Jandy Rosenhahn knows a lot about how therapeutic running can be, especially as an anger management tool. That’s what drove Rosenhahn to qualify for the Boston Marathon earlier this year.
A single mother of two children, Rosenhahn went through a divorce recently and is a survivor of domestic violence and abuse.
Rosenhahn, 43, a native of Colorado, has always loved running but her passion took on new meaning when her marriage disintegrated a few years ago.
Back then Rosenhahn said she felt like her problems followed her 24/7, and she needed an escape to cope with the stress. Her early morning runs became her salvation.
“I called those my ‘angry runs.’ I would start out feeling mad about everything that was happening to me, and to my family, and what we were going through. By the time I was finished I’d feel better and have sorted through the problems in my head.”
Divorce by itself is a heavy loss. Then Rosenhahn also lost her job while she was in the middle of dealing with her divorce. She was unemployed for about five months.
Amidst the chaos Rosenhahn found the drive to run harder. That’s when she set a goal for herself to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
“Running has always been the one thing I’m good at it and it’s something I’ve been able to call my own. It’s a true love for me,” she said.
In January 2010 she accomplished her Boston goal at the Arizona Rock N Roll Marathon with a qualifying time of 3:49:02.
“Running has been my stress relief and I look forward to it,” Rosenhahn explained, “It frees me up and it’s such an amazing rush.”
Rosenhahn is employed again, too. She works at a company where she monitors clinical studies on hearing aid implants and she still runs about 45 miles a week in addition to juggling time with her children — ages 9 and 5.
Rosenhahn said she’s been able to put in the miles thanks to the help of friends and her mother, who lives nearby.
Rosenhahn will run the Denver Rock N Roll Marathon in two weeks and the Boston Marathon in April 2011.
“This has been good for me and my children,” she said of her marathon goals. She has shown them a positive role model despite the upheaval in their lives over the past few years.
“My kids are excited and proud of my running,” she said.
Running also gives Rosenhahn something to look forward to in her future. “When I run I feel I can get through anything. It’s a very positive and rewarding feeling.”
Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let’s go.
Mileage today: 9; Denver to Boston miles logged: 660; Miles left to go: 1110.