A running memory I’ll never forget and the best brownies you will ever have.

That squash sounds amazing the way you cooked it. I am going to try that. Thanks for sharing!

I have definitely run through hard situations and often find that my running improves when I’m running on emotions. It also helps me to deal with the situation because my feelings come out during my runs and I’m better able to process them.

I love rolo brownies :) my mom makes those all the time!

Running helps me deal with anxiety on a daily basis. I can get really easily overwhelmed and wound up and running just sort of calms me down and takes my mind off anything that it bothering me. I love that you share such personal stories. You help more people than you know!

I think running helps us through the hard stuff because it’s taught us to keep going even when it hurts. I was “laid off” of my first job out of college after 5 months. They hired me knowing that the facility was closing, which was a huge blow because I moved to this city just for the job. I was so blessed to find another job pretty much right away, but in that week that I wasn’t working I was running for hours and looking back, it was actually a pretty good memory.

Thanks for sharing that story Janae. I feel lucky that I haven’t really been through anything THAT hard in my life and I hope I never have to. I can’t imagine all the pain that caused. But, I definitely do use running when I’m upset or scared or any other emotion- I think all the endorphins help regulate those other things going on and really do help as therapy. Thank you, Running.

I’ve actually been going through a pretty tough time lately for a variety of reasons, and running has been an outlet to help me get away from the stresses and pain for a while and do something I love. I can absolutely see how you needed those 28 minutes on such a difficult day.

Why are we always on the same divorce wavelength with our posts? lol I wrote today about my anniversary and how it feels after divorce AND how running brings me through a lot of thoughts and feelings. Last week I just kept running through my feelings and it just felt so good! It’s such therapy when we don’t even realize it and somehow, we get through the really really hard stuff and keeping with our favorite routine (running) for sure helps. I don’t know how I got through so many of the moments that I did with the divorce but you and I both are stronger because of it.

I just recently lost my father from a 10 year battle with a degenerative illness. The days leading up to his death and the month since have been haunted with the image of what was a very tragic end. The moments I feel peace, or at least like myself usually come when I’m running. To be honest my relationship with running isn’t always healthy and it’s something I need to address (exercise addiction etc) but right now it keeps me sane and for that I’m truly appreciative. I think it’s a fine line in growing dependent on running and using it as a tool. I’m not sure how to strike the balance but I think you hit the nail on the head, it’s what makes life feel “normal” and there isn’t anything wrong with loving it for that reason simply. I’m sure that’s unnecessarily too much information, but honestly it felt good to get out. I’m glad you’re doing better now and I can’t wait to see ou nail that sub 3!

Thanks for your honesty, Janae. Running has helped me in many of the same ways. My husband and I experienced a very difficult loss at the beginning of this year that left us both reeling. Some days all I could think to do was go for a run and just let me feelings go. Running was my way to process my pain and sadness while looking to God for strength and understanding. I am very thankful for running as it provides so much more than just fitness.

Oh that girl of yours! She is too cute!

I think you’re dead on about the running through tough stuff. I am not a great runner, but realized during an injury, and more recently during the serious illness/hospitalization of my baby, when I can’t run it greatly impacts my mental health. I still haven’t been able to start running again, and often think to myself, “I’d even love to run on a treadmill!!!!” And I can’t stand the treadmill, one of the reasons I don’t have one.

Thank you for your transparency. I can’t imagine it’s easy sharing some of these things, but I know it’s helpful to more than just me!

Sometimes running is the only normal thing in my life. I have run through tragedy. I have sobbed while running. Running can be emotionally freeing. I have also run through anger, and it’s amazing how much of that anger melted away throughout my run.

You are so strong! Thank you as always for your openness and honesty.

I will pick some of that peppermint Jo Jo’s up for both of us!! Love this post. Here are two yummy recipes for you to try. love ya!

http://www.recipegirl.com/2013/05/02/roasted-vegetable-and-black-bean-tacos/

http://www.spoonforkbacon.com/2011/07/grilled-zucchini-tacos/

The Zucchini taco is a family favorite but a little labor intensive. Xoxoxo

Running has always been an outlet for me. It helps me to cope with stress and anxiety; if I have a bad day at work, I know running is always there for me.

The non-runners in my life find it so weird when I get back from a great run and can’t stop talking about how fun it was. Running is fun?! Yes! Yes, it is.

I signed up for my first marathon shortly before my fiance completely blindsided me and called off our wedding… only to later find out he also had a new girlfriend. While some days it even takes meeting someone out for a run to hold me accountable running is one of the few things that gives me a sense of normalcy. Thank you for sharing your reasons and for this post!

I can’t count the amount of times I cried uncontrollably while running when I was dealing with my son’s uncontrolled seizures and ultimate brain surgery. Running was a huge outlet!

Running is definitely a huge help during tough times. The stress in my life right now revolves around college classes and exams. So many people opt to skip the workout and study more, but I’ve found that taking that time to go on a run makes the time I do study much more productive. After the run I feel focused and energized, and for the time I’m on the road I don’t have to worry about the next test or homework. Thanks for sharing :)

The day after my dad unexpectedly died, I went out for a run. Between the cold air and my crying throughout the run, I remember sort of choking down my breath as I ran. But it was SO therapeutic.

