Sunday, April 29, 2018

push yourself


Today, Elizabeth and I ran 20.25 miles, and as I type this, it feels like we ran double that. Whew-- I'm tired just writing that distance out right now. :) 

The good news is that we were able to crank it out and I don't think I could have done this 2-3 weeks ago.  The bad news is that as we finished today, it was hard for me to imagine going another 6 miles (which is what the marathon will be).

But, I have to hold on to the fact that with this being my 10th marathon, I've been here before. I can think of other 20 mile runs I've done in my trainings over the years and they are not ever easy.  In training with Elizabeth, I am definitely pushing myself more than if I were training alone and I know I am getting stronger.  So, I'll just keep trying each day to run the best I can and to try to push myself a little further than I think I can go, and I'll make it to that finish line.

My prayer for you today is that you too will be able to push yourself further than you think you can go -- in soccer, in school, etc.  When you want to throw in the towel, my hope and prayer for you is to dig in and push through.  You've got an amazing group of family and friends who have your back. We're rooting for you!


Friday, April 27, 2018

Rescue and Gratitude

I can't stop thinking about the dog (Rescue) and his amazing owners whom Anna and I got to meet last night. These two people below (Jessica and Patrick) have prosthetic legs due to injuries from the Boston bombings. Of course, hearing them share their story brings me back to my own story that day, and I am struck with how long a journey it has been for them to get to this place of starting over again.

All I know to do is to live each day with gratitude for the gifts I have been given knowing that so much can change so quickly.

So, today, I count my gifts (you being among the greatest in my world) and pray for your heart to be filled with gratitude too through the years.








Thursday, April 26, 2018

Think about these things

Today, Elizabeth was sick so I listened to a couple of podcasts and a few songs on my run, and it was fun to have some good things to think about. I enjoyed some of the hosts on the podcasts who were welcome companions over my 9 miles today. 

It made me think about how important it is to consider what we fill our minds with and what we spend our time on.

So my prayer for you below is simple....

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Hard/Easy


I went to hear Lauren Fleshman (pro runner for Oiselle) speak on Friday night about running. At one point, she talked about how through the many years of running and through many coaches, the same patterns emerge in all good training plans:

hard /easy/ hard/ easy

Training is more effective when runners are allowed ample rest between hard workouts. 

I found an article that helps flesh this model out below: 

Physiological Foundation

The physiological foundation for a "hard/easy" system seems sound. In physiology, the principle of overload tells us that we must provide training stress beyond what we are used to. This stress causes depletion of energy stores and microscopic damage to muscle, connective and other tissues which, as they heal, adapt by growing stronger. This not only takes place in the working muscles, but also in all the bodies parts associated with delivering energy to the muscles. Thus, over time, the muscles can do more work, and the ability to deliver energy to the muscles is enhanced to allow the work to be more intense and to continue for longer periods.
The trick is first, to provide enough but not too much stress, and second, to allow enough recovery to replenish energy stores, heal and adapt. For runners, this recovery period has been shown to be 48 hours or more. This has led many coaches and runners to adopt a hard day/easy day training regimen.
As implemented by specific coaches and runners, hard/easy programs do not strictly just alternate hard and easy days. They are probably better characterized as always balancing "overload", harder than average workouts, against "underload", easier than average workouts in a cycle that allows recovery. A typical marathoner may have 2 or 3 hard days a week, separated by 1 or 2 easy days.

Psychological Foundation

The hard/easy system provides variety, relaxation and focus. Runners learn to focus their energy on the hard days and to look forward to and relax on their easy days. This ability to focus and control energy is one of the most valuable attributes runners have when they race. The variety inherent in the hard/easy system also keeps them from getting bored with their training.

Benefits

Runners who have transitioned from progams where their training was essentially the same each day report the following benefits of the hard/easy system:
  • At the same overall weekly mileage, their long run is nearly doubled with the resulting endurance and confidence benefits that enable them to compete in longer events.
  • They get more rest and feel fresher all the time.
  • They have fewer injuries.
  • Their mental approach to their running changes so that they look forward to and relax on their easy days and they focus on the challenge and accomplishment of the hard days.
  • They are able to do more training without fatigue, injury or mental burnout.
  • Their race times improve.


You might be asking, "what does this have to do with me?"
I was thinking about this on my easy run today and was praying for this kind of "hard/easy" rhythm for you in the coming years of middle and high school. The trick is to have enough but not too much stress and to allow enough recovery times from the hard days to replenish and restore.  So, know that I'm praying for you for this kind of life rhythm for to goal of having fewer injuries and headaches, for better attitudes and perspectives and for a healthier outlook on life in general. 

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

alarm clock

Today, I got up around 5:30 so that I could head out the door at 5:45 to run with Elizabeth (and this is certainly not my normal routine or my choice time to start the day, but she had to go earlier today because of her work schedule).  
I can guarantee that I would not have gotten up this early had I not had Elizabeth counting on me to join her for our workout this morning. 


As I was running mile repeats with her around Green Lake this morning, 
the sunrise was pretty spectacular.  (This picture above is not mine but it's pretty close to what we saw this morning.) 

