Group Effort

I listened to my inner-mother and rested Monday and Tuesday and it paid off: I am feeling much better today. I haven't logged any miles this week, but I have had two very nice, relaxing evenings at home with Mark and Sophia--after spending two days working 9-5, that is exactly what I (and Mark and Sophia) needed.

I have new sympathy for working moms and dads. I've only worn the "working-mom" hat for three days and I feel as if I have missed so much. All those smiles, babbles and coos--at least my husband fills me in on what happened. It makes the three hours between when I get home at 5pm and her bedtime at 8pm seem incredibly short.

I can imagine that if I worked full time finding the time to train would not just be a scheduling challenge but an emotional one too: choosing to train might mean giving up family time. I have a new found respect for the moms who work full time. After a day of demanding work, then coming home to the demands of a family, one wonders how there can still be enough room for "me-time." I am amazed by the women who can make it all work; and I can understand how sometimes despite even the best effort, at times it doesn't.

These past three days have opened my eyes to how blessed I am to have both the freedom to be at home with my daughter and the "me-time" to pursue my passion for running. Others are not so lucky.

The time I do get to run and workout I have thanks to my family. It is becoming clear that training for this half-marathon will involve more than the effort of my own two legs. Preparing for this race has been and will continue to be a group effort. If it weren't for the support of my husband, mom and mother-in-law I wouldn't have the time to get out and run at all.