Thank goodness for time.

This is such an amazing post. You inspire me so much!

You are amazing Janae! So strong. I’ve been where you are and yes time does heal. It’s been two years for me and I still have my days even now but they are getting farther apart.

Anyone who has been through anything truly emotionally hard can understand the grieving process you speak of and this is why we get the weekends you speak of, the Parenthood marathons and the celebrations of a whole day without crying. I’ve never been divorced but have experienced a different kind of loss and found myself crying every day for a year. I definitely celebrated the day I didn’t.

You are strong. We so admire you for putting it out there for us in that way you do and for being so amazing for that beautiful little peanut in her little fur vest.

And as a mom to grown ups…my heart is sad for your mom, too. I can’t imagine how sad her heart was to not be able to take the pain away with her head massages.

I’m so happy for you! You seriously are beyond strong. If I was in your shoes, I wouldn’t have even given positive thinking the time of day. But here you are 6 months later :). I watched halftime, Bruno Mars is amazing of course.

In all fairness, Elmo is pretty awesome so I’d say Elmo by association is not a bad place to be in a toddler’s eyes… No one watches the super bowl, not with the competing kitten and puppy bowls on. foul for unnecessary cuteness? so much better than actual football.

I am a loyal reader of your blog and you have no idea how much you inspire me! Although I have never been married I have struggled with an eating disorder for quite awhile. I have good days and bad days, and just like you, I need my mom on those tough days to calm me down. Last night was pretty rough and I prayed so hard for strength. your post today was an answer to prayer, I feel comfort in your words and strength in knowing tough times build character and it will get better. Thanks for always putting a smile on my face! Keep fighting, you are so inspiring to many!!

This is a beautiful post Janae… Thank you for sharing. You are such a strong, inspiring woman.

I’m so glad you’re starting to feel better – I can’t even imagine how painful this has all been for you. Your optimism and heart really show on this blog and you’re such an inspiration to always find the silver lining. We all have our bad days and our bad moments, but it’s how we move forward that really counts.

p.s. my blogger friend Ari (Ari’s Menu) is running that half too! At least I’m pretty sure she is… haha.

awesome! It’s true, time is a gift, I’ve learned this lesson and am still learning it :)

I ONLY watched Bruno Mars and the Chilli Peppers perform the half time show and that is all!

I’m ironically doing a fun Color Run in March. I’ve never run a 5k before (10k or half marathon are my only races) and it’s with my partners group of friends (he’s from Australia and I’m American, visiting for a few months) so I’m looking forward to fun bonding.

I NEED to find a favourite running shoe, my current shoes leave my hips and knees feeling wrecked. I’ve actually been stalking your pages for shoe ideas ;)

Here’s to a great week!

You know in the Hunger Games when Katniss volunteers as tribute and all of District 12 gives her that salute? While reading this post I was imagining a virtual Hunger Games salute happening. You have countless people wishing the very best for you!!

You are amazing J! You are strong physical emotionally and spiritually. You deserve great things, and they will happen.
I am so impressed by the grace and class you have show. Through this.

Hi, Janae! I have read your blog for years, and I love your positive outlook on life. I just wanted to say that you have seemed so positive and strong on the blog over the last 6 months even though you were going through such a hard time. It takes a strong person to get up everyday and put on a smile when other feelings want to take over. You inspire other people to strive for happiness in their lives, and that is such an impressive quality. Thanks for writing such a great blog! :)

Beautiful post; thank you for sharing! I am praying for you and Brooke. It sounds like your mom is an amazing woman and wonderful support!

P.S. I didn’t watch a second of the superbowl either and have no regrets about it :)

My next race is in early May. I’ve ran six full marathons, but am running my first HALF! Honestly, I don’t know how to train for a half. Time to Google a training plan…

Lately I’ve been running in Nike Flex Trainer 3 shoes that I got on sale randomly because I forgot my running shoes! They were going to be cross-training shoes when I got my running shoes back, but now I like running in them. It works, I guess?

You are amazing, and I’m so proud of you for all you’ve been through. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with us. I’m SURE it has helped so many others out there that are going through challenging times. You are one strong lady, and Brooke is so blessed to have you as a wonderful role model! Huge hugs to you!

