Running and More Confessions

So did I cross train on my bike yesterday? The title of this post answers that question quite clearly. Yes, it's confession post #2! As for excuses, I'll list probably the top three:
1) It was the Sabbath -- the Lord's day of rest!
2) I had to get a school newsletter done!
3) It got cold again!
Nice excuses, huh? What about plain ol' giving in a 2nd time in just a matter of days to the "I don't feel like exercising today" syndrome! I even had the opportunity to go swimming. My younger sister gave me a call and asked if I wanted to go swim some laps with her on Sunday. My excuse to back out of biking due to the cold was maybe legit, but to back out of an opportunity to swim in a heated indoors pool? I think it's called being lazy! I flat out turned her down! Oh boy, I must need some motivation! Especially since it's cold again and snowing on the first official day of Spring! I got to keep remembering the difference between the dedicated runner and the casual jogger!

I did run inside today. And I actually felt good on the treadmill. I ran 3 miles and my pace was pretty decent. I even did my upper arm strengthening routine. So, I'm not being too much of a loafer. Just didn't get that 4th day of exercise in this past week. And I don't know about this week. I think I should keep to the same plan -- run 3 miles on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, then try that bike ride cross training thing again on Saturday. I need to pray for motivation. Maybe I should look into running a 5K race in the next few weeks. Races are always good for motivation. Just to be in a crowd of other runners for a few miles is so much fun! I'll have to go to Fleet Feet's web site and see what's coming up.

It's late now and this first day of Spring is almost over. And you should see the snow coming down! It's amazing! God is a God of wonder and mystery. What could be more appropriate to one's "confessions" than to see a blanket of snow and be reminded, "Though your sins are as scarlet, I will make them white as snow." Of course my mere "running confessions" are not the kind of "confessions" as in repenting of sin. Instead, they are but admissions of not measuring up to a standard I hold myself to. God has not bound me to a certain exercise regime per se. Although, He does require good stewardship with the physical aspect of my being. So then, that ought to always be my motivation. I want to be disciplined, but not legalistic. I want to be dedicated, but not ensnared. I want to be free to run, not a slave of running. So, I'll keep setting my goals, and when I'm not measuring up to my standard I'll give myself a little grace, go for the goal the next day, and be okay with it unless it becomes some huge pattern. And if that happens, perhaps that could border on the kind of sin that does call for some serious confession and repentence.