Running a Different Kind of Race

So, it's Monday again. The weekend flew by and left me with a sense of accomplishment and some major soreness. I'm a runner... and by that I mean that when given the opportunity (aka babysitter or husband at home) I slap on some running sneakers and head out on my own for as long as can without them coming to look for me. It is my zen, my happy place, my coping mechanism for stress. I would not go so far as to say I'm good or fast, but it makes me happy, so I do it when I can.

This Sunday I ran the local half marathon in my town. I had been training for this race for a few months. In my plan, I was running at least 3-4 short runs during the week at lunch (at the gym) and a long run every weekend up to 10 miles. It was a great plan. It even had some strength training in the form of exercise videos and evening kickboxing classes. Trainers and magazines always say that you have to schedule your runs and stick to them... apparently they are not working mothers. Unfortunately my training was dependent upon work being manageable and my husband or neighbor being willing and able to watch the kids for up to two hours early on a Saturday or Sunday morning. In the end, I was able to run maybe 1 day a week and a long run every other weekend and maybe a video workout once a month.

That said, this Sunday morning I woke up and snuck out of my house at the crack of dawn and headed to the starting line. I started running and for the next 2 hours, 14 minutes and 15 seconds (a personal record!), I was only responsible for putting one foot in front of the other. While it was exhausting, at least it was a new kind of exhaustion. I only had keep myself moving and focusing on the finish line. It was refreshing to say the least. And even though I hadn't followed the original training plan, I cannot say that I was untrained. Every day I get up and start running, to get the kids dressed and to school, to work, to the bus and to get them to bed and ready for the next day.

So the official race ended and I arrived home shortly after with breakfast in hand for hubby and my Boogie. The baby even had some of my egg sandwich. Then it was time to get moving, I heard the gun sound off in my hand and I was off.... laundry, cleaning, park, etc. Sometimes I wonder if I can ever stop running, but the truth is... I wouldn't know what to do if I didn't have this race I call my life.