43:10

First timeI had brought my stop watch in a long while.  43:10 for my 10 k, and that was me pushing pretty hard.  Another thing to look back on and be glad for in the last two years is to think that certain goals were impossible.  Fo rme right now, I would love to crack the 40 minute 10 k.  A difficult endevour, but I know I can do it.  I use to think runnign past a 1/2 hour was a huge feat.  There is always someone who trumps your efforts, and always someone just starting and needing encouragement.  I find it a funny mix of humbling to know you will never be right on top in front, but that you can do  fa better than you ever thought if you apply yourself! 

He Runs Beside Me

This verse from the new testament often comes to mind while I am either running or thinking about running.  1 Corinthians 9:26-27.  Now, you many not be a bible reader, but everyone has a connection to scriptures from places all over our culture, as many of our sayings and deep thoughts quote scripture in part.  This particular verse, when I think about it, is an encouragement to keep my faith.  Some might assume it would be faith in myself, in that things will eventually go well with me, or faith in life, that it all will add up in the end.  For me faith is much more specific than that.  It is faith in a personal Being, who is involved in my daily life.  He uses personal experiences to talk to me, including running.

When I think of this time of year, when cold weather prevails and my bed feels like its Velcro to my body, when I am discouraged by my winter times or the hiccups in my plan to get out there and run when I would like, then this scripture speaks to literally running.

But of course, as in many things written, it isn't always about the literal subject.  If you are like me, running is representative to a lot in my life.  Have you ever ruun and felt that you were runing out your pain, your anger, your stress, your grief?  Within hardships, my failures, my triumphs, my tests,  the race represents more so my time here on earth.  This is what I would call hardcore meditation, because it is using much more than my heart, or just my mind to process.  Instead, my daily routine of actually carrying out this activity, specifically running, gives me a connection to this passage that me as a non-runner could only imagine with limited knowledge.

I run for far more than I used to.  I run because for me it is a form of meditation and worship to my Creator.  I have had some argue this point with me, as it is not a traditional sense of spirituality,.  Then anything could be considered sacred! But in this activity there is wisdom.  Only a runner could understand what "beating my body and making it my slave" really means.  It is the discipline, the payment made to reach a goal, or to be qualified for the "prize".  What rich meaning, and what a great thought to ponder.  Each step then becomes a type of cry, or prayer when I have no real words to use.  And I feel a sense of companionship beyond earthly, He runs beside me.

May your time on the road or trail bring you a meditative and peaceful place, a place to connect with your Creator, and qualify you to reach the prize you have set before you.

Running as a Social Lubricant

Are you like me?as I promised to look back on the last 2 years of running, one thing has been a bonus that I never really counted on initially.  THis is the matter of having a point of interest and passion to launch off of socailly that I never have used before.  What I mean is, I have been able to talk to people about a common passion in running both at work, at social get-togethers, at church, and obviously, online!  This came over time as I realized I now held something in common with many teachers at work, with students I work with, with friends and soon-to-be-friends.  Having a learning curb about the discipline, science and lingo of long distance running has certainly given me more to interact about with those I normally would not have much to say to!

You see, I am actually a bit shy, but I cover up with humor and sticking to topics I know something a little about.  Running has branched me out.  Sports I have observed, tend to do this. For example, I have a colleague whom on a working level I have always gotten along with, however, I knew that they were into triathlons, which was to me just a foreign and alien topic to talk about.  My face was like many others I am sure who say, "oh you run?....uh... Good for you!  Wow, I could never do that" and then a change of topic was in order.  Now, however I may ask about their experience, for advice on pre-race prep, use the terms like PRs, ITBS, and about gear with much more informed and experienced know-how.  Also sharing recent war stories (like this morning's encounter with a dog  who tripped me and its owner whom I told off) in my mind helps me be a great ambassador for running.  Sort of like, "if this Forrest Gump can do it, and laugh at themselves, then anyone can, maybe even me!"

Frosty Run

Frozen Solidtoday, this morning's run was a really good one, but I felt slow.  I actually like this frigid weather.  Not so much the dark mornings, so I need to stick to the highways around my place to keep well-lit.

As long as I have extra, er, insulation 'down there' as I tend to feel the chill there first, I like getting out into such cold weather, especially when it snows.  I think because parto f me feels so hard core!

It is miserable to have wind against you though!

I feel that I am thoroughly prepared this winter for cold though.  What about you?  What are your must haves in cold weather to make things more bearable?  Share and I will probably think about getting that item.  Has anyone used hot paws or a toque with ear buds in them?  Electric socks?  What are the ultimate trend in stock stuffers for the runner this year?

Things I need for cold weather:

• toque/beany
• gloves
• wind resistant pants/underwear
• highly visible breaker
• thermal long sleeved shirt that wicks
• hot shower afterwards
• a dream of a future hot tub
  

Running from the Flu

I had A Terrible Stomach Fluthis week.  My whole family has been down.  Tried to go on a short run even three days later, and still had to stop even before breaking a sweat due to a pounding headache.  This got me to thinking... on reflecting upon the benefits of the last two years of serious running, here is another quality I appreciate about my body in its transformation.  I have not been too terribly sick in the last couple of years.  Being an allergic person, I was still not that sickly, since my immune system was always on overdrive, but I have noticed my body's increased resistance and resiliency from sickness!  Being healthier in general I have noticed has meant a better fighting chance against air borne illnesses and yearly bugs.  When others are struggling for days and even weeks with a virus, mine has bounced back faster anyhow.  What a great kick back!

Tell me if I am crazy, but have you noticed your body adapting for the better since running?  Since losing unhealthy weight? Bravo!  For those who are looking at beginning a healthy life choice which may include running, this is a terrific thing to weigh:  less time sick means more time doing other things! 

Here is an article on Runner's World about this phenomena, including ways to keep running from literally also running your immune system into the ground, which is also possible!

I think the 'listening to our bodies' post from The Essence Of Running blog would fit this category of body awareness.  I had gotten all geared up and up early just to cut it short, but to what gain?  Well, long term,  I would rather recover fully from the flu and take it easy then to drag out a flu just because I was roaring to go again too early.  My headache to me was a good indicator that all was not fully well, even though my fever and stomach were fine.  I will pick it up possibly tomorrow, taking it easy the first one in to be in check with my body's energy level.