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Taking Care of Yourself

Turkey Trot 2009 *

5 Minutes for Special Needs, a blog I follow, had a posting last week about taking care of yourself. It basically said that we are so busy taking our kids to doctor and therapy appointments that we may overlook our own health. I do know that I need to stay physically fit as well as emotionally stable to handle the stress and physical work that is involved in raising Ben. I am fairly good about taking care of myself - I exercise almost every weekday, I read fiction to relax and get together with friends to unwind and share stories. It is sometimes a struggle to find the time to do the things I enjoy or even fight off the guilt of being selfish.

I ran an 8k on Thanksgiving, not having run a race in more than two years. I forgot the enjoyment I got out of being with so many people also excited to be running. It was exhilarating. The best moment of the race was when I saw two kids pushing their dad, who was in a wheelchair. I wanted to say something positive to them, but I was worried it would somehow take away from their moment.

I have been saying for two years that I want to enter my forties in great physical shape and health. I am turning 40 next November. After reading the posting and thinking about it all day, I was able to put my hopes into a solid challenge.

So here it goes - in writing, with witnesses:

• I am going to run one race every month during 2010. The races will be no less than a 5k (3.1 miles) and no more than a 10k (6.2 miles).

Wish me luck - I will need support to finish all 12 races.



*Photo courtesy of Carolina Snapshot.
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Comments

  1. BeverlyDecember 9, 2009 at 10:05 AM

    Wow, this is so great! love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. MarieDecember 9, 2009 at 11:52 PM

    Good luck and good for you! I've always wanted to be a runner but would get started and peter out until I had a fabulous talk with my husband's cousin and I now proudly call myself a runner too.
    I need to run more but I'm not quite ready for as big a commitment as yours. I'll be praying for you as I run!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 28, 2009 at 11:46 PM

    Congrats on this commitment Vanessa. Freedy and I would love to be there running with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you on this adventure. We know you CAN DO IT!!

    ReplyDelete

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