Uphill BOBble

Loren

Someone asked me today, as she was pushing her double BOB uphill (opinion ahead: BAD TIMING), 'Why doesn't this ever get any easier?' 

Well, dear friend, you see, our kiddos continue to gain weight and the amount of stuff we are 'ordered' to lug around only ever increases.  Today, for example, in addition to 2 cushy blankets and an array of winter attire (think scarves, mittens, lap warmers (yes, homemade lap warmers -- thank you 'Martha' for making my kid high maintenance--I blame you eternally), hats, boots, etc.),  I had enough snacks to sustain a grown, obese man for a week.  Oh, and did I mention it was over 50 degrees when we were running? Clearly all the winter attire was necessary.  And let's face it, if we didn't have it, it was certain to begin flurrying... in Texas...  And as if that plethora of goodies weren't enough, let's throw in some diapers, wipes, a change of clothes, multiple water bottles, our bribery bag, often 1 or 2 of the heaviest books we own, and the weight of a 23lb double stroller.  Who's ready for 4 miles, uphill both ways, in this blisteringly cold 50 degree weather?  Sign me up.

And for some added fun, let's throw in the optional sleepless night to boot.  Unfortunately teething, sickness, bad dreams, persistent baby daddy or all of the above creep up on us and leave us for (what feels like) dead.  Those days are most definitely harder than others.

There is good news in all this though, I promise.  Even though sometimes we would much rather cover our heads with our fluffy duvets and imagine Channing Tatum bringing us breakfast in bed, we don't.  We get up, we wipe booties, we cook breakfast (I use the word 'cook' lightly here), we hook up our IV of coffee, we gather up our homes, we pack them Tetris-style into our cars (and then our strollers) and then... we walk/trot/run.  It may not get easier, but we sure as sh*t (and we know sh*t) get stronger, faster and more capable. The beginning is never easy, but the improvements come without fail. 

So, will it get any easier?  Probably not, and hopefully not.  Be thankful that with each run you're being challenged--by your kids ever increasing weight, by their caravan of toys and by the good ol' trails of the ATX. And just think, with each finish you are a better version of who you were before you began.... of course I would argue that I may be a better person if Channing had actually served me breakfast in bed.