mix it up

It was fun to mix it up today- biking to SPU, running at the top of Queen Anne and then biking back....

such a great view anytime but especially on a run 

an egg hunt on campus this morning :) 

My prayer for you is that when you get stuck in the same patterns and grooves (in your mind or in your life in general) that you would find ways to mix it up and find new perspective and hope. 

The view is worth it. 

easy

Today I had an easy workout to do and was thankful for being able to squeeze a quick run in through campus to see the cherry blossoms in all their glory once again this morning.

As I was running, I was mulling over a few things, 

and as my head was clearing, a song came to mind from a band Jason and I knew in college: 

"It's easy to criticize. 

It's easy to hate. 

It's easy to let it go

until it's too late

It's easy to justify

it's easy to wait

it's easy to humanize

and resign to your fate. 

The hardest thing is love

The hardest thing is love. " 

It was a short and easy run that was over in just under half an hour, 

but it was a gift to have these words swirling around in my head and heart during this time. 

My prayer for you is that you would not go the easy path, but that you would allow God to work through you to do the hard work of love especially when you don't feel like it. 

The hardest thing is love. 

The greatest thing is love. 

The only thing is love. 

going the second mile

Today, I ran to Greek Lake and then met up with a friend there.  We walked a lap around the lake together and then she asked if I had time for another loop. I looked at my watch and realized it would work so we went another time around. Our conversation was rich and I was grateful for the chance to go the extra mile with her.

I read this about the meaning of going the second mile and have copied it below:

Jesus said, "And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matt. 5:41). Roman soldiers could force citizens of Israel or any foreigner to carry their backpacks for a mile. Here is some important background information concerning this practice: 

Cyrus the Great, the king of Persia, invented the postal system to carry letters and documents from one place to another. To make his system work, any courier could force anyone to carry the mail for one mile, but only one mile. The Romans adopted this system for their military to keep their soldiers from getting worn out from carrying heavy backpacks, which weighed about 66 pounds. 

Roman soldiers could compel any Jew to carry his backpack for one mile. Roman roads had mile markers similar to the mile markers we have today on Interstate highways, so it was easy to know where each mile started and ended. If someone refused to do it, he would be flogged. 

The Jews hated the Romans because they were Gentile foreigners running their country and they had to pay taxes to Caesar. Carrying a Roman soldier’s heavy backpacks for a mile added to their hatred. The distance was actually two miles because he had to carry it one mile to wherever the soldier was going, and then he had to walk back a mile to get where he was previously. 

When a Roman soldier told someone to carry his pack, the Jew would have to drop everything he was doing and go out of his way to obey his order. I’m sure every Roman soldier felt resentment and heard complaining by the person carrying the pack. 

Now Jesus says, “Not only do I want you to carry it one mile, I want you to carry it an extra mile.” This was actually four miles (2 miles there and 2 miles back). We don’t carry Roman backpacks anymore, but the principle applies to every area of our lives today—in our relationships, at home, at school, at our jobs—Christ calls us to go the extra mile going above and beyond what is asked of us.

A Roman soldier says to a Christian, “Hey you, carry my pack.” The Christian says, “Yes sir!” And then he joyfully starts walking along with the soldier. After one mile the soldier says, “Okay, you can put it down now.” The believer says, “I would really like to carry it another mile for you.” The shocked soldier asks, “Why would you do that?” The Christian explains, “I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and He told us to do this for you.” The soldier asks, “Who is this Jesus that you follow?” 

By carrying the pack an extra mile, it not only showed him the love of God but opened up an opportunity to tell him about Jesus. There’s no telling how many soldiers became Christians during that second mile. I’m sure we would see a lot more people become Christians if we would just go “the extra mile” for them.  

I am praying that you would be one who does not just do the bare minimum but becomes one who goes the extra mile above and beyond what is asked to love others well. 

The Secret to Running a Faster Marathon? Slow Down

Yesterday, when I was running with Elizabeth, I told her that I ran some intervals with Jason on Saturday (which was supposed to be an easy slow day).  She cautioned me to be careful and not to overdo it on those days.

I stumbled across this article titled "The Secret to Running a Faster Marathon? Slow Down" which certainly caught my eye and reminded me of this conversation with Elizabeth.

Here are a few of the best parts of the article:

“Work hard,” he said. “But not every day.”

Slowly Slowly 
Back to Kenya. Watching Kipchoge’s group at work, I saw that they never did two intense days back to back; they were always committed to developing their fitness, in the Kenyan parlance, “slowly by slowly.” Patrick Sang, Kipchoge’s coach and a formidable presence in the athlete’s life, explained to me the basis of this philosophy as he stood at the side of the track with a stopwatch in his hand and his red-and-black hoodie fastened tightly around his head. Our conversation had begun when I asked Sang why Kipchoge’s group were doing a 12 x 1,200-meter session on that day.

