Keeping focus on everything - including yourself

So very selfishly, my first major life change has occurred with our pregnancy. As stated previously, I typically find it my fundamental task to ensure Tiffany’s happiness and wellbeing over the next few months. That being said, it is critical for a husband and expecting father to find releases and motivation for himself. I have really found mine in running.

What? If you know me, you would think, “Seriously, the guy is a runner like Michael Scott is a leader”. But I have really found something to drive me.

I am motivated and pushed by one person in life, myself. If I am unable to find that thing to push me, then I often have difficulty finding the right inspiration. I want to be the best employee that has ever been in my position, I want to be a husband better than any other I know, and I have finally have found something to light my competitive fire when it comes to working out.

In high school, I think I savored the preparation for sport as much or more than the games itself. I found great pride in being stronger than I was yesterday and being better overall than last year. I pushed myself and that is what I have finally found with running.

Last year, I completed the Indianapolis Mini Marathon. This year I was actually training to run it. I had a real goal…2 hours and 15 minutes. When I started out, it was a real stretch. I did it in 2:38 last year so shaving some 90 seconds off per mile is somewhat of a reach but I have been extremely focused and dedicated in my approach this year. I have actually been on pace to knock my goal out of the park.

Then came the news on Monday. Great news…really it was. Tiffany is a great candidate for a surgery to help us ensure we have a full term pregnancy. The best news I could have received. But I must say I was very selfishly disappointed as it is the day before the mini and there is no possible way for me to make the race. Come on, I would not even consider missing this for a simple race. I can run in hundreds of races per year, but this procedure is literally life changing.

I think the worst part was I saw the disappointment in Tiffany. She knows me and she knew how important this was for me. But the great news is I will get the best of both worlds. Hopefully a happy, healthy wife, and also to run my 2:15. There is a race in September near our house that I can now refocus on and I should likely consider readjusting my personal goal. I now have more time to prepare so is 2:10 out of the question?

I think in reflecting on the situation, to know that you must be there for your wife first and foremost but you also need that thing that drives you. Laundry, Starbucks runs, and overall caring for your wife is number one but you can’t forget to lose focus on yourself. Your wife will be nothing if you fall apart.