"...a woman to be reckoned with."

Having found no time (although it has been in abundance this week, it still eludes me when the words "have to", "need to", or "am planning to" come near)to run this week, I decided to make sure time was made for it this morning. I usually like to wait until Doug is home, but he's been so busy with work and school, and during his off time he has his handful with me crying because he didn't want to eat an almond sandwich (no joke). My half marathon is in 6-7 weeks, its really important I actually stay consistent...



I haven't run pushing her in almost a year. It started off well enough, obviously convincing myself I wouldn't be breaking any new personal records...

This is for any mom who has ever expected this the entire run:



After all, she almost never gets to play with it. SURELY it will entertain her long enough to finish my run...


"What is that?"

"I don't know. A bug."

"Why can't I see it?"

"They're in a cave."

"Why you breathing like that, mom?"

"Cause its hard to push you..."

"Your face is red."

"I know."

"Why are we turning around?"

"We have to run back now."

"Look at that dog mom. Look. She's cuuute. Did you see her? Mom!"

"YES. SO cute."

"Are we going to the beach?"

"No. Its a lake."

"Addie's going to be so mad we're going to the lake?"

"No. She won't care."

"I dropped my flip flock!"



And my favorite...


"Why are you stopping? Why are you not running? Mom!"

"BECAUSE!!!! Lily, I love to talk to you, but I can't talk when I'm running and pushing you!!"

"But, why you can't talk?"



I will no longer gaily trot past another mom pushing a stroller. Now that I have seen the other side, I will try as laboriously as possible to run slowly past moms who struggle uphill, I will not complain again about producing the strength necessary to carry my OWN weight for the length of the run. Perhaps they will be invigorated, thinking to themselves, "Man, she's really struggling. I must be a kick ass runner." Because every mom who runs pushing a stroller deserves a medal, or at least some acknowledgement for their incredible will power. I think we shall make a hand sign just for these ladies, just as bikers display when passing each other on the highway. (What a cool gang that must be)

Because really, a mom who can run WITHOUT music (let's face it, there's honestly no running 'in the zone' when you have to pause your music constantly because your four year old has a sudden case of 'the gabs') is a woman to be reckoned with. You.guys.rock.




And, HEAVEN FORBID, you should forget to make sure baby bear is buckled in the beginning...




I'm finally seeing more of a significant change since learning to do squats right, and actually doing them consistently. Ladies, for real. This is where its at. Left is June of this year, right is just last week (you instagrammers have already seen this, but since I'm so happy with my results, I'm posting on here too :D) Anything I post is for motivation, and surely if I can do it, you can too. I'm encouraging you to start doing a little research, and starting a small exercise routine. You'll never be unhappy with the results!

Food ideas and pictures from recent:




And this one just because I loooove it, so vintage newspaper style, taken on a beautiful little hay field in Gravette, AR...




xo
Kes