Running and Treadmill Time

Wow! Talk about strange weather! Just two days ago, I ran outside in shorts and today Mr. Freeze has made the rounds! We've had freezing rain and sleet/snow coming down all day long. It is very cold. So, I was cornered into running on my lonely treadmill today. Like it or not, it was treadmill time.

I really dislike running on the treadmill but once I got into my groove, I was fine. I only did 3 miles and did some upper arm strength training as well. I had forgotten how much harder the treadmill is to me. Maybe others prefer it, but not me. Give me any chance to run outside over the treadmill any day and I'll take it!

Well, maybe by Saturday it will be back up in the 60's. Wouldn't that be just like the weather around here? Praying for it anyway!

Running Onward

I had heard that rain was in today's forecast. So, I was hoping to get out there before the rain came. It is late now and the day is nearly gone and it is finally beginning to rain.

For the end of November, the weather was incredible. I ran in shorts and t-shirt. No sweat pants or jacket or gloves or ear band was necessary. The sun was shining and the air was warm and breezy. I ran 4 miles and felt pretty good. Today I decided for the first time to try listening to music on my ipod throughout my entire course. It was quite nice.

Today I got a call from the doctor and they were able to bump my appointment up to this Friday. So, we'll see what the doctor has to say.

Running out of Obstacle #1

Yestday I hit the pavement and caught the tail end of a beautiful stretch of warm and sunny weather. I've heard that this week it is supposed to get cold again as well as rainy. So, I was happy to get a great run in - 4 miles, my usual. My son has perked up and I was once again able to engage my mind on marathon thoughts.

I don't think I mentioned this, but early last week when I went to get my hair cut I heard a couple of the salon workers talking about marathon training. I just happened to bring in the marathon training book I've been reading and so naturally chimed in to their discussion. We learned that we are all hoping to complete our first marathon at the same race in April of 2007. Hmm, another little coincidence! That was fun and I'm sure I'll be in contact with them.

The other thing I learned from my dad was that he told me he heard it was supposed to be a mild winter. I've been wanting to know about that. I hope he heard accurately. Though I love snow, especially at Christmas time, for the sake of my training will sacrifice it for a mild winter especially when I need to get in those long runs. I guess we'll see.

Well, my goal for this week is to hone in on the training plan that will work best for me. I think I'll be taking another trip to the book store as well as look around online. The other thing I'd like to do is take the lectures I've been listening to on my ipod and sit down with a pen and paper and go through them when I'm not running. There are several things I want to convert from the physical to the spiritual to make it even more meaningful and inspiring to my personal training. Then I'd like to write them on my blog to encourage other fellow Christian runners. I am a runner, but more importantly I am a Christian runner who knows that God will seep into all areas of my life - even my running. There is no area of my life that God is not apart of! He is in everything if we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that responds. It is sad how some Christians lack a biblical worldview. They only see God in the sacred and not in the ordinary things of life. They see God on Sundays, but not on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays. The God of the Bible consumes me. Everything I am and everything I do, Christ permeates it. I am not my own. Every circumstance of my life, He is in, and He is there. Psalm 139 says it completely. Together we have "run" out of obstacle #1. And I am sure, together we will "run" through and out of others as I press forward towards the goal.

Running and Obstacle #1

Well, I've "ran" into my first and probably not the last of running obstacles in my journey towards the marathon.

I've had a pretty ill child who picked up some nasty thing called viral gastro-enteritis, which caused massive amounts of vomiting and thus dehydration. So, since Thanksgiving, we've been at the hospital. I have not ran since last Tuesday and have missed a bunch of beautiful warm November weather. But oh well, when it comes to your children and their health, it is quite easy to put running on the back burner.

I have had several nights with practically no sleep. I'm exhausted. Hopefully, I be able to catch up next week on running and sleep!

Running Towards the Goal

Well, I am one step further along in my marathon training. Today I made a doctor's appointment. One more thing to check off my list. One more thing getting me closer to the goal. I can't get in until the end of December. I asked them to contact me if anything earlier opens up. I hope it does.

Today was a beautiful sunny day in the 50's. I got in a good 4 miler. I've started to do some running in the grass again. I can't believe how much softer it is compared to the pavement. I just think it would be good if I can get some of my mileage in on softer terrain. So, I'll give it a whirl.

