I love being home. To me, nothing says "content" like a Sunday spent in my house with my little family. Napping, playing, reading, and just being together. The obligatory chores get mixed in with the fun, but such is life.
This is why the treadmill is a vital part of my running life. I never have to worry about fitting my runs in when I know the hubby will be home to watch the girls, or when the weather is right, or that I'm missing out on time with my family. I can get on the 'mill, the girls can come chat with me, or I can be a silent observer watching them play without them realizing that I am even watching.
Even though sometimes it is excruciatingly painful to run in place for miles, I'd much rather be home with my hearts.
A place for me to reflect on life as a mom, counselor, wife and new runner.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Monday, December 6, 2010
Cold and exercise
I've had this ridiculous cold for over a week. Sore throat, cough, now a sexy laryngitis situation happening! I googled "running and a cold" and got lots of great hits on how to stay warm in snowy runs. Helpful since I live in Maine, but not exactly what I was looking for.
I read the advice that if your symptoms are above the neck, go for it. So I've been a good girl and kept on running. Now I'm more tired and the cold is still hanging around! I changed up my workouts today and did the 30 Day Shred and now feel utterly depleted.
SO, I'm powering down the treadmill and putting the running shoes on hold until this damn cold goes away.
(But knowing myself as well as I do, I'll be saying "damn the cold" and running tomorrow.)
I read the advice that if your symptoms are above the neck, go for it. So I've been a good girl and kept on running. Now I'm more tired and the cold is still hanging around! I changed up my workouts today and did the 30 Day Shred and now feel utterly depleted.
SO, I'm powering down the treadmill and putting the running shoes on hold until this damn cold goes away.
(But knowing myself as well as I do, I'll be saying "damn the cold" and running tomorrow.)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
5 Miles!
Yes, that's right. I conquered the beast. For weeks, I knew that the big 5 mile run should happen. I hit 4 a few weeks ago and have been happily running along having achieved that goal. But the big, never before conquered or attempted, 5 mile run had me anxious.
This morning (after bringing the girls to Breakfast With Santa and hearing that Emily's Santa gift had an additional request, naturally) I got on the treadmill with NO goal in mind, other than to run. My run started off great...everything was going the way it should. The girls were playing nicely with one another, the dog was sleeping, the husband was at basketball so I just kept on going.
Once I hit mile 4, my usual breaking point, I decided to try to get to 4.5. A half-mile after you've done four doesn't seem so daunting. And by the time I got to 4.5 I figured I might as well go the distance. And 5 miles and 55 minutest later, I had done it! I was SO PROUD.
Running always gives me a chance to clear my head, and be quiet. I just feel the rhythm of my body running and I can just be in the moment, which is feeling more and more like a gift. Today I kept thinking, even after battling an eating disorder, surviving the toll that college took on my body in a variety of ways, putting my body through pregnancy and childbirth, nothing has shown me just how strong and capable I can be. Running has finally been the mirror to reflect just how strong I really am.
This morning (after bringing the girls to Breakfast With Santa and hearing that Emily's Santa gift had an additional request, naturally) I got on the treadmill with NO goal in mind, other than to run. My run started off great...everything was going the way it should. The girls were playing nicely with one another, the dog was sleeping, the husband was at basketball so I just kept on going.
Once I hit mile 4, my usual breaking point, I decided to try to get to 4.5. A half-mile after you've done four doesn't seem so daunting. And by the time I got to 4.5 I figured I might as well go the distance. And 5 miles and 55 minutest later, I had done it! I was SO PROUD.
Running always gives me a chance to clear my head, and be quiet. I just feel the rhythm of my body running and I can just be in the moment, which is feeling more and more like a gift. Today I kept thinking, even after battling an eating disorder, surviving the toll that college took on my body in a variety of ways, putting my body through pregnancy and childbirth, nothing has shown me just how strong and capable I can be. Running has finally been the mirror to reflect just how strong I really am.
Friday, December 3, 2010
What a Week
Yikes, what a week this has been. Emily was out sick for most of the week, ending up at the docs for a UTI. I've had a horrible head cold and am currently in the process of losing my voice (not great for a school counselor/mom!). Top it all off, Andy is back in full-time basketball coaching mode.
But I made a goal for myself at the beginning of the week. My goal was to run 14 miles this week. This has been a goal for 3 weeks and I continue to fall short. But this week, my incentive was to use a new i-tunes purchase as my reward for completing 14 miles. Breaking it down into a 4 mile day, then two 3's, then one 4 seemed doable.
