Shhhh...another marathon.

I haven't told anyone yet, but I'm running another marathon. It's this beautiful secret I'm keeping close to my heart (and legs). I feel a little healthier and stronger because of it.
I have run marathons before. The first two I did were much heralded and I invited anyone and everyone to come and cheer me on. T-shirts were made, bumper stickers purchased, photos taken. I think those marathons were (more than) a little ego driven and truly ended up being more pressure come race day (couldn't disappoint anyone!)
When I last ran marathons, I had not yet even thought about having a 2nd child (uh--that would be 4 years ago). So why now? I'm older, I'm less fit, I have less time, and it will certainly be difficult. But I registered. Already. Way in advance. I want to hold myself accountable for it.
I want to run this one for me---not for my friends or parents or to prove to other people that I can do something physically difficult. Just me. It's a bit of shiny selfish super secret. Feels good.

Mean mom needs a run

My mean mom factor is directly related to the amount of exercise I engage in. On any given day I can turn into the mommy monster---but the odds increase dramatically if I have forgone at least a short run/walk/yoga, etc. I know doctors & researchers have scads of data that document what a stress reliever exercise is. (and those all important endorphins) I would submit to you that exercise simply makes you nicer. I think my children would concur. I turn into that mom---you know---the one who yells, looks disheveled, red-in-the-face and ready to erupt??---quite quickly in fact, if I have not had some physical outlet for the daily mom frustrations. My big trigger is children who ignore me. It's purposeful disobedience and it drives me crazy. I know most moms hear me on this.
So, all I'm saying is that the kids should ask if I've worked out BEFORE they choose to ignore me. It would make all of our lives a lot better.