Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Honored and Inspired

Inspired, refreshed, missing it...

You guys, the 2nd edition of Another Mother Runner’s What a Mother Runner Looks Like has been published. You can find it right here. I’m choking back tears. I’m so honored to be included, inspired to pick up and keep going, and just overwhelmed by the women featured. Cancer survivors, mothers with 5 plus kids, women who have lost pounds in the triple digits. They aren’t perfect, none of us are, but they are all strong. All so inspiring. Proud of where they are. Every women featured has a story. You only get a snippet here, but there is a story there and they have all picked up their knees, tied their shoes, pulled that sports bra over their messy ponytails and hit the streets, the treadmills, the trails.


I’ve been pretty honest here, I think, about my struggles with my running performance lately. Now that the weather in the early mornings is reaching the teens it is even harder to find the motivation to get out there and run. It takes like 20 minutes just to get dressed with all the layers. I’ve been transitioning since I don’t have any races until Spring to train for. I’ve struggled with making up my mind on what I wanted to do next. Keep hitting the streets early in the morning or pressing play on the dvd player and sweating. I’ve wanted more muscle and I think I finally have made up my mind on what it is I’m going to do next. Honestly, I’m a little scared and it is hard to find the drive I had when I was running. I miss that feeling of dominating a workout and feeling so completely strong and confident and WANTING to do it again every day of the week.

I haven’t ran since last Thursday morning when I did my own little turkey trot before heading out to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. Again, the run was slower, the weather was warmer, but my performance was slow and I actually am starting to feel like I’m out of shape. The last thing I want to do is start over. My body, mainly my brain, had such a hard time adjusting to the intensity when I first started turning it on and I suffered with frequent aura migraines. I fear that happening again if I let up. I love getting out for a run when I feel like running without a second thought or a hesitation of fear that I will die or it will hurt too bad.

After scrolling and reading the blurbs on these mothers I feel so renewed and refreshed; aching for that feeling again. Last night we moved a tv downstairs to the basement and I’m starting P90x for my cross training/off season workouts. It will be tough. I’m a little scared, but I know once I get going I will be fine. I really want to knock out a half marathon next season sometime. Again, scared! But, I have to start somewhere. So, I will cross train until the weather is nicer then I will hit the streets again. I’ll hopefully shoot for a half sometime late summer or fall. We will see how it plays out. Right now, I’m excited just thinking about it. It feels good to be there again.

I’ve been too down on myself lately and I need to get back in the groove again. This was the perfect push I needed to remind me why I do it all. Go check out the post and if you have time check out the 1st one. There are some great ladies in there too. Come back and tell me what you think. I would love to hear your perspective. I also want to hear more from so many of these ladies featured. I found a new running/mom blog today, Small Town Runner, and a very impressive runner/mom on facebook through some of my already favorite runners. And, they have 3 boys!! Do you know of anymore?  Keep sharing their links. I love finding new ones. They keep the inspiration alive and hold me accountable for making sure I’m staying in the game. Ones with 3 boys are icing on the cake!!!

How do you train during “off” season?

Have you done P90x before? What did you think?

What running/mom blogs/facebook friends do you recommend?

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing the link to the 2nd edition of Another Mother Runner pics -- you had the starring role with your pic featured in the post! I am so honored to be included in the pictures as well and LOVED seeing that no matter our differences, we all share beautiful smiles. So amazing. It made me want to read more about each runner included as we all have our stories to tell. SO, SO AMAZING to see women who don't reflect society's "idea" body proudly baring (almost) all. It also makes me realize that I am way too hard on myself and I need to learn to love myself more.

    Second, you are such an inspiration to me. I love your honesty in sharing your struggles and occasional lack of passion for running. It makes me feel less alone as I also struggle with at times. Just this morning I was questioning my plan to run 1-2 marathons this spring as I don't know if I still have the desire to put in all that is required. I was questioning why I can't just "run for fun" or "run for exercise". What am I trying to prove with running races? Am I doing it for myself or for others so that I have more of an identity? Anyway, I'm getting way off track! Just wanted to really say thanks for your post. xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Kristen, I'm embarrassed to say this, but I didn't recognize you and I feel so bad, however... when I was looking through them I stopped at yours for longer than usual thinking you looked familiar, you looked dang good, and I wanted to know your contact info to get to know you better : ). Funny, huh?!
      I really do love these posts. I think it is important for all women to read and see. And, be inspired to get moving. I'm so glad you are in it as well. What an awesome thing!!!
      Thank you so much for your kind words. Your support keeps me going. I have struggled a lot lately and keeping that from everyone here is being dishonest in my mind even if people get sick of me whining about it. It is important to know that it isn't easy. I am the same as you... questioning why I do it and why can't I just get out there and enjoy it for enjoying it. What AM I getting out of races???? I get you! I so get you!
      Then I look here at all these women doing it besides their wins or PR's and loving it for loving it. I get choked up watching women come up to a finish line and crossing in udder amazement and achievement that they finished regardless of the time on the clock. It speaks so much louder than the top 5 crossing at times. Sure I'm amazed by their accomplishment, but it means so much more for those that come in with satisfaction on their faces.

      Thanks again, so much, Kristen!

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  2. P90x is a great program. It sometimes becomes a little repetitive for me because you begin to memorize the video. I find crossfit a better match for me but it is difficult to maintain the drive to do at home. I'm actually trying to slim down my muscles for the olathe half this spring. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  3. P90x is a great program. It sometimes becomes a little repetitive for me because you begin to memorize the video. I find crossfit a better match for me but it is difficult to maintain the drive to do at home. I'm actually trying to slim down my muscles for the olathe half this spring. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  4. P90x is a great program. It sometimes becomes a little repetitive for me because you begin to memorize the video. I find crossfit a better match for me but it is difficult to maintain the drive to do at home. I'm actually trying to slim down my muscles for the olathe half this spring. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just found your blog- so happy I did!! I subscribed and am looking forward to following:) I have three little ones as well, my youngest is a boy - so much energy! I don't know how you do it with three boys! Anyway, don't get down on the running - winter running is TOUGH! This is my third winter really running and I'm just getting I to a groove with it, and it's not easy. Stick with it and do what you can!:) and I just saw your feature on AMR, you look amazing!! Have a great night:)

    ReplyDelete

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