On being a Road Warrior

So I ran my first half-marathon today.  But the story actually starts two years ago, when I took a look at my body and asked myself, “what the hell happened to you?”  Being a full time mom with a full-time job had done a number on me.  Not to mention telecommuting.  No one told me about the “telecommuting 20”, the 20 pounds of weight you gain simply by the mere fact of being able to cook exactly what you want for every meal and only having to move just a few feet a day.  Then add on the metabolism factor—I never believed my friends who warned me that my metabolism would change for the worse after 35—oy.  Bottom line: I had gone from curvy to flabby.

So I did what every woman does and first tried to control what I ate—that didn’t work.  Then I tried to exercise on my own.  Again, not working.  I finally got serious and joined a gym and got a personal trainer.  My first trainer, Stacy, was awesome, but sadly after three months she left to find a job closer to home.  Then I met Natalie, who was a force of nature.  I never thought that so much energy and strength could come in such a small package.  She taught me the benefit of weight training, and while I’m sure I constantly disappointed her (my mouth ran more than I did), she helped me get over my fear of the big scary machines in the gym.  My first post-trainer race was the Detroit Turkey Trot 5 K in 2009.  I finished in 36 minutes and thought I was the bomb-diggity. 

If I was a good girl, I would have kept signing up for races and been accountable, but I hit a snag with work stress and stopped making exercise a priority again.  Then I developed a recurring strep throat infection that lasted for near a year.  By January 2011 I was exhausted from trying to stay dedicated to exercise, knowing that it was good for me, but at the same time completely wiped out from being perpetually ill and trying to keep up my other life responsibilities. 

I was determined to get back on track.  I joined the adult karate class at my daughters' dojo, and I signed up for this half marathon.  This is MY year to shine, my year to meet goals for myself that I’ve had for several decades, but never made a priority because I didn’t want to appear selfish.

But something happens when you put yourself first.  You start to realize that by being good to yourself, you are good to everyone else around you.  And while I still lose my temper with my family way more than I’d like, I’m way too hard on myself professionally, and my house always is a mess, I know that most problems can be solved by taking a run.  Or a bike ride.  Or kicking it out at the dojo.  And when I do that everything else gets better. 

The other thing I also realized was that people come in all shapes and sizes—I am never going to be a waif—I’m too tall and I enjoy eating way too much for that to happen.  But as long as I’m good to myself and am mindful of what I put into my body (except for that $3 wine. . .hey, I didn’t say I was perfect) then I need to stop beating myself up. 

So I ran the ½ marathon today—my hamstring ached from the start, and I was not fully prepared for the rigors of a trail course.  But I FINISHED.  And no one can take that away from me.  There’s something to be said for that.

There’s also something to be said for finishing nearly dead last in a half marathon, in front of an 80 year old man with a ligament injury.  More than a little humbling.  But at the same time there’s a certain amount of satisfaction associated with beating that old dude.  ;)  

Instructing at the dojo, working on Christmas gifts

Since I got my yellow belt, I'm now required to log volunteer hours as an instructor before I can be eligible for another belt promotion (on top of all the other requirements for a belt promotion).  Am I the only person excited about this?  I really love it.

A few days ago, I had the chance to be an instructor to three young girls who were just starting in karate.  They had just signed up, and were learning the basics.  We went through the basics of class, including some of the terms, etiquette in class, and some of the basic self defense moves.  As we were finishing, one of the girls asked me, "can I earn a belt?"  It totally reminded me of my oldest on her first day of karate.  We had originally signed her up for a month through the local Parks and Rec; kids who sign up through parks and rec aren't required to wear a gi, but if they want to get promoted then they have to invest in a uniform.  The first month killed my daughter  because she wanted to be like the other kids in a uniform working on stuff for their belts.  But I knew it was a big commitment, so I didn't want her to start up and then hate it six months later.  So I explained to the girl that if she really liked it, then she would have to talk to her parents about getting a uniform and formally start pursuing karate with the goal of getting a belt.

I don't know what it was, but I really felt good about being able to give back what has given me so much over the last six months.  Of course a half-year doesn't sound like much time, but I think back to January where I was at my lowest both mentally and physically.  Being a mom isn't easy, and add a full time job to the mix.  I had forgotten how to do anything for "me".  It's the old cliche, really.  But karate has given me a whole new lease on life.  I feel better, I sleep better, I run more, and I am finally able to turn work off at 5.  I think my family benefits from this, too.  And the best part is that I'm reaching a goal that I've had since I was a little girl, living in a town where karate was an exotic past time for boys only.  I remember telling my middle school guidance counselor once that some day, I was going to be a special agent for the FBI with a black belt in karate.  Well, the FBI job probably won't happen, but the black belt sure will!

On the knitting/crocheting front, I'm working on 2 christmas gifts right now.  I'm hoping to finish them soon because I really want to work on Breton Girl for myself.  I'll post pics when they are done.  In the meantime, here's a pic of my putting on my yellow belt for the first time (I have no idea why my head is tilted at such an awkward angle)!