There’s no better way to prepare for a 9-mile Saturday run then by bringing it to Circuit Friday at UEF!  While I played with bosu, medicine and stability balls; bands; ropes and jump ropes; TRX stuff and kettle bells, my kids began their first morning of summer vacation home alone.  My son wanted to go out to breakfast and my daughter wanted to make lanyards to celebrate, but off I went with promises of good times ahead when I returned.

Marathon preparation, except in a few rare cases, is an egocentric endeavor.  I’m not training to represent my country, to raise money for a charitable cause, or in anyone’s memory.  My reason for doing this is completely selfish- I want run a marathon because I can, because I have something to prove to myself, because it makes me feel good… me, me, me!  Someone I admire said that in her experience, there are two kinds of people that run marathons- 1) those with natural astounding athletic ability and 2) those with a tenacious spirit who have overcome personal hardship.  These are not easy concepts to explain to my children who have been shielded from trauma and sorrow all of their lives.  Each time I choose training over time with my family, I feel unparalleled guilt.  But when I struggle, persevere and come out on the other side- I’m reminded of how doing these things makes me who I am, the woman they love.