Monday, June 27, 2011

Done for another day

The lack of updates on this blog in my post-baby world is indicative of the fact that I don't seem to have much time for anything these days between Ryder, Zdenek, work, and home. My runs are getting shorter and shorter as I find myself busier and increasingly stretched (and I don't mean the ability to touch my toes). A "long" run these days is typically six miles, though on occasion I've been thrilled to fit in about eight. Mid-week runs average about four miles. I went from 40-mile-weeks during pregnancy (and even the odd 40-mile-week when I had my mom available for round-the-clock babysitting), to 20-30 mile-weeks today (though it's on the low end).

On Saturday, my long run consisted of pushing Ryder in the Chariot alongside Zdenek, and having to cut things short at 5.5 miles because Ryder, frankly, had had enough. No worries -- it was hot and sticky out, and I figured I'd get a longer run in on Sunday morning. But after one too many glasses of wine on Saturday night, I found myself exhausted, mildly hungover, and very sleep-deprived on Sunday morning. Running was the last thing I wanted to do that day, so I opted instead for a delicious breakfast, a more delicious lunch, and a heavy, carb-filled pasta dinner.

And all of this got me thinking, Maybe my running days are slowly winding down. I'm in a perpetual state of fatigue and always feeling crunched for time. Spending a few more hours relaxing with my family or just lazing around with the Sunday Times is far more enjoyable, no? Do I have the energy, excitement, and time for anything more than the occasional three miles these days? As I crawled into bed last night, I had almost resigned myself to the label of "former runner," at least until life slows down a bit (and goodness knows it will probably be years before that happens).

But perhaps it was the fully carbo-loaded feeling in my belly that encouraged me, or perhaps it was just the anxiousness of facing another busy week ahead on this Monday morning. Whatever the source of my motivation, today I forced myself to hand Ryder over to his nanny, tie up my laces, and try for a few miles. A few turned into three, then four -- and when I realized I was about to run 5.5, I decided to just complete the whole Central Park loop. I returned home to find the boy still napping, and so quickly ran an ice-cold shower before he had time to wake up. And as I was heading to rinse off, my nanny said, "Don't you feel good now, knowing you're all done for the day?"

Hmph. It was only a few hours into my morning, and I was "done for the day." No matter what the rest of the day may bring at work or at home, I can put a big check-box in my calendar. She was right. I did feel good. Maybe I'll try to keep up this running thing a while longer.