I Run, Therefore I Am

I Run, Therefore I Am

25th Apr 2017

Here it is...well, here I am almost 6 weeks postpartum and my journey has really just begun! These gems that you see to the left are my spankin' new running shoes, custom fitted by a running specialist and ready to hit the road. They have only done this, hit the road, one time thus far. It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I decided that these one day old beauties needed their maiden voyage! Ambitious for me, because you see, I usually do not unveil my post baby body in it's running debut until well into the 3rd or 4th month. But with such amazing weather and a caring husband to tend to the children I took the opportunity to "jam out" to my ipod and get in the zone.

The zone proved to be more illusive than I thought, however. I forget so quickly what a love/hate relationship running is for me. For many, many months I drooled at the idea of hitting the road, shuffle at my side, to relieve some stress and drop some lb's! I forget, much like birth, how painful this process really is. I forget how long it takes for this stretched, mortified, somewhat out of what body of mine to get back into the swing of things.

Much to my surprise, however, is that I made it...the whole way...well the whole short way. I cropped my typical loop of 3.5 miles down to 2 miles knowing my inability to start where I had left off 7 months ago. And here I am today....with thighs that feel powerless over the weight of the body they are holding up! OOOOOHHH child they hurt. But that is good, it means I fought the good fight and began this journey.

And drum roll please.....these shoes were my ever so thoughtful gift from my husband for my birthday. I have typical "moms syndrome" when it comes to purchasing things; I try to find a good deal. This applies to even my running shoes. My husband knows this plight and decided to take it upon himself to change this and get me into some custom fitted beauties (see above picture) that may even cost a bit more. So after the sticker shock has worn off, the expert "fitter" fee was paid and our visit ended. We ventured over to the nearest Byerly's (oh this was a treat for in our quaint  town the closest we get to this is Cub...blahhhh) and purchase a gorgeous tuna steak to grill for my birthday dinner. What a treat!

Ok now I'm taking a different road...but back to the subject...the shoes are great. The running not so much (YET)! But as it has in the past, it will get better and I will begin to thrive on my time along in these shoes.

infant support pillow

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for a subluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.