I only had time for two

My training plan called for a three mile run, and I was looking forward to it.  I haven't ran since I did my 14 miles on Saturday.  (I have been working hard on creating one of a kind Christmas presents.)  I was ready to run.

However, life tries to get in the way when you are raising three boys under the age of 4 and your husband travels 4 days a week, especially during the holiday season. 

I drop my oldest son off at preschool at 8:45am.  I drive home and have to be out the door by 9am if I want to have 20 minutes to run.  However, Thing 2 has other plans.  He wants to watch the DVD that is playing in the car and not get in the stroller.  So, I bribe him with candy again (this can't become habit.) 

We are out the door by by 9am (yay!).  I now have 20 minutes to run pushing about 70 lbs. worth of double jogging stroller in the 35 degree weather.  I take off hoping to get in maybe a 1.5 miles. 

As I am running I am keeping a close eye on the clock, trying to analyze the best route to take so that I can make the most of my 20 minutes.  I don't really like running in circles in my neighborhood, when I get to my house I want to be done.  I figured out in my head the perfect 1.5 mile route that would put me back at our house by 9:20am.  However, as I get closer to my house I realize that I still have about 6 minutes to run, so I decide to make another loop around the block.  Of course, as we pass our house Thing 2 starts yelling that he wants to go home, but I keep running.  I really want to make the most of my time running today, because that was going to be my only opportunity.  I end back at the house having done 2.13 miles in 20 minutes, leaving me 30 minutes to shower, get dress, nurse Thing 3 and head to his 10am doctor appointment.

In the past I would have let the fact that I only had 20 minutes to run, stop me from running.  However, now I know that even a one mile run will make my day so much better.  No, I didn't get all 3 of my miles in today, but I figure I can make it up another day when I have more time.  It is all about priorities, determination and desire.