Eva didn’t complete the WeekdayWarrior challenge on her first try. Like many of us, life—especially as a parent—has its way of interfering with even the best-laid plans. But Eva wasn’t one to be deterred. On her second attempt, she made history by becoming the first parent with a buggy to complete a WeekdayWarrior. Not only that, but Eva also became the first person in Bath ever to cross the WeekdayWarrior finish line.
But let’s get something straight—this isn’t some “mommy influencer” moment. Eva is quick to set the record straight: “I do NOT have an immaculate home, nor a child who goes to sleep at 6 p.m. and wakes up at 6 a.m. And meals made from scratch? Maybe once a week, but definitely not every day!” Eva’s honesty is refreshing, and her story resonates with every parent who feels like their day is running on fumes.
For Eva, getting out of the house showered and dressed in “normal” clothes is already a victory. As a former frequent runner, she often questioned whether she’d ever get back into running again. But after juggling the complexities of parenthood, she wondered: Can I? Even I? Find the time? Eva’s daily life feels like multitasking on top of multitasking—her CPU constantly running at 1000%. But still, she thought, Why not try?
Monday: A Solo Run and the French Revolution
Eva’s WeekdayWarrior week began with a solo run. “I’m listening to a podcast about the French Revolution,” she recalls. “This is great! I should do this every week!” And for a moment, life seems manageable. The podcast kept her mind entertained, and the freedom of running brought a sense of peace and accomplishment. A strong start.
Tuesday: Scenic Views and Sore Muscles
Tuesday brought a bit of soreness and tiredness, but Eva pushed through. She ran up to a viewpoint overlooking the city and felt great again. “I wake up a bit tired, but the view from the top makes it worth it.” It’s moments like these that remind her of why she loved running before kids came along.
Wednesday: The Boss in the Buggy
Wednesday was different. Eva had a new boss in charge—her toddler. With the buggy packed to the brim with toys, nappies, and snacks for every “just in case” scenario, she planned a day outside. The same loop she ran solo on Monday took six hours this time, with playground stops, lunch breaks, and bathroom pit stops.
“It was chaos,” she admits. Between negotiating what to wear, a lot of singing, and managing a small child’s moods, it wasn’t exactly a traditional run. “I take a selfie and he's laughing, but seconds later, he’s screaming. I try to sing ‘Old MacDonald,’ but I’m too out of breath to jog and sing at the same time—it was terrible. But he stopped crying, so that’s a win!” Eva’s perseverance was admirable, and despite the lack of smooth pavements for running buggies, she made it through the day.
Thursday: Short and Sweet
Thursday was tough. Between steering the buggy and keeping up with meetings, Eva’s arms were aching, and her schedule was packed. She couldn’t fit in a full run, but after her partner came home, she managed to squeeze in a quick 20-minute run. “It was short, but it was a little breath in my day,” she says. And sometimes, that’s all you need.
Friday: The Final Stretch
Friday was a marathon in itself. To make up for Thursday, Eva doubled her distance, taking a new route into the Cotswolds. The scenery was stunning, but halfway through, she started feeling bored. “My brain is tired of Spotify. Don’t I need to figure out where the nearest playground is? Or whether we have enough snacks? No, today I can do whatever I like.”
Eva cherished the rare moment of having a long stretch of time to herself. “I can go to the bathroom alone and not worry about someone touching all the bins and floor.” She completed the 9-mile run, feeling both exhausted and relieved, but also grateful for the small miracle of all the key conditions aligning—childcare, health, and work—all allowing her to complete the WeekdayWarrior.
“It was tough, but I’m glad I did it,” Eva reflects. “Sometimes, things don’t align, and that’s okay. But now I know it can be done, even if just once—or until the next time!”