Running Cautiously and Steadily

Yeah! My brand new, size 10 shoes, a 1/2 size smaller than the ones I took back weeks ago, finally got used!!

It was a warm welcome back to the course I could probably run blindfolded. Yesterday, I thought I would just run on my treadmill. Oh, but I just couldn't. The day was gloriously warm and the sun and scent in the air was calling my name. So I said heck to the treadmill and with wearing only shorts and a t-shirt on this warm lovely day, out the door I bolted with a sense of trepidation about it all.

After praying up during my usual 1/4 mile warm up walk, I then began to run with a nice slow and easy pace. I felt pretty good, but not as sure footed as usual. My shoes felt good too. It wasn't 'til about the 1 mile mark that I felt the blood circulating through out my legs causing that slight itchy feeling. They were getting a work out after 3 weeks of pure rest. I knew the itching would eventually go away and I tried to focus on my gentle pace. I ran about 2 1/4 miles. Just enough.

With every step I felt a bit cautious, but ran steadily. I am wondering how my body will take to the run even days after, and wondering if I'm jumping in too quick. After the run was over, I realized I really didn't work up too much of a sweat, another indicator that I did take it easy. That was my main goal. I was happy to run and so thankful that the Lord allowed me to use this gift today.

I am writing this blog hours after I ran. It is 10 pm and I am feeling my run pretty much now. In other words, I am quite tired.

I hope to run again on Wednesday. Lord willing, that is.

Running in the Spiritual

I am hoping that this is the last day of my "no running" and "just resting" days. Tomorrow I plan on giving my new size 10 shoes an easy 2 miler workout on the treadmill. My plan is to take it nice and slow. I am a little apprehensive. I just don't want to over do it or jump into anything too early. Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since my last run. I guess I'll find out how my body responds soon enough.

As far as my running blog goes, I did not keep up with it like I thought I would. Eventually, I think I will get all my past running stories posted, the ones that I was planning on posting, the ones that are worth telling about and writing about.

Emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, I am feeling better and stronger. I am thankful to the Lord for this down time. It has been a chance to see I am a lot more vulnerable than I care to admit during times of physical difficulty and trial. Not that this is what I want to see, but in seeing this, it is humbling to me and allows me to see that I am not near the person I want or desire to be in Christ. It brings to light my ever present weaknesses and challenges me to pursue God with greater determination and work out my salvation that deeper sanctification will be made in me. This is what it really means to "run the race of faith." I've had a "detour of sorts" from running the physical to running the spiritual.

"Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

These verses fortify my faith and help me to remember what "race" is of ultimate importance and in what "race" to truly endure. I know not what life circumstances will help me learn endurance for my run in the spiritual realm. But God does. And it is His prerogative to providentially send them my way as He sees fit.

As I keep a fixed heart on what Christ endured, I know my circumstances are but so little in comparison. Because of this, I know my circumstances really don't have any power to weary me in such a way as to lose heart. Never to take my eyes off Christ. This is the key for endurance in our spiritual run.

Resting, Not Running

Another week has gone by without running. It has now been 16 days since my last run. I am resting and trying to be patient. I had some blood work test results back and all was fine. I am relieved. I am no longer taking antibiotics. I took them for 12 days.

While I've been resting it has helped that the weather for the most part has remained pretty cold outside. Although it has warmed up yesterday and today. I miss running more when it is beautiful outside and especially if I see a runner outside. I watch them as I drive by and think how much I can't wait to be out there too!

2006 has had a bumpy running start. But I know it will still be a good year! If fact, one day while running in the first couple weeks in January, I stumbled across a shiney large blue numeric piece of confetti on the ground. As I stepped over it, I realized it was the numbers 2-0- 0-6! It was the year, 2006 in confetti form. I picked it up and put it in my jacket pocket. It now is in my Bible and it reminds me to believe God for great things this year. Great things for my family, for my church, for our church's youth ministry - Teens For Christ, for our church's school, for the outreach ministry of El Shaddai Ranch, for my friends, and for me personally. My God is a BIG God and He wants me to dream big and believe big. As soon as I picked that 2006 piece of confetti off the ground, that is what the Lord spoke to me.

