Strides

No pics of Bode... sorry! This is just a blog post for me to clear my head and 'blog' ha:)

Progress is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (not Wikipedia because that isn't real anyway) as 1- 'a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal)' , 2- 'gradual betterment'

I have definitely made progress!!

I LOVE RUNNING- you probably know that by now

I have made great "strides" in running (pun intended) over the years. I thought about my running progress after reading a recent article in Parents Magazine that really touched me.

After reading the article, I realized that my running has improved and progressed since becoming a Mommy- which is sometimes the opposite of what happens. I need to absolutely thank my amazing husband for my progress because if it wasn't for him being willing to watch Bode and do so much when I go running, I would never have the opportunity to do what I love! I truly believe that if it wasn't for Michael, I would not be where I am today with running.

It's funny to think back to High School Soccer- now that I see the preseason camps starting all around the area, i think to how I used to love, but dread preseason! I loved getting back into soccer but knew running would be involved. I always made sure to have good footwork and a killer shot so that I wouldn't have to worry about running as much haha! We were forced to run a certain distance in a certain time and our punishment for bad shots or bad choices on the field was running.

After college, when I wasn't forced to run in a certain amount of time, I started running more for leisure and found quickly that it helped calm me down if I was stressed and helped me clear my mind. That continued until I got better at running and then it became a part of my life.... I can't imagine not running- when people say what are your hobbies, what do you like to do... I say run! Can I consider myself a 'runner' if I'm not competitive with it? I have some short races lined up in the fall that I want to do, but I really just enjoy going out for a nice long run

People like running for so many different reasons. I think part of the reason I have latched on so tightly is because running allows me to accomplish something every day that I do it. It is a way to challenge myself everyday and overcome the challenge, which is a natural boost of self esteeem, confidence, mental will, etc. A Mom's job is not for the weak and you need endurance and stamina just to keep up with the hectic everyday routine!

The article mentioned some great points that really hit home and summed it all up:

-it won't matter how hard i try to take good care of my kids if I fail to take good care of myself

-regardless of how many things are going on in life, I can always handle things with more strength and gratitude when I feel physically fit.

Raising kids makes a parent very very vulnerable and being fit has nothing to do with the numbers on the scale, the size of my jeans, or the latest diet.... it's a healthy reflection of who I am, the life I want to model for my kids, and the strength I can summon when I am needed most by my family!

What a great article- I hope there are other people out there that might either read this post or read the article and realize why they love running, or perhaps this will jump start their running career- whatever the case, I am so glad I read the article and now understand more why I love running!