Sunday, October 27, 2013

One Run is Never Enough


I didn't need the beautiful sunrise as enticement to get out of bed pre-dawn on Saturday morning. All I needed was the promise of a real run. Not the faux runs that I'd been doing during the week where I ran a little, walked a little then ran a little bit more. 

I really wasn't too sure how I'd manage the run. On my faux runs my legs had felt a bit weird - like they wanted to go but lacked their normal strength. But as it turns out, they were back to almost normal and felt surprisingly bouncy (although I'm sure that I looked anything but bouncy) despite having to run one of the hilliest routes that we do.

And as easily as that, equilibrium was restored to my life. An hour and a bit of sweating and chatting. Then another hour or so of more chatting, refuelling and eating cake and I was all sweetness and light ... for a good few hours. Seems that I need a couple of regular runs to get my endorphins to a good base level to improve my default mood.

Or maybe I'm just a little over-due on having some alone time. And by alone time I mean having the house completely devoid of mammals with opposable thumbs that ask questions of me and expect meals on the table (or more accurately, in the fridge awaiting microwaving at the eater's leisure). 

I'm probably not going to get any alone time in the foreseeable future either. Number 1 hubby is still warming MY couch for most of the day. Plus he has returned to the marital bed. So it's pretty much lose-lose for me. 

Then today he had the gall to say that he was feeling well enough to accompany me on my daily coffee run - my last chance of alone time evaporated in a puff of smoke. 

My dream of doing the crossword while sipping soy cappuccino wasn't a grandiose one. My dreams rarely involve first-class overseas trips on private jets or diamonds or champagne baths. I try to dream the attainable. 

Poor Iven looked so pleased that he was bestowing the honour of his presence on me. Or maybe that was his excitement at being able to get out of the house. Either way I didn't have the heart to tell him that his presence didn't make my heart beat faster like it would have 29 years ago.

Does it make me an awful wife to say that what actually gets my heart racing is that Iven's Physio has said he might be able to go to work before the end of this week? That's actually a rhetorical question because I know the answer - yes, I'm an awful wife. But then none of us are perfect. 

And I have some redeeming features. Like remarkable self-restraint when homicidal thoughts enter my brain. And the ability to make a pretty awesome birthday cake.




Even once Iven's back at work, I still won't be getting my house to myself for any time in the near future. It's the end of semester for my uni sons and that means swat vac followed by exams followed by about three months of vacation. Oh yay! (she says sarcastically).

That base level of endorphins better kick in soon.

11 comments:

  1. I so get what you are saying. I think my favorite vacation is the one I took the last two years alone in April.Does that make me awful?

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    1. I can think of nothing better than a holiday by myself, alone, to do what I want …. I'm pretty darn sure I would come back a much better mother & wife :-)

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  2. No you aren't a bad wife. I totally understand you. I can enjoy some alone time at home so much. My hub has been home once with a broken foot for at least 3 months and it was driving me crazy: he was always there!

    Hooray for the first post-marathon run!

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  3. Hooray for getting back to running!!
    Boo on the fact that you are not getting any alone time these days - I need that time!!! Glad that Iven is doing better but maybe he doesn't have to do the coffee shop!

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  4. Yay for the first run back being a bouncy one! I totally get the yearning for 'alone' time. Totally.

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  5. "And I have some redeeming features. Like remarkable self-restraint when homicidal thoughts enter my brain." One of the funniest things I've read in a long, long time.

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  6. I love some alone time, always have. Years ago my partner was an interstate truck driver and was gone all week, he stopped driving trucks about 7 years ago and I am still not used to him being around all the time!! Luckily he has a job now where he goes away on average i-2 nights a month. I don't mind that one bit!!

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  7. Firstly - well done on the run - obviously having the short break meant that you were really ready to go when the time came... which was great.

    Secondly - I love how you've called Iven No.1 husband at some point in the post. A Freudian slip? Or are you trying to keep him in line with threats of replacements.

    Thirdly - that cake is phenomenal! Oh. My. God. I'd seen the whole thing on FB but then it's got more chocolate inside. Wow!

    xxxx

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  8. I think most long distance runners like some alone time. It's a part of who we are. I love my alone time when I run. I'm sure my wife enjoys the time alone while I'm out running :)

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  9. "Or maybe I'm just a little over-due on having some alone time. And by alone time I mean having the house completely devoid of mammals with opposable thumbs that ask questions of me and expect meals on the table ..."

    Grace was right. This is a good place to come for a laugh...had a few while reading this gem. No, you are not awful. Caring for someone is HARD. Caring for someone you love is HARDER. Caring for someone you love who is in pain is EVEN HARDER. Caring for someone you love who is in pain and in space that is usually all yours is THE HARDEST. [Well, maybe there's something harder, but I can't think of it right now.]

    If I were you, I'd be planning a weekend solo escape to a quiet place, pronto. If husband can join you for coffee, he can probably scramble eggs. And if kids are in uni, they probably can as well. Eggs are one of those "golden foods", right? People should be able to live off them for a few days, at least, no? So buy a few dozen, and off you go!!!

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