P.S. I miss you! We need to hang out again, mmmkay?!

Brooke calling you Nae made me smile – My momma, family, and close friends call me Nae too!

Thank you for sharing bits and pieces of the emotional reality you having been going through the last 6 months – Not only are you an inspiration to your daughter, family, and friends – but to many of your blog readers as well! Keep on keepin’ on! :-)

What a great post!! You are such a strong woman! You are a huge inspiration to me, not just as a runner! Thanks for being so open and honest, and positive, even when times are tough!

My first marathon is exactly 3 months from today… yikes! I hope to get a half in there too, mainly just as a training run. My Mizuno Wave Rider 16s are my favorite, I tried the 17s, and ended up buying more 16s!

Unfortunately, my boyfriend had the Super Bowl on, otherwise I wouldn’t have watched a second of it either. I could care less ;)

You are strong and amazing! I can’t imagine how many people your words will help.
It looks like Brooke started nursery?!

This was an amazing post – thank you so much. You are so strong and have an awesome head on your shoulders.
I didn’t watch the Superbowl either – it’s overrated ;)

Um…I needed a new show for the treadmill today so I started “Parenthood”. I do not cry well while running.

You’ve got so many people rooting for you. It is posts like this that remind me why I enjoy reading your blog so much. While I could never relate to how fast of a runner you are, the honesty you bring makes you seem like a friend. I think 2014 is going to be your year :)

Native Coloradoian here and the game was depressing to watch. We switched to the puppy bowl during the fourth quarter.

My heart goes out to you. I recently found your blog and love it! You are stronger than you realize and I’m happy for your evolution of growth. :)
I just lost my dog, so watching the Budweiser commercial with the cute lab made me smile. :)
I race here in Arizona on March 1st.mi talked my friend into running with me. Yay! To friend time and maybe a PR.
I run in Saucony Guide6. It’s unfortunate they were white. Arizona dust=not ever white shoes! Lol

Thank you Janae! You give me hope every day!

I’m a firm believer that we need time to heal, and I’m happy to hear that you’re feeling like yourself again. Brooke is lucky to have such a strong mama to look up to!

glad to hear you’re healing and feeling like yourself again — time, prayers and wonderful people really make all the difference.
i have 2 1/2 marathons in March, on back to back weekends!

I did watch the super bowl which I have now dubbed ‘the mediocre bowl’. I wasn’t really all that impressed with any of the commercials except the ‘doberhuahua’ seriously, I could just die, it was hilarious. You need to watch it over and over.

I have another half marathon in just under 3 weeks and my current favorite shoe is brooks pure flow 2’s, I have several pairs in rotation and I love them!

Great post and worded perfectly for anyone in similar positions.

what? a football game was this weekend? who played? (seriously, we aren’t an american football house!)

I have a 5K in three weeks for our PTA, and then I need to bump it up and find my 10K to stay on my half-schedule.

I love you!! I know things will continue to get better for you and you deserve all the great things in your life that will be coming your way.

The Superbowl was so anti climactic and the commercials were lame. I am not into sappy commercials. I want funny! The Doritos ones were good. So you didn’t miss out on anything ;)

I still have yet to find a shoe I LOVE.

The weekend of you half is the weekend I am going to on my annual St George trip with my girls. I am so excited to feel warmth and run outside without so many layers. I may have a countdown on my phone. No shame.

So glad to hear you are healing. It can be hard waiting for time to pass but it does make things hurt less.

Good call not watching the Super Bowl, what a dud.

I’m so glad you are feeling better and more like yourself again. I went through some horribly tragic experiences when I was sixteen and it took me several years to get over it, but looking back on it now 18 years later, I would do it all over again because it made me who I am today. It really is true what they say–what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. I hope you continue feeling better every single day, and that those bad days become fewer and farther between. You CAN do hard things :)

My next race is 40 days away (if I don’t sign up for anything else spontaneously like I did yesterday): Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach! I had originally planned to do the full marathon, but due to injury and illness I had to scale back on my training and bump down to the half. I will get that full done someday.

My current running shoes are the Brooks Ghost 6. I absolutely love them!!

