Laura

Muuvment is me time. It’s what connects me to who I am outside of any titles I wear the other 24 hours of the day. Muuvment brings me the clarity, joy, and energy to show up to the little people who need me most.

Cate

Running was always my favorite form of muuvment before kids. Having my athletic pursuits be such a big part of my life for so long (training for track in college and then marathons afterward), I underestimated the simple benefits of that daily muuvment. All the running I did, in my head, was for training. The fact that I was also getting the benefits of exercise was icing on the cake. But what happened for me after stopping running during pregnancy and reducing it a lot after that was that I forgot I would still need to exercise, both for my mental and physical health. Becoming a mom has changed exercise from this by-product of something I would do anyway to a vital need for my well-being.

Laura

Since becoming a mother, my need for Muuvment has not changed. What has changed is how I protect and claim this time. This time is not selfish. This time enables me to show up for my kids full of life, energy, and love. This time is what makes me the best version of myself.

Since becoming a mom, water is always on hand! When my boys see me drop a tab into my water, they immediately request a sip of “mommy water.” I love that they are getting all the benefits of hydration alongside me without the added sugars and additives found in so many other sports drinks.

Cate

One thing running prepared me for was constantly needing to drink a lot of water (and electrolytes)! I probably drink the same way I used to—I always carry a water bottle with me—but the need for driving that has shifted from running a lot to growing humans and feeding them.

Laura

One of the biggest challenges as an active mom is ensuring I make time for recovery. I’m good at getting a sweat in but often have to get more creative with how and when I build in recovery, including proper nutrition! I love that Nuun offers their Nuun Rest product that supports me with this piece of the puzzle!

Cate

It’s been challenging to reconcile what I used to believe about myself, especially my strength as an athlete, with my current reality. I lived by this “no excuses” mindset, thinking that if you wanted something bad enough, you’d find a way to get it done. Maybe that’s still true, and I have to admit I don’t want “it”—running and fitness in general—as much as I used to. And that makes me get down on myself. I thought I was strong and would always find a way to make running a big part of my life, but it just isn’t.

But overcoming that disappointment looks like celebrating all the new parts of my life and new things I can do. For example, I had my second baby last year and delivered her at home. I never could have done or would have even wanted to do that before that year. But it was a rad experience. I am equally proud of that with my PR races.

Laura

Muuving with my family is a core value. I grew up watching my dad run around the local track and chasing him up and down the straightaways. He instilled a love of muuvment in me, and my goal is to do the same for my children. My highlight is when my oldest son ran his first 5k with me at age 5!

Cate

My kids are so little (2 years and 6 months) that it’s easy to strap them into the baby carrier or stroller for walks and runs. We also try to do a lot of active transportation to their outings, like trips to the park or library. They know it’s something we enjoy doing individually and as a family. Apparently, after a rainy day last week, our toddler told the daycare teacher she needed to get outside for some exercise. We almost swooned. Smart girl!

Laura

Put your oxygen mask on first. As a mother, we will constantly be needed. If we don’t claim time for ourselves, no one will. A child will always want us; there will always be a mess, laundry, toys to clean up, and meals to prep.

It’s during these times that I reconnect to my WHY. Mamas, find your WHY. Why do you want to muuv? Why does this matter to you? Once you have connected with your why, you will be unstoppable.

Cate

Last week, I heard a saying: “Wellbeing is not a reward for hard work,” meaning don’t wait until you’ve finished all your tasks at work or home to get some exercise or food in. That stuff is a prerequisite to being able to work hard! I have a tough time living by this, which is why hearing that saying (at a work seminar, no less) made such an impression.

Laura

The three biggest lessons I learned as an athlete were teamwork, the magic that happens when no one is watching, and the importance of what my body tells me.

These lessons show up just as strongly in my daily life as a mom. The teamwork my husband and I have in raising our children is no different from what my fellow teammates and I have. The magic that happens with each training session day in and day out is no different than the daily work and constant little reminders I give my children to develop them into whom they will become. The listening to what my body is telling me remains as well. I am just as in tune with what muuvement I need, what self-care I need, and what I need to do to continue to perform at my highest level for the little people in my life.

Cate

I learned as a runner that I needed to keep my eyes on my own lane. I didn’t need to worry about what anyone else was doing; I only needed to make running fun and satisfying for myself.

But with parenting, this is harder for me. There are endless choices about raising a kid, and the choices (feeding, sleep, training… or the decision to have kids) feel very emotionally charged because they take sacrifice. So, I’d get jealous of other athlete-moms on social media who appeared to be doing a better job than me, made different choices, or seemed to have an easier time returning to running. Of course, we all know social media is a highlight reel. But the feelings of inadequacy are real. I’ve had to repeatedly return to my own validation that I’m doing what I want to be doing.

As a mother, I now feel more sure of my wisdom and intuition. But if I do get back to training, this awareness of knowing when to push and when to back off is going to be a powerful tool in my toolbox.