Dundas, Ont. woman uses running to defuse her pandemic anger

Jenna Anderson, 35, of Dundas, Ont., is a communications specialist who rediscovered running during the pandemic as a way to cope with her anger over the pandemic’s impact on her life. Like many working mothers, Anderson found herself having to choose between her career and taking care of her toddlers, aged four and 10 months, when the pandemic hit in March 2020. As her frustration mounted, she decided the best way to shift her perspective was to lace up the running shoes she hadn’t touched in years.

“That first run was awful,” she says. “All I could handle was two kilometres, and I was cramping. I was slow, but I tried again the following week. Slowly, I ran more and longer distances.” She explains that those runs were cathartic, and she came back with a much clearer head than when she left. “Between the pandemic and my situation at work–as a mom, as a partner, as a woman with a career, I was full of anger. I started running, and slowly things started to come together in my life. It wasn’t all running, but it was certainly a big part.”

When the pandemic set in, Anderson was working as director of sales and marketing for a craft brewer. It was a recent promotion that came after she returned early from her maternity leave. “I was in a position where I had to choose. They wanted me at work, in person, every day. I had no child care. I couldn’t access daycare or school due to the pandemic.”

Anderson felt like her only option was to leave, so she handed in her two weeks’ notice. In the following months, while starting her own business out of necessity and unable to collect CERB (as she’d quit, not lost her job) there was a lot of time spent ‘spinning.’ “When this happened, I’d lace up and go for a run, and I’d come back feeling so much better,” she says. “I had a fresh perspective after every run. It helped me pull myself out of the snowball effect. I could shift my mindset.”

Over the past year, Anderson’s consulting business has taken off, and she’s also taken a position at a new brewery, which is offering her a much better work environment. “During the pandemic, I started doing social media consulting,” she says. “Every company needed increased digital support, whether it was writing copy or providing advice on how to optimize social media engagement. On top of that, I took a new job with a Canadian brewery that has been fantastic. I feel they both support and promote women. I have benefits. They match RRSP contributions. I’m in a much better situation.” 

As a rugby player and gymnast in high school, Anderson found running in her early 20s, when she was living and working in Toronto. For a few years, it fell by the wayside, but she’s so happy she’s back on the trails. “Right now, running remains recreational,” she says. “There’s a run club called Run Dundas that I love. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to be doing with my body when it comes to movement.” 

Picking up running again changed Anderson’s life for the better. Her advice for anyone looking to do the same? Join a club. “Looking back, I wish I’d started the run club sooner,” she says.” I was really intimidated to join. I felt like I wasn’t fast enough or good enough. But the run club group have become pals I want to have a beer with on a Friday. I wish I hadn’t let those fears hold me back.” 

She also adds, “the hardest thing is putting your shoes on, but once you’re out the door, it only gets easier from there.” Sage advice from an avid runner.