Uncommon Comeback: New Mom, New Motivation

by Vecoya Banks, Contributor

I've been pretty active my entire life. Throughout middle and high school I participated in my fair share of extra-curricular activities, including volleyball, basketball, softball and track. During my stint with track, I decided I hated distance running with a passion. In hindsight, it was more of a mental block, but I felt exhausted and unmotivated when it came to running long distances.

After college, when I began working my first 9-5, it was immediately evident to me how important working out was to living a healthy lifestyle. I had never sat for such long periods of time until I started a desk job. I found it draining and a major adjustment from the college lifestyle. So, I found joy in going to the gym regularly, but your girl was still adamantly avoiding running long distances!

Years later, I am adjusting to a new challenge, motherhood. I’m blessed to be a mommy to a handsome and very active one-year-old son, Eugene Jr. Life can get very busy balancing a full-time job, my family life and maintaining relationships, all while running my small business, Love the Hair You Wear (LTHYW). This annual natural hair event, returning this year in July, focuses on helping black women embrace their natural hair roots, increase self-esteem and enjoy the company of other natural beauties.

Finding time to fit in runs and workouts is challenging to say the least, but I know they are essential to prioritizing my mental health and well-being.

Rising to a Challenge

When the COVID-19 pandemic showed up, rocked all of our worlds and slowed down all of my 2020 plans, I had to find a way to release the stress and tension of day-to-day life.

To my surprise, my motivation came in the form of a challenge! My husband invited me to a Nike Run Challenge with our family members. The challenge was to complete 50 miles in 6 weeks, walking and running. I broke it down so that it was only about a mile and change, daily. It made it feel more attainable, something I could actually do. By the end of our family challenge, I had come in third place out of 10 people!

Through this challenge, I discovered I could push myself past some of the limitations in my head. I began walking miles, then I went to a track and ran the straights but walked the curves until I was able to jog an entire lap, then two and so forth. Building myself up to meet new goals has really worked for me. One week, I even ran every day. (Yes, all seven days, y’all.) A new achievement for me! Not to mention, after my runs, I feel amazing.

Easing into a Running Lifestyle

Running has now become a major outlet for me during this pandemic. It’s still a big mental challenge, but there is something so exhilarating about completing a three-mile run within my goal time.

At this stage in my life, it seems there is always something ‘more pressing’ I could be doing, like washing dishes, making dinner or catching up on work. You name it, there’s always another task or chore that could be completed. And, when I talk to a lot of my mommy friends that seems to be their challenge too. One thing that’s helped is having the right equipment so my son can come along. Making him a part of my run or workout helps me come up with less excuses to not make it happen. To that end, the Graco running stroller has been a lifesaver. Although it’s heavy, it navigates easily through all types of terrain. Plus, my son LOVES tagging along for my walks or runs, he always falls asleep in the stroller so it’s a sure way to make sure he gets his naps in.

Now, I’ve created a schedule to map out time for physical activity. Although it is hard to make the time and I often don’t feel motivated before a run, it’s turning into my ‘me time’.

I still have so much to learn, but little by little I set new goals to accomplish. Jumping back into running has been a great re-introduction to a fit lifestyle for me. The feeling afterwards is so worth it, and running helps me be my best self.