23 January 2008
The Little Things
Posted by Shelly under: Shelly Batterbee .
I used to envy morning people. I was one once–a loooong time ago, but I think that was more by “have to” and not by “want to.” There is no doubt in my mind now that I’m a night owl, and I’ve accepted that. Some days, I think of how nice it would be to get up at O’dark Thirty and have my run done before everyone else is up and going. Maybe even fit in a cup of coffee in silence. Ahhhh, a dream.
Lately my youngest daughter will actually pout if she awakens to discover that I’ve already worked out or it is a rest day or a cross-training day or a group run day. She LOVES to play near the treadmill as I do my run (but not too close–I am careful about the boundaries so she doesn’t get hurt!). Granted, we’ve already discovered she can use her time creatively on some of those days, but it’s great for me to realize that this does her good to see her mama exercise, too. I’m setting a good example to her at a very young age. When I’m done with my run, quite often I’ll come up and do some arm and ab work (a balanced body will create a better runner!). Now she likes to do those with me. She grabs her 1 pound weight and does a modified 3-year-old weight lifting routine. She does push-ups with me (well, sorta). She opts to do jumping jacks when I’m doing planks or some leg strengthening, but she’s moving! And she’s loving it. She tells me after to feel her muscles and lets me know how strong she is. So my envy for morning people is waning.
I would love to be able to run outside everyday. I think in my last blog I have may have sounded almost desparate to find ways to hold myself accountable, which of course I do on some days, but part of that was really meant to let you all know to hold yourself accountable — and not find blame in others for why you aren’t getting your workouts in–but also to let you know that we all have a day or two when we struggle to find the drive to do a “have to.” But I am one of those crazy people who would actually PREFER to run outside on days like today than in 90 degree heat. Those HOT days are my treadmill days. There is no comparison to running outside in the winter, snowflakes silently keeping me company but not interrupting my thoughts. But now I can see that running inside is good sometimes, too. It’s showing one of the most precious little things in my life how a fit mama is a strong mama–which makes for a happy mama.
“Be of good cheer…you will succeed if you persevere.” –helen keller
2 Comments so far...
Deb Says:
25 January 2008 at 10:04 pm.
Hey Shelly. . . . did I see you at “Spirit of the Marathon” Thursday night? Or was I seeing things? Wasn’t that fantastic? Keep on running . . . .you are so encouraging to everyone!
Shelly Says:
25 January 2008 at 11:57 pm.
Yes, Deb–That was me! I saw you way in front of me as I was leaving–I started to shout out your name and then I couldn’t see you anymore! I was the one in the SECOND row during the movie–a bit close!!! That was a fantastic movie though (and for anyone out there who missed it–I’ve heard they are doing an encore screening on Feb 21!).