So, my planned 8 hour run on Saturday turned into a 5.5 hour run when I got a frantic call from Son 1 that he’d been in an car accident. The phone call you never want to get. Except, in this scenario, at least it was his voice on the other end so I knew he wasn’t seriously hurt.
Long story short, his (my) car was totaled, as well as the other driver’s, but neither sustained any serious injuries, so I am eternally grateful in that 3-hours-later, after-the-adrenaline-has-worn-off, sobby-down-on-your-knees-in-the-bathroom, kind of way. Parenthood is terrifying. And it doesn’t seem to be getting any easier.
Hubz, of course, went from “He can take the bus to East LA every day from now on until he graduates,” to sending me pictures of good used cars that would be safe, within a matter of hours. I drank a glass of wine, watched 3 episodes of Community, and went to bed at 7:00. It had been a long week.
Sunday, I rested, even though I hadn’t met my 8 hour goal. I have no excuse other than I just didn’t want to run, so I didn’t.
This week is my last high mileage week, ending with a marathon over the weekend. I won’t race it, but want one last, fast-ish long run before my taper. And hopefully that will be enough (although the squirrel in my head says it’s NEVER enough), because as far as I’m concerned, having teenagers should count for an extra 50 miles :).
Happy Running!
Mom, ultrarunner, four-time US 24 Hour National Team member, adventure athlete, food writer. Graduate of the Pro Cooking Program at the New School of Cooking, Los Angeles. Will run for food.
{ 22 comments }
Sorry about your car, but glad your son is OK. I believe having kids is worth lots of bonus miles, or as I like to say, being a mom is like cross training continuously.
Pam recently posted…American River
I totally get your husband’s reaction… yours, well, it must be a gender thing.
I’m in taper mode for what I expect will be my last 50K and it’s driving me mad (for one thing, I lost 10 pounds in 4 days – 4 days to regain it by racetime), especially in this unending winter; when lifelong Minnesotans complain about how bad the weather is, you KNOW it’s bad.
SteveQ recently posted…Essay on Tragedy
Yikes!! So sorry about the car – but really glad that your son is OK!!
That type of phone call totally counts as 50 miles!!
We are just fixing to enter the driving stage – I think I’m ready and then there are times when I think no way!!!
Kim recently posted…My Life as a Pseudo PE Teacher
I’ve gotten a couple of those calls. Truly terrifying. So glad no one was injured! The adrenaline surge alone should count as additional mileage!
Kate recently posted…CAC2: Non-racing with the best
If having teenagers counts for 50 then having late 20’s and still in college counts for 100!! Just wait. Is this the only totalled car? Just wait. Move 12to hours from the closest child and you will eun more though. Haha. Glad he’s ok and glad you counted that adrenaline rush as the rest of your run.
Yikes! Glad teenage son is ok but sorry your car is not. Stressful for sure. All the best w/the marathon and hooray for taper!
Yes indeed! Teenagers count for all sorts of thing: mileage, gray hair, aging, wine consumption, etc. etc.
Rebecca recently posted…Rehab starts now
Have to say; yes, yes ,yes to David’s and Rebecca’s comments. The teenage years are definitely tumultuous to say the least. Did you know that the term teenager did come into use till sometime in the 1940’s? Back then, a child (teenager as we know them) transitioned into adulthood and assumed adult responsibilities. Our society has GIVEN them permission to be the modern day teenager. I highly recommend you read “Do Hard Things”. I wish the wife and I had read that when ours were entering those infamous years. Then you can cheer up cause the empty nest is all the more sweeter (even though we obviously never stop being parents).
Glad everyone is ok. The bus isn’t the end of the world, though … at least for awhile.
Kirstin C (@ultrarunnergirl) recently posted…Bull Run Run: DNF
Thank you, Pam – and I completely agree! 🙂
Tapering is the worst, Steve! But you are going to rock this race!
I know, Kim. It is great to have a little more flexibility in my schedule, but there is a constant fear involved. Ick!
Yes, Kate! It was truly terrifying. I felt like I’d run 100 miler afterwards!
I know when they move out it will be even worse, David. Ugh. Hubz is convinced I’m going to follow them! 🙂
Thank you , Marcia. And a marathon seemed like a good idea a few weeks ago 🙂
Ha! So true, Rebecca! I never believed it until I had my own 🙂
Yes, Kent, it is always walking that line of pushing them out and holding them close. Following them to grad school wouldn’t be weird, would it? 😉
Totally agree, Kirstin! We had to have that convo this morning!
You’re so right. Having kids can be the most terrifying thing you ever do. Especially when they get old enough to drive and drink and make decisions that you have no part of. You just hope they make the right ones and always err on the side of caution. So glad that your boy wasn’t hurt too bad,
Char recently posted…You Can’t Keep a Good Man Down
I’m really glad your son is OK! Now relax and go for a run! 🙂
I know, Char, the older they get, the scarier things seem to be for them. But, I know it’s part of life so I just try to pretend like it’s not happening 🙂
Thank you, Jeff!
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