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This morning marks day two of consistent running for me. Adrianne and I have decided to run together again after a three-year break from the sport. While the initial reason for stopping had little to do with our lack of desire or motivation to continue, the point is that we stopped, virtually cold-turkey, and have missed it terribly so ever since. Now, 156 weeks later and 30 pounds heavier, we are, once again, committing ourselves to hoofing a whole lot of foot mileage. Adrianne already has her eyes set on running a 5K, but I just want to be able to take my shirt off at the beach without worrying about blinding others with the whiteness of my chest and belly from wearing a shirt all summer long.
I once thought that the worst part of beginning an exercise program is starting out, the aches and pains that go along with using muscles in ways they have not been used for a period of time. I’ve discarded that theory for the grim realities and limitations parenthood places on those whom wish to exercise. Besides finding the spare time, there are four realities parents with young children must face and overcome if they are to sustain an exercise routine.
Reality 1: For every action there is an intended and unintended consequence. Just because I want to put in a three-mile run with the double stroller doesn’t mean that the kids want to go or that my body will enjoy pushing the incredibly heavy Phil and Teds Sport Buggy plus the additional 60 pounds of children, toys, and foodstuff. In this case, the intended consequence is that my body had one heck of an anaerobic workout; the unintended consequence is that I’ll be sucking down copious amounts of water and Tylenol for the next three days in a vain attempt to recover!
Reality 2: The smaller the muscle, the more pain it’ll cause you. I think anyone would rather have a Charlie horse than a lower back that feels like a six-fingered man with calloused hands has packed it with shards of glass¬– like mine feels like right now.
Reality 3: Despite one’s best efforts, if the kid’s are hungry, have to poop, or are just plain bored, the workout is going to have to wait or end earlier than anticipated. (Despite what others may say, or say they did when their kids were young, kids have needs. And when those needs- as reasonable or unreasonable as they may be- are not met life quickly becomes a headache for all.)
Reality 4: A good or bad night’s rest is a greater determining factor for the day’s exercise than even the best intentions, yearnings, or goals. For example, two nights ago, after a full day in the warm sun with family and friends, a five-mile run, and a busy night, I was exhausted and elated when Simon fell asleep at 8 pm. I was a little bit more than surprised when he woke an hour later. And, I was less than excited when he woke six more times after that. Who could have guessed that he’d be teething on the very day my body needed the most rest it’s needed in months?
At some point this summer I hope to blog about a foot race I participated in. Until then, I just hope to survive the few miles I can put on pushing one or both kids up, down, and around the hills by our home. Maybe I’ll see you out on the road? I’ll be the one red-faced and bent over a baby jogger struggling with one hand on the jogger’s handle and the other one fumbling between holding a Ritz cracker and a water bottle all while trying to catch my breath.
I once thought that the worst part of beginning an exercise program is starting out, the aches and pains that go along with using muscles in ways they have not been used for a period of time. I’ve discarded that theory for the grim realities and limitations parenthood places on those whom wish to exercise. Besides finding the spare time, there are four realities parents with young children must face and overcome if they are to sustain an exercise routine.
Reality 1: For every action there is an intended and unintended consequence. Just because I want to put in a three-mile run with the double stroller doesn’t mean that the kids want to go or that my body will enjoy pushing the incredibly heavy Phil and Teds Sport Buggy plus the additional 60 pounds of children, toys, and foodstuff. In this case, the intended consequence is that my body had one heck of an anaerobic workout; the unintended consequence is that I’ll be sucking down copious amounts of water and Tylenol for the next three days in a vain attempt to recover!
Reality 2: The smaller the muscle, the more pain it’ll cause you. I think anyone would rather have a Charlie horse than a lower back that feels like a six-fingered man with calloused hands has packed it with shards of glass¬– like mine feels like right now.
Reality 3: Despite one’s best efforts, if the kid’s are hungry, have to poop, or are just plain bored, the workout is going to have to wait or end earlier than anticipated. (Despite what others may say, or say they did when their kids were young, kids have needs. And when those needs- as reasonable or unreasonable as they may be- are not met life quickly becomes a headache for all.)
Reality 4: A good or bad night’s rest is a greater determining factor for the day’s exercise than even the best intentions, yearnings, or goals. For example, two nights ago, after a full day in the warm sun with family and friends, a five-mile run, and a busy night, I was exhausted and elated when Simon fell asleep at 8 pm. I was a little bit more than surprised when he woke an hour later. And, I was less than excited when he woke six more times after that. Who could have guessed that he’d be teething on the very day my body needed the most rest it’s needed in months?
At some point this summer I hope to blog about a foot race I participated in. Until then, I just hope to survive the few miles I can put on pushing one or both kids up, down, and around the hills by our home. Maybe I’ll see you out on the road? I’ll be the one red-faced and bent over a baby jogger struggling with one hand on the jogger’s handle and the other one fumbling between holding a Ritz cracker and a water bottle all while trying to catch my breath.
1 comment:
RJH,
Are you pushing two kids in a stroller too?
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