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Marathons and Monsters

A little more than 2 years ago I had baby Ruth.
Along with my sweet baby came some very unexpected complications.
Complications that took me over a year and hours worth of physical therapy to overcome.
 
Prior to my pregnancy with Ruth I had been involved in running quite a few races with my siblings but after the delivery I could barely stand up-right and running again seemed to no longer be an option.
 
But I was lucky…and about a year ago I was able to start running again.
(And because I’m a big baby I cried big old crocodile tears the first time I was able to get back on the treadmill and run without pain.) 
It was like starting all over again…building up speed and mileage but I didn’t care…I was just happy to be able to move again!

Now I’m back to running with my siblings and while I’m still not fast. I am running again!

This photograph was taken at a race this spring with my brothers, sister, dad, and cousin:

 We actually are an unlikely group of “runners”.
(Joggers is probably more accurate.)
But we have fun.  A LOT of fun…whether it’s relay’s, 5K’s, or marathons it’s ALWAYS a good time.
No, we don’t ever come in first…or close to it…but, like I said, we ALWAYS have a good time.
And it’s contagious.

Recently Simon decided that he wanted in on the fun.  So my husband and I started taking him out for a mile or two at a time just to see how it would go…and we told him that if he wanted he could train for a race. 

That’s when he announced that he was going to run a marathon with me.
Well, that’s a pretty tall order for a 9 year old so we discussed perhaps beginning with a 5K.
He agreed and things are set for him to run a race with all of us this fall.

We then found a track team that is built to allow for kids of all ages to join the team so we signed Simon up and he attends weekly.  (Although he wishes it were more often.)  The team works their kids hard but Simon loves it and a few weeks ago he ran in his first official race.

 It was exactly 1 mile long.
And he LOVED every second of it.
He didn’t win BUT he ran the entire way, never stopping to rest or walk.  Plus at the end he had enough energy to sprint the last distance and even pass a few of the runners that were ahead of him.
He was triumphant!

Simon has another, longer race coming up soon that we are all excited about.  His training is challenging but he is seeing results and before long he’ll be running that 5K also without stopping.

From there, who knows?  But if he wants to keep going and run a marathon…I’ll support that…because I know that if he puts his mind to it, he can accomplish anything…even if that thing is running a marathon before he turns 12.

A while back my parents and I took the kids to see Monster’s University in the movie theater…and we loved it.  Especially Grace, who took her Celia (Mike’s monster girlfriend) doll with her to watch the movie.  So when we were given the chance to see the Monster’s University again at home we jumped at the chance.

Simon and Grace (along with some friends) spent an afternoon glued to the movie and it was fun to hear their chatter about Mike and Sully.  As I watched the movie with them I decided I liked it even better the second time…plus, I got to have a sweet conversation with my kids about working hard to achieve your goals, and about how NOTHING is ever impossible.
 
Life isn’t always easy…sometimes bad things happen…and everything isn’t always fair…but that doesn’t mean you can’t still achieve your goals.  I want my kids to know that.  I also want them to know that achieving your goals is worth it…even if it takes a long time and is very hard.
 
I am so grateful to be “running” again.  And I am extra happy to have a new running side kick.  I think working together to accomplish challenging goals is going to be a powerful experience, for both of us.
 
Monster’s University will be out soon for purchase:  Own It First On Digital HD 10/8 & Blu-ray™ Combo Pack 10/29 and to celebrate we’ve teamed up to give you a chance to win a Monster’s University Blu-ray combo pack and a $50 gift card.  To enter to win all you need to do is leave a comment here answering this question:
“How did you believe in yourself and achieve your Dream?”
 

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry””; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 10/3/13 – 11/3/13.
Be sure to visit the Monsters University Page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

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Comments

  1. Christie says

    Im a runner, too and a seamstress and this past Sunday had a catastrophic fall during a trail race on a local mountain and fractured my shoulder. All of my plans were gone in an instant. I have limited use of my left arm and it has definitely been a wake up call. We all have so much to be grateful for everyday. Congrats on getting your family running. Both of my kids run cross country and I love that we can all run together now. My goal now is to recover and to not take my blessings for granted. All the best!

  2. fAveritte creations says

    I had a dream a few years back to be able to stay at home with my son. My family moved across the country and my husband and I decided that would be the best time if any for me not to go back to my job and to focus on my handmade business. My son was 8 months old at the time…after a few years of very hard work and determination I can say my handmade business has taken off! I get to work from home while watching my now 3 1/2 year old son growing up PLUS I am actually contributing to the household income 🙂 I would not trade any of my very late nights of sewing and creating for anything…I am blessed to have a job that I love and to be able to be at home with my son.