Being sick and not being able to run has been a discouragement to me. I feel like it's caused me to waver in God's encouragement to me to believe BIG. Perhaps it could be a test? It is never about external circumstances, though it seems they sure have a way of dictating our state of well-being, for the better or for the worse. Rather, it is always about a God who is so faithful and worthy of all our trust, despite our circumstances. God has not changed in the past 16 days I have not been able to run. He's still as HUGE as He will ever be! So, with that then, 2006 will still be an awesome year, even if it's begun with more resting days than running days.

Running and Postponed Runs

Well, it's been over a week since I've ran or wrote on my runblog. But last Thursday morning, I woke up with another sore throat. By the end of the day, I felt so bad, I went to the doctor. I had strept and was given a prescription for an antibiotic. The strept hit me hard and fast and I was one runner down and out of running commission.

Today is Wednesday, almost a week later. I went to the doctor again to have some blood work done. Probably a good thing. I'm definitely feeling better, but still not 100%. Feel pretty run down and weak. So, now what?

Rest. Rest. And more rest. That means no running. Not today, not tomorrow, not even in a week. All these runs, or desired runs will have to be postponed. Temporarily that is.

I just think in light of all the various physical issues I've been having, it would be a good idea. The doctor agrees. Am I surprised?

The other thing I know that needs to be acknowledged and accepted is the fact that the 1/2 marathon on April 9th, is now out of the question. I am sad. But accepting this. I do know of another who will be attempting the 1/2 and I will go and cheer him on. If I can't run it myself, I can at least offer encouragement to one who is.

In the meantime, I think I'll keep blogging. I'll just blog past running thoughts or stories that I remember or that happened during training or during actual race events. This will be fun and will keep before me my love of running.

Providentially, I know that God has His reasons for my runs to be postponed for awhile. At least my last run was really a run of one of a kind! I will never forget that run. And if that would be the last run of my life, it was indeed, a run that counted for eternity! For now, my part is to humbly bear this yoke, learn of Him the things I'm to know, and wait with a content heart, satisfied in my Jesus. Maybe the idea is to get some other writing accomplished on some works I believe He wants me to complete. I will have some extra time on my hands. Hmm...

Running and Reading About Running

Three days ago, I had an awesome run. I would have run yesterday, but due to a full schedule was unable to. My plan was to run today. But then, I woke up with another sore throat.

I must say that I am feeling let down. Wanting to run, but feeling it would be unwise. I even took my new shoes back on Tuesday and got a smaller size. I am disappointed. I'm indecisive about what to do with my reoccurring sore throat phenomenon. My other running issue has been better, but I just don't understand these sore throats. I'm seeking God's guidance.

I'm feeling reluctant to go to the doctor. Really, I just don't feel like making the time for it. Or not up for what he might say or might not say.

If the Lord wants me to take it easier than I have been, at least I've been getting free issues of Runner's World magazine. I got one yesterday and have already read a few helpful articles. I'm not sure why I've been getting these complimentary issues, but I guess it's good timing. I don't mind having to hang out on the couch, homeschooling my kids, reading my Bible and my new Runner's World magazine. But I would much rather have an hour break amid my teacher's role and home-maker's role to put on my new running shoes and hit the road or treadmill.

If I can't run though, I guess the next best thing is reading about running! It is amazing how much there is to learn about running. Anyone serious about running should be reading about this gift. There are so many great reading tools about running that have helped me through the years. Helpful they are, but also very inspiring and motivating. Sometimes I'll just hang out at one of the big name bookstores with a good cup of cafe mocha and check out the running books. There are a lot of them.

Though I've never subscribed to any running magazines, reading these free Runner's World issues may just tempt me to sign up. Of course, that's gotta be their agenda anyway, right? The only difficult thing about reading about running when you can't or shouldn't run, it makes you want to run even more! What a predicament!

