Christmas with Family

Well for starters I have 38 miles to add some of which were run with two of he best looking girls in the world. What do you know ladies, we finally logged some miles together to Portland, Maine! Karissa & Heather signed up for the Portland, Oregon half marathon and I don't know if I should or not since it is October. Hum... Just want to say that the time we had at Christmas will always be fondly remembered. No gift is greater than the gift of time. Thanks to all my children who arrived to make the moments richer. How about that singing on Sunday? Wowzers!

Run = Pray

If I don't run I don't pray...when I can break this cycle and pray if I don't run. However, a majority of the time I run because I know if I don't then I won't pray...sigh...

Sorry I haven't put a lot of my mileage on here :/

Add: 13 miles running + 5 miles biking

4 in a row

Today is day 4 of straight running. Feels amazing. Loving it. Especially the runs with Noel, never seems like exercise when I'm with someone else and we have some good conversations. More like a coffee date and less like running.

Add: 9 miles running

If Life = Running

How long have I been here? How long have I been crumpled in this path, injured? I lost track of time in my pain. I tried to get up, but that only led to a relapse in my injury. How long till I can crawl? How long till I can stand or even walk? They say it takes time. Time and rest for injuries to heal, for the tears to repair and the scar tissue to build. How long until I can run . . . or will I ever run again?

Some injuries last for a short time, but others are so serious they leave permanent damage. The body may develop scar tissue, but it will never be the same. It is forever altered. I wonder how serious my injury is? Will I be able to walk without a limp? Will I be able to run the miles with the same turn-over and stride I once had? Or will my injury just simply be marked with the reminder of some scar tissue?

I sit in this path waiting for healing, waiting for the pain to subside and the scar tissue to bind. I don't know how long its been or how long I'm supposed to rest. I don't know if I want to find out how serious my injury is. What if I relapse? What if it hurts as I begin to walk? What if I can't ever run the same again? What if the path ahead brings another injury? Do I even want to run anymore?

Running: 10 miles (lost track of all the miles I didn't record)

october 25-26

ADD: 3 miles running + 16 miles biking

treadmill...treadmill...

well everyday is running on the treadmill right now, but the one advantage to that is being able to control my speed and focusing on prayer is easier. Running is definitely my prayer time, so I can't not run, because I can't not pray! Prayer is my God time and the most powerful thing I can do! I am working at running faster, so when riss and I go on runs outside together we can run a pace closer to her speed..of course not as fast as she would lol but closer! I haven't been reporting my mileage so can't really say...but I will guess for this week.

Add: 15 miles running and 8 miles biking

Variety Is the Spice of Life

Sunday I ran 3 miles to the intersection out Waterman and back. Monday it was 2 more interval miles on the treadmill. Wednesday I ran 3.35 miles with the aerobic setting. Nothing special to report. Run fast then run slower. This variety keeps it interesting. This is life.

October 9-10

Add: 4 miles running and 3 miles biking

Whatcha Hunting For Anyway?

I've run into the darkness for some time now, 9.75 miles to be exact over the past two weeks. Seems as if my running mileage is down but weekends have been busy and the hunting good. Just guessing that I managed about 6 miles of hiking up and down hills looking for something.

What am I really hunting for? Deer. Pheasant. My health. Solitude. Camaraderie. I believe a bit of all of these is the truth and that is the beauty of the season. Running is great but hunting is better yet. A kill scene is a howling of praise and celebration to God for the bounty, men working together, back slapping and good natured teasing. The hunt is a physical endeavor demonstrating skill, stamina, and teamwork. No hunt is unsuccessful if men gather at the end and share their stories over jerky and peanuts washed down with coffee or water.

To the men I hunt with and the hunts we've shared this season, for the butchering days of fall, for the meat in the refrigerator, and the jokes and insights we've shared I thank God. I believe I am hunting for the glory of the Lord this season.

October 6-8

ADD: 5 miles running

October 5th already!!

Wow its already october 5th this is craziness! well after 3 days off I was back and running this morning. Except no longer the deer filled streets of La Grande, instead the little workout room at the apartment complex. It is nice, but missed the fresh air while running. Thank you God they have a workout room :)

ADD: 2.5 running and 2 biking

september 29

Add: 2.5 miles running

Sept 24-28

ADD: 9 miles running

September 21-23

I have been running still in the mornings and now it is cold and the stars and moon are out. The number of deer are crazy to me, but I am doing better about not being spooked when I hear noises and can't see anything haha!

This morning's run was not good...I felt so slow, tired, and had a sideache the whole time. I have learned to mostly control my sideaches through my breathing but then I am so focused on my breathing that I am focused on how my body feels and struggle to pray :-/ However, like I learned from Riss...when running the hill at the end of my run and my hip hurt and my stomach I thanked God that I could run and that I could feel, even if feeling meant pain!

I finally clocked my run yesterday and confirmed that it is 3 miles, actually a little over 3, about 3.2 miles which gave me relief that I wasn't just running super slow haha

Add: 9.5 miles running

September 17-20

Saturday morning Dad and I shared another run together :) not sure how far we went? I ran Monday and today but each morning its getting harder and harder to get out of bed :-/ I too cannot wait to run the paths at Bush Park with the fall leaves crunching underfoot and my sister by my side yay! I have to admit, running in the dark isn't much fun...I love fall, but cold mornings and running in the dark doesn't allow me to see God's gorgeous sunrise and feel the sun on my face.

ADD: 7.5 miles running

I miss. . .

I miss my gravel roads, my summer runs, my little town. Somehow the treadmill in the stuffy workout room just isn't as great. It's been difficult trying to get running in with teaching and everything else. I manage to run about 3 days a week. I'm hoping to up that number this week. Running is still my best prayer time, so when I don't run, I don't pray much. I feel spiritually dry when I'm physically dry sometimes. I'm not sure why I equate the two so much but I do. I can't wait for Noel to get here so we can go running at Bush Park with all of the pretty fall leaves! I am so excited for it :)

Add: 12.5 miles running

A Weak to Remember

More over will I glory in my infirmities for when I am weak you are strong!