Sang said this session was to build “speed-endurance”—the ability to maintain a high speed for a long time. But if you thought about only one workout, you missed the point. The idea of a training program, Sang told me, was to improve every aspect of a runner. The approach was holistic. If you scheduled a speed-endurance session for a Tuesday, you needed to make sure that the following day would be light, so that the guys had time to recover before the Thursday long run. Friday would again be light, before a different kind of speed workout on Saturday. Sunday was a day of rest. A good day of training was worth little on its own, but a good month was worth plenty. Slowly by slowly, the athlete’s shape came. “Every session is a building block,” Sang said.

I love this. "Pole. Pole" as they say in Kiswahili. 

Praying for you today, Taylor, that every day can be a building block and that God would continue his good work in you. 

6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians1:6 

Pacer

Today, on my run with Elizabeth, we ran 4 one-mile repeats. She had her running watch so she was on for pacing us, and all I had to do was run. It's such a gift to run with a pacer and just join in trying to hold on for the ride. I did not have to determine if we needed to speed up or slow down. I did not have to think about how many more minutes or how much more distance we needed to cover. I just ran until she said to stop and tried to keep pace with her. 

It reminded me of this verse from Galatians: 

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:25-26 (English Standard Version) 

25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original. Galatians 5:25-26 (The Message) 

 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:25-26 (New Living Translation) 

Taylor- my prayer for you is that you would live by the Spirit and keep in step with Him.... 

exhale

As much as I love running, it was so good to have the day off today to let my body recover a bit from all the miles.  Yay for days to chill and sleep in, yay for a little extra time to do other things...
Tomorrow, I'll lace up my running shoes. But today, it's good to just exhale.

As you play soccer 6 days a week now (until Celtic spring soccer ends), may you enjoy the days off that you do have so that the other 6 days are filled with more fun and focus.  

one more mile

Every Sunday from here on out until the marathon, I'll be trying to add one more mile to my base.  So last week, it was 13, today was 14, next week is 15 (and so on until we bump up to a couple of crazy 20 mile or so runs in April).  In some ways, this feels daunting because even though I've done this 9 times before in training for marathons, it always feels like a test.  

I'm about to start the new quarter at SPU this week, and the quarter ahead is the same amount of time I have left in my training plan. 

By the time graduation weekend hits, I'll be at that start line ready for the gun to go off.  

It's like the saying about how to eat an elephant-- one bite at a time. 

How to run a marathon- one mile at a time. 

As you face challenges that seem daunting whatever they may be, I am praying that you will take them one step at a time and not try to tackle the whole thing at once. 

One more step.
One more mile. 

And before long, you've gone so much further than you even dreamed you could. 

confidence

Some days, I start out my run and I have self-doubt. 

I don't want to look at the watch to see my pace. 

I have aches and pains that make me wonder if I will be ready for the race. 

I listen to voices in my head that I'm not good enough. 

But, there are moments I have on a run sometimes when I push myself and feel like I'm walking on sunshine. Today, Jason and I ran a couple of laps down by UW on a trail by Lake WA. The first lap, I was trying to keep up with Jason and then found my stride and finished strong. The second lap around, we went faster and I still felt like I had more to give.  

Days like this help build confidence for the times when that seems miles away. 

Taylor, I think this rollercoaster is just the way our minds play games with us, but I hope you will know that there is a truth deeper than all of this.... 

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 

The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalm 27:1 

my many colored days

Today was a mixed up crazy weather day. 

This morning, it rained, and my hands were freezing on my run even with my mittens.

 Then it got cold enough to snow. 

Then the sun came out and the blue sky showed off this afternoon. 

It seemed that the weather just could not make up its mind. 

It reminded me of this Dr. Suess story that I loved when you were little: 

In these coming years as you grow and change, you are going to have many different colored days.  Each of these emotions has a vital role in your growth as you learn to manage them and not let one take center stage.  My prayer for you is that you will learn to balance all of these feelings and to welcome them as part of who God made you to be. 

be willing to run in the rain

This morning, I am not sure if I would have gone running if Jason and I had not already made a plan to go. It was 45 degrees and raining this morning, and I had some mile repeats to run. 

"Just do it" (the old Nike ad) came to mind and I sure was thankful for someone to hold me to my plan and to keep me accountable. 

My prayer for you today is for friends who can help you stick to your goals

 and help you be the best you can be. 

Cinderella water

Yesterday, I ran across the University Bridge over to my favorite street (Shelby Street) to run hills.  On the way back, I came to the bridge just as the horn was going off signaling that the bridge was going to go up.  At first I was bummed as I wanted to keep moving, but then I took a few minutes to stop and notice the water below. The sunshine was stunning as it was shimmering on the water. (We used to call this "Cinderella water" when you and Anna were little). 

All of that to say, I was reminded of the beauty that is all around if I just take the time to notice. So, my prayer for you today is to notice the ways God may be showing light to you in unexpected ways today. 

It is never too late...

When I went to visit Heather last weekend, she had their Lenten wreath on the table with a little frame that says, "It is never too late to begin." 

Having Ash Wednesday the same day as Valentine's Day this year along with her mom, sister and nephew coming out for an extended visit, she told me  that they had just not gotten into a rhythm.  While she was not sure if it was worth it because of the lost time, she decided she would dust off her Lenten wreath even though it was already halfway through Lent. 

