Oh Baby!

It's been a crazy week to say the least.  As you can see from the pictures, I have been busy with a few things other than running, and ironically events like this are when I enjoy running the most.  Let me explain. 

First, as the pictures suggest, my wife and I welcomed a new baby to our family.  Shona Ann Garcia arrived on Wednesday afternoon, healthy and happy.  She did not have a pair of running shoes on, but did ask about the lakefront path right outside the hospital.  Her mother is also healthy, and looking forward to running off some of the baby weight as soon as she can.

Because we have two toddlers at home already, it's a little hectic around our house right now.  I thought one was a handful.  I had no idea.  Needless to say, running has been a challenge this week.  But on the couple of occasions I have been able to get out, it's been a great opportunity for reflection.  That is often what I enjoy most about running anyway, but when such a life-changing experience happens as having a new baby, there is all the more to reflect on.  Add to that the fact that we brought Shona home on my birthday, and there is even more to appreciate.  I normally reflect on my good fortune to be healthy and happy, blessed with a great family, and still employed every birthday.  But this year, my birthday present was the best imaginable.

That said, the baby situation did force a change in my regular weekend long run appointment.  I suppose if it didn't, I would really appear to be obsessed. But it turned out to be a great experience.  As I've mentioned, I usually run with a couple of friends on weekends, most often recently in Barrington. 

This weekend, however, the amount of time that takes wasn't going to go over to well at home, so I had to come up with plan 'B'.  And that plan it turns out was a really good one.  I got a chance to meet some new people in my new home town of Elmhurst.  The picture is of two of the guys I ran with from the Dick Pond running store.  Matt and Woody are two experienced marathoners, who both have run faster than I.  The whole group that runs from the store is filled with pretty good runners, most of whom are training right now for Boston in the spring. 

I have pretty much decided against a spring marathon, but I still want to keep my fitness, so I want to keep up the long run habit.  They leave from the store at 6am, and it's right down the street from my house.  So it's a great alternative when I can't meet up with my regular group.  That's also one of the great things about running specialty stores.  They bring runners together.  I plan a future entry on that topic.  But as for my long run this weekend, I realized that running with different groups occasionally can give you a different perspective, and freshen your approach. 

I look forward to running with my regular group.  We are good friends, and are able to catch up on everything going on every weekend.  We also know each other well enough to help set our training objectives together.  But running with new people opens you up to new thoughts as well.  And even though I have a lot to think about at home right now, it's great to get away for a little while and think new thoughts about running.

Good luck with your own running.  Winter can't last forever!

Comments

[Bob W.]

Congrats to you and your family! What a beautiful addition Shona is to the Garcia family!

And a happy belated birthday to you, too.

[Mike H.]

Enjoy the blessings of your life. You are a lucky man.