...like slipping into a comfy pair of old slippers....

Its been too long since I've blogged. Life gets busy, and sometimes you just have to let some things go and concentrate on the things that REALLY matter. For me, that was our family scheduling with all the sporting events, and spending time on the phone with members of my Beachbody Coaching team. (www.beachbodycoach.com/TRACIMORROW2)

So lots of things have been happening around here obviously. How could there NOT be a lot going on with 8 people living in this house!? ;o) But as far as my fitness goes, I have been in that place where its just about the self discipline of getting it done. Not really loving it, not training for anything, but understanding that I'm improving the quality of my life in the short and long term each time I work out. Good thing I had a set routine of WHEN I workout, or I might have slipped into that all too common pattern of "taking a break" that I see in the people I coach. (trust me - I was tempted some days because well, life is busy and I always have SOMETHING else I could be doing. Dont we all? Its the never ending internal struggle.)

For anyone who knows me, you know that I love to run. It clears my head, its therapeutic, and it keeps me a SANE, and NICE, and BALANCED wife and mom. :) But that too had lost its charm. In 2008-09 I ran 4 half marathons and in the first half of 2009 I trained and ran in the LA Marathon. Afterwards, I ran a couple times and then just gave myself a pass to NOT RUN for a few months. I was burnt out, and I didnt want to turn something I loved into just another chore. Running has been Holy Ground for me on many, many occasions; while I run I "do business" with God. :) Intimate prayer, where I talk to Him, and He in turn speaks to me.

When my head feels so packed with information and my never ending "to do list", going for a 4-6 miler helps me gain clarity and focus. I cant explain it well, but I never want to lose the beauty of a run and what it does for me mentally, physically, and spiritually. I carefully pick songs that move or inspire me, and when I put on my iPOD and map my run, its not just exercise, its self discipline set to my own personal sound track. :) I know. I may sound like a nutjob, but I sure hope we get to run on those streets of gold in heaven, in slipper-fit eternal running shoes. ;) (I just hope my legs are a little longer - is that asking too much? ;o))

Anyway, two weeks ago (before I got sick) I woke up and knew it was time. I laced up my shoes, dug out my iPOD arm band, and hit the road after I delivered the kids to their four different schools. And it felt SO GOOD. :) All morning I was anticipating it, and as I closed the front door behind me and adjusted my headphones, I could already tell it was going to be a good run. :) My point being that sometimes its okay to lay down the things you get tired of in your fitness and for lack of a better expression: 'put in your time' to maintain your good health & fitness. It only makes picking it back up again all the sweeter; like slipping into a comfy pair of old slippers. You remember WHY you loved it in the first place, and you appreciate it with a fresh perspective as those endorphins kick in as your reward.

God and I had an EXCELLENT time together that day, and I felt my head clear like I havent felt since I stopped running those few months before. And while I felt the effects of not having run for that long, I know that will come right back with consistency and time. I'm just happy to be back.

Once I'd finished my cool down walk and stretch, I opened up that front door a different woman than the one who had closed it on her way out, with a smile that only God saw. That run was like coming home to who I am.
And it always feels good to come home. :)