Mom on the Run

Guess what? After years of protest, my body finally gave in.

I LOVE RUNNING!

To fully understand my elation at this latest revelation, take a trip back with me….
In high school gym class, the day I dreaded all year was the day we had to run the MILE. It was one measly day, one measly mile, and it practically had me breaking out in hives every single year. I would actually contemplate giving myself a sprained ankle or talking my parents into this being “the year” to get my bunions removed (its hereditary…thanks, Mom). Never work. I had to huff and puff it around the track one, two, three, four times… Every. Single. Year.

I tried running in college too, pushing myself every day to LIKE it. I still hated it. So I stopped and started walking instead…which by the way, isn’t for wusses (reminds me of an article I wrote once). I still love to walk and take them with or without the girls all the time.

Persistence Pays Off
About a year before Jaisa was born I decided to give running the good ‘ole college try (again). The first week was brutal. But somehow and for some reason I stuck with it just a little longer than all the other times I’d tried. And there it was… over this immense internal hurdle was EUPHORIA. I finally discovered what everyone referred to as the “runner’s high.” And just like that, I was hooked. I’m a running junkie.

Don’t get me wrong, my story is nothing spectacular. I’m not doing marathons all over the country and running 10 miles a day “just for fun.” Oh no. I keep my runs short and sweet, just for kicks. Over the summer I ran my first 10K and participated in the Green Bay Packers first ever 5K. I ran it with my brother and man, was it fun! Packers fan or not, who wouldn’t have the time of their life charging out that tunnel and circling around the bowl with 2,999 other runners? I know I did.

Up next is the Fox Cities 5K tomorrow morning. I talked my friend Nellie into running it with me. I ask. She said “Yeah, why not!” And now don’t I look the fool because this friend of mine, this mom of two, just announced that she’ll be running a half marathon at the “Happiest Race on Earth” – Disneyland in January! You go, girl!

A Minor Obstacle

So here’s the bad news… A few weeks ago—just two days before my 15-year-class-reunion, mind you—my back goes out (old age, here I come!). I was lifting Jaisa off the changing table, like I do about 5 times a day, and this time I felt a pinch down my left side and I spent the next 15 minutes on the floor rolling in pain. It’s getting better, but come on, it’s been three weeks! Now the pain has rudely maneuvered its way around my hip, making running oh so enjoyable. But I told Nellie, “I’m running Saturday come hell or hip replacement.” Let’s just hope neither is in my future. An offer for a massage, on the other hand, I will not turn away.

Time to beat: 28:43 (never said I was Speedy Gonzales). I don’t care so much about the time, as much as just doing it (this blog is not endorsed by Nike). This is one thing I do for ME. And bad back, you can’t take that away from me.

Are you a Mom on the Run? Share your latest adventure!

A Glimpse at the Future: Flux Capacitor Not Required

Big moments for us last week as we got a sneak peak at what lies ahead... By the way, I think our moms were right—“History DOES repeat itself.” Give me a second and you’ll see what I mean.


In one corner: The “Teenager”

Ella gave us a real eye-opener last week – not just with how much she likes dolphins – but we saw a bit of what the teenage years have in store. That teenage girl is just waiting inside, dying for a chance to burst out, and she made a few guest appearances throughout the week as we mistakenly asked Ella, “How was your day at school?”

“Fine.”

“What did you learn today?”

“Nothing.”

“Who did you play with?”

“I don’t know.”

Good grief! And so it begins!

After a couple days of this, we realized we needed to ask Ella more specific questions to help her recall her day. Things like, “What kind of art project did you do? Did you play with Izzy? What letter did you work on today?” Finally, we received more than a one-word answer…still, not as much as I was hoping for. I’m SO not ready for this.

In the other corner: The Toddler

It was an amazing week for Jaisa with the start of some major 1-year milestones. At 13 ½ months old, Jaisa finally took her first steps across the living room. I say “finally” because Ella started walking at 10 months (overachiever), so we’ve kind of been waiting for Jaisa’s big moment—not that I’m comparing. Oh, who am I kidding?

Jaisa was so proud of herself she proceeded to walk around the entire house that day, just to show us that she could. I knew you had it in you, sweetie. Mommy’s aching back thanks you for finally not having to hunch over and walk you everywhere…well, at least for too much longer as you master this latest trick. No pressure, but please hurry! [And yes, moms, I know what I’m asking for here. Considering I’ve been walking like Igor for the last few months, I’m ready to chase after an independent walker...in an upright position.]

Just when we thought we couldn’t handle any more childhood developments for the week, Jaisa throws us another. We were eating supper one night and I had put some food on Jaisa’s fork as I’ve been doing lately to teach her how to eat with utensils, and she proceeded to put the fork in her mouth. Nothing new. And then it happened…Jaisa started stabbing the rest of the food on her tray with her fork and was feeding herself! Matt and I looked at each other in only the amazement two parents can give as a child practices a new skill for the first time. Bravo, Jaisa, bravo! Before you know it, I’m going to be out of another job.

Don’t you just love it when everything clicks? It’s the little things in life, people! We can’t wait to see what the little Jedi will master next.

Teenage Ella, you stay inside….we’re not ready for you yet.