AHHH Sunny Days Are Here Again

Its A tellingfeature of summer whn you can get up and the sun is actually aobut to get up with you!  It has been much easier to get out on the road lately.  I got myself some new running shoes, New Balance 1080s.  So far I  think I like them, but since they are so new and my feet are sore from the outdone 883s I last had, time will tell.  I have 60 days trial through roadrunnersports to see if they are okay. They squeak though, with the orthotics in them!  Need to fix that.  My longest runs have been 15 k or so, I am finding joy in capping my distances lately and just enjoying the moments I can carve out.  Pulled out the tunes, too now that I dont have to think so much when on the road in the dark.

I noticed I likely scared eveeryone a couple of entries ago when I talked about Sex!  Haha!  hey man its life.  i hope it enlightened and helped motivate those who need a bit of reasoning behind getting out on the trails and roads.

A person at work has been asking me running advice, updating me on her runs, and this has been an unexpected encouragement!  She has rally caught the bug!  That is inspiring to me.

Mens Road Runner Sports Dryroad Elite Low 3PK, Color:White/Navy/Royal, M

End of Yourself

Ever been runningAnd you think to yourself:  if I keep going at this rate, how far can I push this pace?  How hard can I go and for how long?  And then after, ask "was that all I had?"  "Did I leave nothing behind?"  "Did I just stretch my potential?"

These moments of challenge come from within!  They head butt your ego.  They make mush of your resolve to continue an uncomfortable pace.  Yet, if it werent for these moments of self-coaching we could not find out what we are made of.

Today I wanted to push myself harder, get closer to that elusive 40 minute 10k .  I failed at that ultimate dream of course, but i pushed myself for a long time, into anarobic work, sucking wind.  My legs felt like giving up for much of it, my body protested, the sweat began to just leak down my baldy head into my eyes, but my hope was that I would break into that zone where I might feel invincible.  It didnt happen today, but I got much closer than in recent  runs to that elusive time.

Will power can be a force to reckon with.  But what I find a challenge is my ability to hold out in discomfort, and to not let my body dictate my pace.  My body is a whiner.  My brain is the boss.  My spirit is the coach.  I will set myself on to that goal, to beat that time, to push for that prize.

I guess this is how I also feel in other areas.  If I am slumped, which I have ben feeling lately, do I cave to that web of depression?  Do I throw my hands up in the air and say, okay life, you got me, just toss me against the rocks, spin me around as you please.  No.  With  my running I kick into practice the same Spirit that urges me to be better, to beleive for more, so trust that I have been given talents and strength for a reason. 

This sounds lofty, but unless my eyes are focussed on a distant goal, I trip on the details of the road.  I stumble on the challenge of the moment.  I give up in essence.  I cant afford to do that.  My life is a gift I want to spend well.

So with my run I challenge myself to be more than what is handed to me.  Pain becomes temporary, healing becomes part of the journey which results in greater strength.  How Inspiring!!   Isnt running theraputic???

Mystery Couch Potato to Fit Challenger!

A person I knowis throwing down a gauntlet in his life.  I'm quoting him.  "but I feel like a fat old guy... and I am only 33!"

Q: Why are you taking up running?

• 
  
  I would love to play beginners hockey  ...but I'm too fat
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  I would love to own a bike and ride     ...but I'm too fat

These are the things he thinks about when he looks at getting active.  His limitations.  Even more serious are some health issues that have  him concerned, including some concerning high blood pressure.  Left unchecked with no changes, they can lead to crisis, which he has family history of.  He describes his new found fear of pushing himself too hard too soon for fear that his heart wont take it.  He is in his early 30's.

 

Q: Are you following any plan?  I have a great plan for those who would like to get going  without the newbie fizzle burnout.

No, no plan other than to run everyday, taking breaks when I feel I need to. 

So some changes are in order.  This mystery man declared to me the other day that he started running.  He has run on and off previously, but this is more than shedding a few pounds.  His goal is to get to 175 lbs.  He is currently 215 lbs. 

Can he do this?  Can he make the commitment?  Can he sweat his way to leaner life for living sake? 

YES HE CAN!!! 

Change takes getting out there, being patient, and finding joy in the process as you transform.  With God's help and strength he gave us, we can accomplish anything.

We will be following this Mystery Challenger as he progresses to his new transformation for sure.  I am impressed that he has already taken steps towards a healthier self.  Way to go!

Note about making changes:

My father is an inspiration to me.  He bought himself almost another decade of life due to the changes he made, he gave my eldest two children memories with grandpa they will forever remember because he didnt let up, he got out there, he asked God for help to transform his body from helpless to hopeful. 

When health problems arise due to inactivity and unhealthfully coping with stress, its time to wake up.  Its time to make those changes and realize you need to grow, to be committed to living actively and to teaching through example. 

I see my mystery couch potato - turned active runner as at these crossroads, and choosing life! 

WAY TO FACE IT !

Here is a simple plan that lasts 10 weeks and eases you into running, and if you are like me, makes you slow down and develop what you unlitmately need: PATIENCE!!! 

Your 10-Week Training Plan (As taken from runnersworld.com)

One Foot In Front Of The Other

8 km todayStill Tapering.  The 1/2 marathon is in 6 days, and I have battled nervous thoughts lately.  I started the day with a pounding headache, which made for a terrible feeling run.  A severe cold is going around.  Yikes!  Excruciatingly slow run for me, an average time of about 5 minute km.  But that is where my complaining stops.  Watch this, I found it very encouraging and inspiring.  Eddie Iz Running . He is not a typical runner in the way of body, habit or anything but he faces a challenge I couldn't imagine.  A marathon a day!

What I see in me now is the will to keep going.  I have had a very difficult year personally.  Sometimes running is all I have had to keep me sane and healthy, and it turns into a deep prayer, a place to commune, to intercede.  Not everyone gets this, but I have been supported immensely in key ways but those that matter most.  Namely my beautiful wife who has been my cheerleader, my friend Jeremy, and a handful of others who I realize were engaging this part of my life.

So with every heavy footstep, I am thankful.  I am grateful for this day, for this step, for this road for this life.  I will get through the hard runs, have fast ones, slow ones, heavy and light ones.  What is important is that I keep finding joy in the moment, engage my spirit and praise God every time I draw a breath.  This is good.  As for the hard times, they too will pass, and like a good taper, I will heal and keep running that good race to the end.