And I'm on track! Tomorrow is my last 4 miles of the week, and I sure as hell am going to do it, despite the sickness and crazy schedule. Running has been an amazing source of strength for me. If I can conquer my run, I can do anything.
But I made a goal for myself at the beginning of the week. My goal was to run 14 miles this week. This has been a goal for 3 weeks and I continue to fall short. But this week, my incentive was to use a new i-tunes purchase as my reward for completing 14 miles. Breaking it down into a 4 mile day, then two 3's, then one 4 seemed doable.
And I'm on track! Tomorrow is my last 4 miles of the week, and I sure as hell am going to do it, despite the sickness and crazy schedule. Running has been an amazing source of strength for me. If I can conquer my run, I can do anything.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Morning Run
I did not run on Sunday, which is typically my day for my long-ish runs because that is the day I usually have the most time.
However this Sunday I was a little off my game because of the huge margarita I had the night before. Night out with grown ups is always fun, but I definitely paid for it yesterday and the mere thought of running wore me out!
So, instead, I got up at 5 this morning, slept-walk my way to the treadmill and pressed start. My body was so confused and I felt like a robot trying to tell my arms and legs how to move. I slogged my way through the first mile, then moved a little faster through the second, and by the time I got to mile 3 I was in the zone. Unfortunately by that time it was time to hit stop and hit the shower.
But now, I am at work and feel like a million bucks that I already ran a 5 K today! The feeling of satisfaction, pride and accomplishment that I feel after a run is the only motivation I need to get up and get running!
However this Sunday I was a little off my game because of the huge margarita I had the night before. Night out with grown ups is always fun, but I definitely paid for it yesterday and the mere thought of running wore me out!
So, instead, I got up at 5 this morning, slept-walk my way to the treadmill and pressed start. My body was so confused and I felt like a robot trying to tell my arms and legs how to move. I slogged my way through the first mile, then moved a little faster through the second, and by the time I got to mile 3 I was in the zone. Unfortunately by that time it was time to hit stop and hit the shower.
But now, I am at work and feel like a million bucks that I already ran a 5 K today! The feeling of satisfaction, pride and accomplishment that I feel after a run is the only motivation I need to get up and get running!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Run, Beth, Run
So I've decided on a goal. I am going to run the half-marathon next summer at a race hosted by my mother's accounting firm. 13.1 miles. I believe I can do it. And honestly, for me, that is half of my battle! I'm starting to slowly increase my mileage now so that by the time next July rolls around I'll be ready.
I'd like to say that I will start Week One of training now and go by the book for 12 weeks, but with my life there is NO way I will be successful doing that. Between work and raising two lovely girls, I'm happy to sneak a run in when I can! So I figure slow and steady is what helped me lose 20 pounds in 2 years, slow and steady helped me train for a successful first 5K, so slow and steady will help me train for this half-marathon.
I'm already proud of myself for setting this as my goal. I've been thinking about it for months, believing I can do it for a few weeks, and now I'm announcing it out loud. No going back now. 13.1 here I come!
I'd like to say that I will start Week One of training now and go by the book for 12 weeks, but with my life there is NO way I will be successful doing that. Between work and raising two lovely girls, I'm happy to sneak a run in when I can! So I figure slow and steady is what helped me lose 20 pounds in 2 years, slow and steady helped me train for a successful first 5K, so slow and steady will help me train for this half-marathon.
I'm already proud of myself for setting this as my goal. I've been thinking about it for months, believing I can do it for a few weeks, and now I'm announcing it out loud. No going back now. 13.1 here I come!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Oh, hello blog!
Well we are in summer-mode at our house! It is mid-July and we have been on vacation for a little over a month with another month left to go! What have we done already, you ask? A trip to Storyland with our best friends, a beach trip with Haley and her boyfriend, time at both camps, trips to have ice cream, strawberry picking and time playing outside at home. With another month to go more fun is in store!
Andy had foot surgery on Monday so our plans, as expected, have come to a screeching halt! Lots of time at home because Andy can't be alone for any length of time. I am so thankful for my family and our friends that are pitching in to help us out. With offers of food and playdates for the kids, I couldn't be more grateful.
Andy had foot surgery on Monday so our plans, as expected, have come to a screeching halt! Lots of time at home because Andy can't be alone for any length of time. I am so thankful for my family and our friends that are pitching in to help us out. With offers of food and playdates for the kids, I couldn't be more grateful.
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