Happy Mother's Day!!

Usually On Mother's Day my only request is that we run...  It doesn't matter if there is a race, or how far we go, just that we run together as a family.  Running is when I feel the most like myself and I love feeling that way with Rob and Danger by my side, or as life may have if, 30 feet in front of me and running the same route!  The funny thing is that I barely remember what we did on Mother's Day before I ran...  It seems like a zillion years ago most days! 

Last year, I asked the boys to run with me even though I had not been running or training at all.  I had just registered for two half marathons and I knew I had a very long path ahead of me in order to get to where I wanted be but I remember feeling confident as we left the house for what I thought would be an easy run.  By the time we made hit the 1 mile mark I was hurting pretty bad and begging to turn around.  There is a bench on the trail where we were running and I remember thinking that if I could just sit down I would feel much better.  The boys refused to let me stop.  We ran another half mile and turned around towards home.  I complained the entire way!!  Every time I pass that bench now, I feel an overwhelming swell of pride that I am so much stronger than I was that day.   

Today, I was supposed to run 5 miles according to my training plan.  I opted out since I got a new foot tattoo last night and I knew I would regret the run before I turned off my street since my body needs a bit more time to heal before lacing up.  I chose not to beat myself up about it, and instead I enjoyed the morning by having breakfast with Danger, skyping with my parents and enjoying the amazing life I have.  I was even lucky enough that I opened a few presents! 

The funny part about today was that even though I spent a good portion of the day not thinking about running, thoughts of last year when I wanted to cry when I passed by the bench crept in and out. It forced me to think about the girl I was before I ran, the one who couldn't make it around the block even once without stopping, the same one who hated breaking a sweat...  I am so glad that girl decided her life was worth fighting for!  I am thrilled that she had the courage to push through and train for her life.  I am SOOOOO thankful that she doesn't cry and beg to stop one mile into a run anymore but most importantly, I am incredibly proud that that girl somehow managed to be the woman I always wanted to be...  a phenomenal example of perseverance for my son.  I am a runner and today, Mother's Day has become a symbol of just that! 

For all of you Mothers, Moms, Mommies, Mamas, Steps, Grands, and Nanas, I hope your day was filled with moments of appreciation for the amazing children you are raising, for the partners who do so alongside us, for the examples of motherhood we were fortunate enough to have help guide us!  I also hope that you took a few seconds to appreciate how amazing you are for creating a tiny human being and filling them with love, hope and joy!  Happy Mother's Day to you all!!!