My great friend and fellow blogger over at When Crazy Meets Exhaustion, Steph, has passed along the trend of making the most craptastic day of the week a day of optimism, as opposed to a day of sheer weekend-ending, work-week-starting blahs. Another pal at Mom’s Eye View joined in this week, so what the heck. Here’s my take.
In case you’re new here (welcome!), I have taken on the insane task of training for a half-marathon, all while working and mothering full-time. My college roommate/maid of honor and I are set to run the half marathon in Pittsburgh on May 5, and I’m freaking out. I love to run, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. Luckily, I have an awesome husband and pretty strong will-power to keep up with training. There are days when I wonder what I’m doing, and I leave my run feeling defeated, thinking there is no possible way I could ever run for 13.1 miles (and live…). I’ve often thought of selling my bib and setting my goals a little lower, like a 10K.
But then, there are days like this past Saturday that fill me with pure excitement and optimism. It was almost 70 degrees in Pittsburgh. In January. I set out to run 6 miles, a distance I’d previously only been able to reach on the treadmill. I arrived at my route, dressed in considerably less layers than usual, amazed at the sunshine and gorgeous sky, and set my new best friend – THE GARMIN – to track my run.
This green gal was my Christmas gift to myself, and oh, how I love her. She helps me pace myself, something I am too dumb to figure out on my own. With her help, I was able to run the full 6 miles at my targeted pace, which is nothing to write home about, but still. I did it! I was exhausted at the end of that run, but I drove home feeling so sure that 13.1 miles in May is most definitely doable.
I’ll keep you posted, but for now, I’m feeling pretty optimistic.
Turn your Monday frown upside down; join The Best Life and Keeping it Real, and share a smile!
- Write about something that makes you feel optimistic. Whatever it is, write from your heart.
- Post on MONDAYS. Include “Project Optimism” in your title.
- Grab a badge by going to your dashboard and clicking the “IMAGE” widget. Adjust pic size 200h x 200w. The image URL: (http://mommiesarejustbiglittlegirls.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/project-optimism.jpg)
- Link over here and invite friends to join in.



Yay for your “real” 6 miles!!! I would surely die, but because of you, I’ve been THINKING about running a lot more than I used to. That’s a start, right?!
Good for you–can’t wait for May!! Thanks for sharing the love on a Monday
If I can run and not die, anyone can. It’s the best therapy I can find
I challenge you to a 5K this summer. Get ready, sister!
This summer?! A 5K?! Isn’t that, like, 3 miles all at once? You’re gonna have to slow your roll, Marathon Woman
My friend “invited” me to a 5K this summer and I’m having the same reaction. But… optimism! It’s possible, right?
You can do it! Get some good music and don’t be afraid to stop and walk for a bit if you have to. Good luck!
[...] I have had running on the brain. I had a dream last night that I was running a race. I got a bit lost at the starting line and was [...]