The More I Run

By Samantha Alday

As a Registered Nurse for 24 years, a cancer survivor, and a self-professed health nut, Samantha has a solid foundation of educational knowledge paired with 42 years of life experiences.  A wife to her husband, Clark of 20+ years and a mother to two teens, she understands when women say, “I don’t have time,” or “I’m too old to do that.”  Only beginning her own personal journey to health and fitness just two years ago at the age of 41, Samantha is here to contend that misconception is far from the truth.

“I’m learning that our battle is not with exercising, finding the time or even that end-all ‘diet’ plan.  The battle is with ourselves…and I’m determined to win.” ~Samantha

While in her 20′s she’ll be the first to admit that her diet consisted of cheeseburgers, large candy bars, and orange sodas.  Then abruptly at the age of 29 was diagnosed with colon cancer, which forced her to evaluate her dietary habits and take her own health more seriously.  But throughout her 30′s an “all or nothing” approach quickly led to disappointments and defeat, causing poor nutritional habits to start creeping in again.  By the age of 41 with the emergence of hormones and weight gain, she realized it was time for a change.  A change that could only result from a life of balance and moderation rather than a set of unrealistic rules and expectations.

In these two short years since her journey began, she now runs an average of 10 miles a week, strength trains two-three times a week, has run her first 5k and hopes to one day run a marathon.  She is currently studying for her upcoming Personal Training Certification and continues to work as a nurse, all while managing a family, two dogs, a cat, and a growing coop of chickens.

“Yes, I was busy,” Samantha insists, “but I knew I had a choice: either continue being ‘busy’ and stay on the path of junk food and weight gain or get up off the proverbial couch and do something about it.”

“Living fit is a daily choice and sometimes a minute by minute choice, and I want to help you with those choices.  It’s not about a list of can’s or can’ts or do’s or don’ts.  It’s not even about making the right choices, but simply making better choices.”

Samantha’s mission is clear: “just take the first step,” she encourages, “taking the first step is the hardest, but it’s also the biggest step in beginning your own journey.”

Samantha is a runner, fitness junkie, coffee drinking, hot flashing, 40 something year old blogging about nutrition, health & fitness tips, tips on how to start running, recipes and quirky stories about her family over at The More I Run.

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