Running For a Cause. The idea of organizing a race to benefit a cause is far from a new idea. People have been coming together in sporting events for centuries, yet this weekend I take up my own cause, the Jingle Bell Run. Doug and I are going to run a 10k with numerous other people that we don't know, in silly outfits and out in the cold. As a community we look forward to it, asking all our friends if they have signed up. We want everyone to be on board. What makes it fun is not only all the fellowship, the adrenaline that's pumping through people's veins or the endorphins that puts our fellow man in good spirits, but the common goal that everyone there is to experience something slightly difficult for a common cause. Yesterday I ran with my good friend Allison and we enjoyed some awesome conversation, stimulating thoughts and the benefits of doing something productive. The five miles seemed like nothing, and the hills were not nearly so horrible with a buddy by your side. Even though it wasn't a sanctioned event, the idea remains the same, we were coming together for a common goal. Life is similar to this. We are here on this earth with the commonality of glorifying God and being in relationship with Him. Our cause, Him. For by Him were all things created, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. (Col 1:16,17) We gather with fellow comrades and are running this race of life, talking to others to share in the same cause. My prayer is that I would continue running, not growing weary of well doing, but being diligent, loving others and interceding on behalf of those that God puts into my life. I press on.

It is Finished!

I did it. I ran the Portland Marathon and survived. I have officially finished my recovery time and am back at the exercise. This time I am taking the necessary precautions to learn about the technical side of running. I want to be more efficient with my energy and know how to increase my mileage safely. Mostly I would like to be able to run with others while being able to breathe or chit chat. Following the marathon I realized that many thoughts go through your head as you are out there plugging away, one foot in front of the other. I used the next few weeks to prioritize my thoughts and to evaluate if they were good ones, or if they were just "marathon" thoughts and needed to be discarded. I feel like it was an epic event that changed my life, giving me a physical analogy of what it means to run with endurance, press on and to not grow weary in well doing. Running has changed my life. For one, my body is adjusting to this form of exercise and it's not as difficult as it once was. Secondly it has given me time to spend with Jesus. I have been able to use that time to meditate, pray and most importantly, as a time for healing in my heart. Despite the difficulty and challenges that it has brought, I wouldn't trade it for the world!

A Training Schedule

So someone asked me recently how the training was coming and what kind of schedule I was using. I didn't know how to respond and felt like a deer in the headlights,unable to move, for I don't really have a "schedule", I merely survive. It's one day after another, one foot/ step at a time. I would love to have the discipline of looking at a piece of paper with the confidence of being able to run or practice the things suggested on it, all with the end goal of being more fit. I almost envy the people that participate in those "running groups" and don't have to work on the weekends so they can do "long runs". However, what has happened with me and the last two training schedules, is that I find that my work, school, horse and a little social life, all take precedence or that they are unpredictable, so I don't have a "time" when I can get the training in when the paper says to. I find myself frustrated and irritated that I missed a run, or don't have time to fit a long one in, or I need to have energy for work so I can't do the intervals (speed and hills tend to wipe me out). So, I survive. I do what I can when I can and I am learning to just not worry about it. I have this Cascade Lakes Relay thing coming around the corner and of course I don't feel fit enough, but I guess I haven't for the other things up to this point either.
I know that I am burning calories, that I need to do squats, lunges and strength training, I swim or ride a bike around town and I take my dog for walks, all this should count for something. To be honest, I am enjoying myself! My time is getting slower, the distance a little longer and the garmin doesn't rule my life. It's quite nice and I feel much better when I don't get anxious, but just savor the moments and allow myself some rest days. We are all different; we run differently, are motivated differently, our bodies respond differently and we each have our own reasons for doing what we do with our exercise time. I am learning to be comfortable with that and that I don't have to fit in a routine. This is a challenge for me. Most of the time I never feel like I am using what little time I do have to it's highest efficiency and always wonder if I pushed myself hard enough. I am letting go, one day, step, moment at a time.

