By Angie Cleland:
I’m not a runner, never have been. And I understand that 8 days does not a runner make, but something in me is different. My stress level has been higher and I’ve needed a way to decompress. I’ve started running and get this! No one is chasing me. No one is forcing me. I’m not doing it for the good of a charity… I actually want to.
Last week my beautiful children had given me one of “those days.” Wrapped it up in a box and put a nice little our-mission-is to-put-you-in-the-looney-bin bow on top. Nothing went right, the noise level in the house was off the chart, food was flying, bodies were flailing and did I mention I had PMS? The husband came home from work and I ran, literally. I laced up my shoes and ran away.
There was something so incredibly freeing about being able to run away from my children, my house, my responsibilities, the whole shebang. It was nice to take off and say eat my dust (and your dinner while I’m gone) at least for the first 15-20 minutes, before turning and making my way back.
I ran. I thought. I reflected. And for the first time in well, ever, I didn’t think about how many minutes I had left, I didn’t think about every single step I was taking, and I wasn’t looking for an excuse to take a short cut and head back. I was actually not hating running.
On about my 3rd run, I had the novel idea of making this my new habit. Husband comes home, I go run. Since my body is more Birkini ready than it is bikini ready, I figure it can’t hurt in the getting in shape department. And the real payoff? I come back 40 minutes later a way more patient, caring and kind person. It’s a win for everyone. (Not to mention my butt and thighs should be thinning.)
I’m not committing to a 5K or a marathon, I’ve done that before and I think that’s my demise. Too much pressure. I’ve tried for years to like running and have finally realized that my stress level just wasn’t high enough to actually enjoy it. I still don’t understand what people mean about a “Runners High” other than they must be high to talk such nonsense, but who knows, maybe one day I’ll get there. Until then, I’m just taking it one stressful day and one de-stressing step at a time.
What extracurricular activities have you started just to get a little “me time?”
About Angie:
Angie Cleland is the Co-Founder of BirmighamMommy.com, A Wife, Mom, & Referee. Proud owner of 3 tiny humans, navigating the complicated waters of Motherhood one day at a time.
Yay for runnning! It is my religion, my counselor, my antidepressant, etc. I am so very very happy that you not only introduced me to a new word, but had a link to fully illustrate the wonder that is a burkini. Amazing. Go mommy, Go!
Yay for you, Angie! Okay…no pressure, but you, Trish and I will have to consider the Walt Disney World Princess 1/2 next year, eh?! Talk about the ULTIMATE in running away from the world to the World…oh, yeah!