Thank you, running!

As parents of two very active, busy daughters, my husband and I have spent the last 16 years or so completely focused on our kids.  Volunteering for this, volunteering for that.  Going to games, dance recitals, working in concession stands, organizing fundraisers……many evenings during the week and pretty much most of our weekends were activity-packed.

Our youngest daughter is now a high school graduate and is getting ready to start her first year of college in a few weeks.  Our oldest daughter will be starting her final year of college.  I keep looking at the calendar and it’s finally starting to sink in that there will be no school registration this year.  No purchase of school supplies.  No more fees for dance lessons.  No high school games or dance recitals that we have to attend.  What will I do with all of my free time?

Run, of course.  And thank you, God, for that.  My husband and I love our kids more than anything else in the world and nothing gave us more joy than to watch them grow and thrive in their activities and talents.  It became our world.  And without it, it would be so easy to feel lost and sad.

Luckily, I started running before either of the girls graduated.  At first, it was just a way to get in some exercise.  Now that I have more free time, however, I can focus more on goals and training.  It has been the best therapy for me to cope with my daughters growing up.  Running has filled whatever emptiness I would have otherwise felt.

Thank you, running!

Before I sign off, I just want to give myself a pat on the back.  I set two PRs this week back-to-back!  On Tuesday, I ran my fastest 5k at 35:34, but then last night I beat that time and ran a 32:06 5k doing a speed workout!  YAY ME!