I saw this posted on facebook just now and it spoke to me so deeply! This is why I do it! To see what I, ME, Amanda am capable of. It isn't about comparing myself to others or feeling like a failure if I don't run as fast as a professional, friends from college, or my running partners. It is about using this ONE life to see what this ONE body of mine is capable of! It is about making the most out of each and every year of life that we are given. It is up to me to create a masterpiece. I do this by pushing myself physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Thanks for sharing today Nora!
I have to say that I also think that this saying is equally true for how we use our mind and our spirit. Not just our bodies. We are all given different gifts and it is up to us to use them. I could rewrite the words on here to say "It is a shame for a person to grow old without ever seeing the strength, beauty and brilliance of which their mind/body/spirit is capable!"
Gym Time For This Running Mama
I went to the gym this morning to get my interval workout in while my daughters were in school. At first I felt a little guilty about putting my son in the gym daycare for an hour or so. I am so glad I took the advice of some of you on facebook and did my workout early instead of waiting until my husband got home from work! This was great for all of us! I'm a happier mommy for the rest of the day, my son got to play with his neighbor friends who were there, and I have the rest of the day to be ON with my kids. Oh, and I also got a great workout in!
1 Mile warm-up
2k (1.2 miles) @ 6:59 pace
3 min active recovery
2k @ 6:59
3 min active recovery
1 mile @ 6:44
3 min AR
1k @ 6:27 pace
3 min AR
800 @ 6:18 pace
1 mile cool down
I still made it home in time to have a shower, put some make-up on, drink a protein shake, and pick up my daughter from preschool. And my son felt loved the entire time. Win. Win. Win! We even had time to play on the playground for an hour afterwards.
Boston Boston Boston
I registered for the Boston Marathon this morning! Now the waiting....Hope to find out today if I got in! I feel confident that I will. Fingers crossed!!
Do you use the gym daycare?
Are you running Boston?
Thank you so much for your kind words on my post early about my dad's death and the new perspective I've gained now that I am almost 33, the same age he was when he died. It is definitely interesting to see how our life lenses change as we grow older. It is humbling and revealing. I'm so glad I can share my personal reflections on this blog and have them land so safely.
Amanda
I love it when it all comes together! Even time for make-up? WOWZA!!
ReplyDeleteMy kids have been going to the gym since they were each 6 months old. They still go now at 7 and 9 y/o and they love it! If they're not watching a movie or playing basketball with other kids, I just have them take a book and read. It's home away from home for them and gives me 2 HOURS of me time on days when that wouldn't necessarily happen otherwise.
love that photo- i've been seeing more and more of those type of quick inspiration photos floating around facebook lately.
ReplyDeleteone of my favorites this week is "beauty may be skin deep.... but fit is to the bone" (with a photo of a fit lady on it)
OOO BOSTON! I can't wait to hear... and cheer and support you
ReplyDeleteand CHEER!
Love the photo - might have to borrow that one!
ReplyDeleteYea for Boston! Can't wait to follow your journey to the starting line!
Oh my gosh, I love how you and I are always on the same wave length. I posted this quote on my FB a while back and added the statement "This is why I run!". Very similar to your comment / post here. That being said, OBVIOUSLY I could not agree more. I run b/c I want to see what I'm made of. That might sound cheesy but it's whole heartedly true. I love to run...I'm half good at it and I want to know if I push my body to it's limits, if I commit to training for a few years, what goals I can reach. It is a bit of an obsession yes...but we only have one life and one body and i want to know I used mine to it's fullest capacity! thanks for sharing!! xxx
ReplyDeleteI started using the gym daycare after my second was 9 months old. The kids have been going for almost two years and they do love it. I love not having to depend on anyone. My husband's schedule was always changing and I was finding that work outs were not happening. Once I joined the gym with a daycare I could always go unless the kids were sick. Oh and they did get sick more because of going to the daycare. But overall it was the best thing I ever did for myself. Your son will have a great time so no need to feel guilty! Plus it will also give you and your husband more time to spend together which is good for the kids too!
ReplyDeleteYou will get into Boston!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you got in your workout early. I like to get them done early, so the rest of my day it's not hanging over me. I feel more stressed out if I keep thinking about what I "have" to do after work. If I do it before work, I am happier to have one more thing checked off my list.
The gym's daycare said I was too old and that the nurse called from the home and wants me to return asap.
