Pushing Limits & Setting Examples

Today was the first day since I started on this venture (last week) that I woke up wanting to sleep.  Just sleep.  I was so tired, and still am.  After a night of over eating and drinking more glasses of wine than I should’ve, I not only felt exhausted, I still felt full.

I did make a promise to myself though.  At the event, I had the chance to chat with one of the PR people there, and we talked about this blog and running.  She has run a few half marathons and was getting ready to do another.  I noticed that every course of the 4 course meal, she never finished her meal…always only ate half.  I mentioned it.  She stated that she goes to so many of these types of events (as do I) that she just can’t possibly eat so much.  I admired her self restraint and promised myself that I will make more of an effort to do the same…I owe me that…plus I felt so “yuck” this morning (though the food was amazing!).

With all that in mind, I got up and headed out.  I was running late, and didn’t want to make my husband late for work, so I focused on time.  I did my walk to the park quicker than I had ever done it before…on a treadmill it might’ve been a speed of 3.5.

I did my first warm up jog, which I do right before I get to the park, but once I got to the park, The Runner came out and said, “Ok girl.  Since you indulged in so much goodness last night, why not let us indulge again, and treat us to a mile run around the park?”  

Wait?  Isn’t this where I am supposed to say, “I messed up last night, and now have to punish myself with a run?”  

“No, this is where you say, I had an awesome time last night, loved everything I ate, now this morning, I am rewarding my body by pushing my limits with a mile run, no stopping. Not for being bad, but because you want to continue to give your body something good.”

I liked that thinking and proceeded to jog.  I paced myself as I was pushing the limit today by jogging around the park, up and down all those hills, including Her Hill, no stops, no breaks, just continual jogging motion.  It was hard. Though my breathing was fine, my legs were so damn tired!  However, I started thinking, as I often do in the silence of my morning jogs of other things.  My adventures, my future, the book I have in my head to write, so and so…next thing I knew I had made it around the park and was face to face with Killer Hill 1.

I ran it, I made it to the top…and slowed down for a fast walk, rather than a run.  I was disappointed that I didn’t finish the entire loop.  ”Chin up girl!  Don’t be too hard on yourself.  That is the most consistent running you’ve done since you started, which by the way was last week!”  Right, right…I have done really well.  I can’t start feeling like a loser over this!

I speed-walked my way up to Killer Hill 2.  My body felt tired, but I wanted to make up for not finishing the loop in the park by running up this hill (which would’ve completed the mile run).  So I hit it, not too hard, but definitely pushing myself, wanting to keep a pace.  By the time I got to the top of the hill, I felt like I was going to vomit.  It felt like all the yumminess from last night was just going to force itself out right then and there!

I slowed down my pace, went into a walk, and slowly started controlling my breathing.

After the concern of vomiting faded, I felt crazy happy!  I’m going to try the mile again.  I can’t wait.

I got home did my stretches, did some arm work.  Turns out my kids are loving this new “exercise mommy” too and love joining in on the act…getting started at times seems like a challenge, just cause they always want to be on me.

I think they are beginning to understand how important this is to me, and for the most part give me my tiny space on the living room floor.  I caught them working out with the bands, and doing some stretches.  It was the greatest, most flattering imitation ever. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the skinny: I guess I have always known this, but was reminded then and there, how aware my kids are of every little thing I do, and how this journey not only impacts my health, but theirs as well. I am setting examples that hopefully they will follow in their lives…and how could I not want them to?  I adore my children.  I gave them life, so of course I have the opportunity and responsibility to show them the tools to live it happily and healthy as well.

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