Photo by Julia Raasch via Unsplash
I’m not a runner.
Sometimes I think I want to be. There are lots of health benefits, and being able to say I finished a 5K race sounds like a fun thing to check off my bucket list.
But even when I was little, running was not something I enjoyed. I was always the kid in gym class who, when it was run-a-mile day, made sure to finish at the very upper end of our time limit (usually 15 minutes).
I’ve started the Couch-to-5K program three times. And never even finished the first week. Why? Am I really that out of shape? (probably) Yet I see posts from friends and relatives in races throughout the year and wonder if I should just push myself more.
It’s hard to know what pace to set for yourself when 1) you’re running alone and 2) you’re just getting started and don’t know what your body is capable of. But at the same time, if you set your pace to another’s and your body isn’t ready for it, you won’t be able to hold on.
How’s your life pace this week? Is it busy? Are you in the throws of back-to-school like I am? (my teacher-husband went back this week, the kids start Monday) So many to-do lists, meet-the-teacher parties, shopping trips (I think we went to a store every day this week), haircuts, adjusting sleep schedules…
My pace has been hurried this week. FOR SURE. But you know what I’m aware of? It’s not sustainable for our family. If every single week of the school year was like this one, we would go bonkers. And so I’m also aware of our need to slow down in the coming weeks.
It’s that awareness that saves my family from running itself into the ground.
There WILL be busy seasons. There’s no getting around it (hello 21st-century life). But it’s okay to sprint around that corner, and then back off for awhile. Next week we have three things on our calendar: two work days for me, and no school on Friday. Ha.
Intentionally leave some open, breathing space in your day, your week, your month. Your body (and your life) will thank you for not continuing at a blistering pace.
Five Minute Friday is a weekly opportunity to simply write about one word for only five minutes (I almost always go over!), and link-up what you’ve written, to connect with other writers.
I have been know to write on my calendar…stay home today.
Hi Carrie,
I appreciate your last sentence, to intentionally leave some space open in the week and day. I often find myself with space open when I’m already in the midst of it, and forget to breathe, thinking there is something I need to be doing. But when I intentionally leave the space, I can enjoy it more (like this morning, before having to get ready for work!) Thank you for your thoughts!
My speed of life is like a glacier
grinding down to the ,sea,
every foot an erasure
of whom I used to be.
I still can’t say that I resent
this pancreatic cancer,
but I wish, at times, it would relent
and I find a better answer.
If early death is God’s will,
I’ll see it through unto the end,
but I have to hope, still,
that there are days for Him to lend.
I do not meet my goals from years of health,
but in what remains, there is yet wealth.
#1 at FMF this week.
https://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2019/08/your-dying-spouse-662-enjoying-of-air.html