Running in the Rain

(to the tune of Singing in the Rain...)

I think Barry and I moved from the average runner category to the dedicated runner category with our rain filled adventure today. ...oh wait, maybe we already hit that when we started running in -11 degree whether...anyways.

Barry and I ran the first .8 of a mile together which is good for me, means my pace is improving quite a bit. I also am starting to recover my breathing within a couple minutes after the run is over. My new revelation of late is that chewing minty gum during the run improves my overall ability to breath.

That's all

Did another 4 mile run today. I need to set a goal this week of running every day. That's all, I don't have much to say today.

BooHoo

Chalked up another 4 mile run today. I realized recently that I complain quite a bit about "having" to run. I also realized that this is very self centered of me. If I break it down what I am complaining about is that my privileged lifestyle lets me be as sedentary as I wish and consume as much foods of whatever type I wish. Because of this I need to exercise in order to stay healthy. Boohoo for me. There are people out there who would love to be able to complain about running. Maybe because they work two jobs, are a single parent trying to make ends meet, and don't have enough time to spend with their children let alone an indulgence like running. Or maybe because some sort of handicap or illness has left them unable to run.

So, I am starting out this week with a grateful attitude. I am grateful for adequate amounts of money, food, time, and ability to allow me to pursue my goal of running the half marathon.

4 Miles!!!

I finally did it! I feel like I have been working up to the 4 mile mark forever. It was hard but I did it. I took two short walking breaks during the run because my legs were cramping. Probably need to add a bit more potassium to my diet. Another funny thing, my feet kind of fell asleep by the end of the run. Maybe I had my shoes too tight? I am a little scared about it so if anyone has any insight please let me know.

Back Talk

I had my longest run today! 3.5 miles...but I did it in two parts. I actually ran to rent some movies for the evening. I am an NCAA widow for the weekend (meaning Barry is off at a friend's watching basketball, lots and lots of basketball). Luckily I work all weekend so I won't get too lonely.

So, I could tell the exact point that my feet passed the 3 mile mark. My body started talking back to me telling me I should be done running by now and to stop! But I made it through. Next goal a full 4 miles.

6 Days

I have been on schedule with my runs for the last 6 days! I am so excited. I just focused on each day individually and didn't realize I have been so on track until I started thinking about it today. I really think that is the trick for me. To do this AA style and take it one day at a time. And at times to focus on one moment at a time. One moment at a time is particularly helpful when I am running. If I just calm down and relax I actually enjoy the run. The nice weather has helped tremendously as well. I have found it very fun to run in 60 degree weather.

I am still behind schedule a bit...I am doing 2 and 3 mile runs instead of 3 and 4. we are going to try to do 4 miles on Friday and see how that goes. Then hopefully next week I will be sticking to 3 and 4 miles. I can't believe that we are halfway through week 5! It has gone by so very fast. 9.5 weeks left of training!

Awakened by the Holy Spirit

Ok, given my experiences today this could be a very profound statement. Today I started my new job at MN Teen Challenge and heard testimonies about how God has changed the lives of people who abused drugs, alcohol, and their bodies. However, the awakening I am referring to is a very literal one. Barry and I completely forgot about setting our clocks forward last night for Daylight Savings and I had my alarm set for 5:30am. I normally wake up around 7 or 8 so getting up at what really is 4:30am is not something I do...ever. However, at 4:29 (really 5:29) I woke up, looked at my clock, and thought "ah, 1 more hour of sleep". Then I remembered the time change, jumped out of bed and started getting ready exactly on time to be at my new job by 7am.
I proceeded to have a wonderfully exhausting day at work!

Seeing that I woke up at 4:30 I wasn't exactly excited about running tonight. Barry and I went shopping and picked up some mint chocolate chip ice cream to motivate me through. It helped! Apparently cheap bribes work for me!!

Abdominals

I got quite the stomach workout during my run today courtesy of our fabulous day yesterday. My feet were slipping and sliding all over the frozen puddles from yesterdays thaw. Not that I am complaining. I love the warmer weather and I can very much use stomach strengtheners!

I have a fun busy day planned today. Barry and I are going to our first meeting about France. This is probably the only meeting I will be able to attend because of work so I am very excited about it. Then I am meeting my family for Disney on Ice. It is a long standing tradition for my mom and I and various sisters, nieces, nephews, and cousins to attend.

Fun Run

I had a fun run today. I finally got my new shoes out of the box. I had been trying to see if it would be nice out so I wouldn't get them dirty...I finally decided if I didn't want them dirty I would have to wait until June to use them. They aren't magical (I was kind of hoping they would be) but they are much better than my old ones. My run was filled with dodging puddles and trying to avoid ice. I was so busy doing that, that I was done before I knew it. It's been a good day.

My new obsession is www.frenchassistant.com Barry and I are headed to France with our church to do missions work in November. I am hoping to brush up on my highschool French in the months prior to the trip. I know Billy, Brandy, and Rachel C. would enjoy this site as well!

New Shoes!

I went to a store yesterday that sells shoes specifically to marathon runners. They watched me walk and then recommended shoes specific to my feet. Apparently I walk on the insides of my feet and compress my arch tilting my ankles in. So, the shoes I got have extra support for the insides of my feet so I can't angle them in. Since then I have been noticing how I walk and trying to roll out my ankle so I am more balanced. I haven't used the new shoes yet but I am very excited to! Today I just went a couple miles on the Nordic Track. I have been tired and achy all day...

Contemplating Life From a Ditch

I had the opportunity to do this today as I was driving home from a class that was cancelled. I was driving along 494 when a semi going too fast (in my opinion) fished a little around a curve in the road. I tried to move into the other lane in case the semi lost control and totally lost control of the car. As I was sliding along, driver side door first going with the pattern of traffic, I tried to correct the direction I was facing, swerved around a bit, and then landed in the ditch. I was extremely lucky that there were no cars around me as at one point I was in all three lanes. And I just missed hitting a road sign when entering the ditch. A trooper pulled up about 3 minutes after I was sitting there thinking "why is no one stopping?" He called a tow truck for me and asked if I had enough gas to keep me warm for awhile. I did so off he went to find another stranded driver. He left me with hopes of a tow truck and some orange writing on the car so the tow company would know that it was me they were supposed to help. While I was sitting there I was thinking about how good the last two days have been. I was offered two practicum positions so I was able to choose the one that I feel is best for me, and I also was offered a new part time job working at MN Teen Challenge. I feel like everything is falling into place for me for next year. It really gives me confidence that this is where I am supposed to be in my life at this time. I feel like I have a really hard time distinguishing God's direction from my wants, and have been praying for God to open doors where He wants me to be. That ended my contemplation as the tow truck arrived and I went through the process of getting pulled out of the ditch. Oh, a funny addition, the tow rope broke as he was pulling me and I ended up having three tow trucks to my rescue!

So, next time you see a poor compact car going a little too slowly on the road during bad weather, give them a break, they may have just gotten out of the ditch.