As we set off on the 90 degree day, I knew my task was going to be incredibly difficult. I was pushing 100 pounds of kid plus 30 pounds of stroller while wearing a 15 pound baby on my chest. I tried to find the least hilly route I could, but the walk to our destination was brutal and slow-moving. My legs worked as hard as they have on hill workouts, and my arms were screaming from the effort of pushing the heavily-laden stroller.
Difficult as the first walk was, the walk home was even worse. One mile from our house, a tire blew out on the stroller, rendering the stroller useless and forcing the three older kids to walk the rest of the way. Tired little legs plus excessive heat equals a crabby one mile parade.
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| Admittedly, our walk was shorter and less hilly, but in my head, it looked and felt exactly like this. |
Throughout the ordeal, I called on all my runner's mental strength. I parceled out the trip into small, achievable intervals so that I could accomplish what I needed to. I tried to stay optimistic, counting off the miles covered rather than the miles remaining. Most of all, I put my head down and soldiered on.
The trip was stressful, grueling, and far from pleasant, but I was able to do it because I am a runner. I know how to find that hidden inner strength to persevere and keep fighting when the road seems impossible. Without those skills, I never could have overcome all the obstacles that faced us that day. Thank you, running, for making me a stronger person - both on a run and in my daily life.