When I can't God can! What a powerful thought...in 1 Corinthians Paul reminds them that he did not come with persuasive words but in the power of God. When I don't know what to do God knows. Paul goes on to say the the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God for God has choosen the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Finally, Paul says that he will glory in (take pride in) is his weakness so that God may demonstrate his strength and power. As a husband, father, teacher, coach, or mentor I have often felt that I had something to offer others around me in the way of counsel or wisedom. The Word tells me that the best I have is filthy rags before God. May I empty myself of ME and be filled with HIM so that those around me will be attracted to God working in me. Whoa to the man who trust in HIMSELF rather than God, but instead pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks.

May I learn and remember to say with Paul that I too glory in my weaknesses so that the power of God may be manifest in my being.

Noel-Thanks for another great run/prayer time. We did spiritual battle. Keep fighting this week!

Sis-You have been on my heart and I have had you to the throne of grace often this week. Love you. What is easy is not always right and visa versa. Take heart for HE has overcome the world. Praying with you like crazy!!!!

Running 9

Walking 2

Biking 2

September 13-14

ADD: 6 miles running

September 12

Friday and Saturday I got to run with Dad which was alot of fun. We talked and prayed together :) Today I was back to running my La Grande loop! It is dark now when I run which I don't like as well, but it does present surprises, such as the deer in people's yards, the man who walks with the bright blue light, and the cat that made my heart leap this morning haha! I love running, it helps me talk to God and think :) Thank you God I can run!

ADD: 3 miles running

Where Have I Been & Where Am I Going???

Well here is my first post in two months. Exercise seems to be easier than posting to the blog.

Karissa- Wow I finally had a chance to read some of your posts and they are soooo deep. Keep it up girl. I love your analogies and introspective thought. God has gifted you in so many ways!

Noel - How wonderful to share this trip of live across the years and miles with you. I certainly see God at work in you...leading and training you up.

All I can say is that the discipline of running, praying, and scripture are seeming to blend together for me at this point in life like a seamless recitation of a gifted speaker. Moving effortlessly through the content of my existence, blending my actions, thoughts, and feelings together in the most homogeneous moment of the day - running in the dark. Sometimes I forget where I've been (can't even remember my mileage) and I don't always know where God is leading me to go. But, in the most congruent time of the day I am honestly seeking my father with my whole being and in that moment I find Him! It is here that God speaks truth to my heart, convicts, comforts, and confirms. May I always find time to run to Him.

Noel and I put 6 miles in together this week end and prayed while we ran. POWERFUL!

Oh...looks like the time is coming for new shoes :0) Duke says hi to everyone too.


Running 31
Biking 25
Walking 8

Oh, treadmill how I have NOT missed you...

Moving, cleaning, unpacking, starting my first school year, yep, I haven't been running. Even when I have had time, I felt so overwhelmed with everything else I figured I should make better use of my time. The truth is though, that taking 30 minutes to run IS the best use of my time! I have been completely overwhelmed with joining the real world in my job, in my living, in my finances, in everything. It kind of makes me stressed. I feel as if I have so much to do I can't even start. So I sit there stressed, staring at my blank computer screen trying to plan out my classes for the year and feeling totally unmotivated. Today I ran. Running is a stress reliever and a motivator, that is why it IS the best use of my time. I can either run for 30 minutes or sit idle trying to do something. I think I'm gonna choose running more often, emotional detox for my stress of course!

Add: 3 miles (treadmill :( yuck)

I keep forgetting to post...

This should cover since last time I posted! I will try to do better!

add: 23 miles

Relapse

I'm checking in. I was out, but I'm back. I've relapsed into emotional detox running. I don't know what I was ever doing getting out of it. I guess I forgot just how good it is. When I run I can feel every emotion pulsing through me. I can physically experience my emotions--happiness, playfulness, sadness,anger, pain. In running, I welcome the fatigue, I welcome the pain. The piercing in my side, the ache in my chest, the stinging of my muscles, it feels so good. I can feel, my mental anguish. My physical pain is real, it occupies my thoughts leaving no room for anything else, it allows me to escape for a moment. It releases me from the merry-go-round thoughts which are ever present, holding me prisoner in my mind. If I couldn't run, I am afraid of what I would do. Praise God for running. As I begin to be pained and fatigued, I become empty of my strength, my self-reliance. I become weak and defeated both physically and mentally. In that moment I finally surrender everything to the Lord cause I don't know what else to do cause I have nothing left. He is the only thing that will get me through and so I cling to Him. This is what I mean by detox -- I feel, I become weak, I surrender.

I have relapsed in more than one sense . . . "I am injured and the pain so great I cannot move forward. The path is perilous, rocky, and I cannot see what is before me. The pain pierces me and I am a crumpled heap in the path grasping at my injury. I am alone. In time I will crawl, stand up, walk, and even run." I tried to stand up too fast, the pain courses sharply through my body as I find myself a crumpled in a heap on the path. How long before I crawl again? Will this injury have life long damage? Will I ever be able to run again?

Add: 3.6 miles running

Around MY town....

This morning I got out and ran for the first time in days. Heather, I know what you mean about moving really taking up time and not being able to get out. Anyways, I thought I would feel super sluggish, but I didn't, which was nice. With all the wheat trucks out on the gravel roads I've taken to running in town for safety unless it is early early in the morning. So today I ran 4 miles in town...down 5th street, up 4th street, down 3rd street, up 2nd street, down Hunt street, up Grandview, and then a mile across Main street and Sherman as I went. It was a nice little change from running the usual square route, I got to see every single one of Athena's main streets. This got me to thinking in my Life = Running . . .

