Okay, so do you want to hear the excuses or should I just simply state that this week has been quite a shame for anyone who is trying to be a runner? Usually when one calls oneself a runner there is one thing they must do...run.
This has been a good week for my family and a stressful one. We bought a house on Tuesday so that has been exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I currently am a stay at home Mom, but once we move, I need to get a part time job supplementing our income. I still plan on staying home with the girls, but hope to do something at home or in the evenings or weekends. When I am stressed out I tend to hole myself up and veg out. I don't do things that are healthy. Instead I eat horrible food and worry over things. I am a worry wart. My husband goes crazy over my worrying. I go crazy over my worrying. So instead of getting out there and hitting the pavement, I ate brownies, let the girls watch Noggin all day and frantically searched for a part time job on the Internet. I am definitely stressed and I could use running.
Running always makes me feel good. When I run, I feel my body working really hard. My heart pounds faster, my lungs work harder, the beads of sweat on my face, the exhilarating feeling that comes over me when I accomplish my goals. All of it makes me love it. So why don't I do it when I am feeling bad? Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Two Babies Later, I Am Still Trying
Life always seems to get in the way of things. After running with my friend and being the most successful I had ever been, things started getting busy. She had a baby and a year later, I had my twins. Throughout my entire pregnancy I took it very easy, so running wasn't an option. I was put on bed rest at week 27 of my pregnancy, so moving wasn't even an option. I remember leaving the hospital after delivering my girls and began thinking about how weak I felt. My body was 30 pounds heavier, I had just had a C-Section and I felt tired. Of course all of this could be attributed to everything that I had been through with the pregnancy and delivery. And certainly after we brought the girls home from the hospital twelve days later, that would attribute to my energy level, too. (Now chasing around 17 month olds still makes me tired, so I know it never goes away!)
The first year of the girls' life was a blurr and I certainly didn't run or even try to. For more information about that point in my life, keep an eye on my "Bringing Up Twins" blog. But sometime after their first birthday, I started getting the craving to get back out there. We were started to get the hang of things and it was time to start taking care of myself again. I knew that things weren't going to be the same as last time. I didn't live close to my friend anymore, I had two babies whose schedules I had to consider and how exactly could I run with two babies anyway? I started looking for the one piece of baby equipment that every Mama Runner should have: a jogging stroller or jogger.
There are a ton of different types of jogging strollers on the market these days. I know some of the big chain stores sell them and sometimes you find them at running stores or bike stores. I found mine online having done some research about what kind to get for running. Be careful when shopping for one because not all jogging strollers are meant to be used for jogging. Weird, I know. But if you plan on running, then you should look for a 16 inch front wheel or larger. (Make sure it is fixed and doesn't swivel for best control.) A tether strap for your arm, a couple brakes and excellent harnesses for the babies are also important. I decided on the BOB Sport Utility Duallie stroller.
And I love it!! It is completely worth the investment! My rationale is that this is my workout so I could either spend the money on this jogger or go get a gym membership. This way, I can work out with the girls and we don't have to pack up and go somewhere else. They love to ride in it and they look quite comfortable. I am glad of my choice!
So now I am trying to get into a routine. Last week, I ran everyday and did pretty well, but this week I am falling off the wagon...So by God's grace, I am going to get back out there. Me. My girls. And the jogger. Out on the open road (well, the neighborhood sidewalk..). I have a date with my running destiny. I will be a runner. I will be a runner...
The first year of the girls' life was a blurr and I certainly didn't run or even try to. For more information about that point in my life, keep an eye on my "Bringing Up Twins" blog. But sometime after their first birthday, I started getting the craving to get back out there. We were started to get the hang of things and it was time to start taking care of myself again. I knew that things weren't going to be the same as last time. I didn't live close to my friend anymore, I had two babies whose schedules I had to consider and how exactly could I run with two babies anyway? I started looking for the one piece of baby equipment that every Mama Runner should have: a jogging stroller or jogger.
There are a ton of different types of jogging strollers on the market these days. I know some of the big chain stores sell them and sometimes you find them at running stores or bike stores. I found mine online having done some research about what kind to get for running. Be careful when shopping for one because not all jogging strollers are meant to be used for jogging. Weird, I know. But if you plan on running, then you should look for a 16 inch front wheel or larger. (Make sure it is fixed and doesn't swivel for best control.) A tether strap for your arm, a couple brakes and excellent harnesses for the babies are also important. I decided on the BOB Sport Utility Duallie stroller.