Running and Making It Count

Today was amazing. I ran 4 miles outside. It was another beautiful sunny day, 42 degrees. I didn't have a moment of mental dead space! There was so much on my mind and so much to pray about. Before I knew it, the run was over. I felt good and even now a couple hours later, I feel good. It seems like my recent changes in diet and taking it easy are paying off. But we'll have to see how I do at longer distances. For now though, I'll keep doing what I'm doing without pushing myself too hard. I gave my new shoes another chance, but are taking them back tomorrow.

As for my thoughts and prayers for today's running time - it was a "God-thing."

This is why I love to run! Sometimes the nearness of God seems to be all over me. I get caught up in a wave of the Spirit's leading in prayer, I practically forget I am running! There is such a focus, a meditation on the things of God, a yearning for Him. Yes, I'm running - but it's running after Him! I just want Him, more of Him, all of Him. And as I'm running to Him, I am running from something else. I'm running and it becomes an analogy of running not only towards God, but also of running away or fleeing from the things that would encumber me, keep me from Him, or hold me back from complete surrender.

How I want my life to count. Even my running. Do I just want it to be gain in the physical alone? No, I truly do not want that. So I must discipline myself to pray, to think of God and express worship with every step I take.

As I ran today, I experienced something I never have before. It was out of the ordinary. I did not plan on doing this. But found myself compelled by the Spirit to do this. It was birthed out of reflecting on another death I recently became aware of. This death happened to a brother who just weeks ago accepted Christ into his life. He began coming to church. I heard him tell my husband that when he comes to church, he hears God speaking to him through the sermons he gives. Just about a week ago, this man's wife accepted Christ during a church service. They had one week together as new creatures in Christ, then the Lord took him.

This man didn't have much time to give God glory in his new life in Christ. Only weeks. But in his death, he'll have much opportunity to give God glory. My husband will be doing the funeral service and it will be filled with many who have never met Christ. As I ran thinking on these things, I began praying for those I knew who would probably be there. I was praying for the lost. I was asking God to call them out of darkness. "Call them out of darkness, Lord." I prayed this a few times and then sensed the Holy Spirit's presence upon me. The Lord made it clear to me that He wanted me to shout these names out loud as I ran. It was as if He said to me, "You call or shout these names out to Me!" And so I did. I ran shouting at the top of my lungs, name after name - those who may go to the funeral and others I know who are in darkness. It was crazy! But I also know it was obedience.

Today, my physical run counted for eternity. I believe that with all my heart. Lost souls were shouted up to the heavens for God's hand to snatch them out of darkness. And without a doubt, He heard these prayers loud and clear.

No man knows the length of his days on this earth. But I do know, I want whatever number of days I have on this earth to count. To count for Christ. "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)

Running and Satisfied with Ten

It's Saturday. Time to tally up the weekly running mileage - which comes to a total of 10 miles. Not measuring up to my weekly goal of 15 - 20 miles, but I'm satisfied none the less! So happy to have gotten 10 in!

Today I ran 3 on the treadmill. Thought about bumping it up to 4, but in light of the fact that I was running in my new too big running shoes and the fact that I should be taking it a little easy according to the do's and don'ts of my little health issue, I played it safe. Besides, I had already logged in 7 for the week and another 3 would make it a nice even 10.

10 - it's a good number. I'll take it while remembering that Zechariah 4:10 encourages me not to "despise the day of small things." Or in my case, the "week of small mileage." I will be content. I will not despise the days of getting only 3 miles in, or the weeks of 10 total. My 3 mile days will be known as gem miles not junk miles and my weeks of 10 a celebration to my overall victory that slow and steady does win the race!

As for my new shoes? Definitely decided they are just too big! Why they are size 10 1/2!! My feet aren't that big! Even though I gave them another shot, running in them today, they're just not going to work out. Oh well, have done this before. And we'll just do it again. In no time at all, I will be running in shoes I call my own, broken in, molded to my feet, striking rubber to the road (or grass), and increasing in mileage.

Running and New Shoes

On Wednesday afternoon I turned in my old pair of running shoes in exchange for a new pair! It was really quite spontaneous! I knew I was way overdue for a new pair, so after I dropped off my daughter at her piano lessons I drove down the street and pulled into that wonderful Fleet Feet store. I made the decision to just go for it after I ran that day in the grass. Since I was going to be minutes from the store, why not just go get a new pair! I left the house with my old running shoes and set my mind on coming home with new ones.

