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June 18, 2006

Oh I still have it

Before we had decided it was time to have kids I worried aloud one morning to a friend what running would be like with a more complicated family dynamic. When would I have time to do workouts? How could I do long runs on Saturday mornings *without* my hour-plus nap later that day? My friend (who has two kids) tried to console me by saying "oh, once you have kids you'll find running doesn't matter so much anyway." She couldn't have said anything wronger to me. THAT, my friend, was what I was afraid of. Although I had been talking about it in terms of practicalities, what worried me more was that, with the addition of something even more important than running that I would lose the passion and the fire for running. That sounded horrible.

Fast forward a few years later, this past Wednesday I met two friends for a tempo workout. The plan was to do a moderately hilly 3.5 mile loop with 4x5 minutes tempo. I actually thought that sounded easy, since the alternative was 2x10 minutes. On the first tempo interval I started out all bouncy and strong, feeling great. When I started feeling it a little I looked down at my watch. It had only been about a minute and a half. Crrrrraaaaap. But I kept on keepin' on for the remainder of the five minutes. I was gasping at the end. My enthusiasm was already waning. I started a little more conservatively for #2, but less than a minute into it we made a right hand turn that had a serious incline for about 200 yards. I started feeling like I might barf. I told myself that I was just getting back into running and that I didn't need to do four intervals; two was plenty. (For those of you who have seen the most recent Kathy Griffin special on cable where she talks about getting that "pre-diarrhea feeling," I think that's an accurate assessment of how I was feeling, although hers came from embarrassment; mine was physical exertion.)

But I found it in me to finish the set. I reminded myself how hard it is to get over quitting a workout, then I made an effort to relax a little, and dug in for the rest of the set and the last two. I was completely wiped at the end, but extremely happy that I'd finished strong.

I think if running "didn't matter so much" to me anymore I wouldn't have finished the set. Hell, I might not even have started the set! I'm glad to know I still have it.

We had our first restaurant diaper blowout this evening. It was the worst blowout we've ever had anywhere I think. It was gagworthy. On a less disgusting note, we introduced MG to eating with a spoon today. It was very exciting, although we had to cut it short because she got tired and fussy. She's getting so big and fun!

Posted by jenandmats at June 18, 2006 7:16 PM

Comments

Glad to see running is still as important as ever (although it would still be fine if it wasn't). Looking forward to more updates...

Posted by: Caitlin at June 19, 2006 5:39 AM

That reminds me of the doctor who told me that maybe running wouldn't matter to me as much when I went off to college and "discovered" boys and parties. (He couldn't help me, and he was trying to reassure me that it might not matter, or something.)

I'm glad you still have it, and good luck getting back into your workouts! Thanks for the update, I love hearing about MG, even the less appetizing stuff :-) Your entry reminded me of Emily Raymond's recent entry about her son:
http://bostonraymondfamily.blogspot.com/2006/06/this-has-definitely-been-bloggable.html

Posted by: Alison at June 19, 2006 12:01 PM

re. restaurant diaper blowout: I was laughing remembering all our blowouts, all at once. It's relaxing to think we are done with diapers and now have to deal with our youngest son casually and firmly announcing "cacca" irrespective of the sorroundings... a real blessing, let me tell you... nice running. I have found that the loves and passions in our life are gradually shared with our children. While reducing intensity and frequency but never stopping, I have interpreted the last six years as recovery and research time... so far, so good.

Posted by: corrado giambalvo at June 20, 2006 1:06 AM

I was very glad to read your entry this morning. I think my fears are very similar to yours when we decide to start a family. I'm glad to hear that you still have your same passion! Thanks for the great stories too!

Posted by: Beth at June 20, 2006 10:15 AM

Oh you still got it, girl.

Posted by: Meghan at June 20, 2006 8:11 PM

yeah!!! Spoons!!!!! :) Enjoy your training!

Posted by: Audrey at June 22, 2006 12:05 PM