I feel like I have so much to say and nothing to say all at the same time. <--- I wasn't really sure how to start this blog since it's been so long since writing, so there we go, I just wrote out what my brain was thinking.
Ahh yes, here we are, still in the land of a pandemic. Remember when we thought it would be over in two weeks when it started in 2020? HA! That's funny. Not really. My two boys and I got sick this week, and what was the first thing we did? Freaked out we had Covid. Got tested. Negative. Remember when colds and shit were normal for this time of year? Oh wait, they still are. But we're programmed to freak out now that it could mean something else, creating hysteria.
Okay, enough of that talk. I will say that I am SO, SO, SO grateful about a month ago that I decided NOT to run the Chicago Marathon this weekend. Why? Well, for one, I can't breathe super awesomely right now, and two, it's going to be hotter than sriracha out there. After Boston, Kiawah, and Myrtle, I promised myself that I would never run another hot marathon. I've run enough races in my life now; I'm not interested in just completing them anymore. If I can't compete or try and better my time, meh, no need. Too much other crapola going on to deal with that mess (look at me all spoken like a true old wise person and stuff!). Okay, but really, best of luck to everyone in Chicago. Like seriously, start off slow cuz that second half will suck if you don't.
I'm still in my "FUN" running mode. Full disclosure, I go through highs and lows of wanting to compete. I get PUMPED, sign up for a race, and then the next week think, "well what the hell did you go and do that for?!" I know I can hold my own at any point, but I'm definitely not in any kind of tip top race shape. I did sign up for the sub-elite race of the USA Half Marathon Championships in December (any male having run under 1:25 and any female having run under 1:35 can compete) and am having thoughts of a spring marathon, but I'm still allowing myself grace and living in the moment of where my heart takes me. For example, as I write this post, my heart took me into a bag of cheese Doritos...
My heart also took me to starting my own business in July! It's official and going so much better than I could have ever imagined for the first few months. In Pursuit Running (I PR) offers one-on-one and small group worldwide coaching, as well as a free community group run on Thursdays for those in the Triad, NC area. I've already learned so much through the process, appreciate the amazing "village" of family, friends, and professionals that have helped me make this happen, and am just so damn proud to have created something that helps fuel other individuals' fires and desires. Because in today's world, especially in this pandemic land, it's crucial to take care of ourselves first (think of being on an airplane...you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping someone else. If you don't, you eventually won't be able to help another single person, period. Roger. <--- not that I know someone named Roger that needs help, but meaning like, Roger, 10-4, got it. Oh dear lawd help me).
Furthermore on this point, I read a quote yesterday from one of my favorite professional all-time runners, Lauren Fleshman of Oiselle, that really resonated with me. For the past eight years, she has coached Oiselle's "Littlewing" team, which is a small group of female professional runners in Oregon. She decided to leave her coaching role to focus on other professional and personal desires and priorities and said, "Sometimes, doing what we need to do for our health and wellbeing will disrupt stability for others. It just does. I hate that part so much." Gahhh, so true. It took me so long to go out on my own because I feared how it would affect the runners I had currently been working with. However, I wasn't taking care of myself and my own needs and that of my family, who are ultimately who matter most. I'm trying to stay true to my vision for my business with this same mantra too. It's hard when you can't make everyone happy, but we need to accept this reality in order to protect ourselves and those closest to our hearts. By doing so, I'm so excited for what I PR is already becoming!
On another completely random topic that I can talk about because it's my blog and I can do whatever the heck I want here.........do any other moms (or dads) feel pressure to put their kids in 6,457 activities every week!? I legit had a mom ask me the other day what sport my boys were doing after school on Mondays. Not like in general, but in particular on Mondays because she didn't have anything scheduled yet for that day and needed to find something. I was like, ummm, they're eating dinner?? We have swim and robotics and gymnastics and run club and soon-to-be mountain biking between both boys on Tuesdays through Saturdays. I already feel like I'm going to lose my marbles sometimes because we're overdoing it? I felt a teeny bit of shame for having a day where my kids weren't in an activity. Is this a thing?? Again, I had to go back to my mantra above of doing what's best for my wellbeing and making sure my kids are actually happy in what they're doing, but yikers. When I was a kid, I did one activity at a time; I tried a lot of different things, but the solo focus enabled me to determine if I truly had a passion for it (enter running!). K, rant over, thanks bye.
On that note, I'm heading out for a short run.
Happy Fall, and Happy Running, y'all!
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