  3. icicle says

    I worked very hard at my schoolwork and got enough in scholarships to cover the costs of my first year at university completely and most of the following three years. I still had a ton of debt to pay off at graduation, but am now finally no longer paying for my education. That is my dream, come true.

  5. Michelle says

    When you first mentioned running the marathon with your brothers, I thought that was the coolest thing ever. My dad started running a couple of years ago and dropped 70+ pounds, so now we have running in common, which is awesome.

    My dream is running related, too, but I haven’t achieved it yet! I’ve been running distance for more than 20 years and am training for my fifth marathon. My dream is to qualify for Boston! My BIL and SIL gifted me the services of a personalized training plan and coach, and I’m working very, very hard to kill my PR and qualify in Decemer.

    If it happens after 10 years of dreaming about it and working my tail off for it . . . I just can’t imagine. I’ll be shouting from the rooftops.

    Good luck if you run it this weekend!! Have fun!!

  7. Joy Candrian says

    After I hit “40” & started to gain weight, I decided I needed to exercise so, I started running. At first, I was happy that I could run around my block and now I can run a max 10 k & I’m in my late 50’s. Occasionally, I’ve even placed at a few of the 5 k’s (for my age group that is) & not being the extreme athletic type, this thrills me…because let’s face it, I’m a little slow. My dream is to keep running until at least one of my grandchildren runs in a race with me. I’d like my grandchildren to live a healthy life & I hope to inspire them to do just that.
    https://xoxograndma.blogspot.com

  8. Lisa Brown says

    Haven’t achieved my dream yet, but I stay positive and don’t let others influence me in a negative way.
    jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com

  10. Brandon says

    My dream is to be a designer of fabric and patterns. I was able to attend the Sewing Summit this year and learn a little bit of what happens and what you need to do. Accomplishing my goal is a LONG way off, and even if I only do it for myself, it will still be amazing.

    Sorry it posts my hubby’s name.

  11. kellyr78 says

    I achieve my dreams by working hard towards my goals, like when I worked full time and attained my MBA. It took a lot of time management and organization, but I was able to reach my goal.
    kellywcu8888ATgmailDOTcom

  17. Jenn AJennuineLife says

    I’ve had running complications of my own, so I can sympathize and gather hope through your success! My dream is to open a brick and mortar creative store offering handmade items for sale, instruction, and studio time. Oh, and to offer my designs as digital sewing patterns!

  18. Kristin PG says

    I am currently working on a big goal of mine; I can’t really say it was a dream, because I never really saw myself being at the point where I needed to acheive this goal! After I had my two kids I was about 40 pounds heavier than when I started, and for a while it just looked like I would stay that way, but this past spring I set a goal to lose that weight I had put on, and as of now I am half-way through my goal!

  21. clc408 says

    One of my dreams was to see that my kids got through college without student loans and I was able to accomplish that even though it wasn’t easy.

  23. D Schmidt mummytotwoboys says

    I struggled to believe in myself prior to having children, as odd as it sounds becoming a Mother gave me a new found confidence. I try to be the best version of myself possible so that I can be a role model to my children. My dream was always to be content with my lot in life and I truly am.
    mummytotwoboys@yahoo.com

  25. Karen says

    I achieved my dream of being a stay-at-home mom! My husband went to school while working full-time to switch careers. Then we moved to a different state and I was able to quit my job and stay home with our daughter. I love it! It meant so much to me to have my mom home when I was growing up, and I wanted the same for my daughter. So now we have it!

  26. Linda Lee Steaples says

    Well I had a hard childhood with abuse of every kind. I over came all me problems in my early 30’s from that moment on I have had 4 boys, owned my on beauty salon, went to nursing school, and now I get to stay home and play with my grand baby girls ages 1&2 I am now enjoying life to the fullest with my family and our Lord’s help.. It has not been easy but the fight is well worth it…

  27. sewVery says

    First of all, I had the most amazing mother. She supported every interest I ever had and always encouraged me to be my best. Secondly, I’m very goal oriented, so once I set my mind to something, I usually achieve it with success. There are definitely more challenges in making those personal goals as I get older, but I’ll always keep trying!

