Rest your weary bones

I keep on bumping into little benches inviting me to rest my weary bones! Is the universe trying to tell me somethin'?!

And what's with the little wooden figures? Are those runners or moms who sat down too long?

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Rest your weary bones

Admiration is such sweet sorrow...

I ran out the door, heading straight for the small playground around the corner, which leads to a beautiful bike path, narrowly avoiding a neighbourhood dad walking the dog with his two toddlers.

'That's Nicóle,' I heard the smallest toddler whisper in an awed voice, then adding: 'She's rúnning!'

I basked in the warm glow of his admiration, until he spoiled it all by passing me on his small bike with training wheels.

Admiration is such sweet sorrow...

Moderation

Running is a great way to practise your virtues. The first virtue that comes to my mind is willpower. You need that to get yourself off your comfortable couch and out of the house. Determination and persistance will also serve you well: 'No you can't eat your chocolate and chips, you have to go out for your run!'

But the virtue that's not as obvious, but very important is moderation! Ah, that's the one we struggle the most with. I for one, am always afraid I'll run too little, so just to make sure I run too much! Which inevitable leads to sore muscles and very tender shins.

Nevertheless, I usually snub moderation. That's how little I trust myself not to revert to the lazybones I was eight years ago. Imagine that: eight years! That's quite some time, and stíll I fear falling off the running wagon. As I'm writing this I can't help but shake my head. How stupid am I?

Luckily I'm not the only one who struggles with willpower and moderation. The problem goes as far back as Plato who explained it like this: when you exercise your willpower you're master and slave all at the same time. You're the one that makes the rules, and you're also the one that has to follow them. If you fail to stick to your own rules, you not only dole out the punishment, you're also the one punished.

In the end most people just snap! If you used your willpower to stop eating chocolate, one lustfull day you're going to pig out on it. If you used your willpower to run too fast and too much, some day your body is going to go on strike.

So what to do?!
According to Plato it's all a matter of combining willpower with common sense, justice and courage and use those four to find the right balance. To use your willpower in moderation.

And just for kicks I'm going to combine it with a nice cup of coffee too.

Moderation

Take the load off

Along my 14 kilometer route is this bench with a sign saying: 'Take the load off!'

I love that bench and it's friendly invitation, as a runner and as a mom!

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Take the load off

Misery loves my company

Misery loves company, so she's always trying to tag along when I go out for a run. As I'm running I can feel Misery right there beside me, whispering and moaning and being downright miserable. Usually I try to ignore her, or when I'm feeling up to it, to outrun her! But she's an amazing runner and she always keeps up with me.

So anyway, me and Misery have kinda become friends. I know she's there beside me, and I've come to accept that.

Besides at the end of 'our' run we always meet up with Joy and Happiness and that shuts Misery right up!

Misery loves my company

The proof is in the running

I've been running steadily for three times a week now, and doing yoga once a week, and through no fault of my own I've gotten faster! And even though I run for peace (of mind), not pace, I can't help but feel pleased.

I like improving and getting better. And I like the fact that my improvement is so tangible. Whereas in motherhood I sometimes feel uncertain whether I'm doing it right, running gives me proof.

And sometimes that's real nice.

The proof is in the running

These boots weren't made for running

These boots weren't made for running, but they sure feel nice! I've been feeling all worried about my son Jan and where he's gonna go to school, and these boots give me a real lift.

They're so terribly pink and outrageous that I just love them. Running around in them while taking care of the kids and doing the housework, makes me feel all 'devil may care' .

It's hard to stay worried if you're wearing boots like these!

These boots weren't made for running

Duh.

My son Jan's education has taken an unfortunate turn for the worse: he was diagnosed with PDD-NOS and has just been rejected by the school we chose for him with such great care. The subsequent emotional turmoil has done nothing for my intellect!

When I went for my Thursday run, to get rid off some excess adrenaline, suddenly my mp3-player didn't work anymore. I kept pushing the volume button, but instead of Johnny Cash, silence greeted me.

'That all I need!' I mumbled angrily and tried to determine what was wrong with the stupid thing.
Then I felt something in my neck: my earphones.
I'ld forgotten to put them on...

Duh.

Duh.