Like lots of moms, I’m very good at extolling the benefits of me time . Studies have shown that when moms take time for themselves, they feel better about themselves, are better parents to their kids, and are better partners to their spouses. But actually scheduling time for ourselves – between work, school runs, doctor’s appointments, team practices, etc. – is easier said than done. Sometime last December I decided I was ready to spend a little time on bettering myself. I’d spent so much time helping my two young tots achieve their goals that mine had slipped to the bottom of the to-do list. Don’t get me wrong, I love helping my lil ones work toward a goal – be it taking their first steps and completing the newest section of a Lego set – but

before kids, I had a list of goals for myself and I decided to revisit it. Though I’d never run more than a 10K race (and that was way before I had kids), on a whim, I registered for the NYC Half Marathon – a 13.2-mile race through heart of the city I call home. Without much time to train during the week, my older son and I headed to the gym each weekend. I would drop him off with his friends at babysitting, get my run in, and head home to a weekend filled with typical kiddie activities. My tyke knew I was exercising downstairs, but that was about it. Keep reading to see who the real winner of the race was.

Originally posted here: 
Mom-Me Time: The Winner, in the Long Run