Running to the sun

I decided I wanted to go for a run on the beach.  I checked the tide chart, perfect low tide at 6:00pm.  Time to go home, take the dog out, change clothes and drive to the beach access.  So that is just what I did.  I got there and the weather was perfect, sunny and clear, a tiny breeze and about 65 degrees.  I decided that I wasn't gonna go crazy because I hadn't run on the beach since last summer.  I alternated between a faster run than normal and walking.  I did this for a while it was so beautiful that I didn't really want to stop, so kept going.  As I ran I realized I had never been to the end of the island and wondered how long it was to the point of the island.  I was running directly into the most beautiful sunset.  I wanted to see the setting sun over the water.  SO I continued to run and run and run.  When I finally reached the end of my little stretch of land I was beginning to become tired, no wonder I had just gone 2.77 miles on sand.  I wanted to stay and watch the sun set over Bear Island but I knew I had to go. It was so beautiful, and very much worth the push to the to the sun. I knew though, it would soon be dark and knew the parking lot closed at dark.  In fear of being locked up in the beach parking lot, I turned around and began my long and tiring race against the setting sun back to my car.  So although I was tired I knew I to hurry back to make sure I didn't get locked up.  By the time I got back to the car I was so tired and very unsure if what I had done was smart or not. 

The next day when I woke up I decided it was a good idea.  I was a little sore but not hurt like I was afraid.  My run to the sun was so worth the rain I felt at that moment and the push I had to make to get back before dark.  My next run was faster because of it too.

Music isn't so bad

So I haven't been running with music for the past 6 months. I have grown to love the sounds around me when I run. Birds chirping, the "mine mine mine" of a gull, sounds of bugs and dogs barking. But I have found it to be safer, it makes me more aware of cars and flying golf balls towards my head. But sometimes it allows me too much thinking room and little push. It does put me in a zone which is great for a long run but it doesn't give  me an added push like the music sometimes does.
Today I had less time and wanted to get in a shorted faster run. It was less than 2 miles but I knocked 45 seconds off my average mile. My secret...some music.  I took my iphone and crancked up the tunes.  I put it on shuffle and ran as the music pumped or walked as it slowed down.  I highly reccomend (at your own ability) doing a similar type work out, its alot of fun to run with the music.  I was running on an empty golf course near my house when I did this last night so I wasn't as concerned with the dangers around me. 

1 Samuel 18:14
In everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him.

Goliath enjoyed the go and slow run.

Before

The begining of the run. The rain did hold off but it sure was cloudy.

Praying Time

Running is a great time for prayer.  In ideal circumstances that is all that my mind would focus on.  But today I had trouble doing that, there was traffic, construction (lots of it today), people, focusing on technique and tiredness. But it seemed like every time I passed one of these obstacles my mind went straight back to prayer. I felt all over the place.  So today my mind; when I could focus went straight to my mom.  I have been praying for her alot lately.  She had a doctor visit last week that had some odd things show up and will have more tests done in the future.  I prayed that God would take care of my best friend and to not worry her with the health concerns.  I have been praying this for two weeks now and I think prayer is very powerful and know God has a plan for her-for us all.  I think about my mom alot when I run and how I wish I could some how help her get active.  Maybe one day she will be running beside me on my first half marathon. (HAHA, just kidding momma).  She is feeling better and after researching things I think she does have some peace of mind.
I wish I didn't get so distracted when I pray-I thought it was always my ADD that hindered uninterrupted prayer but I think its hard for us all.  I find myself praying that I can pray, have you ever done that before.  I hope my next run will be a little easier and less disrupted. 

Job 22:27  

Thou shalt make thy prayer unto him, and he will hear thee; And thou shalt pay thy vows.

Running Partner

I watched the clock all day today for the time I could come home to run.  I don't know why I wanted to run so bad because I usually don't run back to back days.  I was so sore all day from yesterday's workout and could barely walk but I just had to get out.  As I was getting ready Goliath started jumping and whining and crying and begging, well you get the point, he wanted to go.  He knows when I start to put on my running shoes that its time for mommy to go run and he might get to go.  I know he looks small, well he is but he sure can run. I am so thankful for him.

On the thankful note...Today's run was great, a slow 2.3 mile run on the golf course at my house.  I just couldn't believe how nice it was out.  For one I love spring and all that God shows us during spring.  Everything is so new and fresh, I guess that's why I just had to get out in it today.  Today I saw several pairs of birds on the ponds and flying thru the air.  The grass is starting to show some green.  The trees are budding and beginning to flower.  God was saying here I am and this is what I have done for you.  It is great to see the little things outside start to change and grow.  What a better time than now to start to make those little changes in my life. Positive changes, changes to make a healthier, happier, stronger, faster, better me.

Genesis 1:11
Then God said, “Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.” And that is what happened.

Switching it up

Over the weekend I headed to one of my favorite shoe stores to try on some shoes, it is almost that time.  The girl that was helping me was super nice and very helpful and I felt guilty for not buying anything (they just didn't feel right).  But she did put me on the treadmill to check out how my run looked.  She told me I was primarily a heal striker and that could be the cause of some of my pain.  She suggested that I try to land more forefoot and shorten my stride.  So that's what I worked on today.

During my run today I ran to and down this wooden boardwalk on the water.  It was just a little over a half a mile run from where I work. I tried to speed it up and focus on staying up on my forefoot for the first part of the run.  I think it was much more efficient and powerful. When I got down to the little gazebo thing I began a type of training that I don't do often enough but, will try to make a point of it a least once a week.  I alternated between running up, walking back down this stretch of boardwalk and then different exercises like squats, lunges, sit ups, superman, and a bunch of other stuff.  I would do one exercise, sprint up the boardwalk (focusing on foot placement) and walk down and repeat, and this lasted about 30 minutes. With the only resting being the walk back down.

Today's run was strictly an interval type training and I focused on the exercises themselves and my mind was on the workout more than anything. It was very difficult to get my mind away from the work and focus on anything else.  I love that about the longer runs. I would like to get my legs stronger and this differently did that.  Both legs were shot and I only ran half of the way back and walked it out the rest of the way.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Look for the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

Welcome

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! I am so excited to start this.  I hope to post pictures of my outings and some of the stuff I encounter on my runs. 

So I haven't  run much since my last race in December.  So in preparation for my brother's wedding I have decided to lose weight in hopes that it will also make me fast.  I am currently at 163 pounds and loosing with the help of weight watchers and exercise.  I decided on Monday that I was gonna buckle down and stick with it.  I am hoping that writing will also hold me accountable and stick with eating better and continuing to run.  My dream would be to run at least a half marathon this year.  Goals are to loose about 20 more pounds and to run under a 10:00 average mile and become closer to God.

Today was my second day of running this week and it went better than I could have ever expected.  I ran the what we call around here the double bridges and back.  It is a beautiful run across the White Oak River with water on both sides of the road.  Absolutely beautiful! I ran from work across the bridges and back for 2.35 miles in 30 minutes with 12:55 average (I got a ways to go to get my time down).  But hey I still ran over 2 miles,  I hadn't run in weeks and I ran over 2 miles. YIPPPEE! I sure am feeling it tonight. I tried to golf with the hubs and gave up pretty quick with soreness and just too tired.  I know this will start to get better if I keep at it.  So here is to running and a hopeful a good nights sleep tonight.

1 Corinthians 9:24-25

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.