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This post has nothing to do with running. Well, maybe in the metaphorical sense, but anyway…
I was at the grocery store yesterday, working my way through the aisles when I happened upon the baby section. You know the one with the diapers, baby shampoo, formula and baby food. Every time I walk down that aisle, I rejoice and celebrate the day I bought my last package of diapers for my kids. It is a good feeling.
As I mosied down the aisle, I noticed this guy standing in front of the babyfood and formula section. He had to be somewhere around my age, prematurely grey, left hand holding a scribbled list, right hand on his forehead.
I thought to myself, I know that look.
It was the look of sheer exhaustion. I thought, That’s the look I have after running a marathon.
But then the past came flooding back to me in a very intense wave. No, that wasn’t the look I have after a marathon. This was a look of a man who had just run a marathon everyday, for the last 60, maybe 90 days. I suddenly remembered that feeling during those first few months of parenthood when a solid night’s sleep is nothing more than a wish or a fantasy. THAT is exhaustion.
I am going to carry the image of this stranger in my head the next time I am running a marathon and remind myself that exhaustion is simply a matter of degree. When I feel myself fading at mile 23 or 24, I hope I will remember to think of that guy and find a way to push myself harder – find that reserve we use during those first few months of parenthood.
I gave him a reassuring smile as I passed him. I think he was too tired to understand what it meant. I hope he eventually gets a decent night’s sleep because 10 minutes later when I passed the aisle again, he was still standing there with the same confused, tired look on his face.
I am convinced that if you have endured those early months of parenthood, you are capable of running a marathon.
Okay, so maybe I was able to find a way to bring all back to running…
Run Luau Run 
LOL, Luau, then I am officially ready to run a marathon!
Another parenting observation I now make (kids are almost 14 and 11) is that I now understand that misty-eyed look that parents of (relatively) older children used to give me when my kids were little. Those moments when my now-teenager was so engaged with me that we could sing kid songs at the top of our lungs in the grocery store for the sheer joy of singing together.
Parenting a teenager, while not as physically exhausting, requires a mental discipline (to NOT engage with some of the dramatic mood shifts) that is new to me.
Maybe the same kind of mental discipline marathoners need to get through the wall.
Hmmmmm………maybe it IS possible to bring it all back to running!
If having children is more tiring than running a marathon, you can count me OUT! Kidding, of course. That was a fun post!
I’m with the previous commenter…maybe there’s something to this no kids thing. Running a marathon was tiring enough for me.
It has not been that long since I had that look. I was like Paula, my kids were 10 and 12 when God thought it would be funny to bless us with a bonus baby. I look at my friends clean houses and organizes and realize that people forget this exhaustion. Zane is 4 and he does sleep through the night, even if we have to play a little musical beds but still he is full out 24 hours a day which means no stopping for mommy. I find that these days, I run marathons to get some rest.
Oh I remember those days well – 4 times!! That is certainly a kind of exhaustion that sticks with you. I will remember that poor guy when running my next marathon for sure!
This post made me laugh (just a little bit). My baby boy is 10 weeks old and I completely “get it” because it’s fresh for me. I’m planning my first “comeback” marathon for January – I’ll keep this in mind as I train and race.
what if i’ve already done the marathon- can i take that with me as i tackle the early days of parenthood?! 🙂
Absolutely!