And I love it!! It is completely worth the investment! My rationale is that this is my workout so I could either spend the money on this jogger or go get a gym membership. This way, I can work out with the girls and we don't have to pack up and go somewhere else. They love to ride in it and they look quite comfortable. I am glad of my choice!
So now I am trying to get into a routine. Last week, I ran everyday and did pretty well, but this week I am falling off the wagon...So by God's grace, I am going to get back out there. Me. My girls. And the jogger. Out on the open road (well, the neighborhood sidewalk..). I have a date with my running destiny. I will be a runner. I will be a runner...
Friday, July 25, 2008
I wanted to be a runner
I have toyed with running off and on for the better part of fifteen years. Toyed meaning that I would gear up to start running, do it for a while and then something would make me quit. I have met runners along the way in my life. I had a couple friends who ran cross country in high school. My freshman year of high school I ran the mile for the physical fitness test. Afterward, my gym teacher suggested I join the track team. I had never had anyone encourage me like that so I went out for it...I lasted a week before I quit complaining of shin splints.
When I was in college, I had a friend who was in the Air Force ROTC. She would get up every morning and work out with the other ROTC students. Occassionally I would get up and go work out, too, and for a little while we would run together. She ran in 5Ks and such. I liked that about her.
But it wasn't until a few years ago that I saw accomplishment in my pursuit in running. My husband and I moved to Dayton, OH where he is from and I started running with a friend. She was an experienced runner, but when I mentioned that I wanted to start running again, she offered to run with me. I was happy to have a partner that I could run with, but also didn't want her to be tied down to my slowness and lack of physical fitness. We decided to give it shot and for months we began running together about 2-3 times a week as our schedules allowed. In the beginning, we would do run and walk. (Most of time the walking was driven by me...) But over time we ran 2 miles, then 3 miles, we found a 4 mile stretch and was successful, and five miles we accomplished too. We ran around the city neighborhoods and on country roads. We even ran in a 5K race together! Finally, I was starting to see that this interest of mine was more than just "nice thing to do", it is a longing. And the day that we ran 6 miles together, I was so incredibly happy and realized that it was possibly for me to do this. It isn't easy, but it is possible.
Running with my friend made a huge difference for me. She is committed to what she does and sticks with it. I learned that even for experienced runners, the miles are still long and ahead of them, the sun is still hot, the hills are tough and the body must be ready to do the work. And we had fun together! We talked about anything and everything and really enjoyed the time we spent. We would run, but we would also catch up with each other about our lives. Our friendship grew stronger out there on the open road. I will always treasure the time we had running together.
When I was in college, I had a friend who was in the Air Force ROTC. She would get up every morning and work out with the other ROTC students. Occassionally I would get up and go work out, too, and for a little while we would run together. She ran in 5Ks and such. I liked that about her.
But it wasn't until a few years ago that I saw accomplishment in my pursuit in running. My husband and I moved to Dayton, OH where he is from and I started running with a friend. She was an experienced runner, but when I mentioned that I wanted to start running again, she offered to run with me. I was happy to have a partner that I could run with, but also didn't want her to be tied down to my slowness and lack of physical fitness. We decided to give it shot and for months we began running together about 2-3 times a week as our schedules allowed. In the beginning, we would do run and walk. (Most of time the walking was driven by me...) But over time we ran 2 miles, then 3 miles, we found a 4 mile stretch and was successful, and five miles we accomplished too. We ran around the city neighborhoods and on country roads. We even ran in a 5K race together! Finally, I was starting to see that this interest of mine was more than just "nice thing to do", it is a longing. And the day that we ran 6 miles together, I was so incredibly happy and realized that it was possibly for me to do this. It isn't easy, but it is possible.
Running with my friend made a huge difference for me. She is committed to what she does and sticks with it. I learned that even for experienced runners, the miles are still long and ahead of them, the sun is still hot, the hills are tough and the body must be ready to do the work. And we had fun together! We talked about anything and everything and really enjoyed the time we spent. We would run, but we would also catch up with each other about our lives. Our friendship grew stronger out there on the open road. I will always treasure the time we had running together.
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