Thursday, May 22, 2008

I Said I Was, But I'm Not

I made a resolution. I committed. I persevered through injury, bad weather and inconvenient schedules. I am so close.

Earlier this month I found out that the race I wanted to run is not a traditional 5K. Instead it is a 1 mile run, 10 mile bike ride, 2 mile run biathlon. I was expecting the bike ride, but I thought it would be at either end or the run. I planned on having Jeff do the bike ride and I would do the run. We would be a relay team. The girls would cheer for us and be there for the beginning, relay moment and completion of the race. A perfect family experience.

I'm a flexible person. I adjusted my plans and goals. Three weeks ago I said, "No problem! I can do the biathlon by myself."

All this month I have been alternating bike ride days with running days. On my bike ride days I have been commuting to work on my bicycle. It is hard work. My body aches. My back hurts. My shoulder is in knots. I am in pain.

Yesterday my husband said, "Monday is Memorial Day. Is your Biathlon on Saturday or Sunday?"

"What? This weekend?!? NO!"

This is not how a working woman should respond to the announcement of a three day weekend.

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Every morning I kiss my sleeping husband good-bye before I go to work. This morning Ariel was sleeping in the bed with him. Usually I leave her alone, but today she was practically falling out of the bed so I moved her to safety. She woke up.

"Mommy! Don't go to work. Waaaah!"

I took her downstairs and showed her a calender. "Today is Thursday. Mommy goes to work on Thursday. I will go to work tomorrow too. But look at this; Saturday, Sunday, and Monday Mommy will be home. Only two days and then Mommy will be home for three days."

As I say this I think about the race. The biathlon that will eat into my Sunday and surely tear my body apart and leave me useless for the rest of the weekend.

As I drove to work I recalled last years Memorial Day. The biathlon is part of a church picnic. This picnic is one of my favorite activities of the year. the church uses the local high school and sets up jump houses, pony ride and a stage with entertainment. They offer free food, cotton candy and kettle corn. All this takes place during the biathlon. If I participate in this race I miss out on some great quality time with my family.

So I am not doing it.

I am doing this instead.



Have a great weekend.
I know I will.

19 comments:

Rachel said...

Amy, you without a doubt made the right choice. You also are teaching your family a valuable life long lesson, family is the most important thing.
Amen girly.
Have a fabulous weekend!
I'm thrilled you're back!

Mamarazzi said...

GREAT choice!

You. Are. Awesome.

Victoria said...

Oooo...I want to slide! Have an awesome weekend.

Amy said...

I think you made an excellent choice! Enjoy your weekend!

carrie said...

wow. you rock!

The Sports Mama said...

That? Looks like the perfect thing to do this weekend.

Way better than the swimming lessons I fear I'm going to have to fit in somewhere just so I can survive the rain down here lately! :)

louann said...

More fulfilling Amy =) I agree, you will have a great weekend

Anonymous said...

Sounds perfect to me!

I am so excited that this is a three day weekend and I get to spend three whole days with my little men..

those pictures of you on the slide are awesome..I hope you get to enjoy every second of your family time!! :)

lattemommy said...

I totally think you've made the right choice. Enjoy your weekend, guilt-free.

LunaNik said...

Run, shmun...enjoy your family!

MommyTime said...

Have a wonderful weekend. I know you have made a choice that will make you happy. And I also know that you have done tremendous training that will serve as a great role model for your little girls. A fabulous job all around, mama!

Unknown said...

yeah family precedes pain and any time!! Hope ya had a great day!

Lisa said...

Good for you. I bet that was WAY more fun :)

You have your priorities straight, girl!

Kalamazoo Mom of 2 said...

Hope you had an awesome weekend! GREAT choice!
There will always be another biathlon - punkins are only little ONCE!

ConverseMomma said...

Oh baby, you made the right choice. You have the abs now, you didn't need that darn race.
Missed ya, btw!

Texasholly said...

Yeah! I like plan B better.

Victoria said...

Excellent choice!

OHmommy said...

super duper great choice. CUTE pics.

Rachel said...

Hi Amy.
Missing you!