By Becca Carnahan of With Love, Becca

Inspired by her toddler’s most frequent mode of transportation from point A to point B, mom of 2, Linda Potter, decided she, too, would try running everywhere she went at full speed.

For Linda, this all started as an experiment to see if she really had the stamina to sprint everywhere without collapsing or breaking out her old sports-induced asthma inhaler. Pushing into her late 30s, Linda was feeling the aches in her bones, but at the same time, she felt the urge to recapture her athletic youthful years.

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So, testing her ability to sprint with reckless abandon seemed like a good idea. Plus, toddlers are historically known for having good ideas, as we all know.

But as she started to get into it, Linda found that running like a toddler from one location to another did end up saving her at least 30 minutes a day. Laundry done. Dishes washed. Butts wiped. Lunches packed. Go, go, go!

No more casual strolls for this mom, Linda was on the move! Maybe these toddlers were onto something… Then Linda began to realize some of the consequences of her choice.

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First, she slammed her head against the door frame three times in one day. Despite being astonished at her toddler’s ability to hurt herself on a daily basis, Linda found that, yes, if you are running everywhere, it is quite likely you’re going to slam your body into a stationary object. Momentum is great and all, but dangerous.

Then Linda started to feel isolated from her co-workers. She didn’t mind the stares at first, because the closer she gets to 40, the more she could not care less what Karen from accounting thinks of her.

And of course, it’s not like she was running in heels. Heels are for your 20s. But she did miss the collegial conversations and discussions about The Bachelor between meetings now that she was sprinting. Also, she nearly clotheslined the VP of Marketing last Tuesday.

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But it wasn’t until the Potter family went out to dinner on Friday that Linda realized maybe running everywhere you go was really meant for smaller legs and perhaps she’d taken the toddler life too far.

As soon as Linda, her husband Chuck, and their two kids pulled up to the local Applebee’s, Linda unbuckled herself and ran through the parking lot without even looking both ways. Once inside she sprinted to the bar, snagged a margarita, and then found a nice quiet booth for four. However, the rest of the Potters were nowhere to be seen.

That is until Chuck came in 20 minutes later looking haggard from chasing children who like to run and have no regard for their personal safety. While Linda did enjoy the solo margarita time, she reports that after feeling a strong sense of obligation to her family, a need to connect with walking adults, and a minor head injury, she is going back to walking from place to place.

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Unless she’s being chased by a rabid animal. Or there’s cake in the break room. You know that’s not going to last.

*****

About the Author

Becca Carnahan is a mom of two small humans, freelance writer, career coach, and storytelling enthusiast. Find her sharing stories about parenting and career development at With Love, Becca. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @with_love_becca.