I didn’t watch any of the Super Bowl either. My first half is April 27th and I’m excited and nervous at the same time! As another mama that has experienced what you’ve been through, I’m so happy for you that time is helping to heal the wounds, because when you’re smack dab in the middle of that hurt, you can’t imagine a day when it doesn’t hurt so bad. And you have an amazing family and mom for sure!

Beautifully said.
Also, it’s not too late for you to sign up for the Fargo Marathon or 1/2 Marathon :) I’m sure ND is right up there at the top of your list for exotic places you want to go to to do a race!

Great post!!! Sending lots of love your way :)

I watched the Super Bowl. I’m verrrry happy the Seahawks won!! woohooo

I’m so glad that you are feeling more like yourself. Your honesty is refreshing and appreciated. Everyone has hard times and it is nice to hear how other people deal with it and move past. I went through a divorce 7 years ago and it was tough. It does get better and better as time passes. I’m now engaged to a wonderful man…it’s amazing to see what God has in store for you!

Now for your questions:
1. I did watch the Super Bowl. The game was terrible and the commercials were just okay. My fave was the puppy and horse commercial from Budweiser.

2. Next race is called Brew to Brew on April 6th. It is a 44 mile relay from Boulevard Brewery in Kansas City to Free State Brewery in Lawrence. Part road, part levee, part trail and part gravel. There is even a leg where you take a boat across a little river. It is just a fun day! We will have a team of 7 people and I’ll be running 9 miles.

3. I run in Mizunos. I have found that they are lighter and comfortable. Just a personal preference.

I didn’t watch it, except for 30 seconds of Bruno Mars’ performance. No shame.

Hi Janae-I commented once before. My husband died in September. He actually committed suicide. I don’t think I told you that part. I am having a horrible, horrible day so I’m just going to take your advice and go with it and hope it happens for me me, too.

It is so nice to read that you are starting to feel more like yourself again Janae. I have no doubt that in years to come you will be happier than you ever thought possible, and that this whole devastating time will be something that you overcame and is simply part of your history. I remember a very bad time in my life like a distant experience now, and my mom helping me through it like your mom has done. The difference between the me-then and the me-now is just unrecognisable. I went from never thinking I would be happy ever again to being happier than I ever dreamed I would be. I am very grateful for time too!

I have no races coming up, I’m due my first baby in August (actually around Brooke’s birthday I think!) and I’m just trying to keep running. I am re-reading HRG baby practically every night, taking lots of notes, and super grateful for my running inspiration!

Thank you for being vulnerable.
It gives me the courage to face something that could be less than ideal in my near future.
Love you friend!

thank you for sharing this vulnerable post and i am SO happy hear you are feeling closer to your self again. i appreciate the candidness and know you are an incredibly strong woman so keep doing what you need to do to take care of yourself!

Janae, I just have to tell you that although this post might make you feel vulnerable, you are helping so many people by writing about this. I know that you have inspired me with my running and with my life, in general. I went through a tough time in my relationship and I am still struggling, but your posts always make me feel like I’m not alone. You are a strong and amazing woman!

I’m glad to hear that time is starting to heal some of the hurt for you. You are amazingly positive and strong. Your daughter has one heck of a mom!

My next race is in April. It is a fun Easter Egg hunt themed 5k with an egg hunt for adults and kids (separately) after. I ran it last year, but this year I’m more excited because my daughter is running around.

Ha! Sometimes I hear my daughter calling me by my name when she is in her room with my husband. I guess she has become used to him yelling for me when he can’t figure something out with her.

Thanks for sharing — really, though, thank goodness for time!

I am a Mizuno runner, through and through. Yesterday, I tried on the new Wave Rider 17 and it was the worst ever. Needless to say, I was SO SO bummed. That’s my go-to shoe for Mizuno and no other one really fits me right. Especially since they discontinued the Wave Precision. So, I listened to my countless friends who recommend the Brooks Pure Series and left the store with a pair of Brooks Connect — I think I’ll love them. Today’s indoor test run will tell.

Thank you for posting this. I lost my step mom on Sat after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Right now it feels as though a knife is in my heart. I pray time heals especially for my father. They were a beautiful example of love until the very end.