My First Duathlon & Mother's Day Recap

Where do you land on Mother's Day festivities, activities, gifts and general feeling surrounding the day?  I've now been a mother for 18+ years and I've always felt like the day, or leading up to the day, it's loaded with expectations.  Part of  the expectations come from social media, part of them come from my lack of knowing what I exactly want. Over the years I've learned that the only way for the day to meet my expectations is to a) recognize my expectations b) identify what would make me feel special or happy and c) communicate it; I know it means that the cognitive load of thinking lands on me but I've come to terms with it after all these years and its what works but know that I've been in all different places and phases throughout the year and that's okay too.  To be honest,  I am happy with simplicity which usually means a balance of  alone time and a little acknowledgment from my daughters/husband.  For "my own time" I've come to realize that means that I want to exercise by myself, enjoy a coffee and read a book without talking to anyone, and I don't' want to cook or clean.  From my family, I  love a simply written message from each of the girls and usually they get me a few of my favorite treats.  Simple but it's what works for me.  

This year I decided to enter my first duathlon which consisted of a 5km run, 20 km bike, and 2.5 km run, called a Sprint distance.  It happened last Saturday, a beautiful morning and the race was actually called the Mother's Day race, encouraging mothers and women of all ages and levels of fitness to give it a go in either a Super Sprint (2.5km/10km/1km) or Sprint (5km/20km/2.5km) like I did.  The group of people that came out were all so friendly, supportive, encouraging and many first timers like myself.  I ran into several women I admire and am inspired by and having them there giving words of encouragement was so appreciative and welcoming, we need more of that in our lives! I talked a girlfriend into joining it as well and it very much filled my "own" bucket.   The run started of well, and the 20 km ride was okay except I didn't love that it was the same 5km loop X 4, meaning a very steep hill every 10 minutes or so, and then I experienced some leg cramping on the last 2.5 km. Overall I crossed the finish line with a smile on my face, my tank empty and a huge sense of accomplishment.  My oldest daughter and husband were there to cheer me on throughout the race and were there for me when I crossed the finished line 💗.  My oldest also, went and bought me a Starbucks as a reward which is so thoughtful and kind.  (my youngest was at a baseball game so she couldn't be there)  It was lovely and exactly how I like to spend my time.  Even at 42, almost 43, I can try new things and push myself in new ways and that makes me happy.

Also, one of the things I really want to be known for in encouraging other people to do new things, especially women.  I know a few friends have mentioned that I "inspire" them and that they appreciate me checking in and encouraging them, and that's something that I very much want to continue to be to my own daughters and other women.  So, I was especially shocked when the local triathlon organization reached out and asked to interview me for an article in support of this particular race.  You can read it here!

In the afternoon I did my meal prep, read on the deck and drank my Starbucks, went to watch my youngest at baseball and ended the evening with a glass of wine on the deck. 

 

On Sunday, Mother's Day, my younger had a few more ball games and my oldest had to work.  We decided to go out for sushi and they gave me a very thoughtful gift.  While I was in Venice I mentioned that I loved the coffee that is made in a Moka pot using expresso coffee and they purchased a pink, Italian made one for me along with GF chocolate pretzels, Dinosaur candy and a card filled with messages of love.  

It was absolutely perfect!!!!!  Everything I could have asked for in a weekend and more.  I felt loved, appreciated and seen.  Tell me how you spent your Mother's Day last weekend and if you are not a mother, how do you communicate to your loved ones what you need to feel seen.