Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Pumpkin Spice

As my friend Becky and I ran the 1/2 Marathon last weekend I focused on running one mile at a time.  Looking at the run as 13.1 miles was daunting for me, especially considering how I didn't train the way I should have.  But one mile is doable.  I can "easily" run one mile.  So I slowly but surely completed my race one lumbering mile at a time until I was only a mile from the finish.  Then the race became "finish this mile and you are done".  And we did.  Because of our baby steps and ability to not get overwhelmed by the big picture, we finished what most people consider a very long run.

When John left for deployment I approached it as a different kind of marathon.  I divided the 7 months into similar baby steps.  The first 45 days or so was "survival mode".  I forgave myself for eating frozen dinners, putting my kids down to bed early, not working out regularly.  My goal was to hit that 45 day mark with two healthy and happy kids and my sanity in tact.  Months two and three were defined by my mom being here.  I had man to man defense again.  I could cook nicer dinners, go on solo runs, and even have dinner with friends after bedtime without paying a babysitter.  I knew that those two months would be the easiest of the deployment. 

Today marks another milestone.  My pumpkin spice milestone.

Fall is my favorite season.  Living in the mid-Atlantic my whole life I have always gotten excited for what fall brings.  The sweltering heat and humidity starts to cool, school supplies line the aisles, leaves start changing, apple cider hits the grocery aisles, and pumpkin spice hits the coffee shops.  I love the corn mazes and hay rides and Halloween parties.  I love wearing hoodies and jumping in piles of leaves.  I love Saturdays full of college football and friends.

When Johnny was packing on the night before his deployment I told him that when I could buy a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks that I could start to get excited about him coming home.  Well folks, today Pumpkin Spice is here!


And I cannot tell you how happy this makes me.



6 comments:

Lori said...

It makes me super, super happy for you!!!!!! You are rocking this deployment and with such grace and perseverance and a great attitude!!! Of course, would I expect anything less??? :)

Half Marathon? I am winded walking from my front door to my van. You go, girl!!!
xoxoxo

Sarah said...

Thanks for the reminder that the Pumpkin Spice Latte is back. Hallelujah! I forgotten all about its impending arrival with my husband's deployment right around the corner. I think I'll drown my sorrows in a latte next week. :-)

Michelle said...

Hi There-
Just stumbled across your blog (from the bump). I too am a Navy wife. LOVE your approach to surviving this deployment!

Happy Pumpkin Spice Season to you!!

Jen said...

Just wanted to say again: congrats ! (on both the 1/2 marathon and 1/2 way through the deployment) !

Karisa said...

I just discovered your blog, and I like the idea of manageable goals. I'm going to apply it to both my upcoming 10K and my husband's yearlong deployment. Congratulations to you on reaching your goal with the half-marathon!

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Hi, I'm Jill!

Hi, I'm Jill!
Extrovert. Mom of two. Wife of a cute Naval Aviator. Lover of wine. When I'm not chasing my two kids around town you will find me writing, taking too many photos, and researching the ten future areas the Navy could potentially (but probably won't) PCS us. We are fish out of water, landlocked at 7,000 feet. For now.

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