The other thing that happened today was that I received an email from Fleet Feet who wanted me to know they will be starting up a training session in January for the April half marathon. They will do their long runs on Sunday mornings which will work for me. I did inquire about training plans for the full marathon, but have not heard back from them yet. I do know that I have a desire to be part of a group training. I just know I am going to need the support. This will be by far the hardest physical thing I have ever attempted to do and I am not about to do this on my own. Just as the Lord would not have us embrace a "lone ranger" Christian lifestyle, (that's one reason we are to be part of a local church family), I do believe runners aspiring to complete a marathon would be wise to connect with others to help them get to the finish. When I trained for my first half marathon, I did it on my own, by the grace of God. But this time it's diffent. Not that the grace of God would not be sufficient. I just believe this is part of the path I'm to take on this journey. So, I am going to trust that God will hook me up with a group of other runners. And who knows what plans He may have for them to get aquainted with one who loves Him beyond measure. Who witnesses to fanatical runners? Maybe another fanatical runner!

Running and Family Support

I got it! I got the okay from my kids, I got the okay from my husband! My husband said he prayed about it and he thinks I should do it! I'm elated. I am going to run a marathon! Or at least attempt to. I will never know if I can do one unless I try. So, try it is! I've started my journey and it will be up to God to block my path if He so chooses. I would not even consider this if I did not believe the Lord's hand was pointing me in this direction. But I do believe it is and will therefore pursue this desire I have in my heart. Why is it there in the first place? My answer will come in the journey ahead. One thing is for sure, this is once again about endurance. Enduring in the physical as an object lesson to endure in the spiritual. I am very excited and frightened at the same time!

Yesterday I got in 4 miles. It was a good run. My week total was 12. I'm looking forward to mapping out my training plan. I am reading a beginner's guide book for marathon training, but I'm not sure I like the plan. It's for folks who haven't been running at all. I may look around and see about some other plans. This week I also need to get a doctor's appointment. I'd like to go ahead and register for the marathon, but I may wait until I get an absolute okay from the doctor. And finally, today one of my running buddies said he's going to go for it too! He's going to take the marathon plunge! Okay, brother! Ready, Set, Go...Happy training and I'll see you at the finish!

Running and Outreach

One thing about running outside of your house, is that it takes you outside of your house. And when you are outside of your house, you may get the chance to see a neighbor or two outside of their house. Running has always provided this for me -- chances to see my neighbors, and today, some new neighbors.

The young couple were carrying things out of their car and as I approached their driveway, I stopped and simply asked, "Hi, are you the new neighbors moving in?" They both stopped what they were doing and walked closer to me. I extended my hand and introduced myself. And there we stood for the next few minutes getting better aquainted. They told me I was the first person in the neighborhood they had met and they seemed very appreciative that I stopped to say hi.

As I continued on my 4 mile run I was thinking about first impressions. In the few minutes we talked, they learned this about me -- I was the runner on the block, I had kids, older girls who can babysit which made them smile, and that if they needed anything I told them where they could find me (pointing them to my house) after I was done running.

What they didn't find out during this brief connection is that I know and love Jesus or that I am married to a Pastor. This, I am sure will come out in time. But for now, I will hope and pray they see His reflection in me. If they are Christian folks then perhaps they will. If they are not Christians they may not really know what they are seeing in me, only things they would understand to be kindness, love, understanding, joy, and compassion. Someday, maybe on a day I pass their house again as I start out for another run, I will get to make it clear that Jesus lives in me, and any good they might have hopefully seen, even in that first friendly and simple outreach the day they moved in, was Him. Him - reaching out to them.

Running takes me out of my house. And that increases my chances of seeing my neighbors and reaching out to them with the love of Christ. And that is a good thing.

Running - Not how fast, but that you do!

I am a bit behind on my running blog. To quickly update, last Tuesdays election did not fare well for those who are pro-life. Wednesday morning was emotionally difficult and called for my complete reliance on a Soveriegn God whose loving providence governs the affairs of men and nations. As the great hymn writer once proclaimed, I join in chorus! "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand."

Regarding mileage, I only ran 4 miles on Thursday and then have not ran until today. I have been busy with some ministry details and am thankful to see the good work that God did at a recent event. He is so faithful!

