So just to paint a picture of what a typical week is like these days.....
Last week we traveled as a family to Arizona. Husbo had some business out there & put him up at a resort. Why not tag along.....with 2 kids....on a 4.5 hour flight?? Again....I have lost my Effing mind.
Anyway, Sunday is typically my long run days. Because we were flying back on a Sunday, I saved my long run for Tuesday. So....Tuesday 15 miles, Wednesday 8 Miles, Thursday 5 Miles, Friday off, Saturday 8 Miles & Sunday 18 miles. Yes, I said 18. I am finally creeping up there in the mileage & reaching some personal goals. Each week at this point is a milestone & that feels good. It is so nice to feel a sense of accomplishment again. Don't get me wrong, getting my kids to bed on time, potty trained or brushing their own teeth feels nice but for once, I am doing something for ME and it feels great. That being said....I have been in a world of hurt for the past 6 weeks. Several things have happened already & I can feel my age catching up to me. Just to think....When I started this journey, I was running 1 mile a day for 5 days out of the week. Then the next week it was 2 miles per day etc. I'm surprised that more hasn't happened....So about 6 weeks ago I pulled my groin. It wasn't like an average groin pull. It was internal so it literally made me feel like 1/2 my lady part was in danger of falling off. Each step was pain. Running was a nightmare. Picking up my kids & walking across the floor was nearly impossible. I saw the Chiropractor, ART Specialist (Active Release Therapist) Physical therapy....you name it. Turns out the injury is called Femoral Acetabular Impingement, or FAI. I have had groin pulls before but this was different. In addition to the specialists, I saw my general practitioner who prescribed me some NCIDS, (basically a gentler on the tummy version of Ibuprofen). That seems to be keeping the inflammation down so that I can make it through the longer runs. I have to say- this marathon is exactly what i needed in this juncture of my life. About to turn 40 next year, the every day monotony of being a stay at home mother.....It is exactly what i need to keep the endorphins flowing! Without my husband cheering me on constantly, i don't know what I would do. As difficult as it has been for me through various things - post mileage stomach upset, knee pain, groin pain, aching toe-nails, foot pain & some other even less desirable things that I'll refrain from mentioning so that I can hang on to my dignity a bit- It has been even harder for my guy. We have a baby sitter that is only available on the weekends. That means that Jason has been pushing the double jogger stroller on every single one of our runs. Keep in mind- Jax weighs 20lbs- Hayden 35. The poor guy! We usually go together after he gets home from work. We run on the Swamp Rabbit Trail which is a beautiful path that spans 36 miles....but it gets dark quickly & there have been a few attacks on joggers. I don't want to have to run with my concealed weapon strapped to me so we go together. He has been killing himself for me! I am thankful that he is ambitious and fit. I ask myself constantly why the heck I signed up to do this. I have been looking at myself in pictures and I see how tired I am looking lately! UGH! But honestly- after seeing what I saw at the Boston Marathon:
I just knew that I had to accomplish this for myself-at least once. After All, I am able bodied not getting any younger. It's now or never. Also- I needed something to get me over that hump. I had been stagnant for about 6 years. Trying to have babies, having babies, hernia operations, trying for more babies, C-sections, more hernia operations.....I got into the routine of just loafing through workouts and not being focused at the gym....just going through the motions but never actually working out at or above my target heart rate, eating like crap....which essentially means that I was wasting my time. Now, I know I have an awesome base & I can't wait until the marathon is over so I can start Crossfit. I intend to be in SICK shape by my 40th. The training has changed my body. It's strange- You would think that running as much as I am would get me feeling thin & sleek- but instead my legs feel doughy. I am losing a lot of weight but the mileage is breaking down my muscle. It's going to take hard work to rebuild my legs and abs. I am determined. That feeling alone is changing my attitude. Running (or working out in general) has always leveled me out. I think if I didn't work out hard, I would have more anxiety, more stress & likely be depressed. It's a slippery slope for someone who lives far away from my family and close friends- moving every 2 years from state to state trying to make a home for my family in a place that I don't really know except for what I read on the internet. I know what running/working out does for me & sometimes I wish I could get others to jump on board. It changes your life- and the lives of those around me. I have more tolerance for my kids and lets face it.....for my ole' man. I'm less likely to bash his skull in for constantly leaving his dirty clothes in various places around the house!! Or for asking me where things are that are right in front of his face....Or for me having to tell him what needs to be done in the yard....or for- OK, I digress.
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| Jason getting the kids out of the jogger after getting caught in a down pour |
Just a note about Greenville. The weather is starting to cool off & I am excited to get some hiking/exploring in. It is so beautiful here. Lush, and green! I feel happy! I don't know how long we will stay in Greenville as I know in the back of my mind that Jason intends to get promoted which will likely bring us back to Arizona- but I am enjoying it here while I can! In the next few weeks we will take advantage of the beauty of this state & check out Charleston again (We were there in 2002 for a long weekend). School has started up which means my daughter also begins Dance & Gymnastics & I can focus on my little guy in Music & Baby Class. The week days are full so we get to spend quality family time on the weekends. I have surrounded myself with happy, positive people & I feel great about life in general. I guess this is what "Mid-Life" is all about. Finally coming to a place where you are at peace with certain things. I spent my 20's & 30's trying to figure myself out. I am happy at the place that I've arrived at. It was a long, bumpy road....but I am happy & not letting anyone puncture this bubble & get to me or my family. I've realized that no one is perfect- and no matter what someone tries to portray their life to be on the outside, there is always something. No one is immune- so find what makes you happy & run with it. No pun intended.
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