Unencumbered

Spring officially begins on March 20^th at 1:14am (EDT) with the Vernal Equinox.  Usually in March in Connecticut there is still snow on the ground, but its dirty and gray; and there is still a chill in the air.  You look forward to the first day of spring because even though the weather may not instantly turn sunny and warm, you know that change is just around the corner. We’ve had an unusually mild winter, and the first day of spring this year has somewhat lost its significance, at least for me.  We have been wearing spring jackets for weeks, we’ve had very few days that even required hats and mittens.  The 10-day forecast includes several days of temperatures in the mid-60s.  I am not complaining, not even a little bit. I would be perfectly happy with a three season calendar that did not include winter.

What I am feeling is spring fever.  Baseball is about to start up again for Nick. Bernie will be playing softball and tennis again.  We are contemplating signing Jack up for “Smart Start Baseball,” which is an instructional T-ball series for 3-5 year olds.  Spring is total craziness in our house.  Between all the practices and the games we are all often like ships passing in the night. We just try to make sure everyone gets to where they need to be with the right equipment, clean uniform, and appropriate fuel.

The noticeably absent activity so far this year is running.  By now, I am usually working on training schedules, plotting which races I am going to run, and figuring out how to fit it in amongst everyone else’s schedule.  I swear my running sneakers stare at me from the shoe rack just begging me to put them on.  I can’t.  I am sidelined, I am on modified bed rest for at least 3 more weeks.  It is temporary and it is for a fantastic reason, but still my couch feels a little like a prison.

When I was driving to the doctor this morning I passed more people than I could count out running and biking.  They all seemed so free, so completely unencumbered.   My running time, is my “me” time.  It is my time to leave all of the responsibilities and worries behind, if even just for an hour or less.  No emails, no phone calls (at least not answered ones), no one needing help going to the bathroom, or for me to get them a snack.  It is my opportunity to dissect and work through the issue of the day, whatever that may be.  I remember all too well how hard it is to get out the door.  You don’t eat the right breakfast, you didn’t get up early enough, there are more important things to do, the first two miles are hard, you have a nagging injury.  Once your feet finally hit the pavement though and you are off, you never question whether you did the right thing.  It is always the right thing. Running helps me find and keep my rhythm.

One of the things that I hope our kids learn from Bernie and I, is that you are never too old to go out and play.   I want them to find the few things that will help them be unencumbered when it feels like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Sometimes all you need is some healthy competition, dirt, sweat, and a few good friends to get you through the difficult moments.   

There will be plenty of miles logged and plenty of time for races this year, after this little girl makes her grand entrance.  I am definitely going to savor that first mile back, and follow it up with other thing I miss, a glass of wine.  Cheers!