Let\u2019s all imagine for a moment that we used to be moms who ran marathons pre-kids. For some of us, this will be an easier assignment than others. (Count me in the group that considers this a real stretch. Because why run when you can drive?)<\/p>\n
Before babies, we were able to fit our training around the other demands of life. In fact, it was maybe even our main priority. Long runs didn\u2019t need to be negotiated with child care and when the milk was coming in next. We looked at our schedules and worked in those sessions around meetings and dinner plans.<\/p>\n
Then kids arrived on the scene and those four hour runs suddenly felt impossible. How could we possibly make the indulgent (i.e., selfish) push to do something purely because we wanted to? Or were better for it? We started feeling anxious that we weren\u2019t getting out there. Angry even? Resentful, maybe, that we couldn\u2019t do that thing that make our hearts sing?<\/p>\n
And here is what I say to us: maybe this isn\u2019t the year of the marathon, maybe this is the year of the 10K; where our new goal is to do a 10K every month. No long training runs required. Shorter stints that can be done with kids in the jogger or while they are in the gym child care, or on the treadmill for 20 minute segments while Doc McStuffins babysits in the other room. I say to us: there is a place where motherhood and that passion intersect \u2013 we just need to find what it looks like.<\/p>\n
Because we are still runners.<\/strong><\/p>\n This isn\u2019t about remembering (aka fantasizing) how we used to do things. We all need to get use to the fact that sleeping in is not going to be a regular part of our lives for the next few decades. Marathons might be though, just maybe not this year with the toddler nap schedule, the preschool schedule and our own work schedule. Maybe this is the year of the 10K.<\/p>\n God made you a runner (or fill in whatever other thing truly brings you joy). This is the part of you that did not change when someone handed over the baby. How that passion plays out and fits into life with littles around will look different than it did before. Find that intersection and rhythm that works.<\/p>\n Because you are still a runner. <\/strong><\/p>\n This did not change. How it plays out might.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.mops.org\/images\/cms_images\/alex-2.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n