Yes, I am a runner...

5:29 am - I open my eyes one minute before my alarm goes off. Do I really want to get up? I could sleep a little longer. YES - I do want to get up. GET UP!

5:30 am - My alarm goes off and I quickly shut it off so I don't wake Chris. I go to the bathroom, step on scale (ugh...5 pounds of baby weight remaining) and then head to the living room to quietly get dressed. I slip on my clothes and head out the door, iPod ready to blare some motivating music.

As I warm up heading down our street in Broadmoor, I think about today, my birthday, and how much I have accomplished in my 31 years. I have an amazing husband who moved from Maine for me and loves me, despite all my faults. I have two healthy and wonderful children who bring so much joy to my life - one precious princess and one handsome prince. A boy and a girl - such a blessing to have one of each. I have a job I love where I can see my BFF everyday. I live in the same town as my parents, two wonderful people who adore their grandchildren.

As I continue on my trek, I'm about at the 1/2 mile mark. I'm already sweating, but it feels good. I pass three other runners. It's barely light outside, but we still wave to each other - something I LOVE about this town. People wave... particularly runners passing each other. I start to reflect on my running. Since Brady was born, I've only been running for about four weeks. But a gift from my husband, the Nike+ chip, has made it fun to track my distance, times, and pace! I never imagined being someone who liked running.

The interest started in the spring of 2007 when my dear friend Susie and her hubby Ford were training for the Chicago marathon. They have been running for years, but I hadn't run since being on the cross country team as a freshman in high school. I am certainly NOT in the same shape as I used to be. But Susie mentioned a Couch-to-5K plan online and that maybe I should give it a shot. Thus began my new hobby. I worked up to a 5K and then started training for a 10K. I was about two months pregnant when I ran the 10K, but I was DETERMINED to run it since I had trained for so long! I finished it in 1:06:26 - not bad for a first timer! I don't run fast or very long distances. In fact, I have always considered myself a "jogger." But today, as I am running a quick 2 miles before work, I decide that I am a "runner." I try to run at least three times a week and it's something I enjoy doing. So now... I think I'll add that title to my resume.

Wife... Working Mama... Friend... Runner...