Thats Where We Are!

Wonderful to know we are running towards Laramie Wyoming at this point in our trek across the US. I even put on my cowboy hat for part of this weeks mileage! I would have gone more than this 11.1 miles this week "but I got bushwacked at the pass lil' feller"! Having a good time with our run girls. Keep up the good work we are almost 1/2 way. Praying and Running. Dad

Where we are . . . Wyoming!

We are I80 near Laramie, Wyoming

Carried

It seemed like forever I'd been there, crumpled in the path immobilized by pain. The longer I was there the  more accustomed I grew to that place. I almost forgot what it was like to run, to feel the wind on my face, to see the ground moving beneath my feet. I began to accept where I was, to accept my immobilization. Nothing I did, nothing I tried, took away the pain or healed my injury. I was stuck, I was completely and utterly helpless. I was hopeless.

I had thought myself to be alone, but I wasn't. Somewhere in one of those long days I noticed He was there with me. He'd been there in the questioning, in the anger, in the pain, in the long nights. He'd been there in that path next to my crumpled form, arms open wide. It was on one of those long days I finally reached up.

I have yet to crawl, or walk, or run, but I move . . . as He carries me. Like a child, I wrap my arms tightly around His neck clinging to Him. I was injured, helpless, immobilized, but He picked me up. My God is strong, never does He grow weary or stop. I can't run just yet, but someday I will with His help, for I know that is His desire. For now, He will carry me . . . as long as I need.

Running: 46 miles
Walking: 1 mile

The ups and downs of running.

Headed to Portland for a softball clinic I found myself working out on a high tech treadmill that would tell me how far I ran with a picture of a cross country course being plotted as I went. I could select a target heart rate, duration, and type of workout as well. I choose heart rate 163 , 5K, & 30 mins. Well the machine began to go up and down attempting to elevate my HR to the right number of beats per minute. I could see it over compensating as it shot up in incline. 6% it read and rising - thats like Cabbage Hill...whew! Soon I was punching buttons like crazy trying to override the 10%+ grade. Inside I was promising my heart would speed up soon if just given a chance. Well I finished the run and was glad to be home on my own tread where I have put in my last 11 miles of running, most while looking outside at the snow and ice covered features of Athena. No school since Tuesday has been truely amazing as is the fact that I can figure out the controls on my ol' treadmill. Best of all is that my lovely wife has been her the last two days too.

Miles Ran - 14 miles

Where are we?

Where did you come from where did you go, get out of the way for cotton-eyed Joe. Add two more miles and where does that put us. Can't see on the tiny map - weak eyes and all. Bet we are somewhere in the edge of the midwest. Love to know.

Miles Running 2

Journey

I understand that there is a male wolf that has wandered from the Imnaha pack to northern California and they have given him the name JOURNEY. He is willing to leave the known for the unknown and travel to distance woods in his quest for a new life. Wildlife officials wonder if he will stay or return. They wonder if others will follow him.
As I run in the backness of the early morning praying about my life journey I am captivated by its temperal nature. Here then gone. Will I venture ahead into the unknown or stay where it is "safe" and familar. What will others have to say about me when my journey is done. Did I run the race well as Paul says. Did I fix my eyes upon the author and finisher of my faith?
I started the new year with a 2 mile run, then put another 2 on the treadmill, and another 5.25 in on Saturday but it was the 3 mile early run in the dark that got me to thinking about my journey here on earth. May those who come behind me find me faithful.

Miles run 12