Today I got in 4 miles and it was dreary, windy and cool. It seemed my body didn't really want to run. I know I was tired from a previous busy week. Needless to say, I was not running very fast. As I continued to listen to the running lectures on my ipod, I grabbed onto the opening words before each session began. The opening words were: "It's not how fast you run, but that you run." So I took comfort that I did just that - ran - even though it seemed slower than usual.

A Running Voter

Yep, today was an election day. An intense election to say the least. Many things about this election have been on the hearts and minds and in the prayers of God's people. I did my civic duty, but enjoyed a 4 mile run first.

I took off the past 2 days due to a sore throat. It seems to have gone away and so this morning I decided I was just going to go out there and run. I actually felt pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised. And encouraged!

It's been a busy day. This evening after working at the polls for my State Representative I had a chance to meet someone at an "after the election get together." This woman told me she was thinking about training for a triathlon. She mentioned the name of the tri and I told her that that happened to be the first triathlon I ever did as a mother of 4. She was so excited about talking to me and was very eager to get insight about doing a tri. She couldn't have met a more excited person for her. I was so thrilled for her! I enjoyed so much being able to help her and give her some advice that I have learned over the years, mainly from being so inexperienced and learning things the hard way! I have come such a long way and I am still learning so much. I had a blast talking with this eager woman who just wanted to try and do something that seemed out of her reach, but was willing to go for it! May the Lord bless her as she chases after a dream.

Today, I was a runner. I was also a voter. Put the two together and I was a running voter!

Running with Ipod - Day 3

Yesterday was day 3 of using my new cool handy dandy ipod. Together we put in another great 4 miles. It was a beautiful day and the sun actually came out from hiding several times during my run. It had been pretty overcast all morning. I was glad to have the sun shine down on me in patches as I ran. My week's total came to 12 miles! Haven't gotten up to 12 for a few weeks now, so I am pleased.

As I continue to think about this marathon thing, another interesting encouragement came my way. On Friday, when I went to check my email, the very first one that greeted me was the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon information and registration email. I suppose I'm still on their mailing list even though I ran the half marathon two April's ago. The timing of this email and my serious consideration is indeed, interesting. Hmm...

Recently I read this quote by T.S. Eliot: "Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." I just will never know unless I at least try. I may find that I simply cannot run a marathon. That would be very sad for me, but at least I would've found out and will have to accept my body's limitations and God's answer to my desire to be able to run such a distance. Today I'm not feeling quite as confident as I have been. Last night I did not sleep well and today I woke up with a slight sore throat on the left side. A few weeks back my sore throat was on the right side. I'm feeling some achyness as well.

Tomorrow I will see how I feel. I may have to rest up. But I can be proactive in a few other areas, like talking with my family about marathon aspirations and also making a doctor's appointment just to check on a few things. If I do those things I will be taking closer steps to this major decision. Another thing I can look into is following up on a suggestion a fellow runner gave me. He told me that if I run a marathon, I should run for a "cause." I have done that in the past. I raised money for a local pregnancy care center years ago when I attempted to run 7 miles. Back then, that was the most I had run since being a mother of several children. It was very motivating because I knew if I didn't make the 7 miles, I wouldn't get the money that folks had pledged. I'll be thinking more about this as well. And hopefully, see God's providential hand in all these areas as I move ahead.

Running and Ipods

Today is running day two of getting aquanted with my new ipod. It's just amazing. Once again I listened to some running lectures and a few songs. It was a beautiful day with blue skies, lots of sunshine, but it was quite chilly. There was a strong wind in the air, the kind that makes so much noise in your ears when running directly into it. How fortunate to have had these wonderful little ear plugs in my ears with my head band warmer over them. The loud wind wasn't an annoyance with my new gadget in place. I was also pretty distracted from the cooler weather due to listening to various running experts lecture. Such fun!

Well, once again, 4 miles flew by! I'm continueing to look for the Lord to guide my decision regarding a marathon. Yesterday, my youngest son wrote a Bible verse down on a piece of paper and brought it to me. It said, "We should make plans counting on God to direct us." It was Proverbs 16:9. How appropriate I thought. And I knew this one needed to go on the refrigerator! I guess if I move ahead with some of the things I need to do first, I can count on Him to direct me. Finding time to discuss the matter with my family should probably be my at the top of my list. Maybe we'll do this soon.