So my days and weeks are getting much more full. I have a calendar on my fridge to help keep us all in line and it seems as though the majority of the days are full to the brim. It's either one of my two jobs, or Arik has a meeting, or Rachel has a thing with school or another Ward Christmas Party planning meeting (got put in charge of that a few weeks ago). It's always something. This week is the worst. I have something every single day of the week and most days, more than just one something. So where do I fit in running this week? That's the thing. I don't. I can't go early mornings anymore because the lack of sleep was really getting to me and I have no opportunites for naps during the day. I have 4 kids with me at all times during the day, so no go there either. And even if I could get someone to watch the kids, I need to use any spare moment during the days to work on lesson plans for the kids I tutor. I normally can't go after Arik gets home because I usually have to head straight out the door to a tutoring session or straight back to my computer to work for 4 hours on my other job. I can't go after work because by that time it's pitch dark and I don't go running in the dark without a partner. So what do I do? Well, I'm too stubborn to quit, so I've had to get creative.
While I haven't been running a lot, I have been active. I can squeeze in Zumba on Thursdays right after I finish tutoring and Mondays too if I don't have to work. I can also squeeze in either Zumba or running on Saturdays right before I have to do work on my other job. I can also usually squeeze in a run on Wednesdays after Arik gets home (not this week though). At home when I'm cleaning, I move much faster to get my heartrate up and I try and do things to work the muscles. When I get a spare moment (very rare) I break out my resistant bands and do some strength training. I also watch what I eat more carefully. I'm not always good, but I try to make sure the portions aren't crazy, that I eat frequently to keep up my metabolism, and that what I eat is actually healthy. Lastly, I'm on the lookout on Craigslist for a treadmill for $100 or less. I hate treadmills, but I'd rather run on a treadmill than do nothing. Looking ahead, I know that my days will simmer down a bit and I'll have more opportunities to go running. But let's face it, the rest of the year is nothing like summer. Summer is this wonderland of available time and nice weather and few committments. But for the rest of the seasons, I just have to suck it up and get done what I can.
In the stage of life that I'm in right now, everything is working against my ability to keep my body in shape. But young children and multiple jobs won't always be my life. One day my kids won't need me to be with them all the time and I can say, "I'm going running. Rachel, you're in charge." Or I can come home from my one and only job and get in a quick run before dinner. Summers are still the best time I have to really be a consistent runner and so I have that to look forward to as well. But right now, this is my life and I'm going to do the best I can and try not to get too mad about how hard it is to fit in running.
My mom always told me to do the best that I can and if I'm doing my best then that's enough. She was normally referring to school. Nowadays, I apply that to my life in general. I'm doing the best that I can and so that just has to be enough.
So I guess if anyone else is experiencing this kind of thing, I'm trying to say, just do your best and that's enough.
Keep at it and happy running!
