R&R (Ragnar and Respite)
Respite “a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant”
Ragnar- 200ish mile running race with teams of 12 and 2 vans
Life is hard and I don’t want this blog to become a source of complaining or negativity, but the struggle of day to day life can be overwhelming at times, for any family. Years ago I started running. I needed an outlet and a way to shed some extra pounds. It was around the time that Jeffrey was 2, Meg was 5, and I was exhausted. Between my job as a nurse working night shift and two young children and all that came along with Jeffrey’s special needs (sometimes weekly doctor’s appointments) I had let myself go and I needed something to take care of me.
The story of my running is very typical for how I live my life and make decisions. I was doing a 12-week body challenge and as I progressed the elliptical wasn’t cutting it anymore so I took up running on the treadmill. One day in January, I was able to run two straight miles and I felt like I had completed a marathon… and in typical Kami fashion I decided that if I could run 2 miles then clearly the next step was a 1/2 marathon. So I went home that day and signed up! When Dan came home from work I informed him of my decision and just like any good husband he signed up as well! In all fairness he had been trying to get me to run since our college days and I couldn’t go 1/4 mile without feeling like I might die.
As my running journey continued, I came across a relay series called Ragnar Relay, and I KNEW I must put together a team. The general idea is that 12 runners, in two vans, run 200-ish miles in different areas of the US. My first thought was “who wouldn’t want to do this!”, Dan’s was “who would want to!” Luckily I have a wonderful girlfriend who is just as crazy, and we decided to go for it. Dan eventually agreed as well and last weekend we embarked on our 7th Ragnar in New Hampshire.
So, what does this have to do with respite? Dan and I just aren’t “drinking umbrella drinks by the beach” type people. We recharge best by being active and laughing A LOT. Ragnar gives us both and we have made so many wonderful friends along the way! They are our teammates and the only people who understand how awesome and terrible running is, and there is nothing like 30+ hours in a van together to really bond!
From the bottom of my heart, thank you to my fellow Happy Pheet team members for giving Dan and I opportunities for respite!
