Pack Mentality

No doubt, having a baby has changed my life (for the better) but it's also made training sometimes a challenge to fit in. Before I had The Lunchie, I ran in a group. I love running with a group because not only is it great to catch up on other peoples' lives, but also training with others really motivates me.

Case in point: this evening, I ran with my old marathon group for the first time in more than a year. Tonight's run: hills! Well, that's a great way to make a return! It was a lot harder than I remember! But at least I had a group to keep me going. I know that had I been by myself, it would have been very, very easy to quit. But tonight, there was not choice. I had to finish just like everyone else.

It was tough, but I really enjoyed it. We did four hills and after the second, well, I wanted it to end! Haha! I embrace hill training because (in the words of one my running pals, Jim) Hill are fun. Hills are our friends! It's so true. But these tough workouts are much, much easier to complete with a group.

Hills aside, one of the biggest challenges I have now is getting around to run with a group. I'm very grateful I have a wonderful and supportive hubby who takes care of The Lunchie while I run outside and play(!) However, sometimes - actually many times - his work schedule prevents me from allowing me the time to get together with a running group, so I end up running on my own a lot. It's going well, but when the going gets tough, it's not as easy to find the motivation to finish strong. I have to summon a lot of mental strength to do it.

So tonight's run was such a rush! I finished with gusto and felt rearing to go out again! (Well, not on the same night!) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be able to do the hill workout again next Wednesday.

Tomorrow I'm doing an moderately fast 3-miler and then weights. Here's to a good workout.