mine, well, some went better than others that’s for sure!
That’s amazing!! Good job! I am SO excited to be able to jog again.
Thank you so much! I kind of know that feeling. I was so excited to get moving after my last pregnancy. Good luck to you when you find you are able to go for a jog!
I’m counting down the days!
Congratulations on all 7! It’s an amazing feat.
I saw the movie and loved it. I thought the depiction of Brittany was very realistic and it had a feel good ending.
Thank you! I agree, I thought she was real and I liked the end too 🙂