Eagerly Easing Back On The Road

It has been a long time since I had the time and mental energy to write anything other than the work related pieces or household management lists. Quite a lot has happened since my last post and not much of it included running. This second pregnancy was not one that allowed me to run through the whole nine months. In fact, I could barely walk without great discomfort. However, the relief after delivery was so great that I've been running since my second son was about 2 weeks old.

At this point, we have been enjoying boy #2 for nearly 2 months now. We've received all the knowing smiles and nods regarding the challenge of: The Adjustment. That is, all parents who have experienced or are experiencing the addition of a second child know that this is so much more than a few sleepless nights again. There is the first child who must suddenly share the attention of the parents as well as submit to a temporarily different schedule.

While this is a great adjustment, dealing with the needs of the new baby seems somewhat easy in comparison. Perhaps this is due in part to the fact that I am more comfortable as a mother. I've had a little experience now with this age and stage. The challenge, the real challenge, is parenting my 1st son with love, patience and wisdom. I have wanted to refrain from using the 'terrible two's' as a label for my son, and now I understand why... He had yet to arrive at the unnerving stage.

Admittedly, I have even less time for running or any personal activity. However, rather than resent this adjustment, I have been enjoying the time I do get out and relaxing my goal-orientation a bit as I know this body now has twice the load to bear during the day and eventually I will have two little boys out running with me.

I think this is the key for maintaining committment to a personal activity or hobby or fitness routine in motherhood: flexibility and confidence.
Flexibility: adjust goals to match the opportunity. Planning an hour run at 5 in the morning after dealing with restless sleep or midnight feedings might need to adjust to a 30 minute workout, especially if you are counting on your spouse to care for the children.
Confidence: expect to succeed. Know that success isn't achieving the same goals one set prior to motherhood and that just as you battled challenges before motherhood, you can battle and be victorious in motherhood