ReplyDeleteRun Boston? Way too slow to be able to think about registering. Fingers are crossed for you.
I never ever compare my mileage or pace or anything running related to anyone else - everyone is unique and it doesn't matter if I run 48 miles on week 2 of marathon training and someone else runs 18 or 88, it's what works for each and every one of us to make us BA like that chick in the pic!!
ReplyDeleteFingers crossed for Boston for you...you should have no problems though!
NICE!! sounds like the perfect day to me. yay for boston!
ReplyDeleteI just loved this post!!!
ReplyDeleteUsing your body to accomplish amazing things for yourself and othes is huge but I love applying that thought to my mind and spirit as well, thanks for provoking that idea!
It's comforting to run, thinking, love and live, knowing that you are putting your whole self into your efforts!! It makes the results seem less important and I like that!
Inspiring, thanks for that!
I registered, too, they haven't filled up yet so looks good so far....
ReplyDeleteI really wish I was still at the age where I had all the potential for improvement ahead of me. But I am grateful that I can do things that most women my age wouldn't dream of and that I have the fitness level of a younger person because in my mind I'm still not much different from the person I was in my 20s.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! You definitely have a way with words when you write. I agree with what you say, as if I was writing it!
ReplyDeleteI shared that photo on my facebook page..it is definitely inspiring!
Good luck with Boston! Cannot wait to find out if you got in!
My kids always loved the gym daycare when I used to try to go to the gym. Don't feel guilty about it unless your kid is miserable there :P
ReplyDeleteNo Boston for me! Too slow... it's too far :P You are going to kick some butt there :) Go, Amanda!
Glad you got in! I think the new system is working really well from the sounds of it.
ReplyDeleteI have used the gym daycare on occasion. My kids were never big fans, but sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do!
OK-reading this for the fifteenth time but finally finding 2 minutes to comment on it while still in my work scrubs in the bleachers of a gym during a volleyball game:)
ReplyDeleteSuper great workout!! I think you should just bring Sam over here. I have lots of toys and 2 treadmills. You could run on the one right next to me and we could yap away and let him play:) (just for the record, I do not yap at 6:18 pace-ha!) Really, though, Great paces there. You've been running very well lately. You must be happy with that!!!
SO excited for Boston!!!! You'll get in:)
Oh...that must have been an awesome workout day for sure! How cool you could do that while Little Man was playing, and then have all the time for him and your family afterwards. Love that!!
ReplyDeleteThrilled that you were able to register today!! Super thrilled! I know I can't be there, so you'll have to run it for me :) --warning: don't take the subway right afterwards though. :))
Thanks so much for your three comments again tonight. I hate when blogger gobbles up something good I write. You have been a tremendous encouragement to me, Amanda. HUGE!
And you must have read my mind, since one of my biggest fears is putting my goals out there for others to read. I actually still am not comfortable with it...
have a great night, A!!
Can't wait to hear about Boston - SO excited for you. And as for being the best you can be - you always are Amanda!
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you for Boston! I totally agree with you about pushing - FOR ME. to see what I can do with my self - my body, mind & spirit. It is so dangerous when we start comparing - then we are sure to feel like we are failing. We all have to embrace our gifts. We have a saying around our house "If we were all the same - it would be boring". Love your perspective! Yes - I use the gym daycare sometimes - my daughter won't so it without big brother. I have been known to bribe.......
ReplyDeleteAwesome quote!! I love the way you write too, I've been following your blog for a little while and haven't had a chance to comment. Your posts are deep and thought provoking, love them! As for the gym day care I have not tried it yet...my daughter is 6 months old. No Boston for me...yet!! Someday though in the near future I believe I will run Boston. Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteI saw that on FB too and loved it!!
ReplyDeleteI always bring my boys to the Kids Club at my gym. They actually like going there and I get a workout in!
Nice workout! Holy Cow I don't know how you do it with kids and all. You are a supa Mom!
ReplyDeleteI only wish I could run as fast as you and qualify for Boston. I am the turtle at the back of the pack. Good luck with Boston.
ReplyDeleteKevin
HalfTRIing.blogspot.com
i love this picture! i have been super MIA as of late. Trying to catch up. Keep tacking on those miles!
ReplyDeleteThat's great that everything worked out so well!! It must definitely be tough being a mom and trying to juggle it all. You do it with such grace, Amanda!
ReplyDelete