I was 7 years old, when my Grandfather introduced me to jogging, as a sport. He was a very active senior citizen at the time. He valued health and a healthy lifestyle and passed as much as he could onto his grandkids. When you start running at age 7, and learn the ropes from an ‘expert’ (my grandfather competed in multiple marathons and won many Senior Olympic medals in his day), you gain confidence. I went on to run, all through school, from junior high through college. I ran because I loved doing it, kept me fit and I was kind of good at it.
As most things do, when a woman becomes a Mom, much gets pushed to the side, to accommodate the needs of our little ones! I figured I would always get back to it, but could not find the time. As life settled down and I searched for easy fixes for my daily stresses, I was forced to find the time to schedule in a little running. Now that my youngest is two and more self sufficient, and I have a supportive husband, I find myself getting out on the open road a few times a week. Now that is it spring, it reminds me why I run. And the run I just got back from, reminded me of you!
You see I run because it is my ‘thing’…. I run because I am not a Mom when I running. When I am feeling the wind to my face, and let my body settle into a rhythm…..I am not even a wife. I am not an employee, am not an activities director, friend, neighbor, daycare provider, daughter, sister or volunteer. I am me. I am a human being. I am a moving, breathing soulful person. I can think about whatever I want. I can move as fast or as slow as I’d like. I can run to compete or I can run just to get out of my house! I can wear make up or look scary. I can feel like crap or feel fantastic and I know I will feel better when I am done. I thank God for this ability every time I am running because this ability gives me life. It gives me joy, peace, inspiration, fulfillment and energy. Running helps me to be a better me.
What helps you to become a better you? Do you have a “thing”? How often are you able to do your “thing”?
Now let’s be realistic…..I expect, as I have experienced already in Motherhood, there may be a time in the near future, when I just can’t find the time to run, again. And eventually I assume I will get back to it. Being flexible is a mandatory trait of being a Mom, isn’t it? However, just knowing that running helps me be a better me is all I need to know, to motivate me to find the time….because as we know, when Mom is happy and healthy…so is everyone else!
Now go schedule some time to do your thing!
