In need of a run

I find the holidays to be more stressful than joyful.  I am much like the character Clark Griswold.  I build things up in my head and there is just no way on earth they will turn out the way I dream them.  I usually rely on running to balance the stress out for me.  Needless to say it's been rough going the last couple of weeks without any good heart pumping exercise.

Monday was a day that tipped me over the breaking point.  It's a long story and for the most part it's all worked out just fine but still it was more than I could take 5 days before Christmas.  I became so restless and irritable I couldn't stand myself.  My oldest son was having the same bank busting day I was and he too was restless and irritable.  He suggested we head out to the tennis courts between rain storms and work out some aggression.

It was awesome.  He is relatively new to the game and I am in no shape to play a full on game of tennis with a teenager so it worked out perfectly.  He took it easy on me and we spent an hour out in the rain scented December air.  We laughed at serves that barely made it over the net and felt victorious when we could volley back and forth.  It was just what the doctor ordered for my mood.  Well he probably wouldn't suggest tennis just yet but my foot felt great.  I took it super easy and didn't push beyond what the tendon can do.

I forgot how much I love the game.  I used to play everyday before becoming a full-time mommy nearly 20 years ago.  On Tuesday my calves and quads woke up saying "just who do you think you are expecting movement out of us after 8 weeks of no activity"?  It was a wonderful feeling!  I think we will head back out today since there is a little sun in our forecast. 

Who knows, maybe this will be part of my new cross-training plan once I've been cleared by Dr. N to return to my normal activity level!