This is one fierce ninja mama runner. Nicole Goodman is my Fit Mama Friday today and she wrote a wonderful guest post for the series! If you haven’t checked out Nicole’s blog, Work in Sweats Mama before, you are in for a treat. She’s smart, funny, articulate and a pretty amazing runner and mama, to boot. Here’s Fit Mama Friday Nicole:
Nicole Goodman is a full-time working mama and the caffeine-driven mind behind Work in Sweats Mama.
After business hours, you’ll find her chasing her fearless two-year-old, verbally sparring with her precocious four-year-old, seeking an endorphin high on long runs, avoiding housework, and slurping down gigantic fountain Cokes.
Nicole’s idea of the perfect vacation involves lots of GORP (Good ‘Ol Raisins and Peanuts) while backpacking in a National Park. Trail running and SUP-ing in Hawaii is a close second.
Were you fit prior to kids?
Oh, how I fondly reminisce about my DINK days and the limitless free time at my disposal! When young whippersnappers bemoan their lack of time, I smile in my supreme wisdom at their youthful naivety. Just wait…
Before our girls arrived, my husband and I were the consummate Weekend Warriors. We have the dust-covered trophies, medals, and mugs to prove it.
We pounded the pavement and tore up the trails in the mile, the marathon, and every distance in between.
We attended the holy church of the Sunday morning bike ride, climbing Tour de France-worthy ascents on the back roads of Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.
We tested the triathlon waters. I’d pass guys during the swim, watch them fly by on the bike, and give them an extra swish of my ponytail when I picked them off on the run.
Even our vacations revolved around endurance and adventure. Nine days in Glacier National Park meant 120 miles of hiking, scrambling, and backpacking.
Enter parenthood.
There’s barely enough time to shower, much less to spend hours pounding the pavement.
Workouts are less frequent, more focused, and more intense.
And some days I just can’t fit it in. Sick kids, snow days, work commitments. Life happens.
You know what? I wouldn’t change a thing!
My daughters teach me new lessons about life and love every day. And, despite the time constraints and challenges, motherhood makes me a better, faster runner. I’ve got the PRs to prove it!
Did you work out during pregnancy?
When I found out I was expecting in 2009, I had no intention of swapping my active lifestyle for a sedentary pregnancy.
I walked into my first prenatal appointment and proudly announced my intentions to my OB. I planned to run as long as I felt comfortable and safe.
I didn’t race, and I dramatically scaled back my mileage. I swapped junk miles for low-impact laps in the pool.
39 weeks later, I ran three miles in the morning, went into labor that evening, and delivered a happy, healthy baby girl the next day.
And immediately asked my OB when I could start running again!
Two years later, I happily wogged (waddled + jogged) my way through pregnancy #2.
Bragging rights for life!
And you better believe I was out there pushing the jogger as soon as my body and baby were ready.
Running and staying active through two pregnancies and two years of nursing is one of my proudest accomplishments as a mother and runner!
Has your healthy lifestyle rubbed off on your family?
Sharing my passions and watching them flourish in my daughters is one of the most amazing and rewarding aspects of parenthood.
I like to joke my girls were born running. After nine months accompanying me on runs, swims, and spins, they were rarin’ to go from day one.
Early crawlers, walkers, and runners, it won’t be long before they’re leaving me in their dust.
Bean ran her first mile race as a two-year-old. It sounds silly, but running alongside her was the best race experience of my entire life. It completed shifted my perspective on running and motherhood.
Bean is the current Tennessee state record holder at the mile distance for two- and three-year-old females.
She has absolutely no idea what that means; she’s just excited to amass colorful ribbons for her ever-expanding collection!
But Bean better watch her back. Little sister turns two next month, and Monkey’s quick on her feet!
Whether my girls stick with running or hop, skip, or hula hoop their way through life, I just want them to be happy and healthy. No matter what their particular passion, I’ll be right there, cheering them on.
When I’m on the other side of the finish line, there’s nothing better than a hug from the world’s cutest cheering squad. Even if they squeal and shout, ‘Mommy, you stink!’
What are your current fitness goals?
After focusing on the Richmond Marathon last fall, I’m excited to tackle other running goals in 2014.
It’s been a long-time dream to crack 20 minutes in the 5K, and I’d love to train for a 1:30 half-marathon. I’d also like to complete a trail marathon or ultra.
After a brutal winter and too many miles on the dreadmill, I’m currently nursing an irritated hip. I’m hoping strength training and a week of R&R in the warm Caribbean sun will be just what the doctor ordered!
I’ve got to keep up with my girls, after all!
Plus, my husband and I have a date in Boston in April, 2015!