My life is a town, people come in, people go out, daily people see my life. However, most people just see what is on my main streets. The reasons people come in or go out are all on those streets--wants, needs, services. . . so most people use the same common streets. With that being the case, my main streets look pretty good, most often presentable. A few people occasionally will venture onto a side street, mostly family. But, there is one person who is not happy with just strolling the main streets of my life--God. My Father in heaven knows whats really in my town. Daily, he sees my side streets and so much more. He knows whats in my dark alleys, my fenced backyards, and my tightly locked houses. God desires me to let Him into all of those places, to not just keep Him out on the main streets. Often I don't want to, because those places are dark, fenced, and tightly locked for a reason. I can't stop Him of course, sometimes He gets in despite my wishes, and the fight I put up makes it all the more painful than if I had just invited Him in. How long will I fight to keep God on my main streets? When will I finally surrender every single part of my life to Christ? When will I invite Him to go anywhere He pleases in my town? When will I trust that despite the pain He desires to do good things . . . to put lampposts in my alleys, build gates in my fences, and renovate my houses?

Do you attempt to keep God on your main streets? Do you have dark alleys, fenced backyards, and tightly locked houses which you need to let God into? Will you invite Him in and willingly surrender EVERY single part of your life?

Add: 15.6 miles

Physical & Spiritual Training

Yesterday and today I ran in the morning and ran farther than I have been. It was a blessing that I had the energy because it gave me more time to pray. Like Heather, running makes me more confident, feel more disciplined, and be more positive.

This morning I was reading in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 God reminded me that my determination and discipline in running every morning should be as much and great in my spiritual walk.

"...train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come."

At times I am much more determined to run then to read my Bible or pray, but my spiritual training is so much more importance! We need to train everyday spiritual...if we don't we become out of shape. We give in to sin more easily, we are less confident in ourselves and God, discouragement overcomes us, we lose focus and eventually give up trying at all. I cannot let my relationship with Christ do this! Just like some mornings I wake up and I don't feel like running, I know that once I do I will feel better about myself and my day will be more positive. Some mornings the run is hard. Its the same with reading my Scriptures and praying...sometimes its hard to get into my Bible or to pray, but in the end I know it has fed my soul and I am stronger.

I have found that my physical training goes hand in hand with my spiritual training. When I run in the morning I pray. As I talk to God first thing in the morning my soul is refreshed and my day is always better! I need to be just as disciplined in my spiritual training, please help hold me accountable everyone!


ADD: 6 miles

Exciting News!

We talk about strides in life, as well as strides in running. I'm excited to report both! You know that many times over the last two years, I've tried to start running. I'm successful as long as I have someone to go with me, and as soon as that goes away, so does my running :( I've wanted Andrew to go with me...I've prayed, begged, threatened, encouraged, nagged, and prayed some more for him to come with me. The answer's always been no, so I've tried to make the best of it, going when I can with whoever is willing and able. We've been up here for a week, and I haven't run at all. Part of that is 100% lack of discipline: no one to go with me, you see. I own it. I admit it. It's totally a shortcoming in my character. The other part of it is being busy and transitioning. However, yesterday, I realized how problematic it was for me. That lack of exercise makes me feel discouraged, more prone to negativity, and an overall lack of confidence. I felt soooo good the last 5-6 weeks, running with Karissa. The sense of accomplishment was definitely a high for me. I was motivated to make changes in other areas as well. I realized how much running made me a better person, inside and out.

Soo...I was sharing this with my exercise-averse husband, just pouring out my heart. I told him again how much I really wanted to establish a good habit for our lives, together, both of us encouraging each other. And you know what? He agreed! He's promised to set aside an hour, three days a week for starters, to work out with me! He's not working for a distance like I am, but he wants to be healthier too, and to get a more active lifestyle! Praise God! I know that feeling obligated to another person is more likely for us to follow through, than if we walk it alone. So look for posts from both of us, as we work out on MWF after work together. :)

Sorry everyone...

So I haven't been on here for quite awhile :/ I have been running consistently at least 5 days a week, but have not been recording how far. Honestly I have no idea how far I am running in the neighborhood of La Grande. Jan showed me her walk she thought was almost 2 miles, but pretty sure it isn't so I always run farther...but still I don't know how far. I think my normal square is close to 2 miles...I will drive it one of these times.

I love running in the morning. I get up at 5 and run and it is the best. All is quiet and it is just God and I talking and running while he begins to wake up the world and paint his sunrise on the horizon. It is a good way to start my day because immediately I am talking with God and thanking him for the beauty of the day instead of letting my mind wander off to my "to do" list or emotional lows. Not only that but it wakes my body up. I start my run immediately going uphill and everyday I remind myself when I start off huffing and puffing up the hill that I run because I can. I run because it makes me healthy, I run because God completely healed my knee, I run because it helps me talk with God.

Hard to say where I am at with my distance but I will see what I can remember from this last week.

ADD: 12 miles running

UPDATE!!!! READ ME!

We have just passed through Salt Lake City! I will try to update the picture. Keep going!!! We can do it!

Life's Paths

Yesterday I had the opportunity to do my favorite kind of running--trail running. Dad, Zach, and I all went up to Jubilee Lake for the morning. They went fishing, but I didn't have a license, so I went running on the trail around the lake. It was so beautiful....the lake was a mirror reflecting the world, the birds cheerfully sung their morning songs, and the air was damp and cool beneath the canopy of trees. For a moment, I was taken  back to some of my races in cross country...Catherine Creek Scamper and a collegiate race in Canada. The ups, downs, twists, and turns of the paths make you feel as if you are almost on a roller coaster with the trees flashing by. At points I feel as if I'm going so fast I won't know what to do if I encounter someone on the path around the corner. Maybe that is why I like it so much, I feel fast....haha. Sometimes though I like to jog along slowly enjoying the scenery around me. Often I see a beautiful flower, or a unique animal that makes me want to wander off the path for a look. The most tempting is the alternative paths I see wandering off through the woods. Where do they go?

