Quote paraphrase: “If I’m an advocate for anything, it is to move. … Open your mind, get off your couch, and move. ” — “Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations” series finale
Another one of my favorite shows has bitten the dust. Luckily it wasn’t cancelled — it was time for Anthony Bourdain of the before mentioned show to move on.
As I watched the finale, I was struck by how much Bourdain has been a part of my life. I watched “A Cook’s Tour,” a “No Reservations” precursor. I read his book, “Kitchen Confidential,” and it solidified my goals to become a better writer and chef and climb my way out of my then-current emotional drama.
After my first child was born, I read “A Cook’s Tour” to her, and changed all the expletives to kid-friendly phrases.
Bourdian’s use of words spoke to me. Even on his show, you could tell he was a writer and a chef. He’d wax poetically about something he was eating or how bad something was. The series finale and Every time I watch or read his work, Bourdain says something that seems to relate to what I’m doing. The series finale was no exception.
At the time, yes I was sitting on my couch. I put in my usual six days of cleaning and decided to have a day off, which I’m sure I’ll pay for later.
But as a running mountain mama, the finale was a rallying cry to lace up and exercise tomorrow.
Why did I need such motivation, you ask? I just had one of my worse runs … ever.

“Move”
Earlier in the day, I went exploring — to the outermost reaches of my neighborhood. I wanted to do some hill work, which is easy to do in Appalachia. The hardest part was picking a path that didn’t kill my legs before my weekend race(s). (I may try to do two on back-to- back, I haven’t decided). So I picked my points of entry and destination and just started running.
I started up a flat and had the climb a hill. I used the staired sidewalk, so it was easier than it could have been. Then I turned right onto a hill that I forgot existed and battled my way up. It was horrible, as the first mile or so is for me on a longer run. But I expected it and knew things would improve.
But I didn’t expect my agony to follow me through the entire run. I felt like I just didn’t have any zip, like the past few weeks of allergy-induced sinus problems turned me into mush. I had finally been able to breath, and my run was worse than my runs when I had a cold.
In August, I walked the route about as fast as I ran it in November. During that summer walk, I hauled three kids in a stroller.

“Get out there”
After I got home, I showered and fell asleep on the couch while watching a kid’s show. I didn’t make an effort to fall asleep but I was mentally and emotionally exhausted. I couldn’t help but think: Was this a sign of how badly I’d do this weekend? What am I going to wear? Can I actually survive the run?
I woke up to a pull of my shirt. After apologizing and making lunch, I put my 22-month-old down for his nap, which was also my official nap time of the day.
I woke up feeling slightly refreshed and I made bread for my breakfasts — I ran out of adult cereal — and started to get back into the swing of things — picking up stray items around the house, changing diapers, cleaning after dogs and kids, etc.
It started going well, I felt like I was picking up energy, but it wasn’t lasting. Two kids were constantly fighting/whining over a toy. The youngest decided to pull everything off the counters that was within his reach.
It just seemed like one of those days where I couldn’t get anything right, where the craziness just seemed to grow as the day wore on.
After the kids went to bed, it was time to regroup. But things were at the point where I needed outside help. Watching “No Reservations” did that for me. I was able to unwind and listen to an adult speak about adult things.
So I am going out, moving and experiencing new things. I may not travel to the far reaches of the globe, but I plan on making more of an effort to go wherever my feet and car will take me.