During one of our miles, I was praying for you to have friends worth getting out of bed for at 5:30 am and that you would have a hope and a purpose to put a spring in your step today. 

Sunday, April 22, 2018

calling it a day

This weekend, our schedule had us running 20 miles, but with our 10 mile race yesterday, we decided to split it up.  I started out to run 10 this morning, but after about running 6, I was feeling sore, and Elizabeth told me I should call it a day.

I could choose to feel discouraged because of my soreness or I could choose to be thankful that I am able to listen to my body telling me to take some time to recover.
 So, it's been a great day of resting and filling up with good food and time with friends.  


My prayer for you is that you would have the wisdom 
to know when to push through something hard 
and when to call it quits.  


If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5 

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Tenacious Ten

Today, we got to start the day running in the Tenacious 10 race put on by Oiselle-- 
Elizabeth and I ran the 10 mile race and Dad ran the 10K race. 

My goal was to run a little bit faster than I did before in this same race last year, 
and the cool thing is that I did!! 
The funny thing is that while that is worth celebrating that I am a bit faster, 
I only beat my time last year by 1 second. :) 

I did come in 2nd in my age division and I won this cup below- WHOOHOO!! 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
te·na·cious
təˈnāSHəs/
adjective
  1. tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely.
    "a tenacious grip"
    synonyms:firmtightfastclingingMore
    • not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined.
      "you're tenacious and you get at the truth"
      synonyms:persevering, persistentdetermineddoggedstrong-willedtirelessindefatigableresolutepatientunflaggingstaunchsteadfastuntiringunwaveringunswervingunshakableunyieldinginsistentMore
    • persisting in existence; not easily dispelled.
      "a tenacious local legend"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My prayer while I was running through some of the tough miles was for tenacity for you when you need it most. May you hold tight to God through the journey knowing that He has a strong hold on you.  Don't lose sight of the truth that you belong to Him, that you are beloved and that you are enough..... 


Romans 5:4-5
There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!


Friday, April 20, 2018

flexible

About once a week, I try to follow along with Esther (my Youtube yoga instructor of choice) to stretch my body a bit. 



flex·i·ble
ˈfleksəb(ə)l/
adjective
  1. capable of bending easily without breaking.
    "flexible rubber seals"
    synonyms:pliablesupple, bendable, pliantplasticMore
    • able to be easily modified to respond to altered circumstances or conditions.
      "flexible forms of retirement"
      synonyms:adaptableadjustablevariableversatileopen-endedopenfree
      "a flexible arrangement"
    • (of a person) ready and able to change so as to adapt to different circumstances.
      "you can save money if you're flexible about where your room is located"
      synonyms:accommodatingamenable, willing to compromise, cooperativetoleranteasygoing
      "the need to be flexible toward tenants"

The thing is that I'm just not as flexible as your sister and probably never will be. 

But, these weekly times when I try to stretch out do help me not to feel so tight. 
And as I stretched a bit this morning, my prayer for you was simply that you would practice stretching too-- not just for your body so that you feel better for soccer, but also for your mind and heart-- that you can learn to be more flexible when things don't go according to plan. 

It's a lifelong skill for sure, and we all have room to grow here. 

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Boston prayers

With Monday being the Boston marathon, I pulled out these two prayers (from 2013 and from 2016)  from Trinity Church in Boston to share with friends who ran this week....

They are my prayers for you today... 





Tuesday, April 17, 2018

rock in your shoe

As I started running, it felt like there was something in my shoe so I pulled over to take off my shoe and shake my shoe to get whatever was in there that was bugging me out, and then I straightened out my sock to get things back in order.

It reminded me to pray for you that you would deal with situations like you would deal with a rock in your shoe.  Rather than letting something fester, it's good to knock it out and deal with it right away so that it does not get worse.  Mohammid Ali said something wise along these lines:


Monday, April 16, 2018

soreness



I ran across this article online and it was right on track for me today with my sore muscles after my 18 mile run yesterday... 

“Muscle builds by breaking. The fibers of muscles, when put to extreme use (like through weight lifting, running, or other exercise) tear and break.  During periods of rest, the body repairs and prepares.  The muscle fibers rebuild themselves, healing and adding more and stronger fibers in place of the old and torn fibers, so that those muscles are bigger and stronger and ready for the next time.

Lately, many friends, co-workers, and family members have come forward and said, "You're so strong!"  Some say it with awe.  Some say it more like a reminder.  All want to help keep me moving, keep my spirits up, to inspire me to remember who I am- to cue me back to my authentic self during a time where I seem to keep forgetting.

Here's the thing...  And I hesitate to tell them this because I know their words come from the heart and with the purest of intentions.

I don't want to be strong.

Being strong sucks.  I would rather remain in my original state: thin, unbroken strands of fiber lying sweetly and neatly and doing no heavy lifting.  I don't want to feel the pain of ripping apart in order to jump higher tomorrow.  If running faster requires that first I break down, then I will be content to plod slowly along this road.  Give me unmutilated softness over tough perseverant scar tissue any day.

