Sunday 23 September 2012

Changes

As the seasons turn and the nights draw in, I can't help feeling that these September winds bring significant changes for me both as a mother, and as a runner.

For the past 8 years, a considerable amount of my week has been spent looking after my two gorgeous children.  But now my youngest has just started in full-time education, leaving me with large swathes of time where I have nobody to chase after, no pushchair to cart about, no hand to hold.  I walked away from the school gates last week feeling unanchored and returned to a silent house.  I was prepared for feeling lost and so had made a long 'to do' list which I quickly set about.  I am someone who needs to keep busy; both mind and body.

And for this reason, I thank my lucky stars that I have recently fallen in love with running.  My relationship with running has been a slow-burner.  It started about 3 years ago when I took myself off to a reputable running shop and surrendered myself to a very able assistant who videoed me running and told me what trainers, sports bra and socks I needed.  Then the jogs began.  I didn't particularly enjoy them, I endured them.  I built my route up to about 4Km and then stuck with that, running about twice a week.  I was tempted to enter a race, but somehow always managed to talk myself out of it.

Then, like much of the nation, I was gripped and inspired by Olympic fever.  I watched Mo and Dibaba run and I was in awe.  I decided there and then; I had to take the next step - to run a race.  So I searched on the internet and entered the Great Yorkshire Run in Sheffield.  I felt giddy, then nervous.  I had 4 weeks to train.  I dreaded race day but when it finally came, I was excited.  I ran it and loved it.  It was a couple of days before I wanted to run again, but when I did I was all fired up.  I realised that I was actually enjoying running; I felt powerful and exhilarated.

Since then, I look forward to my runs.  I pay more attention to the articles in my running magazine and find myself playing about with my routes and playlist to help my motivation.  I want to run faster, stronger, and for longer.  I am excited about becoming a better runner (and I hope it stops me from being a lonely mother!)  Time to stop rambling.......