We're kicking off a new blog series to spotlight individuals achieving their dreams and goals. At Dreamy, we believe every accomplishment deserves to be celebrated.
If you have a story that you would love to share email us at media@dreamyblankets.com
Today, we’re spotlighting Abby Brady, our Social Media Manager at Dreamy Blankets. She’s here to share her experience running a 5K just five months post C-section.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your goal
My name is Abby Brady and I am a mom to two adorable kids. I work for Dreamy Blankets as the Social Media manager. Back in 2023 I made a goal to run a 5K five months after having an emergency C-section.
If you are comfortable, can you share what led to getting an emergency C-section?
At 36 weeks pregnant, it was discovered that I had chorioamnionitis, an infection of the placenta. My water had partially broken at 35 weeks, but I hadn't realized it at the time. Just before the emergency C-section, I went septic. It was an intense experience. My baby girl spent 5 days in the NICU and needed 2 months of oxygen support. Thankfully, we’re both doing well now.
What motivated you to pursue this goal, and how did you stay focused throughout the journey?
After getting the green light to start exercising again post-baby, I had a wild idea: why not train for a 5K? I was tired of working out just for the sake of it, so setting a goal felt like a great way to bring purpose to my fitness routine. I experienced severe postpartum anxiety with my first, so staying active became a huge motivator for me after having my second. In the past working out (and meeting with a psychiatrist) has always been a great way for me to stay on top of my mental health. I also listened to different podcasts and audio books while I trained. Listening to something I enjoy helps me to motivate myself. My sister Sarah was also there to help train with me. She really helped me stay on top of it.
Were there any unexpected challenges you faced along the way, and how did you overcome them?
My pregnancy was quite challenging, so I didn’t exercise during that time and found myself out of shape when it came time to start training for the 5K. I also had to constantly remind myself to take it slow as I was still recovering from surgery. What helped me overcome these challenges was being patient with myself. Each evening when my husband got home from work, I would go out for a short run. I cherished that time alone, as it allowed me to focus on pushing myself and gradually getting back into a workout routine. Having something to train for gave me something to look forward to.
What was the most rewarding moment or milestone in your journey so far?
Making it to the finish line and seeing my husband and kids there to cheer me on. I was so proud of myself for putting in the time and effort to train.
Do you plan on doing any more races?
It has always been a goal of mine to do a triathlon. Life has been a little extra crazy lately being a working mom but I am hoping to do one this spring/summer.