In life I'm running on a trail or path. This path is obvious. It is clearly lined by the lack of foliage, it is beaten down, it is wide enough to travel on, it may even be accompanied by an occasional arrow cut in the bark of a tree, it is markedly defined. I see the path at first glance. This is the path the Lord has for me, the path of righteousness openly outlined in Scripture. It is distinct, incontestable, and evident. I do not have to search for it. Just like yesterday, there are times where I am tempted by the scenery off the path. The sin of life seems so tantalizing, so beautiful, so unique, if I could just get a closer look. There are also times where I come to a split in the path, a grey area in life. Both paths are wide enough to travel on and markedly defined. They are not the alternative paths wandering off through the woods, but main paths. What do I do? Which one do I choose? I have no way of knowing where either will lead. So I have to choose and trust the Lord. As I move down the path I have chosen, I will discover whether it is really a main path. It may quickly deteriorate, narrowing as the foliage creeps in until I find myself lost, searching. Despite my best efforts I do not always choose the right path the Lord has for me, however I believe He is faithful to reveal this to us if we seek Him.

Isaiah 30:12 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Let us run the clear path of righteousness the Lord has laid out and when we are unsure trust the Lord will show us if we have gone wrong when we seek Him wholeheartedly.

Add: 5.5 walking, 11 running

Determination

So today I decided to go running at 5:45 pm. It was sunny, it was hot, it was not a good run. I only went 3.4 miles, but I totally felt like I was going to toss my grilled cheese sandwich from lunch. However, I was determined to run the whole thing without stopping...even to stretch...and to run it fairly quickly.

This is one of the reasons I run: determination. For some reason, running develops not only my perseverance, but gives me a great sense of determination. I think, I've been running since middle school, I ran college cross country, I raced at the collegiate level in track, I have pushed through multiple injuries, I have ran miles upon miles in my life, and I KNOW I can work just a little bit harder and meet my goal. This determination I get while running also spills over into my life. If I can be determined in running...why not life? So sometimes as I run I get determined about things in life. Today I was regretting my past, my disobedience to the Lord, and I got the ever familiar sense of determination to do better. I thought, I have walked in obedience before, I have made good choices, I am a daughter of the King, a servant of the master, a sinner saved by grace, a beloved child of God, and I KNOW I can be better and be a woman of God (with His help). I'm not sure why running gives me life determination, but it does. Does it happen for anyone else?

Add: 7 miles running

Inconsistent me...

Hey. *sheepish grin* I've been busy this last week, packing, moving, setting up a new job, etc. etc. BUT I still should have posted the last couple weeks. Karissa and I have been doing Couch to 5k, as you know, and we did four weeks of the 9, before I tweaked my knee. A few days later, my knee felt so much better, but then my hip felt out of whack, and then I had to pack and move, and I didn't have time to run even if I wanted to. So it took us two weeks to do that fourth week. During the fourth week, I ran/walked 6 miles (2 each day). We'll talk and figure out how to pace it so I can get back on track--and stay injury free!

I'll admit, I am very vulnerable to self-hatred. Ironic, you may think, because I have a generally positive attitude, and the gift of encouragement. But for being so encouraging of others, God has been revealing to me about hypocrisy. Hypocrisy can take many forms. The one we're most familiar with is when people have high standards for others, but don't live up to them in their own life. However, hypocrisy is any time we say one thing and do another: the inconsistency in our actions and words, so to speak. God has been working on a kind of hypocrisy in my life: my words. I say really nice things to other people, but I am not always as kind in the kinds of things I say to myself. When my knee hurt, my first thoughts were of failure, frustration, and telling myself that if I didn't just push through it, I'd never develop discipline, and I'd only end up fat and lazy. I would NEVER say any of that to anyone else. Wouldn't even dream of it! So why do I say it to me? Truth comes from God the Father. That is certainly not truth! God has been challenging me to see myself the way that He sees me: a beautiful creation, worthy of being His temple. The "second greatest commandment" comes often to mind these days, as I learn to shape my words to myself: Love your neighbor as yourself. Loving yourself is necessary. Not to excessive, prideful levels, but in a way that reflects back to the Father's love for us: He loves me so much that Jesus died and rose again to cover my sin. And then sent His Spirit to reside in me. If I can believe that for other people, I can believe it for myself.

Mileage: let's say 6 miles, I can't be sure. running/walking, but more running than walking!

What people don't see . . .

Running in town this morning, I passed many familiar places and people. Some people I see quite frequently on my runs and sometimes I wonder what they are thinking when they see me (self-centered I know...). I guess I wonder because when I see people running I always wonder where they have come from, how far they have gone, how hard they are working, why they are running, ect.... I see a person running for a brief moment, that is it, that is all I see. I don't see how much motivation it has taken them to put their running shoes on, I don't see the work they had to put in to get from the couch to running, I don't see the miles they have run, I don't see the pain they may be in, I don't see how tired they may be, I don't see the injuries they may have. Sometimes if you know the person running,  you can see some of these things. For instance, when my grandparents and parents came to my cross country races to watch me run they cried sometimes because they knew the effort I had put out for training and could tell I was working really hard. However, they still could not truly know the motivation it took or the pain I was in.

If Life = Running, this is also true. I see people running all around me. I see brief moments of their paths and scenery and how they run, but their is so much I don't see! When they come to a big hill I don't see their inward struggle, when they run past I don't see the path from which they have come, when it is raining I don't see their heart's battle for courage, when they are injured I don't see the true depth of their pain. No matter how much I try to listen, to know, to observe, no one but the runner themselves sees, knows, and feels these things. There is so much people don't see.

Add: 9.5 miles running

Running on Empty

So, I discovered something today. I love running on empty! An empty stomach that is....I always knew there was a reason why I like running first thing in the morning and that is because my stomach is emptiest at that time of day. I don't like feeling like I have a brick in my stomach or my middle weighs fifteen pounds. When I run on an empty stomach I feel lighter, faster, and it is much more enjoyable. Is it smart? I don't know, but I certainly feel like I run better.

