“I Run…” Celebrate National Running Day
National Running Day asks you to complete the sentence “I run…”? Olive to Run is hosting a link up today for people to complete their “I run…” sentence.? Be sure to stop by and read all the reasons people run.? I love hearing what motivates and moves other runners.
As for me?? Why do I run?
I run to go to Disney.? I run because it brought me a community.? I run because it makes me feel good.? I run because I can… with no-guilt.? No-guilt is the key for me.
Not too long ago I changed the blog name from Margaritas, Miles & the Mouse to My No-Guilt Life.? A lot of you started with me on MMM and I adore you for hanging in there with me while all these changes are going on.? Finding your voice and the right place for you on the blogoshpere can be trickier than you might think, so I appreciate the support you have given me.? One of the reasons behind the change revolves around running.? This central focus in my life became a love/hate relationship for me when I considered the affect it had on my family.? I had it boxed into two neat little squares.
Love:? because it gave my children, especially my daughters, an active and healthy example of doing something fun even as you get older.?
Hate: it took a lot of time and finances away from my family to accomplish my goals.
I need to run.? I physically and mentally need to do this activity.? I know many of you get that.? Some of you hope to someday understand that.? Some of you think I’m flat out nuts for this.? You’re thinking: I’ll only run if the zombies are chasing me quips right now.? Ha.? I fully get it-? trust me, as the person who loathed to run, even when I played soccer in high school (you know, a sport that all you do is RUN!) I am just as surprised as you are that I have this need.? But it’s there.? It’s the way of a runner though: once you get that switch to click over, you realize this is the thing that makes you tick.? Even makes you a better person.? At least that’s how it worked out for me.
It boiled down to one thing when considering the love/hate balance:? I needed to get rid of the guilt.? I can’t separate the fact that time will be taken from the family when I chose to do something for myself.? And as a mom with a particularly mouse-eared shaped motivational carrot, yeah, it’s going to cost some money.? (Ahem, Disney ain’t cheap, yo!)? But I can change how I feel about it.
Obviously, I haven’t given up the running, and I’m not going to.? As God is my witness, I want to be Harriett Thompson when I grow up. ? But probably a little slower and not as cute.
So I changed the way I think and feel about it.? It’s not taking anything away from my family if my motives are pure.? And they are.
Running makes me happy.? Happy makes Shenanigans a much easier person to live with on a day to day basis.? You know that saying “When mommas not happy, no one’s happy?”? Oh yeah.? That’s how this household works.? I’m the emotional glue that keeps us all rocking away in our happy little lives.? I realized that my well being- emotional specifically here- extends into my husband’s life and my children’s lives as well.? If I’m out of sorts, well, it screws everyone over.? #TrueStory
And that’s not cool.
What keeps me on the right path?? Endorphins.? I don’t even need those crazy I-ran-20-gazillion-miles-this-week or I ran a sub-nano-minute-mile type of endorphins.? The slow, steady stream of hormonal goodness that I receive from doing a couple miles is enough to keep us all happy around here.
This morning I got up early and pounded out my 2 miles on the schedule.? C25K ain’t gonna run itself, right?? Oh- by the way- 8 minutes straight running.? TWICE.? BOOM!? I’m a runner, y’all!? Even though I’m proud of that accomplishment, the big takeaway here is that my day- and thus my children’s day- will go smoothly.
I was all alone.? I was doing an activity that solely benefited my body and my mind.? I didn’t worry about anyone but me and not dying while running 8 minutes straight (holy crap I thought that would never end!) And I did this guilt-free.? Is it just for me?? The answer is technically yes, but I’m putting it in the no column.?? A post run momma is the best gift I can give to my family.
Is guilt something you struggle with as a runner?? Or did you run the No-Guilt way today?? If not- there’s still time to make it happen in honor of National Running Day!?? After you enter the giveaway, of course.
Giveaway rules?
- Prize: 1 (one) $100 gift card.? Winner may choose their prize from either SparkleSkirts.com or Disney gift cards.
- This contest is open to US residents only.
- Contest starts on June 4, 2014 at 12:01am and ends on June 10, 2014 at 11:59pm EST.
- Enter through the Rafflecopter widget.? Winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter and notified via email provided to Rafflecopter.? Winner has 2 days to respond or they forfeit and another winner will be chosen.
GOOD LUCK!
Patty Holliday is the owner and creator of all things No-Guilt Universe. As a lifelong fangirl and pop culture connoisseur, she’s been creating online since 2009. You can find her work at No-Guilt Disney.com, No-Guilt Fangirl.com, No-Guilt Life, and as host of the top-rated No-Guilt Disney Podcast.
“When mommas not happy, no one’s happy.”- I know that phrase well! 🙂 I’m glad you’ve let your guilt go and that you’ve come to terms with the fact that your running benefits both you and your family. 🙂
I run with a bit of guilt- I tend to make most of the runcations about Disney when I’m sure my husband would be much more happy running along a beach in Hawaii. But at the same time, I know running is good for both of us, mentally and physically, no matter where it is.
It really is- and guilt is such a useless emotion! Hugs Kim! Happy National Running Day!
“A post run momma is the best gift I can give to my family.” Truer words have never been stated.
I run with a lot of guilt. A LOT. I’m the only one working right now, and work a crazy retail schedule, so I’m already gone a lot. But, running makes me better, nicer and stronger. I made a shirt that says “Going for a run doesn’t make mommy selfish, it makes mommy awesome”. It’s a good reminder for myself and all those who would judge. Thanks for sharing. I’m going to go run before I drop a whole lot of money on the RunDisney Star Wars races 🙂
I LOVE that saying! I am not crafty, so I bought a shirt from Fellow Flowers with that saying on it. My favorite shirt ever. EVER! And May the Force Be With You (and no guilt on spending the money either! 😉 )
Great post, Patty! Love everything about it!
Thanks April- your brilliant idea inspired me! Hugs lady- have a great National Running Day! Hope you get out there.
Stopping by from Olive to Run, this is a great post! I don’t have the same family demands you do right now, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t have guilt somedays when I go for a run, especially as my runs are getting progressively longer.
It is hard to find that balance, but in the end, if it makes you a better person— it’s a GOOD thing. Thanks for stopping by Sarah!
Love this post and GREAT giveaway! Found you from the Olive to Run linkup. I worry about the guilt feeling – it’s just me and my husband now but anytime I’m spending the weekend with family, my brother, friends, etc. I feel “guilty” going out for a run without them. Even though it makes me a much happier (and then more pleasant) person 🙂
sometimes we gotta just “let it gooo, let it gooooooo!” 😉 I get it though. I feel the same when we are visiting family but really, they would rather deal with me post run! I think they have learned that over the years. I tend to get tense daily unless I run! Thanks for stopping by!
I like your post! My dad tried to guilt trip me for all the money I “waste” on races. He’s more of a spend money on things than on experiences, but I’ve never felt bad. I make enough money to not be broke, but I’m still too “poor” to move out in the LA Area. Might as well enjoy it. No guilt for that which keeps us healthy! 🙂