Not only did I get a new pair of running shoes, I got myself a $9.00 pair of running socks! I was in need of some more running socks too. So I just splurged and let my husband know after the damage was done, what he got me for Valentine's Day!

So how was the run today in my new shoes and new socks? Hmm...I can't quite decide. Overall, the 4 mile run outside, in a lot colder weather than it looked, wasn't too bad. I slowed down my pace a tad, to get a feel for the shoes. I also ran on the concrete in case I need to bring the shoes back. My plan is to keep running in the grass for the sake of my recent running issue, but I didn't want to get any grass stains on the shoes if I need to take them back. I can't decide if they are too big! What is so funny is that I trusted the guy at Fleet Feet to pick out just the right shoe for me, that I didn't even look to see what size I ended up going home with. After my run, all the while feeling as if they might be a little big, I came home and looked in the shoe for the size. They are size 10 1/2! I usually wear a size 9 wide! I just had to laugh! I've never worn a shoe that big before! I'm simply going to have to run in them again for another assessment.

That is the problem with getting a new pair of running shoes. It's exciting to get them. But then you have to see if they are going to fit right, feel right and mold to your foot the way you want them to as you are running. Last time I got new shoes, I had to bring them back because they just felt too narrow at the top of my wide foot. This time there just seems to be too much room at the toes. I do think I need to give them another shot at running in them. That is the great thing about Fleet Feet. They understand the importance of having the right running shoe. And they give you a grace period to check out the shoes you buy there, knowing you could bring them back if they don't work out. Having the right equipment is everything! In whatever the discipline is, whether it's shoes for running, tools for building, books for teaching, etc..., it does make all the difference.

It seems to be that way for the professing Christian too. Having, using, and putting on the right equipment essential to live out my faith definitely makes all the difference between living in victory or living in defeat. As I ran today, testing out my new equipment, I
thought about the passage in Ephesians chapter 6 that tells me to "put on the full armor of God, that I may be able to stand firm..." His armor comes in just the right size - the truth of God's Word, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit, and prayer. These are the things that will help me to stand for Christ and His Cause.

As I wonder about my new shoes and whether or not they will work out for me, I feel so relieved to know that the Lord's armor when worn will always work out for me, every single time! I will never have to return the things that God has given to help me run the spiritual race of faith! And besides that, they never wear out either! Isn't that amazing?

Running and Honesty

Well, I went running today as hoped to do after three days of no running because of another sore throat. I ran outside in 53 degree sunny February weather. I decided to play it safe and run only 3 miles.

I also decided to take a risk and run on the grass as opposed to the concrete. Why was that? Well that's why I titled this post - Running and Honesty.

If I am going to be a wise runner, that means I'm going to have to be an honest runner. Being honest with myself about how my body is handling my recreational running hobby. And lately, I've been experiencing what may be "runner's gut" or "runner's ischemia." It could possibly explain why I've been getting the sore throats too. But just my humble opinion.

As I've been doing some research, I've been implementing some of the do's and don'ts and it does seem to be helping. So why run on grass? It's softer and creates less trauma to all the internal jostling that happens with each step. Running on the treadmill has a softer surface also which explains why my problems seemed to happen more when running on the concrete and going longer distances.

I am considering seeing a sports physician and if I am really wise I will just do it! Denial is a temptation for any serious or committed athlete. Who really wants to admit there may be a physical issue when that will only hold you back from your passion? Why the doctor may even suggest you stop running for awhile! Ouch! Not what I want to hear? Especially when wanting to do my 2nd half marathon in April.

But as I said in my very first blog post - running is a gift. A gift your body receives to build itself up, not to tear itself down. This happens best when one runs in honesty then follows through in wisdom. So there it is - my running and my honesty about how things are going. Will I be able to run the 1/2 marathon in April? I just don't know. I really want to, but I'm not so sure and this is one of the reasons I haven't been able to make this race decision yet!