Damion Hamilton: Napa Valley Wedding Photographer

Sometimes I wonder if I talk about running too much.  I mean I post about it on Facebook and post motivational pictures that inspire me and I wonder if people ever get tired of hearing about it. For the backstory about how I went from “not a runner” to where I am now, you’ll have to read this post from last year!  When I was running my first half marathon last month (see below!), I was even thinking maybe I should stop talking about it at all.  But then I realized that sometimes there are things that other people can glean from our experiences and for each of us, it’s important to share our story.  It’s valuable to share what we’re learning and the journey we’re on, because you never know how it may impact or inspire someone else.  On this morning’s run, I was thinking about why running has been important to me, what I’ve learned from this journey and what I would like to share with other people and here it is: DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUR WELL BEING!  For me personally, I have always enjoyed exercise.  When I was younger, I worked at gyms and fitness clubs teaching all kinds of fitness classes for years.  When Damion and I got married forever ago, I was teaching 13 fitness classes as week!  I loved it! But then…..I had kids.  I love my kids so much and wouldn’t change having them a bit, but when they were little, I didn’t really have (or make) the time to exercise.  When you’re a mommy with little ones, it is so easy to lose that aspect of making time to do the things you love that keep you healthy, whether it’s scrapbooking or exercise, or whatever! I didn’t really consistently exercise for about 12 years and I missed it.  Finally, last year, I re-discovered this aspect of doing something that I love and that is valuable for not just my sake, but the sake of my family. That thing for me was running.  Last night, I was reading an article in Runner’s World Magazine about how professional runners balance motherhood and running.  The article shared about the sacrifices made by ultra runners who are moms. Sometimes the sacrifice is not running because of their schedule, sometimes they’ve even nursed their babies at aid stations during races or still get up at 3:30 am to run!! Wow! Those crazy things would not work for me. But, as a homeschooling, working mommy, getting out for at a least a few minutes during my day alone makes me a happier mom, a better wife, and a clearer thinker because I can actually finish a thought when I’m by myself.  Obviously there are sacrifices to be made, even now.  To get in a run for my day, I have to do it before everyone else wakes up.  But the truth is, even this morning, as I was happily bouncing along a trail and jumping mud puddles, I couldn’t help but stop to watch the sun come up over the horizon and tint the clouds cotton candy pink.  I stood there on the trail with tears in my eyes because I was so touched by the true beauty of the moment.

iphone pic

Those moments are so worth the sacrifice of getting up early to log a few miles.  It is moments like these where you’re doing something you love, getting healthy, working towards a goal and truly stopping to watch the meaningful moments in life that make me a richer person.  Instead of subtracting something from my life, they add to and that means that it also adds to my family.  That’s not to say that everything’s perfect, because by the time I got home this morning the chaos had begun as the kids woke up fighting each other— but I had the peace I had gained from that moment with the sunrise, me and God alone on the trail.

 With that, today’s big idea is: make the time for the things that are important to your personal growth, development, and peace, especially mommies.  Don’t let them disappear off of your radar! Don’t let them fade into the distance so that you no longer remember what is important to you!  Even if it’s only a few minutes a week, make the time and the sacrifices necessary to get your soul (heart, mind, and emotions) renewed and strengthened.  

In the spirit of reaching a goal,  you may remember my post earlier this year where I shared how my secret love affair with running started last year.  If you didn’t get a chance to read it, here it is.  I talked about how I had always considered myself a non-runner, how I started jogging using the Couch 2 5K program and found out that I loved it! When I was writing the post, I was running a few miles at the time and happy about it, but shared how I hoped to one day run a specific half marathon that inspired me to start, the Napa to Sonoma Half (which sold out the entire 2013 race within hours.)  Well, I didn’t get to run THAT half marathon this year, but I am happy to report that I did complete my first half marathon last month, the Almond Bowl in Chico!! It was an exciting experience and a great time reaching a goal! Here are a few pics from the day (and a disclaimer..they are all from my iPhone-no pro pics in this case!):

Before we began: my buddy Nicole and I.  We met in Costa Rica as college students 16 years ago and we’re still friends!

My view of some beautiful parts of the Almond Bowl run in Chico.  The course is out and back and takes you through tree lined paths of Bidwell park out to the trails on the way to the canyons.  It was a great run, especially during the fall.

At the finish line! We made it!!

 And what’s on the goal list for 2013??? Not sure yet, but maybe a series of half marathons…we’ll see!