Nicole, thank you so much for being part of the Fit Mama Friday series! I love how much passion and joy you bring to every area of your life. You definitely inspire me and I’m sure you inspire countless others, not least of whom are Bean and Monkey. 🙂
Thank you so much for featuring me on Fit Mama Friday! It’s an honor to be in such great company!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted…Looking Back and Leaping Forward
You are welcome and the honor is mine! 🙂
Love seeing Nicole’s beautiful face over here 🙂 Great feature!
Cori recently posted…#RunHappy with Sweet Potato, Apple, Banana Pancakes
Awww, thanks, Cori! If/when you join our ranks, I have no doubt you’ll be one fierce mama ninja!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted…Looking Back and Leaping Forward
Thanks Cori! I loved having her here! 🙂
When we become parents, one challenge we don’t expect is how to meld our pre-kid lives into our new existence as mom or dad. Some struggle with it. Others embrace the new you on the other side. I love reading about how Nicole puts the mama into fit mama.
When you read her blog, you know that the same intensity and joy she brought into running before her girls were born goes into that balance of life today. Great stuff!
Makes me want to start that couch-to-5K again myself.
Eli@coachdaddy recently posted…Go Ask Daddy About Tonsil Tumors, Awesome Authors and Magnificent Marchers
I really hope you start that Couch to 5K program, Eli! I’d love to read all about it.
This comment made my day. Running is an important part of my identity, but I’d rather my headstone say I tried my best to be a good wife, mother, and friend instead of RIP, middle-of-the-pack runner!
Definitely – the balance is key and you can never be prepared for the constant compromises, negotiation, bargaining and emotion all involved in just getting out for a run or to the gym! And in terms of Nicole having the fit life/mama balance figured out – that’s why I love her recap of the Richmond marathon SO much, where she stopped to greet her girls, regardless of her goals and race focus. I love that. Mama-hood comes first and it’s just an awesome aside that she totally rocked that race. 🙂
Oh girl I just had the craziest idea….we should make that Boston meet-up a threesome….well, you know – not like THAT but I would love to meet you in Boston and run the marathon together!! I bet we could crack 3:15 🙂 Next step Ironman!!!! Ok, I’m getting ahead of myself but the racing possibilities are endless!
Love seeing you here on another of my fav blogs!!
Allie recently posted…Another Year Has Passed and I’m Still Here!
It’s definitely a date for Boston! And, yes, to the Ironman. Some day! When the kiddos are a bit older – and more self sufficient!
Ahem, Allie and Nicole, let’s keep this family-friendly, please! 😉 I have no doubt that both of you could crack 3:15. You speedy mamas!
I love seeing Nicole’s face over here! And Bean should be proud. Des walked at 16 months, which was only “beat” by my 18 months. However, he has certainly made up for it in becoming the fastest and wiliest runner of boys in his age group.
Tamara recently posted…The Queen of Blog Commenting.
You forgot to add ‘cutest’ to Des’ list! That mug is going to break millions of hearts!
Maybe Des was just taking his time doing a proper warm up. 😉
Nicole is always so positive and fierce about anything she does- running, parenting, blogging, and all the rest. She inspires me. And my mouth did hang open when I read about “cracking the 20 min 5k.” Holy cow! I have no doubt you can do it. Just save me a Coke at the finish line. 😉
Julia Tomiak recently posted…What You Need to Know About Divergent Before You See the Movie
Thank you so much for this beautiful comment, Julia! It made my day! And I’ll always save a Fountain Coke for you!
Nicole @ Work in Sweats Mama recently posted…Looking Back and Leaping Forward
Yes, she kind of redefines speedy!! And I also love her positivity and her drive. Thanks for visiting, fellow #ninjamamarunner. 🙂
Love reading all about Nicole!! Her running is amazing and the way she is teaching her girls everyday is awesome. They are going to be such strong girls who will always know that they can accomplish anything they set out to do!
Kim recently posted…One of Those Days
I agree, Kim, those little girls are lucky to have such a wonderful mama. So happy to have featured Nicole today! 🙂
Thank you so much, Kim! I try to remind myself every day that I am the lucky one to have the privilege of raising my two precious daughters!
Nicole is one of the fiercest mama runners I know, and I love that you featured her this week. If anyone deserves it, Nicole does! Love, love, love the track picture of her and Bean!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…The Time I Ran Dead Last: 2006 And 2009 National Marathon Recaps
Thank you so much, Debbie! That means a lot coming from a woman who is fierce & fabulous in every possible way!
Isn’t that such a sweet photo? 🙂 Nicole is super fierce and so are you!!
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