Running and Landscaping

Today was a humid day. But I got in 3 miles even when at times I thought about slowing down and taking a break under the nearest shade tree. I stayed with it. I thought I'd try to survey all the neighbors' landscaping. Actually, I think I was really on the look out for a sprinkler. But there wasn't any in sight. I pushed through the heat and humidity without any sprinkler comfort.

The landscaping kept me preoccupied. About 2 1/2 miles into my run, I passed by this one man's house who has been creating some beautiful gardens, pathways, and one huge red brick patio. I have seen him out in his yard, working very hard on many of my runs for about the past month. Each time I pass by, he has made more progress. I even manage to tell him as I run by that I think his yard is looking "just great!" He gives me a smile and I run on by knowing he was happy to have someone notice.

Today, once again, he was out working away, and I finally found out the motivation for all his hard work. As I ran by, I encouraged his hard work and said he must be planning for a big July 4th party. He just smiled and said, "No, this isn't for the 4th. My daughter's getting married and we're having the reception in the backyard." Ah, I thought, that is why he has been working so hard.

The man worked hard. For quite some time. In the heat. And in the humidity. I never saw anyone else helping him. And his yard looked beautiful! They will have a lovely reception.

Hard work pays off. Whether it's running or landscaping, working hard through the elements of heat and humidity, day after day, or every other day in my case, it will pay off. I hope to see my diligence come out in the 5K race I signed up for yesterday. I don't know if the course will be hilly or not. I'd love to break my 27:16 time. I guess we'll see.

I plan on running on Saturday, then taking it easy til race day, July 4th.

Running Modestly

Today is Monday and I did not get in a run yesterday like I had wanted. But I was out there today and put in a good 3 miles. The weather couldn't have been better. It was cool and overcast. At first I didn't want to get out there. But I ignored my fleshly urge to be lazy! It ended up being a great run and I found myself reflecting on the issue of modesty.

It is not surprising in light of the fact I addressed over 60 girls at a youth camp last week on this topic. As I ran, I found myself praying for these young hearts to receive what they heard.

Indeed, it is not easy to be modest these days. Everywhere you look, there are images of immodesty. They can be plastered on billboards, seen through various media venues, walking on the sidewalk and even running on the roadside. For instance, yesterday as I was driving in my car, I saw in the distance the faint image of a runner. I always get excited to see a runner doing their thing and unless my kids beat me to it, I shout, "Look everyone, it's a runner!" Yet as I drove closer to the runner, I realized it was a woman who was running in practically what looked like a swim suit! Did I really want to draw the eyes of my young boys to this runner? Well, no, obviously not. So we passed by the runner quietly and silently. I thought for sure someone else would point out the runner, but they didn't. I was relieved.

Christian women who love sports and consider themselves an athlete must remember that modesty issues continue to apply in this context. People notice runners on the side of the road. I like to use it sometimes as a witnessing opportunity and put on one of my favorite Christian T-shirts. If I pass people walking on the side of the road, I pray that God might use the verse on the back of my T-shirt or the image of the cross, or whatever it might be, to draw them to Himself. Who knows, maybe one day in heaven, someone will approach me and tell me that some of the first saving seeds of the Saviour were sown when they saw my Christian T-shirt as I ran passed them. You just never know. And dressing in a modest way as a runner more than likely won't divert their attention away from the verse written on that baggy T your wearing!

Running and Slow Blogging

After running last Saturday, I wasn't able to get a run in until Wednesday. I had a good 3 mile run and ended up praying a lot for the youth camp my two girls are at.

Then today, Friday, I was able to get in another 3 miles. It was a good run as well. Continued to spend time in pray for the camp as I pounded the pavement.

I don't plan on running until Sunday. Tomorrow is a busy day. I remain encouraged about feeling physically good. No sore throats, no sinus pressure. Praise the Lord! I look forward to bumping up my mileage next week to maybe 4 miles. We'll see. I'm also thinking about running in a local July 4th 5K. It would be lots of fun and I'm feeling the itch to be in a race. While I am feeling good, I probably should just go for it and register tomorrow!

Running Weeks Total Makes 8

I'm behind in my run blogging! And now it's late on Saturday night, actually it's already Sunday. So I'll make this very simple logging without much reflection on other things.

Thursday, I ran 2 1/2 miles and then made 3 miles on Saturday. That made for a total of 8 miles for the week. Haven't done that for awhile. I'm encouraged!

Running Small, Still

Yesterday, I once again got in a small 2 1/2 run. I'm still fighting whatever is lingering on. I've been trying some natural remedies hoping to avoid another round of antibiotics. We'll see what happens.

My plan is to run tomorrow and depending on how I feel, I may bump it up to 3 miles.
If I can only keep it at that small 2 1/2, I'll still be grateful to run that.

Running Changes

Yesterday, I managed to get in another 2 1/2 miles! Yeah! That makes the weeks total to 7 1/2 miles! Better than getting no miles in at all. I'll take it!

Well, I decided to make some running changes. For starters, I ran in the morning! Even before my first cup of coffee! It worked. I got out there and made my goal, even without that good ol' dark roasted bean perking life into my veins! I decided with the summer heat, I'm going to have to run in the mornings. I like running in the late evenings, but I think I'm too tired by the time evening comes along.

The next change I'm making is in my diet. I took away too many fruits and veggies to avoid problems with runner's gut, and I was eating way too much white flour stuff. I am going to find a better balance.

Also, I am increasing my vitamin C, adding calcium, taking acidophilus, and garlic for some immune boosting.

Then I am going to try to cut out as much sugar as I can. That will take some Holy Ghost self-control power! The Lord tells me to pray specifically, so I'll be specific in this area. Finally, I need to drink even more water than I have been. If I can make a goal to drink 72 oz. a day, that will be more than what I've been taking in.

Today is Sunday. I'm feeling a twinge of a sore throat and my sinuses are acting up. I did take some sinus medicine. I think I'll rest tomorrow and get in a run on Tuesday. I'm refusing to feel discouraged about it. I'm going to think "healthy" thoughts!

Another Slow & Steady Run

Yesterday, June 8th, I was able to get out there and accomplish another slow and steady 2 1/2 miles. I was just so encouraged to be out there running, relishing every step I took. I was very grateful to God for the opportunity to be feeling good enough to be running.

It's funny how you take things for granted when you have them and how much you appreciate things when they've been taken from you for awhile. I hope to run another slow and steady 2 1/2 tomorrow on Saturday. We'll see.

Today I feel a bit tired. But I woke up last night a few times because my little boy has been throwing up!

We are tire of being sick around here. But I'm not sure what I can do other than just roll with the punches and pray, pray, and pray!

Running and Slow Beginnings

I decided to take a bit of a risk and hit the pavement with a slow 2 1/2 miles today. I have finally started to feel better. I'm not sure I'm 100% but I've just been itching to get out and run. It is late now, and I do feel pretty good. I am thrilled!

I took my run very very easy, slow, steady and enjoyed every moment of it. I just was full of thanksgiving to God that I am feeling better and was out there running. It made me so happy to be running. I do love to put my sneakers on and hit it.

All around I felt good, at peace, full of joy and gratitude to God for this gift. It has been a rough few weeks. I think I am out of the rubble and hearing that good ol' hymn, Onward Christian Soldier, resound with great inspiration in my soul!

So Onward we go...

We'll take a rest tomorrow and shoot for another 2 1/2 on Thursday.