I appreciate your honesty in these blog posts. It’s real and it makes you human. Thank you for sharing.

I have been through a lot of loss and grief in my life. I lost my mom when I was 22, I had 2 miscarriages, an abusive spouse, divorce, subsequent eating disorders, depression and other multiple health concerns. Sometimes when I look back I’m not sure how I made it through those years.

Then I discovered running. I found emotional and physical strengths I didn’t know I had. I found an outlet for my stress, sometimes using that time as an “out” – not thinking about anything; and other times using it to really focus on an issue and sometimes that was when I would come up with a simple solution to something that may have been overwhelming at other times.
Then, last March, running got me through the last few weeks of my sister’s life due to cancer :(. Then it also got me through the weeks after she passed. I ran up hills until I was nauseous, I ran in the dark so people wouldn’t see me cry. I ran fast, I ran slow. None of it was pretty, but it was exactly what I needed then.
5 months later when her husband was killed in a motorcycle accident and my niece and nephews were left orphaned – and I lost a very close life long friend – nothing about anything seemed real at that point. Again, running was my one true outlet. Sometimes with friends, sometimes alone. Whatever I needed, I did.
Wow, talk about oversharing!! Putting that all in writing (for other people to see) is almost as therapeutic as running!
These days I’m not able to run due to an old back injury, but I still use fitness as a stress reliever. So for right now, until I can run again, my swimming and my time on the elliptical are my outlets. Oh yeah, and my therapist :)
Even after all of this, I still manage to stay positive and am very grateful for all that is good in my life. And there is a lot of good. I raised two girls on my own who are turning out to be truly amazing young ladies. I have a successful career and have my own house and independence and am free from most of the negativity of my past.
So the moral of my very long winded story is – when you are having hard times and you are able – GO RUN!!

Running is such therapy…if I hadn’t run through the hard times – I likely would have turned to alcohol or food.

Running has helped me through my husband’s diagnosis of leukemia.

Running has helped me through losing my best friend and running partner. She was beautiful and could run for days and when I lost her, I cried through every run for 6 months.

Running helped me through losing my aunt. She was my heart and her loss was quick and unexpected.

I owe a lot to running. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for sharing such a personal side of your life, Janae. I started running in 2006 right after I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer. I needed an outlet and running helped me cope. Even on the toughest days when all I wanted to do was cry, I would lace up my shoes and find some peace as I ran out the door. Running saved me from depression and despair. I actually ran my first marathon less than a year after his death in his memory and haven’t stopped running since. Now every time I race, I picture him running next to me cheering me on. He is always with me.

Thank you for sharing such a personal story… it’s stories like yours and like those in the comments that remind us that we are all walking (running) our own journey, but our paths are much the same. Running gives us that connection to bring us all together, and it gives us time to be alone with our thoughts as well.

I so agree that running during tough times doesn’t fix anything but it brings you back to yourself and can provide tremendous peace! That is some story about meeting with your divorce attorney and then going out for a run, you’re a strong woman!!!

Life in general is stressful lately— nursing school/husbands crazy hours/bringing up twin 1.5 year olds. It’s hard to always find time or even make time to run but when I do, it just feels right. Like you said, I usually feel stressed as soon as I get back and tend to the multiple tasks waiting for me but it helps in that moment and I need it!

Thank you so much for sharing the last bit you did today. I’m in a very new (to me), but similar boat these days, and it’s comforting knowing you’ve made it through to a much better place. Some days it doesn’t feel like it’ll get any better, and I feel so low. I usually run at night and like last night, it brought so much peace. I could just push myself and not deal with the feelings (for a short time ;).

Wow, incredible stories! Love and hugs to all the readers.

Running also helped me tremendously through my divorce. Thanks for posting this Janae. XO

Running is such a gift! It has genuinely brought me back to myself. I was never an athlete growing up, so I feel SO GRATEFUL to have discovered running later in life! Thank you for sharing your journey xo

The day both of my twins were diagnosed with autism was the worst day of my life. Sitting in the paediatrician’s office with my husband getting a pretty grim and uncertain prognosis of their future was the worst moment of my life. A therapy called applied behaviour analysis saved us all I think and I thank God for the amazing people who turned their lives around.

It has really been completing races that has given me the best gift from running. I am not where I want to be in life career-wise but during that runner’s high following a race I have an extreme amount of confidence that I can tackle anything. It is always the best time for me to job hunt when I have that confidence that I am worthy of having a job that suits my passions.

Thank you for sharing this. I’ve been a runner most of my life and have run through tough times like many others. I also ran through a divorce and like you, it gave me a sense of normalcy. No matter what chaos was going on, I knew I could and would run every day. It provided some much needed stability.

Travelled to be present and help my oldest daughter for a month for my grand daughters birth while planning a wedding that had just been announced before I left for my youngest daughter in three months. My father passed away the week before I was due home. Travelled to his funeral and packed up all his belongings between my three sisters. Had a premature grand son born two days before said wedding and watched my youngest move with her husband to Holland. Through it all I ran, and ran some more. Not sure how in my exhaustion but it kept me sane. LOVE the photos of you and your daughter.

