Thursday, March 14, 2013

Redefining the “Runner’s High” - Mommy Style



I have often heard of the elusive “Runner’s High”… You know, that state of euphoria runners supposedly feel at some point along their route.  The feeling that makes them feel “on top of the world”, like they are “maxing out their potential”, having a “GREAT run”?  

Yep, heard lots about it. 

Nope, don’t think I’ve ever felt it. 

I mean, yes, I’ve spent some very enjoyable time running I will admit, and I actually really like it when I have that time to myself to just think and run and think and walk and think and sweat, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt any type of running “euphoria” at any time while wearing sweaty clothes, headphones, and a pair of running shoes.   But I have felt the “Mommy High”, and THAT might just be euphoric all in its own right.  

So, in honor of running (okay, half running/half walking) my second Half Marathon this past weekend, I present to you my list of “Why I Want To Run A Half Marathon” thoughts – which all add up to experiencing what I have designated the “Running Mommy’s High.”  Which I must admit, in many ways has me already dreaming about my next little 13.1 mile jaunt around town.  And, if you are a Mommy, it might just encourage you to get up and get moving too...

Or at least make you smile for a second.  =) 


1.  When the alarm clock wakes me up at 4:30 a.m. absolutely no one else stirs and my house is heaveningly quiet.

2.  While getting dressed before the sun comes up I am able to both wash my face and use the toilet without a single children entering the room or asking me any questions.

3.  Having the ability to eat an entire meal (okay, a banana and a hard boiled egg) without having to share a single bite, ask anyone to close his or her mouth while chewing or remind someone that they never know when the Queen will show up so they best always use their good manners.  

4.  Walking to my car, opening the door, getting in, buckling the seatbelt, starting the engine and driving away without having to wait for a single passenger to find his/her seat, finish buckling, run back for a shoe, yell at a sibling or push past someone already buckled and waiting.

5.  Listening (and singing!) to whatever song I want on the radio, as loud as I want, as many times as I want and being able to hear every lyric as there is no one begging for their own musical selection, arguing with their neighbor, or explaining how the Magic School Bus would be covering the same stretch of highway as a frog, dinosaur or butterfly.

6.  Having an hour or so of pre-race time to people watch, send text messages to friends across the country, and examine the insanity of wanting to run 13 miles without having to actually explain myself to anyone or worry that someone might agree with my assessment.

7.  Seeing parts of the city I’ve never seen before while experiencing three hours of quality “alone” time with my friend Mr. I-pod and his fabulous “shuffle” ability.

8.  Crossing the finish line and receiving a finisher’s medal knowing that at least one of my children is going to see it and ask, "Did you win?”.

9.  Smelling bad enough afterward that even the most snuggly of children actually wants to leave me alone long enough to take a shower.

10.  Having the perfect excuse to do absolutely nothing the rest of the day but sit on the couch and watch TV with all of my kids.

So what do you think?  Kind of appealing, isn't it?  So, who wants to join me next time?  It's only 13 miles, and it has SO many perks!

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