Tonight was beautiful with the golden wheat basking in the last rays of sunlight that stretched across the pink and purple sky. *sigh* How I shall miss running here in Eastern Oregon around my little town. How I shall miss running with Heather and our talks. How I shall miss being able to run whenever I want during the day as many times as I want. How I shall miss being able to scream or yell, sing or talk, cry or laugh out loud while running by myself on these dusty roads. How I shall miss taking 30 minute stops to sit in the wheat fields and watch God set the sun. The treadmill at my new apartment just doesn't seem quite as nice, nor does the rain of Salem. *sigh* I shall miss my home, I've become attached again, never fails.

Add: 3.6 miles running

Not so smart....

It was Sunday, about 1 pm, and I needed out! I tried taking a nap, but I just couldn't fall asleep, I had to do something or else I was going to go crazy. Without much thought I threw on my running shoes and took off. Sometimes when running under emotion I don't really think very straight...About a mile into running I realized I had not eaten since the night before, I was super thirsty, and I hadn't put any sunscreen on. Oh well, I'll be fine. By the time I got to 1.5 miles at the intersection, I knew exactly where I was going, there was a big loop I had been wanting to run, but I hadn't tried it yet. I didn't really know how far it was, but surely it would be far enough to wear me out. The run had some intense hills in it and by the time I got to about mile 5 I was more worn out than I had been in a long time, pretty sure I was getting burned, dieing of thirst, and determined to finish the whole loop running. This got me to thinking about my life = running metaphor....

 Sometimes in life I am running hills so steep it seems I can hardly lift my feet. It is tempting to stop and walk when I am going almost the same pace as walking. I look up and think I see the top of the hill, only to be fooled, for when I get there it is only a slight dip before an even steeper incline. It is tempting to stop and walk when I don't see the top. I wonder how much longer till I reach the downhill? I wonder if I can make it to the top? I wonder if I should just stop and walk? Yet, something I know is that walking in a run is always proceeded by a choice to do so. Never has my body just automatically quit running (except when I got an involuntary calf cramp once in track...). It has ALWAYS been proceeded by a choice in my mind. Walking is a choice. Running is a choice. Sometimes when I'm running steep hills in life I just want to walk, to give in to my pain and give up. It may be isolating myself, stuffing emotions away, taking emotions out on those around me, blaming God, blaming others, asking why, being angry, throwing a pity party....you name it. But, choosing to run those steep hills in life, is choosing to trust God and draw on His strength to get to the top. It is choosing to believe the hill will make you stronger and God has a purpose for you running it. Choosing to run is hard, sometimes I have to make that choice every mile and sometimes I have to make that choice every step.

Well, Sunday I chose to run. I ran the whole 7.5 or 8 miles on the loop in the 80 degree sunshine. When I got to the end my knees hurt, I was burnt, I had blisters on my feet, I had the worst cotton mouth, and my calves were threatening to cramp. It was probably not so smart to go running in the middle of the day without having eaten since the day before....but I needed out.

Add: 13.5 miles running

Running in LaGrande

Well now that I am working in LaGrande I have been running the neighborhood and sidewalks there :) I am loving it! It's fun to see the little kids out playing soccer because it reminds me of my childhood and soccer days! The different smells, and people, and houses...its new! I can't really say I know exactly how far I have been running but Jan showed me what she thought was 2 miles and so I calculate off that. I am always reminding myself like Riss and Dad, that I run because I can. I thank God on the days when the running is hard, that my leg is healed and that I have 2 legs to run with. I feel so blessed to have the health to run and exercise. God is good! So here is my guess for this last week, not going to attempt the weeks before sorry!

Add: 19 miles running

What if ???

What if I couldn't run? What if I had some sort of physical limitation? Or what if I lived back in Victorian times where women were confined to dresses? If I couldn't run I believe it would rank among the top three worst things that could ever happened to me in life. I am so blessed to have a healthy body that can run. SO BLESSED!!!! The other day when we went to the park to play Frisbee golf I saw a young man using a walker because of some problem with his hip joint or legs. It pained me to watch him slowly creep forward step by step. What if that was me?

Running is my escape. Running is my prayer time. Running is my exercise. Running is my heart to heart with friends. Running is my sense of accomplishment. Running is my time with God. Running is my reflection on life. Running is my deepest thinking. Running is my greatest revelations. Running is my self-discipline. Running is my perseverance builder. Running is my adventure in new places. Running is my worship. Running is my daydreaming. Running is my challenge. Running is my de-stresser. Running is my memorization of the Word. Running is my happy place (endorphins). Running is my listening to sermons. Running is my pore cleanser (sweating...haha). Running is my trip down memory lane. Running is my favorite hobby. Running is my most treasured gifts from God. Running is my emotional detox. Running is my very survival.

Lately, most of my running has been for emotional detox. I have to get rid of pent up energy somehow. I'm so grateful to be able to run because it is a healthy way to do this. Other options might be turning to drugs, alcohol, cutting, eating disorders, ect...but, praise God He gave us running and really any form of exercise! Dad, you use to tell me that I always pitched harder when I was angry...haha. Sometimes, I feel like I can't run for long enough or hard enough to fully rid myself of thoughts or emotions. I wonder if taking on some other form of exercise that is more aggressive such as boxing, or martial arts, would help me to fully cleanse my emotions?

Dad, as you always say, I run because I can. PRAISE GOD!

Add: 5 miles

No matter how far I go...

Discipline: 

1. To punish or penalize for the sake of enforcing obedience and perfecting moral character

2. To train or develop by instruction and exercise especially in self-control  

 

Running requires discipline. Probably more in the sense of the second definition above concerning developing and exercising self-control. It takes discipline to get out of bed to run, it takes discipline to run when the weather is awful, it takes discipline to keep running when the pain comes. 

