Michelle: Week 14
Written by Jill // May 10, 2010 // For Moms // 7 Comments
Shout out to all you Mommas out there!!! Happy Mother’s day to those who nurture, not always children whom you birthed but those who you’ve taken in, adopted, fostered, mentored, cared for and loved from the deepest parts of your heart. You are doing a great job making this world a better place!
I am soaking it up this year, not because I want gifts or to be pampered (well I do want to be pampered but that’s beside the point) I’m basking my own emotions about being a mother. This year I feel my most empowered. I feel strong, I have learned to let things slide, I feel fit, and I even feel sexy. I am giving my best effort in many areas of my life, and I’m feelin good being me.
Things I love about being a mother:
The smell of my son’s head
My daughter’s eyes
Snuggling with them after a nap
Snuggling with them during a nap
Our daily bike rides
My husband’s pride to tell others I made their gift
My 3 pm coffee break
Surprising my whole family with a spontaneous dance
Having a good laugh at no one’s expense
The glance my husband I give each other when our kids shock us with their actions or comments
Giggles coming from their bedroom/back seat/ playground
This morning I woke with such excitement. I creeped out of bed and made a big bowl of oatmeal, with a tbsp of almond butter, fresh strawberries and a boiled egg on the side. I skipped my coffee and drank plenty of water instead. This was my first official run and my first 10 kms, and I was so excited to get ready. I bought myself a new workout outfit, which paired with my Nike runners…Well, I definitely looked the part, but now was I able to pull it off?
My husband and the kids gave me all kisses goodbye as they dropped me off at the sky train station… and I felt naked. I had nothing but my phone and a $5 bill in my pocket. No diapers, no wipes, no purse, no wallet not even a jacket. There was this strange sense of energy on the train… everyone dressed in their white shirt to try and complete a goal. Those who look like the Vancouver Sun Run is a stroll around the park and those who look like they just might fall over because they didn’t sleep last night. We were all heading into the downtown core for one goal or another.
I met up with the Fitness On The Go Team. We got in line (I mean corral) and the enthusiasm was growing. Now all we had to do was wait… and wait… and wait. We could see the starting line a few blocks ahead the band were playing excellent music and the helicopter was in the air filming the thousands of runners. I was cold in the shade, I had to pee and my belly was starting to rumble. 1 hour and 15 minute after the first runners darted off… we finally crossed the starting line!!!
The hardest part seemed to be the deeking the non runners. Mandy, a trainer from Fitness on the Go, ended up as my partner and we really our groove on. I felt good but started to get a bit tired around kilometre 7… shortly after that I saw my family there cheering me on from the sideline. Seeing their faces gave me a boost and by kilometre 9 I had developed a stitch in my side. Mandy talked me through it and we took it up a notch the last ½ a kilometre to the finish line. I crossed my first run ever with Mandy and Megan! Once I stopped running, the few negative thoughts and few aches and pains disappeared. I can’t believe I considered myself a non runner, and I ran that!! Fantastic!
My daughter also turned 4 this week. 4!?? My goodness, 4 years ago, I laboured for so many hours really not knowing what was ahead of me. The powerful feeling of accomplishment, the tireless nights, the worry, the feeling of confinement, the problems with breastfeeding, which pass to make way for new struggles and joys. Now this little lady has manners, she thinks for herself, she is creative, she cares for her brother, and she is independent and curious. Does this have anything to do with me??? I hope so, but I know so much of this is all about her. And I love her for it all.
So this was a very climatic weekend for me. I really have no plans for next week; I am going to take the time to consider my next fitness goal (any suggestions?), revel in motherhood and take it easy… I earned it!!
Jill Amery is a mom of 2 monkeys/stormtroopers and Editor and Publisher at UrbanMommies Media. Though she's based in Canada, her palette is mostly French and her fashion sense is decidedly Italian. When taking a break from her busy travel schedule, she can be found hosting complicated dinner parties or surfing ebay for obscure vintage gowns.
7 Comments on "Michelle: Week 14"
Michelle! Great blog. You did SO well on the run, and it was great to get to know you a little bit during that time. My suggestion for the next goal (well maybe with a few smaller ones in between) is a 1/2 marathon! I know you can do it!! I am making that my next BIG goal too!
Congratulations on finishing the Sun Run…we knew you could do it!!
you sure did!
great list – I especially liked the part about laughing at no one’s expense.
Good luck, you’ve worked really hard on your fitness and self exploration and it’s been great to read.
Michelle…I love your blog. The list of things I love about being a mother is very unique/special/great…None of those words really fit, but I think you’ll know that I loved it.
I’m going to forward to a friend who also ran the race…
Keep at it…how many weeks left?
Hi ya, well done you, hope you were able to have that pee before you started, can’t imagine the pain you would go through if you didn’t or the embarrasment if it got the better of you half way round!!!
I bet those muscles were tight at the end of your run, but then I expect Steve made a fuss of you and massaged those calfs for you, after the kids were in bed obviously!!!
Your blogs are great, from what I’ve read I think you could write a book, now there’s a thought, perhaps that could be your next project writing an article about the run for your local newspaper and execise the brain, well it is a form of exercise.
Anyway, I think you’ve done extremely well and you are to be congratulated
for all your efforts, well done!!!
Talk to you soon lots of Luv Colin XX
Congrats on doing the Sun Run Michelle! You’re truly inspiring. We just got back from Mexico/Disneyland yesterday. After two weeks of lounging around, drinking and eating way too much food, I feel like I’ve gained about 10 pounds – all in my mid-section! You’ll have to give me some tips on how to work it off. Way to go!
I knew you could do it cause I’ve come to realize you can do whatever you put your mind to and you’re a great inspiration to all of us,younger,as young and never will be that young again.Thanks for fun and interesting blogs to read.