Different House, Same Problem

Insomnia.


Nearly 3 months ago, we moved 700 miles away from our large, comfortable suburban home on 1/3 acre down South to the medium sized Midwestern farm house with one tiny bathroom on two hundred-ish acres. We live 60 miles from the city, 25 miles or so from the nearest Wal-Mart, and 4 miles from the closest village.

So many aspects of our lives have changed. Some have not.

I smiled as my insomnia led me to pull up my all but abandoned blog at 3 a.m. The last substantial post was nearly 2 years ago.  I am so glad I wrote it, as my memory has already faded.

It appears that I had an episode of insomnia the night before my first 5k race, just as I have tonight.  I am not planning to race tomorrow. However, I just ran my first 5k in our new state this past weekend.

Yay! In fact, I have run 6 more races since my first, including a 10k last Thanksgiving morning.

Clearly, running has not cured my insomnia.  It has, however done so much more.

1) It has given me a personal goal.
What started as "Finish a 5k" because if I delivered an 8 pound 9 ounce baby without an epidural and a 7 pound 7 ouncer with half of one, sure ly 5k is not beyond the realm of possibility" has turned into a personal quest to find health as I approach age 40. My current goal: get that 5k time down to 30 minutes.
2) I have children who look up to me.
My oldest has developed a love for Gymnastics. She's strong, and she is driven. She inspires me to encourage her dreams and find my own. My parents were wonderful, but when U was her age, that was an area that went largely ignored. Sorry Mom and Dad, but it's true. Sure, I can play just about anything in the key of C on the piano and fumble through the hymnal. I often enjoy doing so. But piano lessons were a chore, not a passion of mine. My kids see me struggle, and sometimes that struggle becomes success. Furthermore, it is becoming something we can do together. My girl, who turns 10 in less than 2 weeks, joined me for my race last Saturday. She even asked if we could do another race together. Absolutely, my love. That's a PR moment in itself, one that is better than the elusive pace.
3) Running has become my therapist.
During the process of my husband's job change and this recent move, I saw a therapist to help process everything. It was great to have an objective 3rd party listen.  She stressed the importance of self care.  Physical and psychological.  Running is effective in both of those areas.  I feel better when I run consistently. My body is stronger, AND as I read my post from 2 years ago, I realized that my asthma has improved tremendously. I rarely use my inhaler during a 5k run/walk anymore.  Out here in the country, I have unlimited roads and natural beauty in which to reflect on life, the Creator, or just taking one more step before my next walking break.  It's pretty amazing.
4) I gained a new circle of friends, and one closer friend.
The running community is incredibly welcoming. Online encouragement through advanced runners whom I once thought were crazy, support groups like Moms Run This Town, friendly co-racers, and running buddies.

My cousin in Massachusetts as well as my Uncle's colleague became 2 of my strongest cheerleaders across the miles, and I got to run with my cousin on the Cape Cod Rail Trail during my family's vacation.

Initially, my desperate plea for companionship on my first race was met by one newbie and some friends who encouraged us. That fellow newbie is now, 2 years later, training for her first marathon.  We became training buddies and our friendship strengthened as we shared life  and she pushed me forward on the trails. She even helped us pack up for our move when I was almost too overwhelmed to do it. Who says running is a solitary sport?

Will this insomniac rambling be a blog revival? Who knows. But if you're still here, I'm still wandering along. If you're not, then I have a public journal of sorts. Good night.  Rather,  good morning.