I'm flying high, I'm running high across the sky.

Sometimes when I'm running I can almost feel myself go. Not in the 'Where's the toiletpaper?' way, but in the way of flying! I feel as if my feet could be leaving the ground at any moment!

I'll run way up high, through the sky, no longer bound by the forces of gravity of motherhood. I'll be looking down on creation as I make my way across the friendly smiling sun and go for a cup of coffee on the moon. I'll visit with the stars and then I'll happily run my way back down again.

So if I could have a superpower it would be that: the ability to leave everything that's holding me down.

Wanna know what kind of superpower other runners wish for? You can find them here.

When life hands you pink cake flour, make muffins

Wordless Wednesday

I was seduced by this lovely picture of a pink cake, but when I got home and set out to make it, the ingredients were not in the box! So I used what I did have, boring old flour, and made muffins!








It's a lot like running and motherhood: the picture on the box often is very different than the reality!

Not better or worse, just different.

Follow up

I was running around on the internet, reading blogs from fellow runners, when I stumbled on this beautiful quote which fits my previous post perfectly.

Stop living life for what's around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street.

Isn't it to run for?!

Go into the light

After about twelve days of no running, except for my nose, I was glad to finally put my running shoes back on.

It was a beautiful, crisp fall morning, and as I ran towards the sunset a feeling of happiness surged through me.

Happiness at all this beauty around me. Just out there, like a wonderful gift waiting to be seen. And all I had to do was put on my running shoes and go get it. Happiness doesn't come much cheaper I think.

And as I ran towards the light I thought to myself: 'I'm so glad I'm alive.'

Wordless Wednesday: You'll never run alone!

This picture gives a whole new meaning to the words: 'You'll never walk alone'!

For more Wordless Wednesday go here

My cup runneth over

My nose is still running after a week of gritting my teeth, I got lost when I went for a walk in an area I've known for about ten years and when I went to the hairdresser at half past two, it turned out I wasn't expected until four o'clock. And I think the lice are doing a Frank Sinatra, and making yet another comeback.

Also, I just found out my youngest son, Piet (5), ate cheese puffs on my side of the bed.

I'm trying to count my blessings and bless my obstacles and have decided the universe is probably trying to send me a message. So I'ld like to let the universe know I've received the message! So please stop sending it.

Just one little question: what ís it?!

Running nose

I was so busy fighting the head lice that attacked my children's heads, I didn't see a nasty cold coming.

It ambushed me during negotiations with the head of the lice, and now the only thing that's running is my nose.

And the lice of course, which I fear have taken up residence on my head too...

Conversations in the landscape

As a runner you are part of the landscape. And as a part of the landscape you hear the most interesting things!

I was doing my Granny's Run (eight kilometers to a Granny's), when two postmen cycled past me, in mandarin colored jackets.

'Don't you understand anything?!' postman no.1 exclaimed.
Postman no.2 shrugged his shoulders in a gesture of helplessness.
'Do you have any money on you?' postman no.2 continued in strict tones
Postman no.2 nodded like a good little boy.

'Well then! You just go out and buy the missus some flowers, and you're right as rain again!' postman no.1 declared proudly.
Postman no. 2 gave him a doubtful look, and I could see he wasn't at all sure some flowers would make everything alright again.
Seeing his doubtful look postman no.1 repeated his earlier statement: 'Don't you know anything?!'

Talking busily they slowly changed into two mandarincolored spots on my horizon.

Who says running is dull?!
Well I do, but it's also full of treats and surprises!

Every journey starts with a simple step

Every journey starts with a simple step.

And even if it feels as if you're going nowhere, like when your kids are fighting again about who didn't flush the toilet thís time, remember it's all part of your journey as a mom.

Or at least, that's what I tell myself.

And I actually believe it.

And when I start having doubts I lace up my shoes and go for a run. I start with a simple step out the door and I journey my way back to me.

Running helps me get ready again, for my journey as a mom.

It's all a matter of taking that first simple step.

Where am I (going)?

I suffer from an unfortunate combination of curiosity and absolutely no sense of direction. I like to take the road not taken, to boldly go where no man has gone before, to travel the path less traveled.

This would be fine if I had any sense of where I came from, and where I was going.

Like I've said before: running mirrors life.

Running Under the Influence

It's not easy looking good while running under the influence of weather conditions and hydration necessities.

At least during summer I can dress in a little tank top and shorts, but as soon as the temperatures drop I'm forced to wear ugly black tights, and an ugly sweater-type garment.

I know, I know, it's not about how you look, it's all about the running! But, call me a woman, I prefer to look kinda nice instead of kinda stupid.

And to make fashion matters worse: you have to make sure to stay hydrated during a run, so you have to carry a bottle of water or something. You could of course hold your bottle in one hand, looking like a cheap commercial, but then how are you going to fiddle with your mp3-player, and wipe the tears from exhaustion from your face?

But not to worry! There's a new product on the market: The Body Bottle. You just put a band of velcro around your arm, and attach your bottle to it. And when you feel like taking a sip you just rip it from your arm without even looking!

So now I go around with bottles attached at my arms.

Do I look stupid?
I certainly do.

But like I said: it's not easy looking good while running.