I think I might love running! Or at the very least, I am really enjoying it.
Who knew?
For the last 20 years of my life, I thought I hated running. I was almost sure that I just wasn't good at it and never would be. The Presidential Physical Fitness 8 minute mile in grade school always about killed me. I could do everything else, but that was always hard for me. I could run the bases in softball over and over and fast, but distance running? Forget it! I always had the endurance to dance on stage for long periods of time or to make it through a cheerleading competition set, but I could never muster up the mental strength needed to run - even just a mile!
Until now!
At the beginning of this year, I of course knew I would be turning 30 and told myself that I would run a 5k in my 30th year. I actually started the Couch to 5k program back in March and was doing great, but it lasted about 2 weeks until Wally started his baseball season and I used that as my excuse to not have the time to run and continue the program. So in July I decided to try again. I found a 5k to sign up for and asked my sisters if they were interested too! And so it began....
I had a 2 week hiccup in there where I didn't run, but once I got back into it, I have found that running makes me happy. I am a little over a week away from completing the program and really feel like I can do this 5k on the 23rd. I am even beginning to wonder what to do next. Another 5k, train for a 10k, or just keep running because I enjoy it?
Why do I enjoy it?
1. Well, it's free and easy. Not easy in the physical/mental sense, but I can just step out the door and go. I don't need to jump in the car. I can just tie up my laces and head out! I am actually proud of the fact that I have been able to do this program with Wally starting the new school year and golf season underway. Often times I am running in the dark, which was always my excuse for not running before. I am cautious and thankfully have a neighborhood full of garage people. You would not believe how many people in our subdivision have tv's in their garages and are out there nightly just hanging out. It makes me feel better knowing that if something, God forbid, were to happen there is always someone outside that would hear me scream or see me.
2. I feel strong (both mentally & physically) and have a great sense of accomplishment when I am done. Both of those things are great motivators to make me go out and do it again! No wonder people say that running can be addicting. I didn't start running to lose weight, but just to feel better about myself and achieve a goal I have been thinking about for a long time. The physical changes are really a bonus to me. What excites me is how strong my legs feel from one run to the next. I also am no longer dreading the next run and doubting that I will be able to run for 15 minutes or whatever that day's run is. My mindset has totally changed and I look forward to the next challenge. I am so proud to say that I have done every day of this program completely. I have not once had to stop to walk when I am supposed to be running. Everyday is a challenge that I am actually excited to take on and I am confident that I can complete.
3. It has greatly affected my mood. In a positive way! There is no doubt that life can be stressful at times and I guess I have just dealt with it, but now, on those nights that I head out after the kids are asleep and just run, I feel so good! My head is clear and I feel strong again. I am so chatty and happy after I get done with a run that Wally probably thinks I am crazy! My knees started bothering me about a week ago and I seriously feel like I went into a mini depression. What if I couldn't run? I was actually really upset about it. Turns out, it was most likely my shoes. Not knowing if I would really enjoy running and keep it up, I was just using my basic workout shoes from Kohl's that I bought like 3 years ago and never really used. But now I have gone through a full foot analysis and am wearing the appropriate shoes for my feet and I am happy again!
4. I love technology and numbers. I am not sure I could have ever really been a runner before I had my iPhone. That probably sounds pathetic, but I am obsessed (not in a bad way, in a good motivating way) with tracking my distance and pace and being able to just see a map of my run is exciting to me. Geeky? Yes, but whatever, it helps me! I was a clock watcher at the beginning, but I have finally given that up and now just wait for the "ding" from the Couch to 5k program to know I can start walking or that I am finished. And really, the music is huge for me! I have certain songs that really make me feel strong and I focus on the song while I am running, but then at other times, I have no idea what song just played because I was just so completely out of my head and just running - not thinking about anything or focusing on anything - just running! So awesome!
I have 5 more days of the training program to complete (I run every other day), which is perfect timing for the 5k on the 23rd. And then after that? Who knows? I will have to set a new goal and figure out how to keep running through the winter months.
So dare I say it??? I think I just might be a runner after all!
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Showing posts with label mommy moments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mommy moments. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Mommy Moments
I'm sure those of you that are moms have had some "mommy moments". I have had my share over the past almost 3 months. I thought I would share a few with you (and only a few because the other part of being a mom for me is my memory is gone and I can't remember any other ones... These are just silly ones, luckily, mommy minds are equipped to never forget the really important stuff!
Mommmy Moment #1
This one is the most embarrassing for me and I can't believe I am actually posting it. It made me immediately question my mothering-ability. This one takes place at the pediatrician's office when Wally and I took Lucas to his first pedi appointment a few days after he was born. We were in the waiting room, and Lucas was sound asleep in his carrier. Wally asked me if I brought the diaper bag. I said "No, why would we need it? We are just going straight home after the appointment." He just shook his head at me. So we get called in by the nurse. We go into the exam room, and she asks us to strip Lucas down to his diaper. Luckily we had a blanket over the carrier that could be used to cover him (we would have had a receiving blanket though - in the diaper bag)...so we need to go down the hall to the big scale to weigh Lucas. I lay him on the table, and the nurse starts to take his diaper off to weigh him so that they can compare it to his birth weight. Well, of course, Lucas starts peeing! The nurse covers him with the diaper and said "Don't worry this happens all the time. Do you have another diaper?" I think my face turned red and Wally, again, shook his head at me (would have been nice if he would have asked about the diaper bag before going out the door). I had to tell her I didn't. The pedi had diapers but none small enough for Lucas so he had to have the wet diaper put back on. Oops...Lesson learned: ALWAYS carry the diaper bag with you!!
