Meh to Winter

Gotta be honestnot diggin the winter running, despite the warmest winter we have seen in ages.  It has more to do with all the transitions I have been experiencing and the schooling Im going through that sucks up all my free time.  I will keep running three times a week i will will will.  Just takes much of my energy and planning to get out there.  I am not even getting up at 530 any more for work.  Maybe thats why.  Anyhow, I have a 15 k with my name on it tomorrow.

Eating For Fuel

Resolution: eat healthierHappy new year y'all!If you are just starting a new way of living your life which includes exercise and a change of any sort to alter your body, this short blog might help.  Working towards a goal of healthy living is a bigger challenge than what a "diet" entails.  It is longer term, holistic change. 

I have needed to look at my body as a machine which consumes fuel.  I expend energy requiring fuel!  When exercise is engaged, more fuel is consumed.  When I look at food in this manner, my consumption needs to be proportionate to how I expend.  Calories in, calories out.  Think about it this way: if breathing made you fat, people would try to stop breathing.  THis is not possible.  It may last for a minute or two, but you need to breath, and when you start breathing again, it will be to compenate for the stupid attempt by being "out of breath".  Dieting is the same.  We need to consume fuel.  There is no bad or good in food in this light, just as there is no bad or good Oxygen.

WOrking toward a more efficient and balanced body takes discipline.  Moderating our intake and output wil be a part of this process, but it is long term and gradual.  Start today, start small.  Create an overarching plan that is trackable!  Find joy in the changes, and try to avoid "holding your breath".  Cleanses and fads will come and go, but fitness and healthier living is long term!

Enjoy your new process!

Winter Running

Winteris my favorite season for most things recreastion wise in the last decade.  Mostly due to having children, I find the beauty is amazing in the Okanagan, really reminding me of winters in Ontario with snow possible each week leading to Christmas.  We got some snow the other day, so I am happy.  One of the reasons I run is that I wanted to be that dad who could keep up with the kiddies to go up the hill several times without dying.  Success! 

I do not, however enjoy slush when running or driving.  Or running NEAR driving.  My asthma can be triggered by the perfect combination of cold and pet hair, or dust, so an inhaler may be needed when winter sets in more often as well.

That being said, a nice crisp morning like I had yesterday, with the breath steamy and the snow crunching underfoot, makes me be in wonder.  I love the winter scene, it is Christmastime to me.

Merry Christmas and happy running. 

Just 5 K? Nailed it.

Just 5 K.Meh. Those were my thoughts yesterday when I had set out for a good 10k.  It was windy, and my day was shorter than I needed it to be.  I cut the run in half, and felt this defeat hit me.  Stupid 5 k.  

Then that remarkable thing happened.  A memory of my first few weeks into my running life a few years ago.  I had no gear, just motivation to change.  k's, splits, negative splits, PRs, these were not in my vocabulary.  To run 5 km in those days, would have been the awesome conquering of life.  5 km in my life would be the ultimate victory.  I remember mapping how far I had gone, and realized "hey, that was 3 km!"  What a glorious feeling!  

And this 5 km.  Nailed it.  Got er done.  It was my conquer for the day.  Success, I realize is in the eyes of the process.  How far have you come?  Where are you going?  Do you feel defeated?  Wind against you?  Need to pull back?  Is your pullback what was once your miracle?  To someone just beginning, who is seeing that obstacle of the time ahead with both dread and wonder at their newest conquest, your "pullback" is an amazing inspiration.

TAKE THAT 5 K! KAPOW!

My Creative Edge

My bestand most brilliant ideas come from my runs.  When I am frazzled with a complex problem, or perhaps faced with a task in which I need my faculties with fresh ideas, I have found that running releases my mind to think more fluidly, allows form me to gestate on new ideas and see them through in my mind.  I have come up with great set lists for when  I am leading worship, I have thought of new approached to projects for work, I have thought through complicated cases in my practice as a counselor, all on a run.  Go out and get your brain flowing!