What I did instead....

I set a huge running goal in April.  But, I didn't make it.  Not only did I not make it to my goal for April, but I didn't even match my goal from March which I was so proud of.  Here's the thing though.... I have had a fantastic month.  It has been busy and stressful but still overall rewarding.  Here is what I did in April instead of running 115 miles (the bullet points are for added dramatic effect)

• ran 76.76 miles
• burnt 12,950 calories while running those miles
• lost 2 pounds
• packed most of my house up and hauled it to storage
• purged a lot of stuff that I do not need anymore
• listed the house on the market
• cleaned the house for photos and then cleaned almost daily to maintain that cleanlines

• ran the Maple Syrup 5k for the second year and took a minute and a half off my time from last year
• ran the Get in Gear 10k also taking a minute and a half off my 10k time
• received a job offer which after many hours of praying, thinking, and crying I had to turn down
• ran my first night run this month and loved it
• ran the longest run I have ever run.... 9.2 miles and cherished that emotional high of being amazed by  doing something that I never thought would be possible
• committed to the MS Mud Run in September
• committed to a relay portion of the med-city marathon in May
• our 12 person Ragnar Relay team met for the first time.  We are going to have a great time in August running that crazy 195 mile run.  I committed to the team before April, but I think we would all agree it felt real when we all met as a team
• made it to the gym at least 12 times to get my BCBS reimbursement... oh yeah and to work out :)
• showered at least once a day and slept at least 4 hours in every 24 hour time period
• took the kids letterboxing for the first time
• the two kids are still fed, healthy, growing, and happy
• worked nights holidays and weekends and only used 6 hours of vacation time

Ok... so when I was bummed that I wasn't going to make it to my goal I thought about all that has happened this month and realized that I had a damn good month!  I have been productive.... moving forward with selling the house and looking for a place of my own.  I have maintained my health and my sanity.  The kids seem to be processing the emotional side of everything well .  I am happy and excited about the running commitments that I have made to myself and various teams.  I am constantly amazed by the blessings that God brings with good friends and wonderful family.  

So I rewarded myself yesterday with a one hour massage which felt wonderful followed by lunch with a good book and then a haircut.  

I will close with a quote from a book I just started: "Life isn't static... Thank God.  It's constantly in motion.  Sometimes we find ourselves caught up in currents and carried along where we don't want to go.  Then we find out later that God's hand was in it all along."  The Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers