With a squirming boy in our bed—an unplanned visitor for the last few hours of the night—I am able to creep out of bed before my alarm sounds.
Scooping my clothes from my dresser to the bathroom, I change furtively, cringing at the inevitable creaks of an eighty-year-old house filled with wooden floors and a sloping foundation.
Despite my best efforts, Abbey stirs, wanting water before sinking back into her purple pillowcase.
I am downstairs when I hear Dylan cry out, but Ryan is rubbing his back and coaxing him back to sleep by the time I tiptoe back to our room.
“Go,” he whispers, and I glide out of the house before one of their little voices calls me back again.
The air bites at my skin, and I know I’ve officially met treadmill season in Michigan, despite the tougher runners I see bundled outside my window day after day. I poke at the controller for my heated seats, knowing they’ll never be warm by the time my car makes its way to the gym less than a mile from our house.
My feeling of accomplishment at getting out of bed, and the house, while my family still sleeps is short lived.
Generally, at this time of year, I am wrapped soundly in a workout routine, checking off workouts in my planner, and mentally hoping the New Year’s Resolution Makers haven’t commandeered all the treadmills before I arrive.
This year things are different.
Between my tailbone injury and increased writing and editing responsibilities, my running since the half marathon in October has been sporadic. I spent 2011 running in the evenings, trying to cram too much into the hours between their bedtime and my own.
Late-night snacking and holiday goodies have gathered extra pounds together in my arms and tummy and face, and I worry they’re starting to feel comfortable there.
This year, I am the New Year’s Resolution Maker, possibly climbing onto a treadmill favored by a more regular gym go-er, a face desperately hoping to still be around in the upcoming months.
Under the fluorescent lights, I peel off oversized sweats, worn solely to protect against the cold, and pull my pink Shuffle out of the pocket of my running shorts. Carefully I slide my earbuds into my ears, hearing “Just Can’t Get Enough” (Black Eyed Peas) begin coursing through my bloodstream, warming up my muscles step by step.
I warn myself to start slowly, to respect my time off and not ignore the inevitable loss of fitness.
Still, I shake my head at myself as my breath begins to hitch a bit at a speed I normally consider an easy warm-up.
Dropkick Murphys push my legs into a quicker tempo and I hit the up arrow on the treadmill, but the energy burst is brief, and I slow down again.
My eyes avoid the time as I reach the end of my run and begin to walk a few minutes to cool down. Unable to stop myself, I glance at the numbers, my shoulders slumping at how long it took me to run three miles.
I reach for my sweatpants, staring into the still-dark parking lot, resetting my thinking as I turn off my music.
I straighten my shoulders. It is 7 a.m., and I just ran three miles.
I have all year to do it faster. I have all year to add distance.
Today I ran three miles while my family slumbered at home, and today that is an accomplishment.
What will your accomplishment be today?
xo
Angela
We hope you will read, comment, link up,
and explore the stories of others who have linked.
When linking up, please show some JBE love and link back to us
with the BE badge for all to see.
Links to posts not related to Be Enough Me will be deleted.
Every MONDAY join us…
Write, post, link-up, share your story and your voice.
Be part of carrying the weight of confidence and share our mission
to empower, inspire, and remind women, parents and children
that the time has come to celebrate ourselves!
What gives you that “be enough” feeling?
.
About Angela
Congratulations! My hopes and goals this year also involve getting back to a workout schedule and being consistent. I was also once one of the regulars at the 6:30 a.m. Spin classes. It’s painful to lose that part of self and my “groove.” wishing us both luck!
Wendy @ mama one to three recently posted..The History of Sleep
Good luck to you! It’s tough to admit to losing the groove; I think I was able to convince myself that it wasn’t as bad as I thought. Then today, I did the other half and got on the scale. Ooops. Oh well, that’s what goals are for, right?
Congratulations!! Let’s see…if I can get the kids in bed without them killing each other or themselves that will be an accomplishment. LOL
No for real, whenever I hit publish on my writing blog, its an accomplishment. It’s one story closer to my goal, my dream.
The Drama Mama recently posted..The Benevolent Feeling of Enough
On both accounts, yes
Especially because last night was bath night, where both hilarity and chaos ensue 
One step at a time. One mile at a time. One word, one story.
All add up to goals completed. You have accomplished, because you have
Started!
xoxo
Kelly recently posted..3 Berry Oatmeal- Mom Got Food
This makes me feel so much better, because this morning? I didn’t get up. My kids both had rough nights, and Dylan freaked out when I tried to leave. Le sigh. Another night workout is on the agenda
Today, no major accomplishment yet. But yesterday? Yesterday I worked out for an hour. For the ninth day. In. A. Row.
Didn’t want to. Did it anyway.
Kimberly at Rubber Chicken Madness recently posted..Perfect Just the Way They Are
Wow, that’s a great streak! And you have alllllll day in front of you to accomplish something lovely.
I’d say it’s an accomplishment!
I slumbered through 7 a.m., walked in the day and never came close to running three miles. Feel free to compare yourself to me
Tania Elfersy (@PurpleLeavesRed) recently posted..A Mother’s Memory
Well, today has already been a comedy of errors, so we’ll see what I end up crossing off by the end of the day.
Congratulations! That is awesome! All you can do is take it one day at a time and one step at a time. It will all come together much easier in the coming days, weeks, months! Thank you for hosting this Amazing site!
Leah@Dipn-Dots recently posted..Be Enough, Embrace Your Uniqueness
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Just Be Enough!
Yes, concentrating on the smaller goals make the larger ones seem a little more possible.
Good for you. Sometimes it is quite hard to get back into the routine, but you are doing it. Good for you.
Missy | Literal Mom recently posted..Organizing Your Busy Week in 4 Easy Steps – Come See Me at SITS
Giggling, because today I DID not go! We’ve had a crazy morning, so I am going to run tonight and wake up tomorrow and start it all over again
I think that quote really says it all my friend. That is how I plan to live 2012…because 2011 was lived with NEW exciting stuff, but I missed myself, my books, my naps. I think those little accomplishments are the BIG ones. I know that some mornings I love that I get a load of laundry in the washer or folded…that I can put together the boys bags for daycare or read IN STYLE and watch one episode of a DVRed show…it’s the little stuff..checking it off…and still being able to LIVE and not fight the clock, fight the fatique…etc.
I am so proud of you and I know that 2012 is going to be just amazing for you…NO MATTER what happens because in your heart you are a WINNER…just keep that attitude and keep running ..I know you’ll “get there”.
(I am so NOT getting up with you to run at Blissdom….;)
Kir recently posted..The “Sprains” of the Holiday
Giggling about you not wanting to run with me at Blissdom
We will read In Style together, though! Yes, I’ve worked on finding balance among all the things I want to DO, but I also need to remember that there are other things out there, like naps, that can’t always be added to a to-do list but sometimes give us the most beautifully special moments.
Love you!
I know how hard it is to get back on track after a long vacuum… But the fact that you got up, went to the treadmill and ran, yes, that was already an accomplishment! Give yourself a pat on the back, dear friend, because you are taking action towards your goals. You’re now one step closer to where you want to be. Congratulations!
)
Sweaty recently posted..Believing Through My Best Friend’s Eyes
Thanks Sweaty! One step at a time, right? (Literally in this case!)
You have inspired me. Thank you.
MJ from iNeedaPlaydate recently posted..Ever Wish You Could Get a Do Over?
Yay! I’m glad I could help. If only I could do it for myself every. single. day.
What an inspiration you are!!!
Leighann recently posted..The Young Lovers VS The Married Couple
Oh Leighann, thank you! That’s such a nice thing to say.
Congrats for getting at it! That IS a great accomplishment. Joining in on my first ever JBE!
Sherri S recently posted..You is Important
Thank you! And thanks for linking up with JBE
amen sister. way to re-frame that. you ran 3 miles before 7 am. that’s awesome!
You are enough!
Frelle recently posted..outpouring
Thank you! Hopefully I can keep the feeling every morning for the next few months at least
I’m in awe of anyone who’s able to do that on a regular basis. We have an awesome gym at my new office building and I’m trying to use it. I went once in the morning last week and once at lunch. I suspect lunch might be a better time for me, but I’m going to try tomorrow morning because I’m in a training session all day. When my alarm goes off I shall think of you and get my butt out of bed.
Robin recently posted..Waiting for Winter
Did you do it?
I think gyms in office buildings are genius; it’s so helpful for people to not have to make an extra stop on the way in or on the way home.
I tried! I got up and was about to leave when Connor got up. Hubby had gone down to the basement because he couldn’t sleep so I didn’t want to wake him up early. But I did take my stuff anyway, hoping to get in at lunch, and when that didn’t happen I went early the next day. And I’m going early tomorrow. I’m getting there.
Robin recently posted..Waving the White Flag
I definitely haven’t made my “wake up early every day” goal either. I’m pretty sure my kids also have a schedule for the new year, where they take turns waking up at night
What a wonderful post, so well written! I can totally relate. The summer of 2010, I was doing 10Ks on a regular basis. Today, I can only squeak out 3 miles in 32 minutes! I’m trying to get back to my 9 minute mile, but it’s hard on the treadmill. I can’t wait for Spring! You’ll get back there soon, just like me!
Yes! Spring will be nice. I get bored on the treadmill, though I guess it’s probably a nice break for my knees.