Mom in Training

So I signed up... and decided that adding another thing to my list (as Chris would call it) was a good decision for ME.  Every once in awhile I am learning that doing something for ME is okay, and really it benefits everyone in our family in the long run. 

I have done runs in the past, but I have found it is getting harder and harder to do these things because of the time it takes to train, and to stick with it.  My knees are worthless, and after my third surgery they told me that running shouldn't be in my routine, and for some reason I keep coming back for more.   No pain no gain, and yes I am only 30 and want to be able to walk, but at the same time I am finding that the benefits I get physically and emotionally out weigh the negative (for now anyway).  So this time I hired Care to find the best running program for someone that could only run 3 times per week (to get the most out of my knees), and so now I am going on 4 weeks strong and loving every mile of it, or learning to love every mile of it!  We will see how I feel at miles 10+, right now 4-6 feels pretty good!

Moms know what it is like to schedule everything around everyone else's schedule... Chris' crazy work schedule, Crew's 2 nights of basketball, Wednesday night church, Chris' 1 night of basketball, and and and...life will continue to be busy, and I personally kind of thrive on that challenge... So my time is usually after the kids go to bed, or early in the morning before they wake up.  I am really learning to love and appreciate the dark cool and windy, rainy nights/mornings of just me and the road.  I even got this really cool blinking arm band (Chris makes fun of me, but I don't care!), and am obsessed with the Runtastic App that Joelle got me hooked on that tracks your mileage and time, so I can constantly try to keep improving.  People that run know the feeling it gives you, the empowerment, sense of accomplishment, and the addiction to keep pushing yourself.  So even though I could choose to use every excuse in the book, I realize I am only cheating myself and I love the mom I am when I can get my run in....

Motivational quotes are great, and Nike has some fun ad campaigns that they have run for women (although I wear Asics!) so I thought I would share...  They keep me going and focused, along with Care, Stacey, Joelle, and Sarah my running teammates who will be running this too!

I will never be a 'skinny' runner type of girl, and missing my days of volleyball and not being able to play at all anymore, I love still competing and getting that rush of adrenaline...

Birch Bay Half Marathon here we come!