Fitting in a Run

It can be hard to fit in exercise in our busy lives.  It's hard when you work full-time and have three kids involved in activities, and you're trying to fit in your own activities.

On the one hand, though, it has definitely gotten easier for me in the sense that it is a clear priority now.  I find the time.  I will negotiate almost anything so that I can work out. 

I know I have to do it, because otherwise my sanity will suffer.  And that's not good for anyone.  If I don't get to boot camp or go for a run, I feel much crankier than usual!  Ummm - that didn't come out right.  I mean, I just feel cranky.

This morning, however, it seemed like an impossibility to do any kind of exercise.

I was supposed to stay at home to wait for a new dryer to be delivered.  And you know how that goes.  They say, "You must stay home, completely immobile, for the next two weeks, give or take ten days, although we can't guarantee anything."

Since we both work everyday and there are activities at night, the only time we are at home is on the weekends.  Except even those are full.

For example, this morning, two children of the three had birthday parties to be driven to and picked up from.  A third child was at a play date who needed to be picked up eventually.  My husband had to be at a hockey practice.  I was supposed to be at boot camp as well, but because of the dryer I stayed home.

Luckily they delivered the dryer only 4 hours after the first time they said they would be there.  So I could drive my daughter to her birthday party.  And just before I was leaving, I realized that the place where the party was located backed onto a nature trail, so that I could run during the entire party!

I was so happy.  I did a 12 K run in an hour and 15 minutes.  It was a beautiful day with leaves falling down on me like confetti. 

At one point in the run I saw a doe walk onto the trail.  I stood still and waited, not wanting to scare her.  I thought she looked tired, and I soon saw why. Two fawns soon ran out of the forest cover to join her.  One of them started nursing.  I've never seen that before.  It was a great moment.

I got my run in, which made me happy.  And as they say, when mom's happy, everyone's happy!