Throw me a Bone

A few years ago, I tore my meniscus (for those Anatomy and Physiology drop-outs, that's an important part of your knee). Even though it was a microscopic tear, and the doctor said I could resume activity as usual, that sucker hurt like it had a pogo stick jammed through it for about 4 months. Why am I telling you this? Well, because during those 4 months I had to take a total hiatus from running (my CRACK at that time in my life) and I suffered serious withdrawal - it was so bad that I would actually sit in public places and stare at peoples knees. Yes, that's right - I drooled over their functionality and was jealous over every single knee that sauntered by pain-free. Even though my knee is totally healed now, I've been feeling that same psychotic jealousy recently - only now I covet Mommies who have slept and have energy.

That's right - this past Sunday I stared angrily at a pretty blond Mommy with a beautiful blond daughter, who blissfully cut up her child's pancakes and laughed in delight as she explained the difference between the 10 types of IHOP syrups. It made me furious. SHE apparently had SLEPT.

Later, we went to Trader Joe's and I nearly killed a poor college student with my glare, as she pranced down the aisles in her tanning bed glory, and showed off quads that would make David Beckham do a muscle check. She, clearly, had slept.

This morning as I drove to work, I nearly pulled the car up on the sidewalk to run down the beautiful Mommy jogging in her little shorts and jog bra with not an ounce of fat jiggling. SHE obviously had been experiencing good sleep for MONTHS.

There was a point in my life when exercise was my meditation - my pleasure - my escape. Now, I'm lucky if I have enough energy to lace up my sneakers. To top it all off, you add the whole Working Mother piece into the mix, and the guilt associated with leaving Livija for even 30 minutes during our time at home with her, and whole thing becomes even more complicated.

I'm hoping sleep is in my future. For the well-rested Mommies of the greater Boston area, they should pray I get some sleep too before this mania of mine gets really out of hand and I start taking hostages at local gyms - well, that is, if I have enough energy.