Pumpkin Run

As I have transformed into a runner and "running advocate", what has become exciting for me, is watching my children become excited about running and fitness! They want to run with me and are super stoked when I sign them up for races just for them! One mile seems so huge to them, an enormous goal and challenge to overcome and I am totally inspired by their will and determination to cross the finish line.

My second son asked that I run with him this past weekend for our town's annual Pumpkin Run and what he said to me at the starting line melted me. He looked at me with sweet eyes, grabbed my hand tightly and said "Mom, I"m a little scared, but I"m going to run anyways." Ah, bless you, my child.

My oldest ran his little heart out, but he also stopped when a classmate of his became tired and needed  to walked. He walked with her and even encouraged her across the finish line. My second son ran 3/4 of a mile gripping my hand with all of his might. When his sister spotted us, she dashed under the course flags to join us. I let go and told him to run on his own and that kid sprinted the last 1/4 mile while I jogged/ran with my oldest daughter who was so proud!

It was a fantastic run and such a fun experience for all of us! I'm so proud of them! I made my boys pumpkin medals when we got home and they wore them proudly the rest of the day!

First Graders

K anticipates the starting gun

Crossing the finish line

E and I take off

Moments before little sister runs to us

Look at that form!

Running with H

We did it!

Medals for the finishers

Running with Purpose

Originally, I started running because I knew it would be good for me, right? I had a goal in mind- complete a 5k by the end of the summer. It was doable. I was capable. Having a goal kept me motivated in the beginning.

But, as the miles began to add up and my shoe of choice was more often my Brooks than my well worn Chacos, I started to realize that I had found not just a goal to keep me going, but a prupose.

You see, as much as I may not like to admit it, running has become vital to my mental health. I have four children. Four kids born in five years. My life is wonderfully, fantastically, beautifully crazy. I started off with my headphones in just to tune out the noise. I told my husband i ran because for at least half the distance, I was running AWAY from home. The good news? I always turned and came back!

Running has provided me that happy place. Solace. Peace. Solitude.

I am a better mother and wife because I have found this "thing" that can help me to keep on keepin' on! It's obvious that taking advantage of the runner's high has a number of mental health benefits. People who experience this euphoric feeling while running report being totally relaxed, happy, energetic, and satisfied with themselves. Running also releases serotonin, which is a natural mood lifter.

I have also noted that running is extremely difficult for me. Each run involves some pain, some challenge, some mental struggle- to quit or not to quit? Each run, no matter how far, how fast or how slow... I usually want to stop about 2 minutes into it. BUT running has become the easiest part of my day. 

I'm not complaining about this life I have, but carting four kiddos to and fro, cooking meals, making sure the livingroom has at least a clear path to the bathroom and we have at least some paper plates to use wen the dishes get too crazy... it adds up! So for me to know that I have mastered a challenging run that morning gives me the strength, energy and courage to face whatever the kiddos may toss my way.

You may have many goals for your training, and for life in general, but what is your purpose?

A great resource to explore further can be found here at Active.com

Another Fuel Up With Color Story

This past Saturday, I also participated in the Fuel Up With Color kids 1 mile fun run with my little boy. Ever since I started this journey back into running in April 2012, and especially since my first race in June, he has wanted to "race with mommy." So on September 8th, he finally got his chance! I didn't know what to expect from him, but I was determined not to carry him at all. We walk around the neighborhood quite a bit, so I knew he could handle that much at least. Well, he surprised me! We ran the whole first quarter mile up to the first physical challenge station (weaving through cones)! After that, we walked and ran the next half mile and decided that we would run the whole way left when he could see the finish line. He saw it before I did, and he took off! We ran through the final station (sprayed with water guns!), past Grandma R, Grandpa A, and Daddy, and zoomed past the finish line to hug Grandma D and little sister! He loved it!

After the race, we asked him what his favorite parts were, and he said the water guns and beating me! We finished with a 15:30 pace and enjoyed our post-race snacks. It was a perfect first race for my son's foray into, I hope, a lifetime of physical fitness.

How do I get past the insanity?

I need to get back into a routine of running but I'm finding it hard to do so when my children don't cooperate.  Finding a balance between being a full-time mom, a part-time accountant, and my own person has not been easy.  Struggling with a 5 year old who is fed up with Kindergarten and a 2 year old who is asserting her independence in ways I cannot cope with has put stress on me that I haven't found a way to alleviate.

I was hoping getting back into a routine would counter my stress, but it's the "getting back into a routine" that I haven't been able to do.  Part of the problem is that my 2 year old is refusing to go anywhere, get dressed, have her diaper changed, etc.  When I try to force her to go, she screams and cries until she throws up, and by the time I get everyone and everything cleaned up, the last thing I want to do is go anywhere.  I'm scared to take her to the Y because even if we make it there, my assumption is that she will freak out until she vomits and then I'll have to retrieve her and go back home anyway.

I know I could run at night.  I know I should run at night when my husband is home with the kids.  But after a day of fighting, I don't want to do anything.  I feel like the Queen of Excuses when it comes to running these days and I need to get out of my rut.  I tried running at the lake yesterday, but running in sand is really not as fun as it looks in the movies and magazines.

How does one balance being a Mother and Runner?  For me the term Mother Runner seems counter intuitive right now.  What should I do?  What can I do?

I'll go for a run.  Wish me luck...

**EDIT**  1.64 mi at 11:12min/mi pace