Going the distance

After my unfortunate Tango with the flu, I slowly made my way through the weeks like maple syrup. But today I decided: 'Enough is enough,' and I should be able to run sixteen kilometer/ten miles to Westendorp again.

I pulled on my ugly running tights and the new running shirt I bought on eBay. It's a lovely blue running shirt, but the seller had neglected to mention the big, ugly spider web on the back. So I added a windjacket to hide my spider.

Then I put on my shoes, pulling the laces really tight, only to pull them loose again as I remembered the advice of my Chi Running instructor: 'Shoes should be loose around your feet, like slippers!'

After that, there was nothing left for me to do, but to go outside. 'Just take it easy, the important thing is to cover the distance,' I told myself. I started the tedious process of positioning myself just right, but halfway through I got distracted because my husband was looking through the window laughing his head off. So I took off in a very nón-chi way.

I stumbled through the street slowly, because you don't start driving your car in fourth gear, do you?! I made my way through the empty playground and onto the bike path. Hm, it didn't feel too good, and the left side of my brain started whispering: 'You could just go home, you know...' So I shut that up by playing Brad Paisley's 'Behind the clouds the sun is shining'. Sulkily the left side of my brain stopped its careless whispers.

You can't run the same distance every week without developing personal markers. I know exactly where I should be after ten minutes of running, and twenty, and thirty etc. However, this time I didn't make any of them. Never a fast runner, I seemed to be setting a new personal record in going slow. 'It's okay, it's okay, as long as you keep running!' I told myself, trying to make myself feel better.

After fiftyfive minutes of torturous running I arrived in Westendorp and helped the local economy by buying a nice cup of coffee and a mineral water, in their one and only pancake house. As usual I rescued the tired looking ice cubes and put them in the plastic floral arrangement behind me. I take personal credit for its vibrant looks!

Then I sighed with pleasure and leaned back in my chair. Nothing tells me it's Sunday like sitting in this pancake house, sipping my coffee.

But after fifteen minutes I started to get restless: after all, I still had to get home. 'You could just call your hubby to come and get you,' the left side of my brain piped up. So I gagged him and left him at the pancake house. He really is sooo annoying!

Slowly I made my way back, trying to pick up speed. I succeeded but then I felt so exhausted I had to walk the last twenty minutes. As I was walking home a 'real' runner ran by, clad only in a small white tank top en shorts, but sporting a really big watch. Shamefaced I ran to the next tree, trying to look like a real runner too.

When I got home I stumbled inside and fell on the couch. 'It was awful!' I moaned to my hubby. 'It went really badly.'

Hubby looked at the clock, that told me, that my sixteen kilometers + having a cup of coffee had taken me two hours and fifteen minutes. 'But you're back so fast!' he declared.

I looked at him gratefully and forgave him his laughter. 'And I went the distance!' I added.
And that's what it's all about: going the distance.
And the next time it will be easier, because it can't get any harder!

Going the distance

Has anyone seen my Chi?

I've had my first Chi Running lesson, but it's hard to find the chi! There are so many things to think about.

First I have to put my body in the right position, which takes me about five minutes. Then I have to lean forward until I almost fall flat on my face, at which point my leg swings forward, saving me in the nick of time from a nasty fall.

Finally running, I have to think about keeping my pelvic area beneath me, like a bowl full of water, without spilling any. But I can just feel the water sloshing out of my bowl, and my shoulders tensing up with worry I'm not doing it right.

I have to keep reminding myself: 'It's all about the prócess not about the results!'

Then finally I feel myself on familiar territory, because that's what I keep telling myself as a mom. If it was all about the results I would be sitting in a corner sobbing my heart out.

So I soldier on, searching for the Chi, both in my running and mothering.

Has anyone seen my Chi?

Time for a run!

This is my son Piet in his school picture. Now let me tell you, when I look like he does in this picture, it means I really need to go out for a run!

Wordless Wednesday

Time for a run!

Runner's Identity Syndrome

Two weeks ago I was cowardly stabbed in the back by some flu virus, and haven't been able to run since!

The first week I actually ran a fever, and spend the day on the couch watching movies like 'Scenes from a mall' and 'The Others' and trying to keep the kids in check. The second week I was up and about, but even walking the kids to school left me breathless and sweaty. Kind of like after a really long run.

But now it's been two weeks, and I'm starting to worry. What if I'm not a runner anymore? I feel like I should go out there and reclaim my identity as a runner. But at the same time, I'm still not back to my old self.

I'm puzzled: am I lazy and full of excuses, or should I take my body seriously?

This is one thing where running differs from mothering. I never have to worry of losing my identity as a mom, because my kids take care of that by screaming 'Mommyyyyy!' all the time.

Perhaps tomorrow, I'll go out for a small run. Just to make sure I'm still a runner.

Runner's Identity Syndrome

Pulse Yoga dvd giveaway!

As a mom and a runner you can greatly benefit from yoga! As a runner it helps you strengthen your core muscles and as a mom those warrior stances come in handy when the kids won't listen!