  28. CurlyGirlMom says

    It’s funny that I found this post, because this is exactly what I’m trying to figure out. (HOW to achieve my dream of losing 150+ lbs in spite of innumerable obstacles.) I seem to take 2 steps forward, 3 steps back, 5 steps forward, 3 steps back… Thankfully I have a husband who battles his weight also and is INCREDIBLY supportive. We recently watched Forks Over Knives and have embraced the lifestyle promoted in the documentary. It’s been very challenging, but the proof is in the pudding. I lost almost 30 lbs and went off my diabetes meds. Then I had two surgeries on my legs, then sprained my knee and I was laid up for almost the entire summer. (Add back on 23 lbs!) My blood sugar is still under control, but the weight just isn’t coming back off without the exercise. (My knee is still messed up, further action pending an MRI since PT isn’t working.) My husband has lost and kept off over 50 lbs and dropped two HBP meds. I’m grateful to have such a dedicated partner in this battle! We have a 3.5 year old daughter, so we’ll keep fighting the war, even if we lose battles along the way. 🙂

  35. April G says

    Well, I believed in myself and achieved my dream of getting through college! I had to put myself through it by working while attending school, and it was tough but totally worth it!

    aprilgilbertson(at)gmail(dot)com

  36. Jessica says

    I am still trying to achieve them, but I have always worked hard bit by bit to get closer

    jessicarwarfield at gmail dot com

  38. JC says

    I believe in myself because I know I am loved and I achieve my dream by expecting the hard way ahead and taking one bite at a time.

  43. Zafarani says

    I am not a runner at all. Unless I was running towards a huge thing of yummy brownies and fudge….I could make an exception there…..or Hanson……Crazy about my Hanson…. 😉
    As far as dreams go, I have a lot of them, but my biggest has already come true. Finding a great guy and having a great bunch of little monsters and be able to stay home with them. Although I want to ask for more, I don’t need more. 😀

  44. felicia says

    My dream was always to have kids and be a pretty great mom to them, raise them to be good people. So far, so good. None of us are perfect but I try every day to be a better parent and to give them the life that they deserve because they are truly awesome kids. Some days are harder than others being a single parent but it’s totally worth it!

  46. Sara says

    I’m still chugging along towards most of my dreams, but the most important one, being a good mom, I work hard to accomplish that every day.

  49. Gina Wildorchid says

    I believe in my self and achieve my dreams by having positive self talk, and reflecting on all of the things I have been able to accomplish in the past.

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  51. Kelly Massman says

    Knowing that I had to pay for my graduate degree (and undergraduate), I worked as many as 3 jobs while going to school full time. It was hard, but it was worth it! Thanks kmassman gmail

  52. Chelsey says

    I achieved my dreams because I reminded myself “just keep swimming… just keep swimming”. I put myself through university and became a teacher (with debt that I have thankfully since paid off). mybabyappleseed(at)yahoo(dot)ca

  54. Kerry says

    When I had some weight to lose, it was hard to believe in yourself and see yourself thin. But, with a lot of positive thinking and prayer I was able to accomplish my goal!
    nuthouse(at)centurytel(dot)net

  56. Robin Wilson says

    Congrats on your accomplishments!
    I always wanted to be a teacher. Two weeks before I graduated high school life through me a curve and I was diagnosed with Lupus. I wasn’t able to go to college then or later, but later as a wife and mom (a dream I didn’t even know I had) I have fulfilled that dream. I “teach”, though it may be life lessons, without a degree.

    zuzu.wilson(at)yahoo(dot)com

  64. ellie says

    I married very young and had children. My dream was to have a long, happy marriage, and raise successful children. Many doubted us because of our age, but we knew what we were doing. With faith and trust we have have achieved that dream. and proved the doubters wrong.

  66. PK Sews says

    I went back to school at age 47 and am now a teacher. I keep reminding myself that I did that and thus can do everything else I want. I’m glad I have that story to share with my granddaughter. Thanks for the fun question!

  68. susan1215 says

    I accomplished my goals of going through college and working so I wouldn’t have to take out student loans and by believing in myself and achieving my dreams by setting goals and working hard.

    s2s2 at Comcast dot net

  70. Lisa Garner says

    I became a mom at for the first time at 18 and though I had lost out on my dream of becoming a nurse. It took years but with lots of dedication I finally was able to graduate from nursing school.

    lisalmg25 at gmail dot com

  74. Betty C says

    I got married and didn’t finish college but by taking courses that were in a field I really loved I was able to find a position without the degree. Now my dream is to retire. Still working on that!

    willitara [at] gmail [dot] com

  82. Christina says

    My dream is to feel healthy again and lose another 60 lbs. I am already down 25 from my highest and I have figured out answers to a lot of issues (food allergies played a big part.)

  83. Dee says

    I believe in myself and achieve my dreams by understanding that what I have to contribute is of value and by surrounding myself with positive thoughts and, better yet, positive, supportive friends. I also write out inspirational quotes each week and place them around the house as a reminder that I can reach my goals. 🙂 deeg131 at gmail dot com

  91. slehan says

    25 years ago I didn’t think I could sing, but I took singing lessons, joined two choirs and have been singing ever since.
    Thanks for the contest.

    slehan at juno dot com

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