Three Years

Today is my son's third birthday. Three years ago today, I was meeting sweet Noah for the first time! Time has flown by and it is hard to believe that I have been a Mom for three years now. It has also hard to believe that I have been a runner for three years now.

Running was always something that I played around with. In high school I joined, and then promptly quit, the track team two years in a row. Hill repeats? Running three miles at a time?! I though those coaches were sadistic. Then in college I tried to go out for our school's crew team but what I didn't realize was that a large part of their workouts involved running. (I know, I know, I guess I thought that rowing didn't count as a cardio because you were sitting down. I didn't say I was smart...). Anyway, I quickly realized that I wasn't going to join after all because of all the running. After I got married I went through little fits where I was convinced that I needed to drop a few pounds so I would tag along with my husband on a "run". Translation: I would run maybe a 1/4 mile before stopping, out of breathe, hands on my knees, and declare how much I hated running. And then...I had Noah.

Thirty hours of labor, close to 2 and 1/2 hours of pushing and you realize what pain really is. What exhaustion means and what it feels like to be utterly spent after something. The thing is though, I also realized that my body was capable of much more than I ever gave it credit for. I could persevere and be strong through pain and that was a revelation. So, when it came time to lose my baby weight and get into shape, and I picked running, it just didn't seem as awful this time. Sure it was hard, and it has taken a long time for me to even try leaving the comfort zone of ten minute miles, but it is something I can do. Even enjoy doing.

I love Noah for so many reasons. He is an amazing little guy - smart, funny, curious, slightly cocky (like his Daddy) but able to back it up! He is compassionate and caring and I just know he is going to keep wowing me with who he is as he grows up. I am so grateful to have him. And, I will always have him to thank for my running. He is the one who showed me I could do it. He gave running to me on his birth day three years ago.....boy, I better do a good job with his presents today. I owe him!