Surf to City – it’s almost upon us, and I feel great
Being able to run with the pram while my eldest son biked beside me ... is something I have dreamed of doing since becoming a mum.
It’s almost crunch time. It's absolutely crazy to me that in less than two months, I’ve gone from attempting to run 1km (which initially involved lots of stopping and walking) to now being able to run 6km continuously.
When the Wensley’s Cycles Surf to City contacted me about sharing my running journey during the leadup to the event, I found it hard to imagine myself actually running 6km, and wondered whether I should sign myself up for the 3km event.
But now, just out from the event, I can confidently say that I will be running the full 6km.
It’s not just the achievement of actually running the 6km, it has been the huge mental shift that has occurred over the past two months.
I find that now I speak to myself a lot kinder than I used to, and I’m a lot more positive, and have a real sense of self-belief.
On top of the positive mindset shifts, it’s also been humbling watching what this has done for my relationship with my children.
They are loving the fitter me. Instead of coming home and watching TV, we are spending the time together going for bike rides, running around at the park, and generally spending more time outside in the backyard.
We all have visions of what it might be like when we are parents to young kids and little moments we hope to experience. Although they might not seem like much to others, they are little victories and moments that we store away for ourselves in the memory bank.
For me, one of these moments was being able to run with the pram while my eldest son biked beside me. It may not seem like much to some, but it is something I have dreamed of doing since becoming a mum.
In the past, when I’ve tried to run alongside him biking, I've been too slow or had to continuously stop. Sometimes, I would just give up after a minute. The smile on his face when we were able to get halfway around the park to the playground without me stopping will be something I forever cherish. Honestly, the best feeling!
During the past two months, I have felt honoured to share and be a part of the journey of watching other mums also tick off their fitness goals leading up to the event, but also just creating new habits for themselves and their families.
I am looking forward to seeing them at the Surf to City this weekend. But what I’m most looking forward to on March 10 is crossing the finish line and seeing my family there.
I’ve worked so hard towards this, so finishing is going to be such a great feeling.
Online entries and more information can be found at www.sporty.co.nz/surftocity