Rebirth in Running

For some reason, the rare winter storm's snow inspired me to go for a run tonight for the first time in two months. Longest running hiatus ever for me. I've been in a weird funk that's left me very unmotivated, so when the compulsion hit me to go for a run, I acted on it. It was COLD. I've run in colder temperatures, but I think the ice and snow everywhere made it even colder. A damp cold. I forced myself to push start on my watch and sprint off. My legs became sore pretty quickly, but it was a good sore... The kind that lets you know you're alive and that your body is working hard. Anytime I've ever taken a running break of any kind, that first run back's pain is an affirmation that I'm still a runner and that my body CAN do this... And also a sort of penance for neglecting myself and the roads for so long. The cold burned my face and lungs... My hands became rigid with stiffness from the cold... But I pushed on and reveled in the experience. It was strange running on icy roads... My legs had to work harder to keep traction and remain stable. I'm not sure if it was this struggle or the cold that made my legs feel like lead after a mile, or maybe both, but I'm just glad I didn't let this snow leave without me going for a run unit. I've regretted not running at all in December. Christmas time is usually my favorite time to run... I love looking at all of the Christmas lights and the cool crisp air... I feel like I've wasted it this year. But maybe I've done exactly what my body and soul needed me to do... I've trained so hard for so long, and not allowed myself to heal from the changes and losses that I've experienced... Maybe this was just a time to recover as it all caught up with me. Running has changed a lot for me since last Spring when my running partner moved out of my life. The dynamic of fellowship and support that I held so dear vanished almost overnight, and it left me reeling. I'm still not completely over it... And I don't know when I will be, but I am working to give running a rebirth in my life. I'm ready for it to evolve with me into whatever I need it to be... I just know that I do need it. Ran two miles, non-stop, in my neighborhood at 7 PM with 25 degree air outside. Looking forward to the next journey. Pray I stay motivated and inspired.

12 PM Update

Natives are getting restless. If I get asked about when the snow will arrive one more time, I might let them wait outside so they can see it as soon as it gets here. If this hysteria continues to escalate, I WILL be pouring the Single Malt Scotch early. It's a snow day, right? We DO have tiny icicles...

And the High Roller is home. I think he might be more excited than the Herd about the wintry weather. I'm about to let you in on a secret: Due to the fact that life moves insanely fast over here, and I have resigned myself to the fact that things get down when they HAVE to get done... A Homemaker Triage of sorts (I need to make a flow chart for that)... I have not nagged and thrown enough fits to get the High Roller to take our love Christmas Tree to the dumpster yet. It's been living in its stand on our back porch since January 2. So, when he got home from rescuing Butch Cassidy from school, he took the tree out in the yard to get icicles on it.... For the kids of course ;)

I was even going to get in the spirit of things and make the godforsaken Martha Stewart Ice Orbs, but I must've thrown away all of the water balloons in a junk purging fit.  Oh well. If they're lucky, and we actually get snow, I may make them Snow Ice Cream. I will spike mine.

  

SNOWMAGGEDDON 10AM Update

I'm bringing it to you LIVE from the Herd's living room! Noses have been pressed against the windows all morning, and so far, there's been no rain at our house. But it's coming. The big interstate interchange is already closed due to ice, and strangely, tons of crazy people are still out driving in it, and subsequently, wrecking in it. As for me and the Herd, we will stay put. Butch Cassidy just came in from early dismissal, so now we wait. Some less patiently than others. Check out the Princess... Think she's ready for snow? I'm excited to see what LLL thinks of it- first snow of her lifetime.

 

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Alice in WHATland?!

I was watching the cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland with the Herd. It was their first time seeing it..... And they were captivated. When the part with the opium smoking caterpillar came on, Sundance yelled loudly "Look at that Hookah!!!! He can blow smoke letters with it!!! I want a hookah like that!!!" (Record screeches to a halt) I was in shock..... HOW does he know what a hookah is and where did he acquire this knowledge?!? I know I'm a cool mom and all, but that's not something I would've said in front of them. Some investigating is necessary.

The Princess and the Pony

I have given the Princess, and ONLY the Princess, permission to play with MY beloved My Little Pony collection. She's allowed to play with them whenever she wants, but they have to stay in my walk-in closet to prevent them being destroyed by her brothers or scattered to the ends of the Earth. I refuse to let them go down the way so many Transformers and baby dolls have. Anyways, while LLL, aka The Animal (more on thAt later), was down for a nap so the Princess and I went to play ponies. She got a head start, while I finished laundry. I went back there to find her deeply entrenched in the land if make believe, and I watched her for awhile before I spoke to her and broke the spell. I watched her playing with them just like I used to do.... Lining them up in rows, pairing off mommy ponies with babies, using my shoes as cars for the ponies... It gave me so much joy to see her enjoying herself with the ponies the way I did for so many years, and it never ceases to amaze me that one of the hugest gifts of having a child is getting to be a child again yourself.