One Bad Mother Runner

     Yesterday was decent-not a busy day on L&D, but I got a few spinals and epidurals. And on a high note, I got to head out early at 4pm which allowed me to go for a run. I normally reserve running for early morning because it's hotter than satan's ballsac around here, but 4:30am wakeups have me not the happiest. And like hell if I'm waking at 3:30am to go run (plus, it's dark and kinda creepy because 3:30am isn't "early morning", it's still "middle of the night"). So I decided on an easy pace trail run because it's 99% shaded and hopefully a little cooler (it was 85* yesterday afternoon when I started). Most of the run, I just felt sluggish. I know part of it was the heat, part humidity, but I really just think that I'm not meant to run much in the evenings. It's like I've exhausted my energy reserve the first part of the day and I'm running on empty, quite literally. But I slogged through 5.5 miles and made it home. These were my inspirational socks I wore:

     One of the best gifts ever, especially for running encouragement, was from one of my best friends, Liz. She was my inspiration for going to medical school and, ultimately, for even considering anesthesiology. She was a single mom and lived with Dakota and I when I was a single mom. The 4 of us all lived together for her first year of medical school. And, dang it......her studies in biology were SO MUCH MORE interesting than mine in history, and it was then that the switch in my brain flipped. I was DETERMINED that if she could be a single mom and go to medical school to become a doctor, well....then so could I! Thankfully, I met George that year so I didn't have to do this alone, but either way, I was determined to follow in Liz's footsteps. Long story short, fast forward 10 years and she is now an anesthesiology/critical care attending, married, mom of 2, and a runner....so many of the same things I am/aspire to be.

     Anyways, after I graduated last month, she sent me a gift, and it was a box FULL of everything running and self care. She GETS it. A training journal, a couple books, Lululemon gift card, Nuun, various running socks, and a letter. Those ones above are one of the pairs, and they're my favorite! In case you couldn't tell, snarky/quirky/fun socks are kinda my vice. Of course, it was a cool box full of fun stuff and I loved everything immediately. But through the following week or two, I really just felt like it was more than just stuff. It was SUCH a thoughtful gift, and one that encouraged me to be my best. Because, to be honest, even though I love running, there are days where it's just plain really hard to get out there, and sometimes you need some external motivation. I am so thankful to have such a great friend for now well over a decade that is so supportive regardless of how far away we are from each other.

     But the one who makes it all happen.....this dude ^^^. I'm coming up on the end of my first two weeks of residency and he has had dinner ready EVERY. SINGLE. DAY when I get home. Honestly, I had some very real doubts that he would step up like this because-frankly-I know how hard it is to be home all day with the kids and try to get things done and cleaned and cooked, and it didn't happen nearly as consistently when these rolls were reversed. And to tell you the truth....I felt like I would probably be better at the stay-at-home gig than he would be, and that I just had to come to the conclusion that he wouldn't be doing things like I would.
    And NOW....well, let's just say that so far he's WAY better at this than I ever was, and I am so appreciative! He's able to balance day trading, keeping the kids alive, and the house NOT a massive mess, AND put (a keto-friendly) dinner on the table when I come home and I am so impressed. I definitely married right and am so lucky!!
     And last, but not least, I booked Dakota's ticket home last night! He'll be back home in 3 weeks and 6 days and I can't hardly wait to see him!!!