running reflections

I ran 17 miles this week.

I've learned a bit about myself and my role in my family since I started seriously training for a half marathon.

This goal of mine is starting to affect my everyday life. Instead of getting up early to workout 3 times a week, I'm getting up five to six times a week. This makes me tired and it requires me to go to bed early. So, even though the running has made me feel healthier and increased my energy for my children, it has decreased the time I get to spend with my partner. I'm ready for bed when the kids are and I'm out the door before Tom even rolls over in the morning. I am depending on him much more to help around the house than I did before. It isn't easy and I miss him.

The flip side to this goal that I've set is that I am finally doing something for myself. It's been a long time since I've done anything for just me. I can't remember the last big goal I set for myself that I've been able to put forth an action plan to complete it. This training has really been exciting and fun for me. I love getting out there and running the miles, increasing my distance and trying to run it just a bit faster than the week before. It has filled me with excitement and energy. I am happy to be back in the world of training for a race...even if I know that I won't actually be racing anyone but myself.

The kids have noticed my running and are always impressed with my distances. Lily talks about going with me for a run sometime, but I think we will wait until the weather cools down a bit. We've been having a very hot and dry summer. The weather has made the runs mostly bug-free...but we've never gotten to skip a run due to rain, either. I suppose those are all good things...but I wouldn't mind getting one morning that I can roll over and go back to sleep because it's raining too much to run. Just once before school starts would be awesome.

School is starting soon....the summer has gone too fast.