Worse for wear, and brand spanking new

On the left: the equivalent of me after fifteen years of motherhood.
On the right: the equivalant of me when I started out on my journey into motherhood.

Wordless Wednesday

Worse for wear, and brand spanking new

Running and having your period

I used to welcome having my period as a great excuse to skip a run, without the guilt. But in time it proved inadequate in the face of my growing desire to run.

I couldn't understand it. 'What are you doing!' I screamed to myself. 'Here's a wonderful opportunity to skip your run without feeling guilty, and you're spoiling it!'

Because though at first, my period gave me a free pass to skip runs for seven days, soon it dwindled to five days, then three. 'Okay, but those three days are absolutely non-negotiable!' I decided.

But then, on the second day of my period, I yearned for my Thursday morning routine: going out for a run, and then treating myself to a nice cup of coffee. Without the run, I knew the coffee wouldn't taste half as good.

So I grabbed my copy of 'Running for women' and read that for some women, having their period, makes them faster runners. But nowhere did it read you shouldn't go out for a run during your period.
'Ha!' I said to myself. 'I'll just go then!'

As it turned out, I'm nót one of those women who run faster during their period. On the contrary, it was a struggle all the way.

But my cup of coffee afterwards, never tasted better.

Do you run during your period?
How are your runs during your period?

Running and having your period

I've got the power!

In my top ten of Annoying Things to a Runner, men making 'funny' remarks, and dogs, feature prominently. But a well deserved third place is reserved for big groups of cyclists. They look like a swarm of evil insects, as they race towards me.

And there must have been some sort of race today, because I ran into several swarms! Dressed in speedy looking helmets, and fluorescent shirts sporting as many company logos as possible, they made the bike path I was running along decidedly scary.

But then I saw something: the cyclist in the front made a gesture with his right hand, and this gesture was passed along! And when it reached the back of the swarm, they swarmed to the side, kindly offering me space!

I felt drunk with power! As a mom I often feel helpless, but as a runner I have the power to move whole groups of cyclists!

I've got the power!