For the past year, I mostly try to work out at 5:30 am before the kids wake up.  This means I get to leisurely run on my treadmill while watching my favorite high quality TV shows, such as Bachelorette, Kardashians, Bachelor Pad, etc.  However, Hubby was gone this morning doing a triathlon so I thought it would be a perfect morning to take the kids for a run in our Bob stroller, which we affectionately call the "double-wide".  We moved recently and I haven't had a chance to explore the new running routes in our neighborhood.  And okay, if I'm being honest, it's been a month since I took the kids running.  Okay several months.

So I start out with very high hopes, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying the trees in our neighborhood.  Shortly I realize it's MUCH hotter than I thought it was.  And Good God, when did this thing get so heavy?  I do the math and realize I'm pushing at least 70 pounds between the two kids and the stroller.  I didn't put my hair up because I almost never sweat.  Everywhere I turn I am greeted with another large hill.  Suddenly I feel sweat running down the back of my neck.  The kids start asking if I brought them anything to eat (luckily I did pack some snacks).  I suddenly feel very far from home and the sun is blazing!  Munchkin Girl asks, "Mommy, are you SURE you're running?  It doesn't feel like you're running.  Go faster!."   I start frantically looking for a rubber band for the hair now sticking to my neck.  I have nothing and feel panicky.  I end up finding a stretchy band from the last time we flew with the kids.  The kind with the pink tag from gate-checking the stroller.  I look around and don't see anyone.  I take the tag off the stroller and somehow get it wrapped around my hair.  Hallelujah!!  It worked!  Pure bliss, now my hair is at least off my neck.  Only problem is now I'm lost.  I have no idea how to get home.  I keep winding around and around and finally I see 114th Street, which means that if I just follow it I'll get home eventually.  I brace myself for another large hill.  While I'm climbing it, Hubby calls.  He is finished with the triathlon and begins to tell me about how he did and how he finished.  I'm having trouble responding because I'm breathing so hard.

"You okay?"  he asks.  "You're breathing pretty hard."

"Yes, but I got lost and I can't find my way home and these hills are huge..."  I start to explain everything to him and finally stop.  I'm not the one who just finished a triathlon.  I burst out laughing.  I guess I'm fine.  I will definitely choose to only remember what a great workout I got!

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