These running shoes represent my sanity. 20 days after having a baby, I laced them up and went for a run. And a piece of my sanity returned, step by step.
I started running in 1996. I stepped on the scale one morning and was repulsed by the number that stared back at me. I had been married to my farmer for one year and had put myself last on the to-do list. I was in school full-time, working full-time and trying to be a wife, all at 21 years old.
I put on a pair of shoes and ran in a straight line from my house until I was exhausted and turned around and walked home. Each day was a challenge to run a bit further. As the years passed, I challenged myself to run races, starting with 5K’s and working my way up to marathons.
My first marathon was in Walt Disney World in 1999. Since that time I have run 4 more marathons, a dozen half-marathons and countless small local races. The medals are all saved and provide a perspective of the miles covered. I’ve even run a half marathon in Napa, California, where the finish line featured a wine festival. After that race, I firmly believe all races should end with wine! It’s good to have a goal to run for!
So today, when I have been feeling a bit exhausted from seemingly endless feeding sessions of a 3 week old, homework for the 6 year old, the meanderings of the 4 year old, laundry, meals, and trying to keep up with my “real” job while supposedly on maternity leave, I decided I need to run. With each step of a fairly slow 3 mile run, I felt a bit of myself returning. Running is my passion. And while I have the pace of a turtle instead of the hare, it is a time of reflection. I can’t wait to lace up the shoes again tomorrow.
Holy Moly!! Running 20 days after giving birth…..you are superwoman:) Wish I had that motivation…..What accomplishments with all those marathons and halfs, etc. Congrats!!
You cease to amaze me. I can’t even find the motivation or time to run and my baby is 17 months old not 3 weeks old, but I do understand that it is your time to be alone and that I can really relate too. I hope you are enjoying your maternity leave. Take care and don’t work too hard!
Congrats on your new baby Are we going to get a peek at Baby?
I am impressed. I wish I had your resolve. I could use some of that focused me time.:)
So glad you are getting out for some “YOU” time, even if you have to run for it! 😉 I walk instead of run, and I can tell that I need to get back at it because I seem to get angry at the drop of a hat. I need to walk this tension off so I can be a kinder, gentler mother, wife, friend, and all-around general person.
I need to lace up my shoes. You have inspired me! How is the baby? And the big sisters?
Thanks all! Ibshould add the quads were a bit sore today! Leah,we re all well and the big sis love their bro to pieces! Makes having a third a bit easier!
Lana, you hit it on the head. Running makes me a better mom, much calmer too!
Congrats on the new baby!
I’m glad you’re getting time to run–my husband has to run or he gets crabby. Me? There has to be a wild animal invovled before I could get any speed!
That’s so super impressive!!
I’m impressed, too. I hate running. And I’m bad at it. Which is probably why I hate it. Maybe I should try it your way – just run as far as I can. It wouldn’t be far, though. Maybe the finisher barns 1/4 mile away. 🙂
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