the Mother Runner

Dec. 23, 2010

Dear Lizzie,

I had no choice but to wake up at 5ish when [A1] burst through his door loudly, proclaiming for the entire (tiny) household to hear, “I NEED TO GO POTTY NOW!!!!!” We were all up.  I got them occupied with a movie, gave Thomas a meaningful look, and made my escape… aaaaaaand the beach was pitch dark and I thought, “scary.” So I ran barefoot on the big lawn in front of the temple gates.  I stayed out for about 20ish minutes then came home and did a 30 minute yoga stretch DVD.  It helped my sore muscles, but I am sore tonight.

I like it.

Thanks for listening,

Stephanie

ps- you don’t always have to listen of course if you don’t have time.  I just like checking in with you. Here’s to a good run tomorrow for us both!  And we did have a lovely, warm beachy day (the boys and I) after I got home.

Dec. 24, 2010

Dear Lizzie,

30 minute butt workout DVD- trust me I need it- two pregnancies … Well… It’s drooped south for the winter. And a nice delicious barefoot beach run- the ocean was frothing so much it looked like snow!

Merry Christmas eve pal!

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

I’m wondering if the winter of my butt will ever end. Honestly, I’ve got to get it to perk up a little. Let me know if you have any success.

lizzie.

Dec. 25, 2010

Dear Lizzie,

Today I pulled the boys around the playground AstroTurf on a boogie board. Over and over and over. As fast as I could run. Sometimes with Asher on my hip.

Happy Holidays!

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

Yeah, that’s a good workout. I bet [A2] loved riding on your hip. I know [Squish] loves it when I run with him in the carrier. He laughs and laughs.

Hope you had a merry Christmas! I, too, think that things are getting more fun and less crazy/stressful with two boys . . . maybe we’re actually learning how to be moms. Maybe.

lizzie.

Dec. 27, 2010

Dear Lizzie,

I read like 400 pages in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix today.

Wait, what are these emails supposed to be about?

I thought I might go for a run when the boys went to bed, but it is thundering raining and pouring!  TOMORROW I TELL YOU!

By the way, your Best French Toast is our family Christmas breakfast tradition.  Man, so good.

Aloha,  Stephanie

Dec. 30, 2010

Dear Lizzie,

Tuesday my pledge to run was met with the challenge of down pours of rain in the morning preventing my run before Thomas left early for meetings so I went for a bike ride with Ambrose later that afternoon and counted it as exercise since it exercised all the patience I could muster to keep his attention span on a bike ride.

Wednesday I woke up proclaiming, “No more lameness!  I’m running!” I was promptly met with three “neighborhood dogs” (Who do they belong to?  Where do they come from?) running straight for me, nipping at me, licking me and jumping up on me, scratching my bare running legs in the process over and over.  What are you supposed to do in these situations because although I wanted to punch them I froze and shouted in as manly a voice possible, “GO!”  and “HELP!” to which I am sure surrounding spectators laughed through their window shades because I am sure it was quite a sight…. but I was terrified.

I was about to get ready for bed around 9PM that night, feeling frustrated and then I was like, “Dogs be damned!” and quickly changed into running clothes before I could change my mind and I was out the door for a nice run around Laie in no time.  I saw no dogs.  I think they’re mostly out in the mornings so I will avoid certain streets to run on toward the beach in the future. Well, it’s pouring rain now and Thomas has band practice til late tonight so I don’t see a run in my future for Thursday…. what do you do on these types of days?  I guess I could do a video- or get out for a long walk/play with the kids if there is a window of no rain later today.  I’ll figure it out!

Aloha,

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

Oh, the dogs. I hate the dogs. Thankfully in New York there are no dogs just randomly wandering about. I remember that in Hauula . . . several times I turned around and went the other way just as quickly as I could.

Good for you for going out before you could talk yourself out of it. I find that if I am able to change my clothes, there’s no stopping me.

I hope the rain has stopped and you’re all tropical sunshine humidity now.

lizzie.

Jan. 10, 2011

Dear Lizzie,

Well.  I guess I just realized that I am only good at being productive in maybe two areas at a time that aren’t directly related to taking care of my family.  The good news is that I have read Harry Potter books 4-7 over Christmas vacation and been extremely crafty!  The bad news….. my house is a mess and I have not been running.  At all.  I DO get out every day with the boys at least once, if not more, and I have no choice but to be tiringly (not a real word??) active.  The bad news, I am getting a little chubbier, because yoga and running (or maybe even swimming) have always been my best bet.

I look up to your example though because you seem to do so many things so well!

I shall do better this week. I hope.

Your friend,

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

“Seem” is the key work in that second paragraph. Because while I may blog and run, I have not been crafting, or reading, or cooking, or getting out with the kids much.

It is true that motherhood is about being tiringly (I like that word) active, but it helps when some of that activity is beneficial to your mental health instead of detrimental to it.

I doubt you are getting chubbier. I think “chubby” and “Stephanie” stopped going well together about the time you started walking . . . 25 years ago. (Give or take.)

Good luck with your endeavors.

lizzie.

Jan. 18, 2011

Dear Lizzie,

My friend Echo is a personal trainer and wakes up at 5am to train.  I have long considered this crazy and decided to join her this morning….sprints and stairs in the CAC and a barf feeling most of that time…. sure makes you rethink the fro-yo with more toppings than fro-yo that you ate the night before…. that is all.

Love always,

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

5am, eh? Someday I’ll get there, I’m sure. Out of necessity. But that sounds like an awesome workout. Were you able to sit the next day? Or even move your legs at all?

lizzie.

The End.