Da do run run!

If you’ve been around here very long, you know that over the past year or so I have developed a love of running. This in itself is a miracle, because even when I was a kid I could not run. Note I did not say I would not, but that I could not. I would get short of breath and my chest would feel like it was on fire. because of this I avoided running at all costs. As an adult it was something that I just did not ever think I would be able to do. Until last year when I started forcing myself to run. It was slow going  little by little, adding a block at a time, until one day I just pushed myself to run a mile! That was a happy day! (After I was finished of course) 🙂

Since that time I have gone back and forth with my consistency but I have at least continued to run a few miles at least once or twice a week.

I am even toying with the idea of running a half marathon next year. ( I will be honest and say that the Disney Princess Half Marathon caught my attention, primarily because who wouldn’t love to put on a tutu, a tiara and be a princess for a day even if it meant running 13 miles in the process!)

One thing I have learned about running, is that you need the right shoes otherwise you will regret it! I have a pretty good pair, but yesterday my husband took me to the sporting goods store and I was ruined when I tried on a pair of Mizunos! They were like heaven on my feet.

Being the bargain shopper I am, I of course went straight to EBay to see if I could score a pair for half the price. I did and my new shoes will be here next week! I am looking forward to trying them out.

It’s the little things that make me happy!

This Saturday, July 14 at 7:30am, a big group of us will be meeting at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex to run, or walk or walk/run. All levels of runners will be represented; from avid runners, to beginners, to those who just want to leisurely stroll. If you are a women in the area, come on out and join us! We would love to see you there!

Hebrews 12:1 does tell us- let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. so we are going to take this scripture literally! Some of us may also need to meditate on Philippians 4:13– I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me!

Running Downhill

I love to work out. Well, let me rephrase. I love how I look when I work out, I love how I feel when I work out, I love how my jeans fit when I work out. But I do not love the actual working out process.

I have tried a number of different workout strategies- bootcamp, pilates, jogging, all of which produce great results for me. I’ll get in a really good routine of exercising on a regular basis. THEN something happens to knock me off my course, and the next thing you know a few weeks have gone by and nary a leg lift or plank  have I done. It really frustrates me. Especially when my pants start to get a little snug. Because I know if I’ll just take the time to work out, I will see results pretty quickly.

This makes me think, how often do I do this in other areas of my life? I know what to do to see the results I want to see, but I just don’t make the time, and instead make excuses.

Yesterday, my husband asked me if I wanted to go with him to take the kids fishing. I declined because I had laundry to do. Then I decided the laundry could wait, changed into my workout clothes and sneakers, and hopped in the car with the family. Not to go fishing but to take on the bridge!

You can’t tell from the picture, but has a nice  incline. I put a little Freddy Rodriguez on my ipod and set off at a brisk pace. My legs started burning as I was walking up, but I just started walking faster. When I got to the middle of the bridge I was feeling exhilarated, so decided to run all the way down. (I have never been a runner even though I’ve tried to be one many times, so a quarter mile is good for me!) Even though I was running downhill, it still felt great! I decided to do the same thing on the other side of the bridge, walked up it and ran down it.

It may seem like running downhill was cheating, but it was just what I needed to get me motivated again. Today my legs are sore (ina good way), I feel great, and it made me want to go back and try to run a little further next time.

If you are frustrated about where you are at in your life. If you’re not seeing the results you want to see, all the while knowing what you need to do to make it better, I encourage you to take a run downhill  to kick start your motivation. Instead of having unrealistic goals and expectations that you can’t possibly achieve so therefore don’t even try, start off with something easy. Something that will allow you to enjoy getting back in the right direction, something that will encourage you to work towards your goal again, whatever it may be. As Paul said in 2 Cor. 8:10-14  So here’s what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart’s been in the right place all along. You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. (The Message)