Thank you for sharing your heart. I love that you point out that keeping with running can be that one thing that is normal. The bookends around the run may be crumbling, but a run is made and controlled by the runner only, so it can stay consistent!

Janae, I love your blog. I don’t comment that often but I have been a loyal reader for some time now. I love how committed you are to running and you are such a great mom to Brooke and you are so open and honest, which I love.

Running is ALWAYS there for me (and you and all other runners.) When I am sad, happy, frustrated, depressed, everything. It’s there for me. It never turns its back on me, it is always waiting for me, even when I abandon it for awhile for whatever reason. It provides pure relaxation and freedom in this crazy chaotic world we live in and I love that. So glad that it was able to help you through such a difficult time.

In 2013 it was my first year teaching, had just bought a house and my husband (boyfriend at the time) was diagnosed with testicular cancer. I ran because it was something we always had done together and one thing in my life that I could control. He is in remission now and we’re still running together. :) running is such cheap therapy in tough times! Thanks for blogging- I really enjoy reading it!

I love what you wrote. Both about your running through trials AND that candy can jo jo ice cream. I need that stuff. Like, yesterday.

You have such a wonderful loving family. I heard you when you spoke about running helping you have a least a little normalcy that day (and I completely get that!), but what really got me, was that your mom and brothers went with you to file. That is so lovely. You are very lucky to have so many people love an support you.

A bad breakup is what got me started in running. As a co-worker of mine (a strength coach who hates running) said to me when I told him why I started running, “runners are usually running away from something”. I never thought about it that way! Running was the only thing that made me feel better and once I started running, I lost weight and realized how important nutrition was for running and athletic performance and that prompted me to go back to school to become a dietitian. Due to that, I found my passion in life (running AND nutrition), moved across the country (to Utah!) for grad school, met my boyfriend who I love very much, and have had many great experiences living in new places and meeting new people. I still love running when I’m in a good place in life but it definitely helps me the most when I’m feeling sad, angry, upset, etc. In the words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy…” :)

great post, and so true. you really are an inspiration, and i love how you remind us to be grateful, appreciate our bodies and what they do, and just smile.
its not as intense as others situations, but running has gotten me through so much stress and anxiety with school, various moves and cities, jobs, but more importantly, my Mima’s death and my sister’s illness. and ya know, just crappy days!

ps–that running pic of you is awesome :)

Last year, I was training for my very first half marathon. The race was labor day weekend. Mid-July, my boyfriend and I found out we were pregnant. I was scared out of my mind, but so excited about the new journey my life would take. My training slowed down a little. About a 2 weeks before the race, I started miscarrying. It was the most painful and horrifying moment of my life. I was in bed for days. I felt lost and didn’t know how to continue. I felt like my heart had shattered. I didn’t want to do anything, I didn’t want to run or race or face anyone. When my body stopped hurting and I could get out of bed, I just put on my shoes and went to a trail I always go to, almost unconsciously. I just started moving forward. Throughout the miles, I had a million break downs. I just wanted to fall in the dirt, but I kept going. I showed up at the race even though I knew I hadn’t kept up my training, my body had just gone through the painful experience, and my heart was completely broken… I just did it. Most of the race was hard to get through, and I just started crying several times throughout the race. But I just kept going forward. And I kept telling myself… “I can do hard things.” And I did. Running was all I could grasp. Though it can never replace what I lost, it somehow kept me going when I didn’t want to keep going.

Divorce is hard. Mine will be finalized next month. Without running I don’t know where I would be right now mentally. My family has never been close so I lack in the support system. My friends are great but its not something I try to talk about often. So when I can go out and put miles in…the pain, the struggle (I have 3 kids), the changes (new schools and state) all of it for a short time is better. My kids find me stronger, my friends find me smiling more and me, well I see it when I look in the mirror. What I have lived through, what I have gained, and the bright future that lies ahead. Without running though I am just not sure if I would have all of that.

My blog actually started from writing about how running was helping me deal with life stressors. I think it can help us get through difficulties but also life events that make us happy but also anxious due to them being major life changes. Love when we get a glimpse of your inner world. You’re a great person!!!

Thank you for sharing. Hearing how running helps others only reaffirms for me why it’s the best sport in the world. It’s completely changed my life. It helped me crawl out from under my eating disorder, it helped me become healthier mentally and physically, it gives me peace when my mind is racing…I don’t think of running as a replacement for therapy but it can be incredibly therapeutic!

What a great post. I run for the same reasons. I’ve always been a runner but I didn’t start really concentrating on it and doing it consistently until I was dealing with some major life changes and wanting to do something that made me feel normal again. My life change was a happy one in that it was after the birth of my son. But for other first time moms, it can be a scary place, and I battled with post-partum and found running to really pull me through that because it gave me what I craved, a sense of normalcy. One other thing- the other post with the pictures-the pictures are so nice you girls look so pretty.