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)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
I keep forgetting to post...
This should cover since last time I posted! I will try to do better!
add: 23 miles
add: 23 miles
Thursday, August 18, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
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
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
Sunday, August 7, 2011
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. :)
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
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
Thursday, August 4, 2011
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
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
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