From Pillow to Pedometer in 6 Easy Steps

I texted her last night. Run – 6:30? The response came back… something about getting home late from a “business dinner” and having a “presentation” due “early” in the morning and although she “wanted” to run, she wasn’t going to.

Fine. No worries. I’m a big girl. It’s not like I NEED the knowledge that she’s waiting at her doorstep in the pre-dawn light to pry me out of bed. I can do it all by myself. Besides, my husband is leaving town and this will give me a chance to have coffee with him and say a proper goodbye instead of dashing off while he’s still in the shower. You know what this is? It’s a BLESSING IN DISGUISE! (I have to shout that last part in my mind to drown out the voices telling me that I know damn well that it will be too hot to run by the time I finish “drinking coffee.” (I know, the quotes, I’ll stop.)

At least I didn’t change the alarm setting. I still got up at 6:00. After I hit the snooze a few times, it went down like this:

1. “Hey, Babe, let’s have coffee.” And I’m talking actual coffee here. Who can run after drinking coffee? Not me, that’s who! I’m not willing to pee myself in the name of fitness. For funny anecdotes, sure, but not merely for shapelier thighs.
2. Ooh, look! Laundry! I should totally fold that load before I leave. (Also, it’s important to have certain domestic duties witnessed, to back up the occasional tirade. “I slave away ALL day for you people and where is the GRATITUDE???” <– You’re with me now, aren’t you?)
3. I’m not yet in my running clothes when I kiss my husband goodbye, shut the door, and notice a neat stack of bills on the desk. That looks fun! No–I’m strong–I WILL run… just as soon as I dust the bookshelves.
4. There is a dilemma in the closet over whether or not the black of my tank matches the black of  my running skirt. And I should really get some new socks. By the way, hello sock drawer! Do you need organizing, Little Buddy?
5. When I stop to pee (***coffee***) I notice the ring around the toilet bowl. It’s not the first time I’ve seen it. Since vacation, with catching up on work and unpacking and stocking the pantry and all that LAUNDRY, I haven’t gotten to the bathrooms. Suddenly I crave the scent of Comet cleanser. I need a HIT of Comet in my lungs, Baby! My husband is gone, so it’s not like I’m in it for the Holly Homemaker points. I actually want to clean the toilet more than I want to run. I may need help.
6. Dragging myself away from the scrubbing bubbles, I emerge, victorious, on my front steps. (I’m not going to burden you with the bandaid-on-my-heel detour.)

Today… I run! Those are, after all, “my” legs on the cover of Blacklisted from the PTA.

If you only knew what’s pumping through my earbuds…

Image: Robert S. Donovan, Flickr

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What’s Wrong With This Advertising Model?

I have been in love with Pandora for a while. It is the ultimate running companion. Since I use the free version, after about 40 minutes an ad comes on. Then my music resumes and all is right with the world. I don’t mind the advertising. I wonder how they know someone listening to Ludacris is also in the market for laundry detergent, but it’s all good. Usually when I run I listen to upbeat pop or rap, but occasionally, when I am feeling extra one-with-nature I’ll turn on the Gregorian Chant channel. I turn the volume down low so I can hear the birds chirping and the wind rustling through the trees along with the voices of the monks (or studio musicians-whatever). I’m peaceful like that.

This morning I got my chant on. After 40 minutes a song ended and my internal reverie was interrupted by this too-cheerful message:

“That one always gets me going!” Followed by some pitch for soap or cleaning products or a nonstick something or other.

Pandora, one word: customization.

Moms on the Run

A few weeks ago my daughter started this amazing program called Girls on the Run. Now twice a week after school she and her friends learn about body image, self-esteem, expressing emotions, and how to train for a race. In November they’ll be running a 5K. That is incredible isn’t it? My sweet little baby girl running a whole 5K. That’s part of reason I love this program so very much. I am so excited that my daughter and I are going to have this running thing in common.

Each girl needs a parent or buddy to run with on race day and isn’t that going to be so great when we majorly BOND? The race is in November and I’ve been working my way up to 5K (that’s 3.5 miles right?). I told my daughter yesterday that I was back up to about 2 miles. Of this, I was SO proud.

So are you excited for the race?
Yeah, I’m running with M.
But you’re running with me?
Don’t worry you can run behind us.

(At this point my husband pipes in with ‘like the dog’.)

Behind?
Mom, the parents are really just there in case someone gets hurt . We don’t actually have to run right next to you. Just as long as you can see us it’s fine.
But I don’t want to run behind you. I want to run with you.
I’m going to be talking to M the whole time. That’s what we do to keep each other going.

You can’t argue with that. Well, you can, but what’s the point? She went on the reassure me that I’ll have M’s mom to talk to. (I’m just glad the girls are setting the pace – M’s mom is a marathon runner!) I’m still a little sad my daughter and I won’t be all bondy and everything, but how cool is it that my little third grader has a friend who’s going to help her get through a 5K race? How cool is a program that teaches girls to build each other up rather than tear each other down. I’m so proud to be her mama. Now if only I can muster the endurance to keep my feet moving!