Alone Time

I never really realized how much I enjoy being alone until I wasn't anymore.

I've been married for almost 6 years so each day I wake up next to Ryan (which I love!) and come home to him (which I also love!)  So time at home was always with him in the house...  There would be an occasional day or two where I'd come home and he would have a meeting or something, so I'd have an hour or two alone in the house.  I enjoyed it, I'd clean or do laundry or even take a bath with a book or something nice.  But I don't think I knew how much I liked it until I realized I hadn't had it in a very long time.

My good friend Teresa and I were talking this weekend and she asked me how come I liked running so much, was it the actual physical activity that I like, or what?  "God NO!"  I don't even really like the physical activity... but I realized then, it's the alone time.  It is literally the ONLY alone time I get.  I can't even go to the bathroom without Maddie or Ryan walking in the bathroom to do something or just "Mumma, I need you" happening!  Most people have a commute to work, so they at least have their time in the car as alone time.  Not me, the second I walk out my door, I have students waiting for me, asking me questions.  I have maintainers reporting issues in the building.  I have coworkers that I eat lunch with, so lunch is not alone either.

Don't get me wrong, I love my job, I love where I live, I'm just realizing lately that alone time is something that I completely took for granted before I had a child.  At least when I didn't have Maddie, I COULD go home for lunch and sit on the couch and just veg for that hour.  Now, if I go home, it upsets Maddie that I have to leave again in an hour (and eating lunch at home wouldn't be alone time anyways, since she's there with my MIL all day.)

So, yes, the reason I run is because it is the one time in the day where I don't have to answer anyone, I don't have to fix things for students, I don't have a child pulling at my legs, and I can be with my own thoughts.  So what do I think about when I'm alone on my runs...?  Others.  How silly is that... Shouldn't I just let my mind wander where it would and be "alone" with my thoughts?  I wish I could... but I don't.  The way I get through each run lately is to pick a "person per mile".  And during that mile I think about that person, pray for them, and thank God for who they are in my life.

Mom and Dad make it into every run.  They are usually miles one and two.  And... since each of my runs is always 3 or more miles, they're in every run.  The half marathon training has begun, so I'm on a strict running schedule and that means a consistent prayer schedule too!  I'll gradually add more people into my prayer list as I add more miles to my training!  I like it.  It's the best way I can think to spend my alone time.  (other than getting a pedicure or spa massage!!)  It's the only free and best way I can think of spending my alone time!!

As for now, I'm off to meet with more students!! I do love my job!