Let me ask you … do you even remember life before kids? I sure can’t. I just know that it now seems quite “luxurious” to have spent my “entire” first year teacher’s salary on no on but myself! I also know that as soon as my little girl was placed into my arms for the very first time, my life changed instantly and I willingly gave up nearly everything I had known before and have never looked back. However, I have hung onto one very “special” part of my life that has allowed me to keep my sanity (if that’s what you want to call it). What in the world is that? Chocolate. Oh yeah. That, too! No no … somehow, in this very busy life called motherhood, I’ve managed to make running a priority! Yes – I know, running doesn’t sound very enjoyable, but when you can no longer even shower or use the bathroom without a child by your side, anything goes!

The other day, when it was too cold for even polar bears to be outside, I found myself chugging along in a “hills” workout on the treadmill. Before long, I was trapped and quite amused in a string of thoughts running through my mind, as I was discovering the many ways that motherhood was like a race … ready? Humor me …

At first, when the gunshot starts the race or you hear your baby’s first cry, it’s exhilarating. Adrenaline kicks in and despite the fact that you probably didn’t sleep the night before, whether it be for excitement over the race or, uh, labor, you are somehow on fire! Life is perfect and you can go on and on and on forever.

Until you reach that first hill. That hill can be an actual hill in the race, or when the adrenaline of that precious newborn wears off and he stops sleeping at night. And then it’s not so fun, and you’re not sure you’re gonna make it.

And then you do! Life is good now … all smiles as you continue to cruise along and realize that the hill you just mastered was merely a small pebble to step over to train you for the much larger hill just up ahead. It seems those “hills” just keep getting bigger and bigger, or maybe you’re just getting more fatigued. Either way, you would gladly go back and redo the hill you just ran instead of that monster that’s coming up, because that one that seemed like it was tough before, now seems like a cakewalk. In mommyhood land,  these hills might be a nasty cold, temper tantrums, a child learning “no!”, potty training, or many, many other situations that any mom is almost guaranteed to endure.During my clear-headed run, there were many more examples and metaphors, but I will spare you for 2 reasons … 1 … I could go on and on and 2 … many of them were lost right along with my sleep last night! The ending that I came to with my run, however, was brilliant, I thought …

As a mother and/or as a runner… there will always be another hill just up ahead. Some are visible and you can somewhat prepare for them, but some are hidden around the corner and smack you in the face unexpectedly. These hills are put in our way for a reason … either to grow us as mothers, to grow our children, and to strengthen our endurance and physical/emotional/spiritual strength. The great thing about hills is that though they really stink to go up, they always have a descent, which can be quite fun! What I’ve learned through both of my children, especially my “absolutely-two” year old, is that though hills may appear to be scary and are definitely uncomfortable, the only way to get through them is one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. Sometimes you need to stop, stretch, take a breath of refreshing air or a sip of water to re-energize (meaning make a mom’s night out a priority!), but eventually … you will succeed and make it to the top! And then you can turn around, look back down at the hill you just conquered, flex that muscle and know that you. are. mommy. (or runner!)

Slip on your mommy shoes, and get ready for that next hill that’s heading your way. And know that at the end is a HUGE chocolate bar. Or massage. Or whatever makes your day Happy running!

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Ariana Hall