What am I currently training for?
I just ended my training for the 10-miler, took a week off, and now I’m training for my first half marathon.
How do I balance my training with family time? With work?
I was recently asked how I wake up so early to run. That’s the key to my balance. I am lucky to own a treadmill, so on the days (or months, in this case) that I need to run indoors, I don’t need to drag my kids to a gym and toss them in to daycare. I set my alarm, wake up while the rest of the house remains quiet and slumbering, and hit the treadmill. Likewise, on mornings when I am able to run outdoors, I sneak out of the house unnoticed and take in the morning sights, sounds and smells. I truly can’t wait to run outside again. It’s a beautiful moment to reach the top of a hill just as the sun is peeking over the horizon.
I don’t work in the traditional sense of the word, and I’m very fortunate to be able to stay home with our children and watch them grow and stimulate their sense of self. My bosses are heavy on the whip, but usually only when it involves food or sleep.
Balancing with family time has been, for the most part, pretty easy. If I wasn’t a morning runner, I can only imagine it would be infinitely more difficult. I admit there have been days (too many to count, actually) that both kids have been awake just as I’m tying my laces and heading downstairs. Fortunately for me, my husband has strapped on his Super Dad cape time and again, and allowed me plenty of time to train. I’m certain many of his mornings haven’t gone without an occasional utterance of annoyance when I bail on him while he has to simultaneously get ready for work and watch the babes. Which leads me to my next question…
Who is my biggest supporter?
Hands down it has been my husband. I know I sing him praises time and again, and I will continue to do so until he stops being Super Dad. I hope that time doesn’t come.
Without the help, encouragement, and support from my husband, there is no way I would be anywhere near the mama, woman, and athlete I have become. There have been times throughout my training, for races and otherwise, that he has believed in me more than I have. The days that I grumble through sleep-heavy eyes, “I don’t want to run…” and he asks, “are you sure?” Well, that sure as hell makes me get out of bed. Because he knows. He knows that if I don’t run I will be angry with myself for the remainder of the day. He knows I’m my own worst enemy. When I’m down, he lifts me up. When I’m doubtful, he’s encouraging. When I’m fired up for a race he says, “maybe I’ll run it with you…”
The kids have been really supportive as well. My son has asked, on occasion, “do you have to run this morning?” which always made my heart sink just a little. But he is excited to complete his first race soon, too. He understands that mommy trains to be happy and healthy, to be able to keep up with him and his little sister, and to be a positive influence on them.
Even my family spread across the U.S. has been extremely supportive. Cheers via text, comments on photos that I’ve posted, and emails and phone calls have all been greatly appreciated.
How do you decompress from daily life?
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