The ancient Greeks invented a concept for this.  Katabasis.  It describes a hero's trip to the underworld and the particular kind of strength from that particular kind of harrowing journey.  (Of course the ancient Greeks would have a word for this.  I once had a professor tell me, "Most people have bad days.  The Greeks had bad generations.")  Orpheus, the father of songs, had his katabasis when he travelled to Hell and back to save Eurydice.  Odysseus, too, made a quick stop in Hades during his 20 year trek.  Even gods and heroes can't seem to build muscle without first suffering ruptures.

Unfortunately, sometimes the path in front of us grows steep.  So you either climb or you quit.  The easier choice, sometimes the only choice, seems to be curling up in the dirt and resting.  Of course, the irony is that as you rest, those rascal muscle fibers do their thing and start growing new tissue.  And pretty soon, you wake up and get up and start climbing on those new, bigger muscles.  Sure, you get tired later, you'll plop down, and it will start all over again.  It stinks.  Katabasis.  You build your strength from the very act of pushing up from the very spot where you fell.

Stupid Greeks.”   


Sore muscles aren't fun even when we know it's a sign that we are getting stronger.  Sometimes like the author said above, we just don't want to be strong.   So, I am praying for strength and stamina today for you with long days of soccer and for those times when you feel like the piles of homework will never end. 

May the Lord be your strength and your song this day... (Psalm 118:14) 

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Counting Game

Today, Elizabeth and I worked up to eighteen miles. This sounds like a number you might say if you were going to be sarcastic when someone asked you how long you went running. 

When I thought about this morning's run last night, it seemed daunting.  But, we chunked it and ran 6 miles, and then we met up with two more running friends to run the last 12 miles. The thing is that it was so much easier with others alongside. 

My prayer for you today is that when a big task is before you that you will break it down into bite sized pieces and that you would know many who come alongside you when it feels like a long road. 





  

Friday, April 13, 2018

Laughing is the best exercise

Sometimes, the best thing to do is shake things up and LAUGH. 
Praying for days when you laugh so hard that your belly hurts... 

Below are ways that Janie, Anna and I laughed a lot with each other and with the goats....
  

  



Thursday, April 12, 2018

Bubble

Today, as I ran on a busy road, I had a picture in my head of a shield around me-- 
almost like a giant bubble to protect me from the cars- 
and it was a simple reminder to pray for you for protection - 
for God to guard your heart and mind in the coming days... 

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. Psalm 121: 8 

and a quote from Wicked below to add to the post: 




Wednesday, April 11, 2018

May God's love be all over you...

Today, when I got back from my run, I got down on the carpet near Molly and Lily to do my push-up and plank routine.  I knew the risk involved in choosing this spot, but I thought it was worth it because of the sweet company on the rug. 

 Not long into trying to hold my plank, Molly and Lily came over and started licking my face, my hands, my arms. It was a full-on spit bath, and I laughed out loud.  

  

I was reminded by the way Uncle Dan signed off in a letter one time. It was something like this:
"May God's love be all over you like a labrador puppy.

That could just as easily read: 
"May God's love be all over you like a golden retriever puppy.

So, that was my prayer for you today that you would experience God's love in a tangible way and that it would make you laugh and keep coming back for more. 

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

recipe


Today, I had an interval workout to do and ran over to Parmer Park...
I kept my phone running app going while I was doing the intervals (not during the rest times).... 

I was thinking about how this whole marathon training thing is like a big recipe: 
Throw in a dash of hill workouts along with a mix of long runs, trail runs, interval runs, speed workouts, easy shake out runs and rest days.  If there's too much of one thing, it can throw the whole thing off so the trick is trying to find the right mix of all of these ingredients to get ready to run 26.2 on June 10th- two months from today.  

In thinking about this recipe idea when I was running today, 
I thought of what ingredients I hope for you to go in the mix as you turn 13 
and this verse came to mind below: 
I am praying for just the right mix of these ingredients 
and for friends, mentors and family 
to be there for you along the way to help you grow this fruit... 

Monday, April 9, 2018

Glinda the good witch

Today, Kim came to visit and it was such a treat to catch up with her. 
You may remember that she is the one who blew bubbles along the way as I tried to qualify for Boston. 

My prayer for you is that you will have many Glindas along the way to cheer you on in your many endeavoers and that you will always remember that I will be among them. 




Sunday, April 8, 2018

surprise gifts

I've covered some good miles the last few days, and I've been thankful for health and strength and time to run.  (A fast paced 5K at Green Lake on Friday in 21 1/2 minutes and then 16 miles running from downtown to Discovery Park and then back home on Saturday)  

The weather was CRAZY on Saturday morning. While we were watching your soccer game, the rain was coming down in sheets, and the morning took "April showers" to a whole new level. Then after the game, the rain was letting up, and I gave the keys to Janie & Abba to drive you home and picked up my run from there. It was such a treat to run over to Magnolia and through Discovery Park since that is not part of my usual stomping grounds.  This view below overlooking the Puget Sound seemed like a pipe dream just a few hours before, but it was the surprise gift of the morning.  



Praying for you, Taylor, for surprise gifts of grace for you today and for gratitude to soak them up...