Running running running

That's what Luke says to himself as he runs around our house: "Running, running, running!" Often to a soundtrack of me saying in my sing-song voice, "Luke is running! He's running!" He loves this. He will circle in and out of rooms, and then throw himself on the ground (why? because he's a little boy I suppose) and then he'll get up and keep going. Running, running, running.

Well, guess what? Mama's been running, running, running, too.

OK, only once. Just running. On Sunday, it was almost 40 degrees out, which is reason enough for celebration in Michigan in mid-February. Can I just stop to tell you I HATE February? February is the month two boyfriends dumped me, the month Jimmy and I had our biggest fight, the month a friend of mine died and the month I found out Luke had his heart defects. Throw in the fact that I'm pretty sure I get depressed each and every winter, and yes, it's certain: February blows big time.

It's an easy month to get derailed for things like accomplishing "20 little things." And I'm certainly derailed in some sense. There are a lot of areas I'm not keeping up. But I've just got to be OK with that, and I've just got to wait for days like Sunday.

Ah, yes, back to balmy beautiful Sunday.

For the first time in months, everything aligned. The weather was right, I felt healthy, my husband was around, there wasn't else much that needed urgent attention. I laced up my shoes, dug out the old running clothes and took off. By the first half-mile, I felt the familiar jiggle of every fat molecule -- the ones that had been so desperately clinging to the nooks and crannies all over my body -- spring loose. This is normal. At least in my experience. There is nothing that makes you as aware of how chubby you are like a good run. Another half a mile, and another familiar feeling: the burn of lungs that haven't reaaaallly had much going on in weeks, suddenly huffing and puffing to keep up.

I love that feeling. It's like, hey, wake up body! I'm alive, and I'm running! Get with the program!

At least, for a few minutes I love it. Another half a mile or so, and I had to walk a bit. From there to the end, two and a half miles total, I alternated. But mostly, I ran.

It was just 30 minutes, but I have that back-on-the-horse feeling. I think I'll be going running running running again next weekend.

No. 3 -- Run a 10K

Why it's on the list: Because their was a time, not too long ago, that running was my release. It held an important spot in my life. It was not just how I kept in shape, but how I stayed centered, the best time I spent in prayer, my most creative brain-storming sessions. I miss the ache in my legs. I miss the confidence that comes with each stride on a day running feels really good. I miss feeling like I am slowly building up to something big. I even miss working through the problems -- the days one mile feels like 10, the inevitable struggle to get out the door, the need to carve out time that totally for ME in an overbooked life. I miss the deep sleep that comes when your body really needs it.

How I'll do it: I'm not sure. This is a tricky one. It's the time. How do I find the time to train for a race when I work full-time, watch Luke by myself in the evening and am dog-tired pretty much all the time? Well, I think for starters I need to jive this with my 6 a.m. workout routine. As soon as it warms up, just a bit, I think I need to try running in the morning before work. It won't be easy I'm sure, but there are thousands of people who do it. What do they have that I don't? Also, again, once it's a bit warmer, I do have a jogging stroller. I need to use it more. And I have weekends. I need to schedule long runs for Sundays and make them happen.

I also thinking signing up for a race soon will be key in keeping me motivated. I have one in mind -- the Heart of a Spartan 10K in East Lansing on May 2. It's the first year for the race, it's in a city that is dear to me, and it's in a very nice month for running weather. It's far enough away that if I get started soon, I'll be ready. I'm not going to sign up just yet.... but I think that will be it. 

 

I'll be back here soon.