Last Updated on April 4, 2010 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP, CSCS
I have the complete opposite of writers block. It’s more like, writers clogged drain. There is so much going on in my head right now, so much I have to say, that it’s become a cluttered, congealed mess, and now nothing can get out. Hence the severe lack of posts around these parts lately. But writing tends to help me see things more clearly, so here goes nothing.
However, in the grand scheme of priorities (oh I hate being a grown up sometimes!) family comes first, school comes second, and training is the last kid picked. So there are days, more often than not, where running is put on the back burner. And that is when I slowly start to fall apart. Yet I’m the supermom, the one who always manages to find time to fit it in. So when I cant…I feel a HUGE let down. It’s funny, really. I will never be an elite marathoner. I will never compete at the Olympics or stand on the podium of a world championship. I will not have endorsement deals or sponsors relying on me to post top results. Kara Goucher nor Chrissie Wellington will never have to worry about me on their tails. I run for me, and for me only.
Happy running (and Happy Easter) my friends.
Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion. She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade. Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.
Christina Newman
I loved this, thank you.
Jess
Good response to the drunk question! And I think I would indeed like that valium-voka-latte, ha!
joerunfordom
Hi Heather! Sorry to hear you had “one of those weeks” – but I’ll bet you dollars to doughnuts that you have a great week this week!
Love your comeback to your “customer” – some people just don’t get it, never will. That’s o.k. as it makes people like you all the more special.
Have an awesome week – keep logging those miles, swims and cycling workouts —- just 2 weeks to Boston, I’m pretty sure I know what I’m chasing right now!
Best from Austin, Joe
Meg
It’s so nice to refocus and reprioritize. Thank you!
TMB @ RACING WITH BABES
I love this post. I feel like I could have written it. Hope you’ve had a great easter!
Michelle
Tears in my eyes! This is why I love reading other running blogs. We are all in this together. Being a wife, mother, employee and most importantly a RUNNER are difficult things to balance. But we do! And that is what separates us from the rest! Thanks for sharing your tough week. We all have them. Here’s hoping for a better week next week! You go GIRL! Make us proud!
Brian
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sue Keller
Loved it, Heather! xoxo
Janice - The Fitness Cheerleader
Everytime I run I find what I’m running for: happiness. The darkest days of my life were when I wasn’t running. I’d call it post partim deppression but it was caused by lack of running – not the fact that I just had a baby.
Ryan
love the post…nice!
Debbie
Great post. Hope you had a nice Easter.
sheri
thank you! it is nice to hear someone in the same (well close to) shoes
MomRunningFromCancer
Stick with it – you are in the middle of everything and it is hard to see that the end is not that far away. Make sure to cut yourself some slack. We are pretty hard on ourselves.
Here is hoping that this week will be a great training week.
AM-GoalsfortheWeek!
Hi!
Great to read you!;-)
and yah…my reason will always change…
Irene
I sooooooooooooo understand! *hugs*
Drunks say the darnedest things.
Stephanie
Another awesome post! Thanks so much for sharing your stories.
Mary IronMatron
Amen, Sister!
Stephanie
Great post Heather! I agree…I feel like I am running for my life, my joy, my happiness and myself…only true runners know, and trying to tell someone from the outside, why we run, just doesn’t work…I’ve stopped trying.
Example: I was telling my SIL about the princess half in Disney each year, and how wonderful it sounds, and the runners dressed like princesses and the fairy dust etc, and how I would love to do it someday, and she just looks at me and says…I would much rather just go for fun!
Little does she know….the run for me is the fun!!!:)
Melissa Cunningham
great post chica!!! i can relate on so many levels!!! and YES running does seem to be the drug,the addiction,the “glue” that keeps me sane.
to me,my running/workingout/swimming/biking/ is my outlet,its my release,a time where i can simply be “me”.
my running is my solitude,my saving grace,and those early AM runs,well those are like my sanctuary,my time for ME, a time to think,reflect,gather my thoughts and get prepared for the day of being a supermom!!
we all have those days/weeks where life gets in the way of training,butjust hang in there!!!!
there will always be time for running,and once you get back in the groove,once school slows down a bit,you will feel right as rain again!
Red
Hiya.
I’m 27, married, only ONE bambino, though she’s definitely a handful, and in my last semester (finally, thank GOODNESS) of my undergrad in Kinesiology.
….I think I know almost EXACTLY how you feel.
Which is why I love your blog. 🙂 hahaha
Cheers!
Mel-2nd Chances
Great post, and running is my therapy too 🙂 Here’s to hoping this week will go back to being awesome!!!
Alison B., "Runbuggy"
Your thoughts mirror my own! I often wonder who I would be if I wasn’t a runner. Would I be popping anti-anxiety meds or drinking too many glasses of Shiraz? Well, I’m just glad I run and I don’t need to know who the non-running Alison would be. Great post!!
Fair Weather Runner
this was an awesome post, and so spot on and true. thanks for writing that! i hope this week is another killer training week. 🙂
suprchica
I loved your “rant”. I feel the same way about sooo many things you’ve expressed here. Having a whine-fest every once in a while is more than ok. It somehow helps (us) bring out those feelings and as we talk, we see the answers more clearly. That drunkie doesn’t get it. Running is not trying to go after something. Running IS that something.
Cheers girl! Tamara.
moving4life.com
I love your title quote – is this yours? I want that on a shirt!! Great refocusing post – sometimes those are SO nice!
Kristen
Awesome post! And I definately have had some no-time-for-workout meltdowns myself. Like you said, if this is the worst kind of crazy for you, so be it! I myself, come from a line of alcoholics and other sort of medication addicted family members..my dad died of prescription drug overdose, for me, my addiction and satisfaction comes from running and working out which provides a much better high than any old drug or alcohol could give me, without major hangover the next day!
Kristin
Hmm, I like your concept of “junk miles.” I think I get a lot of those lately. But I wanna know more about what you consider junk miles. Like, they’re doing you good, but just not enjoyable? While I’m at it, what’s a weekend warrior? Teach me oh wise one. [email protected] I totally get the writer’s clog thing too BTW. PS: isn’t your contest over? Did I win??