Ode To Fartlek

Inside peek of my latest book, Staring Down a Dream: A Mom, a Marathoner, a Mission 

This is a small piece from Chapter Three: Morning Runner

I looked down at my watch—time to pick up the pace. I took a few sips from my water flask and then increased my cadence. Playing with speed today as I alternate my pace from easy to hard, that’s a fartlek. I enjoyed these training sessions—it was fun to switch up the pace and it kept me focused mentally. The runs seemed to fly by— an hour had already passed. 

I slid open the door, sweat dripping from my face, Brindsley and Delaney were at the breakfast table. They were already eating. I was happy to see them and started to smile as the word fartlek came to mind.

“Hey mama, how was your run”. Brindsley asked between spoonfuls of granola. Delaney looked up from her bowl.

“It was great! I did a fartlek today.” I managed to keep a straight face.

They both stopped eating and exploded with laughter. I was pretty sure all they heard was the word fart!

“Mom, you said fart!” they both said in unison.

Yup, I was right. I began to laugh too.

Yes, I guess that was all I heard as well, and laughed with them as I grabbed a cup of coffee.

Oh, how I love that my children laughed at that silly word. This is what I love most about motherhood, the laughter. Isn’t it the best sound? They always find something to laugh about and that makes me so happy. It helps me lighten up. I can be so serious and stiff— more laughter is what I need these days. I’m still laughing now as I write this and grateful for the word fartlek, as odd as that sounds. When I’m having a tough day or getting all bent out of shape, I’ll just say the word fartlek in front of my kids or to myself. It’s better than cursing.

Fartlek…say that out loud a few times today, if you need a laugh—I hope it lightens up your mood a bit too. Go ahead—give it a go.

My friend Lari took this picture at The Mountain Goat Race. 

Ode to Fartlek 

The training run is a Fartlek

to work on speed—

keeps my mind engaged as 

I imagine taking the lead. 

Pump my arms, 

relax my face—this will 

get me ready for the race. 

My legs move quick and steady

I know I will be ready. 

My legs are strong, I am 

made to run. To race again, 

and have fun!

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 The entirety of this blog was written using Human Intelligence, not AI, thank you very much.