 

Life also requires discipline, especially for those who have been saved by Christ. I used to consider myself a very disciplined person, mostly because that is how people described me. However, somewhere in the last four years of my life I lost my discipline. I let go. I was fooled by the beautiful mirage of the world, deceived by its lies. In losing my discipline, I compromised, I believed lies, I let my emotions lead me. This happened in various areas of my life, one of which led to an eating disorder. Every single place I lost discipline in I have regrets. My lack of discipline was lack of obedience to the Lord. Sometimes I think...maybe if I run far enough I can escape the emotions in my heart. Maybe if I run long enough I can forget the regrets which fill my soul. But I can't. I will suffer the consequences for my decisions I have made, I will never get back things which I have lost. However, I CAN choose to be disciplined again. I will not be fooled by the lies of this world any longer, for I know what promises to be satisfying only leaves you empty and full of shame. 

 

So I am picking back up and renewing those principles, truths, and commitments that once made me who I was. That held me in obedience before the Lord. I will do everything possible within my grasp (and with God's help) to avoid compromise, to be disciplined. I will take to heart the warning which I ignored before, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!" 1 Corinthians 10:12. God has shown me my lack of discipline and obedience. Despite what I have done, he has got my attention. As I wrote in my latest song (which you are all probably tired of hearing...haha) "No matter how far I go, You will bring me home."

Let us be disciplined not only in our running, but in our lives!

Add: 14.5 running

Wind--my least favorite element

Wind has always been my least favorite element. It takes my breath sometimes, it pelts rain against my face, and it blows dust across my path. I can handle rain or snow, but coupled with wind it seems unbearable to me.

On my run this evening I once again encountered the wind as I ran up the hill out of town. I must admit at first I was quite put out by the wind because it made going uphill even more difficult. However, as I passed the cemetery I had a change of thought. I run past the cemetery a lot, I walk up to it often, and occasionally I sit and think in it. There is something alluring and compelling that draws me to it. Some people find cemeteries creepy (I'm sure there are some pretty scary ones), but not me. To me a cemetery is a reminder essential to my life. In a cemetery lie the bones of people who have lived--good, bad, successful, rich, poor, lonely, all types of people. Now, they all hold one thing in common, death. A cemetery reminds me life is but a midst that appears for a little while and then vanishes. We are not invisible. We have no control on whether we wake up tomorrow. A cemetery makes me imagine the different lives of those who occupy it. It makes me think about what I'm doing in my life. Life is short. I am guilty of taking days, blessings, people, all for granted. A cemetery is a reminder essential to my life, it reminds me I AM ALIVE.

I'm thankful for the wind . . . for the shortness of breath, for the pain in my side, for the wind against my body . . . because it reminds me I am alive. The Lord has not called me home, so He must still have me on this earth for a reason. I am alive--I can think, feel, move, see, touch. I am thankful to be alive, no matter what life brings.

Add: 7 miles running

Nearing the 50 Marker

Guilty is one way of saying it. Having last posted April 16. I know this mileage is wrong and its sources questionable but hey, most of the family is guilty of this and I guess I am no better. I have a couple 2 mile walks with Shelley, a 12 mile bike ride, two 3 mile bike rides with 1 mile runs, and a 3 mile ride with a 3 mile run. Then their are a couple of 2 mile runs in Veneta each time I visited Sharon & Ken. This is all on top of some treadmill miles which I think came out to be 2.25 miles twice. Then three times the 2.5 feed lot run and the 3.8 triangle which I rarely use anymore because the neighbors lab follows me home. Then there are four 3 mile grave yard runs with the early morning sun in the eyes coming back down the hill into town. Lastly but not least there are three 2 mile jags about town. Now as to the 50 marker? Well August I will be 50 and then it should get easier....you know all is down hill. I have this question in my head, "why do I run?", to which I always answer because I still can. Some day my miles will be walking or biking only but today I can still stride out and run sooo....

I guess all this is adding up to something like:

2 miles walking
21 biking
43 running

Square 1?

Am I back to Square 1? I feel so out of shape, so sluggish. The last two weeks I have been horrible about working out! Thank goodness Heather and I have been doing the Couch to 5K because if it weren't for her I would be hardly moving. I have been on about three runs, once it was after 18 hrs of driving in two days and I felt as if I was going to upchuck my fast food...another time I was sucking wind so bad I stopped to walk like three times....and my last run was pretty good due to the fact I was a bit angry. Anyways, I guess about 8.5 miles of running and 4 miles of other since I last posted. Part of the problem this last week was that I spent 3 days just driving! I never wanted to get back in the car again, my calves and back were killing me.

Aside from driving, I have this other problem--getting up when my alarm goes off. Most of my life I have been a pretty disciplined person about never hitting the snooze....well, scratch that, my sister woke me up all throughout high school....okay, in college I was disciplined about waking up to my alarm and as Madi says, jumping straight out of bed. However, this summer, I can't do it! My alarm goes off, I hit dismiss, and sleep for another two or three hours till I finally drag myself out of bed. I have been SOOOOOO tired in the last month! I sleep for eight to ten hours a night and then have one to three hour naps during the day. Maybe the sleep deprivation of college is catching up to me finally, I don't know. What is the problem you might ask? Well, I like working out in the morning, so if I don't get up somewhat early I don't really want to workout. Also, someday my life will be normal again and I will have a purpose and somewhere to actually be called work. So I have to be disciplined again at some point. Maybe when I have a reason to get out of bed I will actually do it, who knows.

Anyways, I want to feel purposeful, to get out of bed, to workout, to be motivated, and to embrace every single morning as a gift from my Lord. It may take awhile to get back to that, but it is where I want to be. I entitled this blog Strides, referring not only to the stride of the leg in running, but also the strides we make in life. Heather is making strides in both :) which is inspiring. I wish I could say I have made some strides in life as of recent, but I almost feel as if I have gone backwards, but then again, maybe that is the only path to going forward again. 

People, aka fam, if you read this, you should really post mileage and if not that, then something about life. We are in Idaho by the way, keep up the good work!

