Reflecting on Exercise

Jul 16, 2013

For posterity--a post about my thoughts on exercise and what I'm teaching my kids.

My husband is in Toronto this week for work.  I spent the weekend at a professional conference while my husband took the kids camping with a girl scout troop (yes, I know, we are lucky to have him).  Sunday, I came home from my conference and saw him for literally one minute before he had to leave for the airport.

This week my mom friends and I put on a camp for our kids, and today was my day to lead camp (mental note: do not lead camp on Monday if you are working all weekend).  I was up late last night getting things ready, and up early this morning to get set up and ready before the campers arrived.  The day was a whirlwind of activity, and my house is a wreck.  I am exhausted, but I signed up for a 5K in Sept. and Monday is a running day so I *have* to do it.  I didn't feel like going to the Y (where I have child care), so I put my kids on their bikes and let them ride around the blacktop of our neighborhood elementary school while I ran on their dirt track.  Both kids joined me on my laps for a while, and then they alternated between playing on the playground and riding bikes while I ran.

I still do not love running.  I REALLY do not love running when I'm distracted, trying to supervise my children while convincing my body to just keep going.  But today, I had a real appreciation for the fact that I COULD do it, and even though I'd rather do it alone, I'm glad my kids got to see me do it.  This would not have been possible 6 months ago, or even 6 weeks ago.  I ran for 20 minutes without stopping (and 3 other 5 minute stretches) as part of this week's program.  They saw me do it all.  They know I didn't give up. 

This whole experience, frustrating though it may be at times, is so worth it.  I am teaching my children, especially my daughter, that hard things are worth doing, and that I am worth the effort.

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