Even if you have never laced up a pair of running shoes and hit the pavement, competed in a marathon or even a fun run, if you are a mother, you are a runner.

You run to crying babies and bedsides.

You run to skinned knees and for band-aid boxes.

You run to stores and sports and home again.

You run from stove to table again and again.

You run after school homework sessions.

You run off monsters and chase away fears.

You are a runner.

The importance of all the running is taken for granted and there are no medals at the finish line.  There are days it seems we are simply running our mouths and no one is listening.  Other days, the only runs are those in our stockings.  We run in circles and up against seemingly insurmountable odds.  There will be runs that are all uphill and against the wind, and you will want to quit.  But even on the days (or weeks, or months) when nothing seems to be running smoothly, remember mother, You are a runner.  Runners keep running.  Running in the rain, the heat and even the cold.  They run against the wind and against all odds.  Runners don’t quit.  Mothers don’t quit.  All of the miles, the easy ones, the hard ones, the painful and the fun ones are all worth running.  The little people you are running after and running for will not remember the runs in your stockings, but they will remember you running beside them, running to them and running for them.  And they will feel it – the love behind all the running.  So keep running.  You are one tough Mother Runner, but know that you are not running alone.  There are a million other mothers running this race with you.  They are running behind you and beside you.  If I see you on the run, know that I will not judge your pace, your style or your stride.  I will cheer you on and pick you up if you fall.  I am running the same grueling, challenging, beautiful course – I am a mother.  Let’s do this – together.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton