Commentary by Heather Kestian
I admit that I have fallen off the horse. My running routine has completely fallen apart. I feel terrible.
Running is one of my very favorite things to do. Lately, I have allowed everything else in life to cut in the line of importance. Sometimes we hit these life road blocks, and right now, I am finding it difficult to get around them.
This is a busy time of year. We are diligently preparing for my oldest to begin kindergarten. We are trying to get the last few outside play dates in for the summer before the days get noticeably shorter and colder. There is always plenty to do around the house since I have not discovered how to make the flowers grow without the weeds also growing. Things and stuff pile up everywhere. In fact, I am up to my eyeballs in “things” and “stuff.”
If only I had more time. I would be happy with three more hours in the day. Is that really too much to ask?
Instead, I look at my running shoes and request their patience. I reassure their big orange bodies (since I have huge feet) that they will get more exercise in a little while. I walk past them and can almost hear them cry. They sniffle: “We want to play, too.” I know guys, I know. But I am a little busy with these kids, a full-time job and a house that seems to think it has needs, too.
Lately, I have been running once a week. This is an epic fail. I have got to get back on the horse. After all, I signed up for a marathon in October. At this point, it might become more of a death march if I do not get back in the saddle.
So here is my written threat to myself – get it together, woman! You are better than this! You can enjoy one last day and eat horrible fair food, but after that, get those shoes back on four days a week and pound the pavement once again. Running makes everything better, how could you forget that?
The toughest lesson to learn is the one we have to go through again and again. Apparently, I am still trying to figure out how to be well, and I think that is OK. I have faith that someday I will get there.