Monday, September 2

10.0

10.0 - That's how many miles I ran today.  The most consecutive miles I've ever run in my life.

I'm training to run a half marathon at the end of October, and I haven't run this often since I ran cross country my senior year of high school (though I have stayed decently active via indoor soccer, zumba, and labor).  I decided to sign up for the race because my husband was running all the time... and I was starting to feel left out.  "I want to be fit too!  What does it feel like to be able to step out the door and jog 6 miles without feeling like you're going to pass out?  Why does he get all that nice alone time?"  I was a bit jealous.  I told Justin I wanted to run too, and he has been beyond encouraging.  I don't think I'd be training for a half if it weren't for him. 

It's empowering being a 30 year-old mother of 3 out running more miles than I ever thought I could (or more than I ever wanted to).  I'm thankful that now getting out to run 2 miles feels like a breeze... but let me say that at the end of 10 my body feels like it's about to shut down.  My knees start to ache, my feet hurt, chaffing is driving me insane, and I start to hope that maybe someone I know will drive by and pick me up.  Most days I REALLY don't want to run.  I feel too tired and worn out with normal day-to-day child rearing.  BUT, my husband is inspiring and loves checking off the runs on my training chart.  So with a moan, I drag my feet out the door and find some strength somewhere inside me to make those feet jog.  

As a birth educator, I can't help but relate my running to birth.  At some point during almost every run I start thinking about labor and how similar it is to running.  At the beginning you might start out too fast and forget to conserve energy (I'm always telling my students tips to conserve energy during labor).  At some point during my run I feel like I want to give up (just about every mother hits this wall during labor).  I convince myself to press on, that I can reach the end.  I see how my training is paying off as I can run further each time (training and practice for labor really pay off).  The similarities go on and on.  Some people love to run, and some people love labor.  Some people despise running, and some people really don't like labor... but you don't have to like it.  I'm not so sure I really like running, but I do like finishing.

These runs have given me some precious time alone.  Time to pray, time to think, time to build stamina.  I'll let you know how the half marathon goes October 26th.  No goal for a finishing time... just to finish. 

2 comments:

  1. 10 miles without stopping?! I ran 3 today and left like you did after 10. I've been meaning to ask you how training is going, and I have no doubt that you will finish October 26th and feel so proud of yourself...just like after each birth. :) Keep up the hard work, Super Woman!

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    1. I don't do the run without walking... I run 10 minutes then walk for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. According to Justin I'll actually go faster doing this, plus not wear and tear my joints as much. When I started out I was doing more like 15 to 20 minutes running and 30 seconds walking, but towards the end is was more like 9 minutes running and 1 to 2 minutes walking :)

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