The Finish Line

I own a lot of bags.  My favorite bag though is my Race Bag.

I earned this bag.  I worked hard for it.

There is a company, Mile 22 Bags - you can send in race bibs, shirts, ribbons, and they will make you a race bag.  I loved the idea, and saved my bibs for over a year until I had enough to send them for the tote bag I wanted.  I use this bag for workouts, carrying shoes, gels, wipes,and everything else a workout-a-holic could need.

I mention all this, because recently they asked for thoughts from their fans about The Finish Line.  So, I've been thinking about this all week, and it really has resonated with me for so many reasons.

For me, I believe, there is only one Finish Line - and I don't plan to reach it anytime soon.

However, my life is certainly filled with Goal Lines, and there are most definitely numerous mile markers along the way. . .but there is no traditional "finish".
As you know, I really enjoy running.  I don't plan to stop anytime soon.  Just because I complete a race does not mean that I am done.  In fact, I find that after a race, I am online that very evening looking for another race in which to register and start training!

There is always room for improvement.

There are often times when I lose ground.


There are other times, I make progress.

That is running.  That is life.

If you know me well, you know I suffer terribly from spring allergies.  I mean, really, really horrible reactions to pollen, trees, grass, ragweed - springtime in the south.  I can hardly run 4 miles without struggling to breathe, snot running, eyes and lips itching, and my body just wanting to give out.  The massive amount of medication I have to take in order to just function takes its toll on my as well.  This is my "take ten steps back" time in fitness.  I cannot run fast, in fact I feel like I can barely run, as I can't really be outside.

This is my cycling time.  Although I still struggle, it seems that it is not as bad when I am on a bicycle (perhaps the speed allows for a breeze, which makes breathing slightly easier?).  I still have a difficult time though, but it is a chance to get out and exercise without feeling like I am going to collapse within minutes.

But I won't give up.  This is part of the journey, the training, the beautiful challenge that is striving towards a goal - whatever that goal might be.  One day it might just be to get in 1 hour of physical fitness, whether it is a run that ends up being a walk because of allergies, or a bike ride that is a slower pace than I know I am capable of in more healthy circumstances.

I am still out there.  I am still reaching mile markers.

It is similar in parenthood too.  It is a total journey.  As my father often said, "There is no Finish Line in parenthood."  Now, as a parent, I know exactly what he means (yes, this is the equivalent of "You are right, Dad.").

There are so many steps backwards and forwards as a parent.  There are many milestones and goals to reach, but there is - thankfully - no Finish Line.  It is exhausting, it is challenging, it can be frustrating, discouraging, and yet hilarious, creative, and rewarding.

When I was younger I baby-sat. . .a lot.  I had thought parenthood would be a certain way based on those experiences, but it really is nothing like baby-sitting.
You want to know what I think makes me a better parent?  Running and cycling.
The challenge of pushing myself, finding my limits, and pushing beyond my comfort zone.  Pacing myself.  Learning when, although I don't like to do it, saying "enough is enough" and trying again the next day.  Learning to let go of my expectations, because very rarely do things go as planned, yet having expectations because having a goal gives me something to strive towards.  All these exercise skills can be applied to parenting.

My eldest son had his 10th birthday this past week.  Double digits!  We had planned for this day.  We both had an idea of how the day would be - and we were both let down.  We had to adjust.  We had to "shift".  We had to accept what was out of our control, and be grateful for what was in our reach.

While the day was a learning experience for both of us - he needed to learn that as you get older, birthdays are not like the ones you had when you were "little", and I learned that I need to clarify if I don't want to end up with a guinea pig as a family pet.

No, seriously.  Next time, instead of saying, "You got birthday money!  Now you can get whatever you want, and not be disappointed!" - I will say, "You got birthday money!  Now you can get whatever inanimate, non-living thing you want!"

This was yet another mile marker in his growing up and my parenting, that we reached, navigated, and moved beyond.  There will be another, sooner than later, I am sure.  But, there is no Finish Line.

I am fine with that, as long as I continue to learn and improve along the way.
Enjoy the journey.