Do you Define yourself as a Runner? A Guest Post from According to Mags

 I love telling people that I am a runner.  I love that it is a defining part of my life.  It has become as much of who I am as being a wife and a mother.  I love this guest post you are about to read because it hits so close to home for me.  Please enjoy this guest post by Mel, I certainly know I did!!!

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Whenever I tell people I'm a runner I get one of two reactions.

1. "Me too. We should go for a run sometime."
2. "YOU ARE CRAZY!"

Over the years my running has changed dramatically. I went from a "competitive, die-hard, 10 miles a day" kind of runner into a "fitting two miles into my work, home and kids' schedule" kind of runner. I even began (gulp) walking some of my workouts. My transition into this "casual" runner was not an easy one. I had to train my thought process that I was not a failure if it took me the same time to do 3 miles that it used to take me to do 6.2. I needed to set new goals. Re-focus. Be REALISTIC! So, after a few years (yes, years), I found my way. My runs weren't about PR's, pacing, and high mileage. My runs became about sanity, relaxation, and decompression. That is when I really started to LOVE it. I looked forward to MY TIME daily. 


The day has been a long one full of “I needs” and “I wants”. My weary self is debating what to do when I hear that door open and the kids scream, “It’s Daddy!”. I woke up looking forward to the escape, but as the day has worn on, more excuses are creeping into my brain. There are other ways to use the forty-five minutes of me time. I could fold laundry, get a post written, or go pee with the door closed for heavens sake. But I know what my body needs, what it craves, no matter how tired I am. I take the first step by changing my clothes. I’m like Clark Kent in a phone booth. I turn into someone completely different when I put on my running attire.

The excitement of the kids builds as 5:00PM nears. The big guy will be home soon and they can sense it. There’s a buzz in the house that’s contagious. All the excuses that have floated around in my head during the day are forcefully pushed aside. As soon as that door opens, I’m heading out. I notice that I begin to peek out our big picture window just as often as the kids. The crunch of the gravel driveway under his tires alert us that he is home. High pitched squeals pierce my ears and then I realize I am the loudest one. We all begin jumping up and down and chanting his name as I grab my shoes by the stairs. The kids greet him with a flying leap from the top step as he catches them with delight. I wait with my motor revving as I shove my feet into my shoes. I’m itching to go as my husband leans over, kisses me, smiles and whispers,

“Have a great run.”

These words propel me down the stairs like I’ve been shot out of a cannon. I’m off to find my time, my freedom, my nirvana...myself

 Mel writes and produces an original children’s story podcast with her husband called Night Light Stories http://nightlightstories.net.  She also has a blog  called According To Mags, http://accordingtomags.com, that explores the silly antics and hilarious things her own kids say. She is the mom of a sweet seven-year-old boy and a spunky four (and a half)-year-old girl. She is a special education teacher by trade and looks forward to a good run at the end of the day

Follow Mel on Twitter at @accordingtomags 
Like her page on Facebook at According to Mags 

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As an important side note, Mom Running on Empty now has a Facebook page as well and you should totally check it out!