It seems like I am always running. Any given day of the week, I can be found running my daughter to school, running to work, to the store for provisions, back to grab my daughter from school, home, homework, dinner, then more work and so on. My weekends are packed with running, too…running errands, cleaning the house, prepping for the next week ahead. Recently, I feel as if there aren’t enough hours in the day for me to get an actual “run” in.
What I have also learned of late is if I am not taking steps to care for myself, I am no good at taking care of anyone else. I have to keep myself in strong working order to tend to and support the people I love. All the more reason why a “run” is just as important as all the running around I do.
You see, I’m the type of person who can get 100 things done if I have 95 on my plate. I have always functioned at a high stress level and my personal organization feeds off of said stress. My being a runner has helped relieve some of that stress, thus keeping me even keeled while super productive. What I seem to have lost a bit of lately is an internal focus on myself. I’m lucky to be able to recognize this.
Running is something I do for me – something about me, that sets my soul free in an indescribable way that only another runner could truly understand. Days when very little seems clear and I feel there isn’t even a minute for me to spare or get sidetracked are often the days (if I make the time) I’ll experience my best runs. Following, I find myself happier, clearer and much more focused on tasks I have to complete.
I could say, “I wish there were more hours in a day” but I don’t actually wish that, I love my running as well as my “running.” I’m pretty happy when a day comes to a close and I’m able to get some sleep with the hope of having another great day follow. Truth is, there isn’t going to be any “me” time unless I make the effort to make it. As a single mother, a woman, a human being, it is important to take time away from everything I do and make time for me. I know I need this. We all do. It may not be a run that is the key for you, but I’ll bet if you take some me time to find out what it is and you make it happen, you will thank yourself later!
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