I love this as a reminder that we all need this grace to begin again everyday.  

Today, I realized that I had not done my strength exercises for a few days over the weekend with things thrown off a bit with Dani's visit. But rather than just throwing it all out the window, I was reminded of this frame from Heather's table, and with that in mind, I started them up again today. 

I am praying for this grace to show up in your life- 

that you would know that it is never ever too late to begin again.  

day off

Today was a day off on my running schedule, and I loved sleeping in and taking time to rest. 

I am thankful for times to run and times to set that aside and give my body a break, and it's pretty clear that God designed it that way. Lynne Baab says it well:  "The rhythm of work and rest seems to help us function more purposefully and energetically, living in the responsive obedience to the pattern God designed for us." 

May you find rhythms that work for you to bring you refreshment and joy.... 

Running Friends

Friday morning for my birthday, Elizabeth came over to run 

with me and Dad for a beautiful start to my day on one of my favorite routes in Seattle.

And then this morning (Sunday), I did a fun trail run with the women I ran in the Mount Constitution Relay back in October on Orcas Island. Here's our goofy picture when we got back to the car to don birthday hats and the wonder woman apron that Lila brought for me to throw on for our group picture. 

On both of these days, I have been so grateful for good friends to share the miles. 

Taylor, it is my prayer for you for good friends for you as you continue through middle & high school and all through your life.  

On this note, I loved seeing your excitement the other day when Brody made the soccer team and how happy you were for and with him.  I saw what a good friend you were to him when you were rooting for him and talking to Mr. Kenyon about him on the team.  

Tin Man

I am not sure if I woke up with sore legs the other morning because of anything in partifular that I did differently or if it's just because I'm a little older and rusty needing some TLC like the Tin Man every once in a while.

These days can be frustrating when I can't pinpoint what I did to earn these aches and pains, but I trust that some days are just like this.  I am grateful for Dad who has been patient with me running the past couple of days with a bit of a slower pace. I am grateful for sunny weather that puts a spring in my step. I am grateful for a body that overall is healthy and strong. 

When you have those days in soccer when you feel out of sorts, may you remember that this too will pass. And may you have perspective and gratitude and friends to bring you some encouragement to get you back on your feet again. 

p.s. random fact that I found when searching for this picture:

The Tin Man’s oil was actually chocolate syrup.

I'll take some of that. :) 

Habits

I am trying to do push-ups and planks each day along with my marathon plan for a wee bit of strength training. I wondered how long it takes to make a habit and found this: 

On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And how long it takes a new habit to form can vary widely depending on the behavior, the person, and the circumstances. In Lally's study, it took anywhere from 18 days to 254 days for people to form a new habit. 

In other words, if you want to set your expectations appropriately, the truth is that it will probably take you anywhere from two months to eight months to build a new behavior into your life. 

Another article said this: 

While the finding may at first appear disheartening, it’s actually oddly assuring in reminding us that habit, like genius, is merely a matter of doggedness and “deliberate practice” — in fact, this brings us to the lesser-cited yet pivotal second half of Aristotle’s famous dictum: “Excellence … is not an act but a habit.”

I wonder what habits you want to put in place- for soccer, for school, etc.  I am praying that you will have the doggedness and grit when you need them to put in the time and practice to develop good habits of mind, body and spirit through the years. 

Speed Workout #1

Today, Elizabeth ran to our house and then we went down to the Burke Gilman to run some intervals.  The bottom line is that when I run with her, I push myself more than if I were to run alone.  Being with someone with more running experience under her belt has definitely made me a better runner.

This reminds me of something I heard Shane Claiborne speak about on a podcast a week ago when he was talking about community.  He said that Christian community is "about surrounding ourselves with people who remind us of Jesus and they rub off on us.  We tend to act like the people we surround ourselves with.  If you want to be more generous, hang out with more generous people...."

My hope for you is that you will build community with people who help you become more the person you were made to be. May you find people who point you to God and who also make you a better student, soccer player, brother, etc.

It's a gift to run with prayers for you tied up in my shoelaces. 

Make a Plan

Today marks 3 months until the date of the Light at the End of the Tunnel marathon, and according to my calendar, it's time to start training.

The thing is that I don't know which plan I am going to use quite yet. I've looked at some that look too hard and some that look too easy- neither of them would prepare me if I overtrain or undertrain. So, I'm trying to put together just the right plan to whip me into shape this time around.

I will be using this time to specifically pray for you, Taylor.  So, not only will I try to get ready to run 26.2 miles, but I will be taking time to try to learn to listen to what God's heart is for you in the coming days.

Speaking of plans, here is a familiar verse: 

Over the coming weeks, I believe that God has a lot in store for you and for me too. He wants us to be whole and he wants to give us peace. (By the way, this verse was written to the Israelites when they were in exile and they were feeling stuck there. It was not written at a time when everything was going well.  So, this applies to us when we are feeling stuck- whether it's in the middle of the soccer game or just feeling stuck in school.  God has plans for our wholeness and he is going to take care of you. 

I'll be praying for imagination for us to see God's plans more clearly in the coming days.