Recently I had the opportunity to be part of a study aimed at finding out why women do Ultras and the challenges them face.
I have Barefoot Angie Bee to thank for being able to take part in the study.
I have Barefoot Angie Bee to thank for being able to take part in the study.
The interview lasted about an hour. I was asked a bit about myself and how I got into running. To be honest I felt a bit like who was I to be giving my two cents until the interviewer asked me how many ultras I have done in the past two years and I said about 10. When she responded with "Wow!" I realized I was doing it again. I was doing what many people do. I was down playing what I have accomplished because I keep comparing it to what others have done.
Our conversation continued and I hope that what I was able to offer through my experiences will help in some way. But as many conversations hindsight is always slightly more clear. Her final question was,
If I could say something to encourage a woman who was contemplating running her first ultra, what would I say?
Although I had talked about this challenge earlier in my interview, I wish I had answered that final question more simply with this:
I give you permission.
Why would I need to given anyone other than my own children permission to do anything? Well, I shouldn't but that's often the problem. Many women feel that they don't have permission to use the time in their days for themselves. Women feel that family comes first.
People paint it on signs and hang it in their homes.
Not that family is anything other than a top priority but women often forget that we need feed our own needs to be able to meet the needs of those we love.
I no longer feel guilty about taking a few weekends a year to enjoy races and I don't feel guilty about the time I spend running to be prepared for those races. Having given that small percentage of my day to myself, I know that I am made a better person for everyone in my life.
I gave myself permission.
And in doing so I gave my family a much better version of me.
What finally made you give yourself permission?
What would you say to someone who is just starting out and feeling guilty?
Considering an Ultra? What do you feel is your biggest hurtle? How can I help you overcome it?
Although I had talked about this challenge earlier in my interview, I wish I had answered that final question more simply with this:
I give you permission.
Why would I need to given anyone other than my own children permission to do anything? Well, I shouldn't but that's often the problem. Many women feel that they don't have permission to use the time in their days for themselves. Women feel that family comes first.
People paint it on signs and hang it in their homes.
Not that family is anything other than a top priority but women often forget that we need feed our own needs to be able to meet the needs of those we love.
I no longer feel guilty about taking a few weekends a year to enjoy races and I don't feel guilty about the time I spend running to be prepared for those races. Having given that small percentage of my day to myself, I know that I am made a better person for everyone in my life.
I gave myself permission.
And in doing so I gave my family a much better version of me.
What finally made you give yourself permission?
What would you say to someone who is just starting out and feeling guilty?
Considering an Ultra? What do you feel is your biggest hurtle? How can I help you overcome it?