Quite Fit Enough

I never really feel quite fit enough. I ran that Smith Rock Sunrise Classic, and I certainly didn't feel like an athlete going into it. I don't know what it is, but the time commitment to getting any length of exercise in is so hard. I keep telling myself during the times that I do work out that I am an athlete. A high schooler was explaining to me their off season work out schedule and that the coach keeps telling themselves to say, "I am an athlete." everyday. I am nervous because the Cascade Lakes Relay is coming up and I need to be able to tackle some pretty big tasks, stay up for long periods of time and not the let the team down. I think I am going to have to start running twice a day on the days that I do work out, even if they are for short distances. I know they are going to be short distances, I don't have the time to run long ones. It seems that I am going to have to bank on some core and foundational strength training to get me through. If I work real hard in this coming week and a half, do some varying distances the week following, a few days off, then I should be ready to go. I think the mental stamina is the hardest part for me. It's as if my mind wants to quit but my body can keep going. The advantage I have right now is that I have lost ten pounds. I never drink enough water though, and should make that a priority in the coming days ahead. I read how life giving it is, supplies energy, repairs muscles helps the brain to think more quickly and efficiently. There are so many benefits so I don't know why it's such a hard thing to do. Actually, anything worth while is usually hard to do. Well, I am off to go for a short four miler this morning before going to work! Here it goes.... for I am an athlete!

Smith Rock Sunrise Classic

I just finished the half marathon at Smith Rock State Park. The scenery was breathtaking, the temperature not too hot and lots of new memories made. I can't wait to share them! For now, I am off to go work, but tonight we shall reconvene.

Still Running

Today someone said, " Oh your a runner!" with such enthusiasm, as if we had something vitally important in common. I hated to disappoint them but had to reply, "No, I run." With that, there is a difference. When I think of a runner a certain persona comes to mind, one that looks lean, loves health food and pasta and lives in trendy athletic attire. I don't fit any of that description. I am thick, love my cream cheese and fried chicken (even though I choose not to live off the stuff for health benefits) and tend to dress according to the mood of that day.
When I think of a runner, I assume that this person lives for running, loves running and does it in there "free" time or as a hobby because of the endorphins that are released. I run. I run because I know I need to discipline myself, in my food intake, physical exercise and of the mind. I run because I don't want to get fat. I run because it creates social patterns that I couldn't follow if I didn't do something to relate to others outside of my natural social circle. I run so that Barnabas gets his exercise. I run because the bottom line is, I need to. I enter races so that I have one more motivating factor to get me out there to run. Yes, there may be other means or methods of exercise and I do partake of these on my cross training days. However, running is cheap, educational and an overall good form of activity for overall health.
I am still running.

Run For the Dream

Run For the Dream and run we did! My sister and I attended the inaugural run for the half marathon that takes place in beautiful Colonial Williamsburg. While Aaron, Chris and John did not run, I felt that they were just as much a part of the event as we were. I can't describe how awesome it was to have family celebrating the journey with you and to know that your sister was out there sweating with you. I loved seeing posters with my name on them and hearing someone cheer for you, the whole thing was exhilarating. The weather was awesome, being 80 degrees and 96% humidity. I could ring my clothes out during mile two. However, I wasn't really bothered by the sun after I "warmed" up and never really thought about it again. What I did think about was my sore, scrunched toes, the rolling hills and mostly consumed with the chaffing that was taking place where the seams of my compression shorts rubbed against my inner leg. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and all the diverse terrain that we ran on.
To commemorate the event I ran with a disposable camera in my fanny pack and took pictures at places that I had good thoughts. I did run out of film and am not quite sure how that happened since I took 20 pictures on a 27 exposure camera. My muscles were tired at mile 11 and I need to somehow figure out how to train for those last three to four miles. I can see that I have a lot of work to do prior to the marathon in October. Even though my time was slower, something that I have been struggling with, this was by far my favorite half marathon up to this point. I am sure that we are going to do it again next year. One of the most inspiring and encouraging things surrounding the weekend was hearing that my brothers would like to train for one. It was so sweet at how moved they were as we crossed the finish line, maybe, if not more so, as much as we were. They thought that they might train for one this summer and do it together this fall. Just the thought of this is awesome.
I never thought that I would run 13.1 miles, and I got to do it in beautiful country, with a terrific sister. I feel like somehow this resembles the tough stuff that we have been through. While we may not have run side by side, each person making their own story and partaking of their own journey, to know that someone you love is going the distance with you makes the hard parts bearable.
Amanda and family, thank you for going the distance with me, whether you are cheering me on, celebrating with me at the end or running the path, each of you are vitally important to me and help make life worth living. Thank you all!!!!!!!!