A letter to my nonrunner friends

Dear non running friends,

Every so often when I talk about running, I hear you say, "I wish I could run like that."
Well, I am here to tell you that you can.

I know, there is always an excuse.
I know there is always a pain.
I know there is always a barrier.

I know this because I was there.

10 years ago, I rarely WALKED a mile.
During college, I made it to the gym on occasion because I was sick of being told that I could stand to lose a few pounds, that I was pleasantly plump or that I would be so pretty if I just lost some weight. But I didn't fall in love with the gym because I wasn't doing it for myself. I was doing it for someone else.

 After college, I met my future husband. His family was active and happy and fit. I wanted that, for me and my future family.

I started by walking the loop around my apartment complex. It never amounted to much. And then, I started jogging just a few paces. Then a little more and a little more. I added a little distance each time I made it out and before I knew it, I was running. I signed up for a 5K and was so dissapointed with my time (34:00 plus) and the way I felt, that I vowed I would never do that again. But, I did.

And the more and more I did it, the more it got into my blood. I signed up for 5K after 5K. I tried to beat my times. I decided to run 13.1 miles, and I am certain people doubted me. But your body is an amazing machine. It will do what you tell it to. Build it little by little. Baby steps. 

It got in my blood. I started biking and swimming and did a triathlon.

I am pretty sure that when you say I am crazy, what you really mean is that I am dedicated. 

What makes it work? Determination and a supportive and encouraging running partner (which can be like finding a life partner). 

Even after two kids, I just finished my third half marathon. If I had kept saying I can't, I never would have. 

So...like Nike would say...just do it.

Me and my running pal, Marie, after a 10 mile race. 

Mommyhood

So, life hasn't been so ordinary around my household. I mean, a little bundle of joy as joyous as they are, really throws your ordinary life for a loop-de-loop.
The first weeks of motherhood were so exciting and new. Then reality kicked in and a little depression hit. Then, mommy read an amazing book about sleeping, Ayla found her thumb and started sleeping like a log. Now, Mommy isn't sure what to do with the segments of free time she has during the day, especially now that she is rested and well. I can't throw on the running clothes and leave like I used to. I have to make sure the few clothes that fit are clean. I have to don two sports bras and even then I feel like I am dragging like a two-ton tractor at the Buck. And I have to strap Ayla into a jogging stroller that with her in it weighs at least 25 pounds, if not more. It's really not appealing. I am working through finding my new identity. I get the taste of what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom for approximately 6 months before the new school year starts (with a week in the middle to finish out the current school year.) I have mixed feelings about to stay at home or not and I don't think I'll ever feel secure with any decision I make...more on that later!

Trading in challenges

I got the e-mail notice the other day for the YWCA Sprint triathlon. The same triathlon that I have trained 12 weeks for every spring for the last three years. It's a part of me. Last year, I completed it while a few weeks pregnant and beat my time from the previous year. I can't tell you how accomplished I feel after finishing that race. I got butterflies when I opened that e-mail, thinking about the commitment I make each spring to be able to complete six workouts a week all of which are usually anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours each, some that start with the alarm chirping at 5 a.m. And then reality set in. I am not competing in the triathlon this year. It almost brings tears to my eyes, like I am losing a best friend. I am trading my spandex, padded shorts for nursing bras. I am trading running shoes for slippers. I am trading my swim suit for burp cloths. I am trading the challenge of completing a three-event race for the challenge of giving birth to a beautiful little miracle. I have talked a lot to my mom and sister about child labor and delivery. It's a scary process, but they both have all of the confidence in the world in me because they know that when I face a challenge (like the triathlon), it's my mental more than my physical shape that carries me through. I don't like to quit. So, even though a part of me is torn and wants a find a way to do it all (raise a newborn and train for a triathlon,) the less crazy side of me says that my baby is more important than a race any day. And, of course, I am not saying goodbye to an exhausting challenge, just trading it for a new one!

What a weekend

I didn't realize how tired I was until today. I had a very busy weekend.
I spent most of last week cleaning, painting and doing other errands and chores to prepare for our housewarming party. By Friday, it was time to dust, vacuum and wrao up all the other odds and ends that needed to be done. Then, I went to Cracker Barrel to work from 5 to 10 p.m.
I was up at 6 a.m. Saturday morning to drive the Honda to Lancaster and attend the 13th annual Refton Fire Co. auction. It's a family tradition. Nate scored some great garden tools for $1 a piece. I bought a cat carrier (a bigger one for my 20-plus-pound cat Toby) for $5, a box of household items for $2 and an antique chest for $30. It's a great place to get bargains.
Sunday morning I was up bright and early at 6 a.m. again to get ready for my triathlon. Having this be the second year that I participated, I didn't feel too nervous. It went pretty smoothly. I swam and did my transitions faster than last year but was a little slower on the run and the bike. One of the reasons the run could have been slow is because I did the entire 3.1 miles with my headband (that I forgot to put on my head to tame my pool and sweat soaked unruly hair) in my shoe. Nice. Overall, I was pleased with the results. I did motivate me to stick to a more strict traning regime for a triathlon coming up in September that I plan on participating in. I ended up finishing 65th out of 189 women, which even though my time was about 5 minutes slower, is a much better showing than my 66th out of 160 last year.
We got home at about 11 a.m. and started preparing the food for our housewarming party that started at 1 p.m. I chatted and showed the house a million times. It was so much fun to see my family and friend all at one time!
Now, it's recovery and clean up week. I also picked up some good library books. I'll also be eating leftovers for quite some time!