My Life is a Marathon

I have never thought so much about a blog title. Perhaps, Oh My, It's Monday or Five More Days Until World Whale Day. But as I was reflecting on my lack of posting and what I wanted to post, I realized my life can be correlated to running a marathon right now.

I started out good and strong. I had a good plan. I was following it. All was well. Then a hiccup came along (more responsibility at my job). I was worried about how it would impact my performance but I had to take it in stride, go along, and just try to do the best I can do.

Source

However, the past few miles (days) my pace has been slowing. On Friday I logged 1.41 miles running outside of my work (8'47" pace). Saturday I hit the gym and logged 2.04 miles (8'50" pace) and 10 minutes on the cycle. I was feeling run down in more ways than one as both my darling daughter and myself are battling a cold. She was up all Friday night coughing, which means I was up all Friday night. I ended up squeezing in a nap on Saturday while she crafted by my side.....but it was super brief. Yesterday I logged 1.25 miles (8'00" pace) and 10 minutes on the cycle. My head was pounding. I felt awful.

Source

And today, at mile 21, I hit the wall. I was up during the night with darling daughter coughing, I was restless with worries of DNF (being sick on event day at work), I was debating a DNS for the Valentine's Run tomorrow, and I was searching for a good mantra to get me through it all.

This scenario isn't new to me. It happens every February as World Whale Day approaches. We all work so hard and personally, it drains me. Probably more so because I am compelled to still do all the full-time Mommy and Wife things I want to do. But just like crossing the marathon finish line is worth all the hard work, so is World Whale Day. And I know I will survive the final miles (days).....even if I do need to crawl.

And what about that mantra? I couldn't really find one but have tied in what I found into my daily gratitude.

Today I am grateful for:

• Actually running some each day, no matter how little, since in previous years all running stopped
• Perseverance since it is what will help me through the final miles (days)
• A sense of humor
• Cold tablets....since they bring me temporary relief
• Friends and family who will listen to me whine and still love me at the end of the day