So I'm very happy to announce that KMR Communications has offered a DVD of Pulse Yoga to one lucky reader!

To Enter: Leave me a comment telling me why you would like to win this great DVD.

Extra Entries!!!

1. Subscribe to my blog by email or by a reader
2. Post on your blog about the giveaway linking to this post
3. Post my button or text link on your blog
4. Stumble, Digg etc my blog somehow. Just leave your username and the place you bookmarked

Giveaway ends November 30, 2009 and is open to those with a US Mailing Address.

The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to notification with shipping info - if no response, another winner will be chosen.

Pulse Yoga dvd giveaway!

Mom Pacer

Don't know what a pacer is? Read yesterday's post and find out!

Wordless Wednesday

Mom Pacer

Pacer

They come in very handy for runners: pacers. People who run along to provide the right pace. All you have to do is follow their lead.

As a mom you can use pacers too! You just wanna be really careful who you choose. For example, I would not recommend Angelina Jolie as you personal mom pacer! She's already got her figure back, looks gorgeous all the time, while travelling all over the world with her six kids and shooting movies left en and right. These are the kind of pacers you need like another kids' drawing on your living room wall.

So it's very important to choose the right pacer. One you know you can keep up with.

I would like to introduce you to mine! Here she is! Isn't she best mom pacer ever?!

Pacer

The brass ring

As a mom I strive for the brass ring. I'm giving it everything I've got to be the best mom I can be. As a runner, oh well, I'll just go out and buy me a ring at John Hardy. It's so much easier.

As a runner I don't even try to get the brass ring. I know I'm not a fast runner and I mostly strive for strength and equilibrium. Both of which will serve me well as a mom.

But of course, my inner runner likes a treat now and then too, hence the ring at John Hardy. And maybe a watch, and a pendant, and a charm bracelet. I wish I had run into this shop before my birthday!

For my eighteenth birthday my parents gave me this golden ring with a small diamond that could grow. Experts are now very concerned about its stunted growth.

So when I turned forty I thought: 'Wouldn't it be nice to to have a slightly bigger diamond to mark this special occasion?' My husband ran to the nearest jewelry store, but came home crying like a baby, when he heard how much it cost. So he gave me a nice new set of towels for my birthday. It really brought tears to my eyes.

But then I stumbled upon John Hardy's shop, and my heart skipped more beats than it does during running. They have the most beautiful rings, and some rockin' watches! And the best news is: it's almost Christmas!

So I'm already making a list, and checking it twice.

So if you have a moment, I suggest you run by John Hardy, and say hi for me!

The brass ring

To greet, or not to greet, that is the question!

It's a runner's dilemma: to greet or not to greet fellow runners. Do you greet them like long lost friends, or at least acknowledge them as the running colleagues they are? Or do you look stubbornly in front of you and pass them in silence?

I used to shout out a friendly 'Good morning', but too many times, all I got in return was silence. So now I'm a bit torn. Ignoring fellow runners makes me feel uncomfortable but getting no reply doesn't make me feel very warm and fuzzy either. It's a bit like getting snubbed! There you are, putting yourself out there, and then you get the cold shoulder.

Also, it's easier to greet some runners than others. It's those very thin male runners, in 'real' runner's shorts that I hardly dare say hi to. They're like the popular group in high school, in which I will never fit in. I find it much easier to greet runners who look like they want to take a really long nap.

Anyway, even though I don't have an answer to the question: 'To greet, or not to greet' I do know one thing: if someone greets yóú, you should always respond in kind!

Otherwise I know a very specific greeting.
It involves my middle finger.

To greet, or not to greet, that is the question!

Running wisdom

I was running along a bike path, covered in leaves, and the only reason I knew it was a bike path, was because I had run there during summer.

And suddenly it struck me, a runner's wisdom that also applies to life: even though sometimes you can't see your path, it doesn't mean it isn't there!

Wordless Wednesday

Running wisdom

Multitasking

Today I went for my 'city run'. It's my most interesting run in terms of different views. I run along the railroad track, trains thundering past me. Then I have to cross three bridges, and at the end of my run there's this little harbor with boats! After the boats it's only a few minutes and I'm surrounded by lots of shops, which I pay no heed of course. I'm a serious runner!

To let my body know it's time for a break I walk to a nice coffeehouse and have a cup of coffee. After my cup of coffee I usually run home.

But this time I thought it was a good idea to buy some sticky buns for the kids, to have for lunch. So I walked along the market place, surrounded by all kinds of merchandise and smells of french fries and fish. I was almost ready to run home when I stumbled upon a booth with sweet little dresses for about 15 dollar!

Some might say I got sidetracked, but personally I'ld like to think I was multitasking.

Which just goes to show how much motherhood and running can offer each other. Running teaches moms valuable lessons about pacing themselves, and motherhood teaches runners to multitask.

It's a win-win combination.

Also, I look really good in that 15 dollar dress!

Multitasking