Mommy Moment #2
This one takes place at our house my first day back at work. After 8 hours of being away from Lucas, I can't get home fast enough from work. I am so excited to pull into the garage and go in the house to see him! The next morning, I am looking all over for my car keys. Not in the basket on the counter where I usually put them, not in my purse, not in my coat pocket. I think to myself "where else could they be?" Sure enough, they were still in the ignition...at least I turned the car off. I was just THAT excited to get inside to see my little guy! Lesson learned: if the keys can't be found, they are most likely still in the car!
Mommy Moment #3
We subscribe to Netflix. We have the package where we can only have 2 DVD's at a time. So I wanted to return one of the movies we had ("Into the Wild") so that I could have the "30 Day Shred" sent out to me (yes, I am going to do it...I did it once from Comcast OnDemand and thought it was great, but of course never did it again. I have been very lucky as the baby weight has pretty much just fallen off, but it is time to tone up!). Those of you that also subscribe to Netflix will know what I am talking about - I was at the mailbox, DVD in between my fingers, getting ready to drop it in when I realize I only have the DVD in the sleeve not in the envelope you have to send it back in - which is still at home. I don't know what would have happened if I had dropped it in (I'm sure nothing earth-shattering), and I don't know what made me stop myself. So needless to say, I will now have to wait one more day to start "the Shred".
Mommy Moment #4
This one takes place at work - Day #5 back. Mind you - I am exhausted...not a whole lot of sleep going on these days...I have to send a fax so I get out of my chair, papers in hand, and where do I end up....the bathroom! Lesson learned: You can't send faxes from the bathroom!
Hope you enjoyed!
Mommmy Moment #1
This one is the most embarrassing for me and I can't believe I am actually posting it. It made me immediately question my mothering-ability. This one takes place at the pediatrician's office when Wally and I took Lucas to his first pedi appointment a few days after he was born. We were in the waiting room, and Lucas was sound asleep in his carrier. Wally asked me if I brought the diaper bag. I said "No, why would we need it? We are just going straight home after the appointment." He just shook his head at me. So we get called in by the nurse. We go into the exam room, and she asks us to strip Lucas down to his diaper. Luckily we had a blanket over the carrier that could be used to cover him (we would have had a receiving blanket though - in the diaper bag)...so we need to go down the hall to the big scale to weigh Lucas. I lay him on the table, and the nurse starts to take his diaper off to weigh him so that they can compare it to his birth weight. Well, of course, Lucas starts peeing! The nurse covers him with the diaper and said "Don't worry this happens all the time. Do you have another diaper?" I think my face turned red and Wally, again, shook his head at me (would have been nice if he would have asked about the diaper bag before going out the door). I had to tell her I didn't. The pedi had diapers but none small enough for Lucas so he had to have the wet diaper put back on. Oops...Lesson learned: ALWAYS carry the diaper bag with you!!
Mommy Moment #2
This one takes place at our house my first day back at work. After 8 hours of being away from Lucas, I can't get home fast enough from work. I am so excited to pull into the garage and go in the house to see him! The next morning, I am looking all over for my car keys. Not in the basket on the counter where I usually put them, not in my purse, not in my coat pocket. I think to myself "where else could they be?" Sure enough, they were still in the ignition...at least I turned the car off. I was just THAT excited to get inside to see my little guy! Lesson learned: if the keys can't be found, they are most likely still in the car!
Mommy Moment #3
We subscribe to Netflix. We have the package where we can only have 2 DVD's at a time. So I wanted to return one of the movies we had ("Into the Wild") so that I could have the "30 Day Shred" sent out to me (yes, I am going to do it...I did it once from Comcast OnDemand and thought it was great, but of course never did it again. I have been very lucky as the baby weight has pretty much just fallen off, but it is time to tone up!). Those of you that also subscribe to Netflix will know what I am talking about - I was at the mailbox, DVD in between my fingers, getting ready to drop it in when I realize I only have the DVD in the sleeve not in the envelope you have to send it back in - which is still at home. I don't know what would have happened if I had dropped it in (I'm sure nothing earth-shattering), and I don't know what made me stop myself. So needless to say, I will now have to wait one more day to start "the Shred".
Mommy Moment #4
This one takes place at work - Day #5 back. Mind you - I am exhausted...not a whole lot of sleep going on these days...I have to send a fax so I get out of my chair, papers in hand, and where do I end up....the bathroom! Lesson learned: You can't send faxes from the bathroom!
Hope you enjoyed!
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