Adding mileage

I forgot to add my mileage! 1.5 for 4 days is 6 miles of walking/running for me :)

Catching up

Karissa and I have done a total of 5 days: I'll do another day on my own tomorrow morning, and be up to 6 before she and I hit week 3 of the program, which really ramps up from here on out. The first two weeks was building a tolerance to movement, lol. Now we actually start going for time and distance (5k/30 min). I'm not loving the dust in the air, but I do love the company, and I love the feeling of accomplishment when I'm done. And I love having a goal to work towards. Just knowing that the 5k is my first goal gives me motivation to continue. I'm hoping Andrew gets motivated to go with me too, but so far, that's still work in progress :) Oh, well...baby steps. Once I get the 5k down, I'm going to work on getting comfortable with that distance, and improving my time.

As for strides in life, I'm proud to say that my patience is much better. Reading that book is encouraging and convicting...ouch in a good way!

Longest Run

Yesterday I headed out for a run, didn't know how far I was really going, just knew it was a LONG run. I haven't really been consistent in my running for the last three weeks or so. Some days I just don't feel like running, so I don't (nice freedom to have coming from a collegiate runner). However, I have missed being consistent. So anyways....yesterday I ended up going on about a 6.5 mile run I think. It took me about 54 minutes. By the last two miles my knees were starting to ache due to the amount of asphalt in the run, but I have to say that long slow distance was what I needed. I'm pretty sure I had not ran 6 miles since I was in track...but I'm looking forward to the next one. I still am thinking half-marathon in the coming future. We shall see.

Add: 6.5 miles

Life = Running

11 years. I've been running for 11 years, that is half my life. What started out as a sport in 6th grade has become my metaphor for life. Some say life is like a race, but that is not what I'm saying. Life is like running.

I have good days in running, I have bad days in running. There are days where I jump out of bed to run and days where I roll over and punch the snooze button one more time. Some days are easy, some days I just get through, and some days are hard. There are days when I get that runner's high and feel as if I could run forever. My feet are light as feathers and my lungs just drink in the air. Then there are days where my arms pump and my legs turn over in a mechanical mindless sort of way. On the rough days my abdomen pinches, my head pounds, and my shoes seem to be super-glued down.

As I run the scenery is constantly changing around me. The seasons bring rain, wind, sunshine, snow, heat, and cold. The ground beneath my feet is hard, mushy, or dusty. The path ahead is flat, hilly, smooth, uneven, or full of obstacles. Sometimes the path winds out of sight and I can hardly see where I am going, other times it stretches straight before me going on for miles and miles. Every now and then I come to a split or intersection in the path and I have to choose which way to go. I don't know what each path will be like, whether it will be an easy downhill or a rocky curving climb.

Sometimes I run with other people. Our paths will cross and for a time I have someone to share my scenery and path. Someone to boost me forward and encourage me when I don't feel so great. Sometimes I run alone. Sometimes for a short time, and sometimes for miles.

The days are easy or difficult depending on how I feel, the path, the scenery around me, and if I'm running with others. Some days I can run fast with light feet on the flat, gravel roads, chatting with a friend, under the clear blue skies. Other days it is a bit slower taking all I have to face the pelting rain alone on the puddle covered roads with the cold air stinging my lungs. Fast or slow I still run on.

Occasionally, there have been times where I slow down and even stop. I am injured and the pain so great I cannot move forward. The path is perilous, rocky, and I cannot see what is before me. The pain pierces me and I am a crumpled heap in the path grasping at my injury. I am alone. In time I will crawl, stand up, walk, and even run. How long it will take I don't know, each injury is different. But I do know I will run again, I always do . . . no matter the path, the scenery, how I feel, or who I am with . . . I press on (Philippians 3:12-14, 4:11-13).

Mileage to add: 11 running and 4.5 other

It's been awhile...lol

Hey, I'm back! I officially SUCK at posting...and keeping consistent track of when I do workout. During the spring semester, I was really good for the first two months of working out 3 or 4 days a week, on the elliptical, for 30-40 minutes. I have no idea how many miles that was, so I won't add anything. Then clinicals started, and life ran away and left me in the dust. :) Now that life's settled down a little more, I'm getting back into a pattern. Karissa and I are starting the Couch to 5k program. She's a great encouragement and I like listening to her talk instead of my lungs! lol. So far, we've done day 1 and 2, and it's a total of 2.5 (?) miles. We go around Athena and alternate jogging and walking, according to the program. It will gradually increase in time and intensity, so that by the end of nine weeks, (3 days a week), I'll be running 3 miles. I'm really excited to have a partner and to get back into running regularly.

Anyway, I'll start posting more regularly now. :)

Running/Walking: 2.5 miles

June 17

Well I can say that after a month off from running I am a wreck...I have never had such a hard time getting back in shape :( I don't know why things are so hard. It is very disappointing and soon I will be moving to LaGrande for work and I worry about having a regular running schedule over there, not to mention Zach and I cannot run together anymore. I can't really say how far we ran the week he was here, so I will just record today's running and not all I have done since being home for the summer, sorry! I wish I could run long miles and I am jealous of those that can. I want to just run and run and be able to pray, but its hard for me to pray if I am not running on a treadmill...why? I don't really know, I always get more tired running outside and focus on running harder or the ground so I don't biff it. Anyway, today dad and I rode out the flat on our bikes, than ran then rode back and around town.

Add: 1 mile running and 3 miles biking

I run to praise my Lord...or to stay sane...just depends on the day.

