I've just recently moved over here to blogger, so I'm reposting my original post from a few months back as an introduction. I'll be making more current posts really soon, I promise!
Welcome to my little corner of the cyber-world! I’m so glad you stopped by, and I hope you’ll check back regularly!
I started this blog as a way to chronicle my experiences as I strive to juggle all of the many demands (both the good and the bad) that come with being a busy mother, wife, teacher, and runner. I am the mother of two awesome, spirited children, and am married to the love of my life. Beyond that, I have been blessed with an amazing family. I am fortunate enough to have a career that is exciting and meaningful. Still, with all of these blessings, a little over two years ago, I found myself looking for something more. I realized then that, like many women, I was giving so much of myself to other people, and I wasn’t really focusing on any goals that I had for myself.
For years, I had talked about getting back into running, “when I found the time.” I had been a runner in high school (sort of), and had been active in other sports, but then I had pretty much let it slip away. I realized as I neared an important birthday that if I kept waiting around for the right time to return to something I loved, that it would never happen. So, on the day I turned thirty-five, I went for a run. One short, frustrating run. I don’t think I managed a mile before I returned home, patting myself on the back for getting back into running. And then I set my running shoes by the front door, where they remained, unused, for the next couple of months.
In the fall, I decided that what I needed was motivation, and what’s a better motivator than a looming race deadline? So, I signed up for my first 5k, the 2008 Troy Turkey Trot, a big annual event in our area. It was approximately three months away, and I started googling to find out everything I could to help me prepare for a 3.1 mile race. I found a plan called the Couch to 5K Training Plan. Skeptical about the plan at first (it’s hard to take a plan with such a goofy name seriously, no?) I finally decided to give it a try. In fact, I discovered that it’s a really effective training plan because it utilizes walking/running intervals with the running portions gradually being extended until you are running for three miles straight! When I completed the program (and the 5K) I was so proud of myself and I knew I had caught the running bug. Along the way, I also managed to get my cousin and Original Running Buddy to catch the 5k spirit, and she has remained an off and on running partner when her busy life allows.
I have been running fairly consistently from that point on. Every spring and summer, I’ve been running in local 5ks, and I completed the Turkey Trot again last year. I discovered that running truly brings me joy, and I’m a much better mother/wife/teacher/everything when I’m running regularly. That isn’t to say, though, that I don’t struggle with my motivation. Especially in the winter months, it’s really hard to remain consistent. So in the spring of this year, when I was once again having a difficult time getting my feet to hit the pavement, I decided I needed a new goal- a big goal, something I would be really proud to accomplish. And that’s when I decided to register for the Mohawk Hudson River Half-Marathon. I’m happy to say that since I started my training plan, I have been doing great- it’s amazing how quickly you can progress when you are committed to something! I’m actually a little ahead of where I need to be on my long runs. I’ve also been lucky enough to make a couple of new running buddies, and even talked an old running buddy into joining the program.
So back to the reason for my blog. I have learned that life is so short and it is important to do the things you love. Running is just one of those things for me, so I am constantly seeking to find a balance with my training and the rest of my life. Through this blog, I will be sharing with you my journey toward my very first ever half-marathon. I’ll also be sharing what I’m learning about striking a balance in my life. Even though my life may be crazy at times, and I’m not always perfect, I try to always give 100% in everything I do. This is what I hope to impart to my children, and if I can show them by my example, then all the better. Hopefully, some of what I say will be helpful to someone else. At the very least, it should occasionally be entertaining! After all, what’s life without a little moxie?
