Do Workout

To say that this marathon stuff is easy, would be a BOLD FACED LIE.  It's tough stuff.  Life doesn't "pause" while you train, so on top of dealing with daily life stressors, you need to keep moving forward and get those training runs in.  We are up to 14 miles for our long distance runs on the weekend and we do two shorter runs mid week (4-6 miles each).  I hit 100 miles for the month of July and my body can feel it!

Aside from the marathon training schedule, I've had some changes in life that are requiring me to really buckle down and focus.  As summer camp wraps up, I'm preparing for the kids' vigorous school schedule.  With a middle schooler in the house and our little guy going into first grade, they just seem to be getting busier and busier!  I've had to go back to working at one of my preschools full-time and while the work isn't necessarily harder or more than usual, it has required that I'm on location for the day.  That has really jammed me up in regards to the things in my life that I could incorporate into my previously typical work days.  Developing a new routine is going to take a few weeks, but some things are going to have to be moved to the back burner.  So deciding where I can cut some slack has been somewhat problematic.  I know it will all work out, but the adjustment period is bound to have some challenges. 

In all honesty, most days I Do.Not.Feel like running.  I'm tired, stressed, sore, etc.  A few weeks back, I posted that I didn't feel like running, but no one ever feels like dealing with cancer.  That really put things into perspective, right?  Can't really complain that I'm ABLE to run.  So I laced up and hit the pavement and I will tell you, I really did NOT regret that run.  I was reminded that my body is strong, that I chose this goal and that with all my strength I will do my very best because there are others out there that would give anything to be able to run those miles.  

I think the greatest lesson I'm learning from training for this marathon is that life is truly all about choices.  You can want to do many things, but in reality we're all given the same 24 hours.  I've made the commitment to my team and to myself, so there's no backing out, but for the next several weeks, I need to realize that I can't do it all.  I have to focus and push myself to reach this goal because life is pushing on me to do other things that at times sound a little more appealing.  Just like anything you have to work hard for, you need to focus, you need to push against all the "I can'ts" and tell yourself "I can".  You have to know your capabilities and recognize what other stressors can wait and you need to remind yourself why you're doing it in the first place.