So, I didn't record my mileage at school, but since I have gotten home I am at 72.45 miles for the month. That's about 18 miles a week. It has been a bit sporadic, but I definitely feel in much much better shape. My last run of 5.5 miles took me 47:26 minutes to complete, so a little under a 9 minute mile. Feels good. Also, I am beginning a couch to 5k program with Heather, which I'm pretty stoked about.
As my post says, I run to stay sane sometimes. There are moments when my emotions get so strong I just have to release them and running is a healthy way to do this. I sometimes feel that if I tire my body out, I will tire my mind out as well. If I can just exhaust myself enough I won't have thoughts racing through my mind. I won't have energy to feel or think. Some runs are about this, other runs are about praising my God. I look out and seek the fields, clear blue skies, and breathtaking space. I can't help but praise God the creator. Sometimes I pray, sometimes I praise Him, sometimes I reflect on scripture or what He is doing in my life. Depending on the day I run to stay sane, or to praise my Savior, either way it works for me.

long time, no post

I officially suck as creator and maintainer of this blog. I will update tomorrow.
--the not so great creator

1.75 running

April 26-29

Add: 6 miles running and 3 miles biking

april 22-26

add: 7 miles running

April 19-21

Add: 8 miles running

April 14-18

Add: 10 miles running and 4 biking

Racing on Flats

This morning as I ran out and back on the flat I pasted the neighbor headed out as I was returning. However, soon Duke began to look back over his should as the neighbor had turned short at the mile marker and was now closing on us. Well that was all the motivation I needed. Suddenly, I was energized and running quickly towards the bridge and home. By the time we passed the neighbors driveway Duke was no longer looking back. The unexpected race was good for me - don't know about the neighbor but I was tired! Mileage this week: 8 miles

Running in Comfort

Well I must be the worst at recording my mileage. On our last trip to Salem we stayed at the Comfort Suits and so I ran in comfort (1.5 mi) and used the elliptical (3.5 mi). I also had 10 miles previous to that at home. Total Running: 13.5 Elliptical: 3.5

April 11-13

Add: 4 miles running, 5 miles biking, 1 mile elliptical

This week!

Add: 6 miles running and 4 miles biking

Last week!

Add: 7 miles running, 1 mile biking

Add: 2 miles

March 14-18

This week I ran Mon-Wed...those are the days I set up weights for the athletes so by 6:45 I have my run in for the day, which I love. I don't like getting up so early but starting my day with a run is glorious. However, I cant seem to get my running in the last 2 days of my week or on the weekends :( I need to fix this.

Add: 5.5 miles running

Been A While

Adding mileage here from a multiple of places - most indoors. I seem to have lost some motivation to run in the weather which has been very wet and windy in Eastern Oregon. However, I still do my praying on the treadmill.

Running: 18 miles
Eliptical: 2 miles
Swimming: .25 miles

Looking forward to seeing my girls this week and maybe doing some distance together. Wonder how far we are on our trek?

Another incentive?

So I haven't been posting my mileage, but I have been recording it. In the last two weeks I've totaled about 20 miles running. A little interval work, a little slower long distance. It feels good. However, I would much rather be running outside in the summer morning air in Eastern Oregon than on a treadmill in a stuffy gym. Summer is coming I suppose....taking too long. And...I'm now engaged so I got to get ready for my big day! Another incentive to getting toned and in shape :)

March 8

Add: 1 mile running and 3 miles biking

March 7

Add: 3 miles biking

March 2

Add: 4 miles biking

February 28, 2011

Add: 2 miles running

Kari and I run

Karisa and I went for a run Saturday morning to the stoplight and back. Then did Zumba which is a dance workout video. Zumba is ok, not really my cup of tea, but if you like dancing its a great way to workout!

Add: 3 miles running

Feb 23

Add: 1 mile running

Add: 5 miles Biking!

Oops! Last one posted too soon!

Add: 2 miles running

Starting to run again

Add: 2 Miles biking

Feb. 16 2011

Yay for not being able to run because of the Corban Trainers! :/

Add: 8 Miles Biking

Feb 7, 2011

Add: 5 miles running

Woot!

Keeping going with 16.41 more miles to add!

Saturday roommate run :)

We ran to the stoplight and back, Jen, Karisa, and I. It was a beautiful morning. I am so thankful for my roommates, the sunshine, and that I can run!! Blessed by God!

Add: 2.5-3 miles running (however far it is, you know Riss)

January 27, 2010

Add: 2 miles running and 1 mile biking

January 24, 2011

Add: 2 miles running

Roommate Run

I went running this morning with Jen and Karisa :) We ran to the stoplight and back. It was a beautiful morning, not too cold, a little bit of blue sky peaking through the normal overcast skies of Salem. It was a great way to start my Saturday.

Add: 3 miles running

And so I start again....

After Christmas break it has been super hard to get working out "IN" to my routine. So I've started again...I hate starting over, but it only gets better :) 4 miles running. Keep it up everyone! We can do it!

More Miles

So funny thing is I'm on the treadmill right now walking and adding more miles today! :D After today I will have 7.5 miles total to add. Get some!

Jan 13, 2011

Add: 2 miles running

Apologies

Sorry for not updating the blog sooner. You all have been great with posting, please keep posting! I love that we are all doing this together. During break I ran probably about 25 miles, however since returning to school I have had to wait for the gym to reopen which is happening tomorrow. So lets get it ON!

Cool Running

The weather has been cool lately and the holidays have provided some quality moments for logging mileage. I ran three days while at Tricities with Noel & Karissa. Check their posts for details. Other solo runs have been in very cold weather. Upon completion of one particular run Duke and I looked like we had white frost parka collars. I addition to running outside I ran inside the gym a couple days and lifted weights. Getting up to exercise at 6:00 reminded me of good times in the past but gym miles are tedious.






Add: 33 miles

Couch to 5k

I did the 2nd workout today add 1.16 miles jog/walk.

Rainy Day

I walked 3.5 miles on the school track today, while I talked to my mom. It was a little wet, but not cold, and it was nice to catch up with Mom while I was walking. It distracted me from feeling sick, and I actually feel better having walked in fresh air. Definitely better than the paint fumes I've been smelling all week! :)

El Roi: the God who sees me

Treadmill running at home

Add: 6 miles running

I started!

I went for a 2 mile walk around downtown Newberg, on Tuesday evening. The sun was setting, and it was very chilly. I had new running shoes, and I love breaking in shoes! It was nice to hear the sounds of my footsteps and my breathing in rhythm to my music. I was supposed to walk again today, but woke up with a bad cold, so I'll make it up on Saturday morning instead :)

Jehovah-Shammah: The Lord is there.

Some more miles

Got 1.75 miles for us! :D