Episode 4: Momraderie (Mom Camaraderie) with Sarah Simpson
by Nikki Parnell — April 10, 2020 — PC: Dan Hawkins
This episode is about moms coming together and chatting about normal life – the ins and outs of what it looks like to be a mother running ultras. It’s about seeing how another mama navigates this world and I hope it can be a reminder to all of us of how you don’t have to be a wildly crazy, intense, type A, put-together elite to run ultras and be a mom. Our guest, Sarah, is a sweet ray of sunshine who sums this up in a neat, relatable package when she says, “honestly all I have to contribute to this conversation is that I’m a mom making it through.” We think she’s doing way more than she gives herself credit for, but we hear that humble sentiment and feel the same way in our own lives. It was refreshing to listen to a fellow mama talk about running alongside motherhood and real life.
During our time with Sarah, we touch on things like her build up to the ultra distance, how she’s kept running and racing ultras through her pregnancies and recoveries, and how ultra running has changed for her since becoming a mom. One thing that hasn’t changed for her is that she still does most all of her races side by side with her husband, which we think is pretty cool! We gab about stroller miles and alternating weekend long runs with her husband and her focus on involving her kids and creating a positive experience around running for them.
We converse about how the point of this time of life with little kids is to just be “doing it”. Keep running, keep racing when you can, it doesn’t have to be the most beautiful, put together production. Mamas have a bit of “riding the waves” to do in the early years when life is full of pregnancy, postpartum, returning to running, and returning to themselves. We joke about how maybe we’ll kick butt a little more when we’re older and hit our peaks later when many women do. For now, we’re still doing it, we’re still getting out, running lots of miles and racing ultras which is still a very beautiful and remarkable thing.
So tune in for some mom talk! As always, we’re here for you — little voices in your ears, a virtual mom tribe to take with you on your long runs, especially these days when running is such a solo activity. Cheers mamas! Keep on keeping on!
Show Notes:
Nikki’s Favorite thing this week/Tangent on sports bras: Oiselle
Emily Bliss’s running bra recommendations page from mumsontherun.com
Stef’s Fave: Black Diamond Headlamp
Sarah’s favorite race(s): Minnesota Voyageur 50 Mile, Dick Collins 50 mile, Superior Spring 50k
Sarah’s favorite meal: Chicken Pot Pie with a Cornbread top
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