When Life Doesn't Go As Planned...

Yesterday was race day.  I didn't race.  I didn't even attempt it.  After my trip home to SD my training plummeted.  I still got about 10 miles in a week, but that wasn't enough to get ready for the race.

Then two weeks ago my hip started hurting to the point that it was painful to walk on it for about a week.  I guess I knew at that point that I wouldn't be meeting my goal this summer of running a half-marathon.

But, I'm okay with it.  Really I am.  I'm disappointed that I didn't accomplish my goal because for 5 weeks I worked really hard.  I got up at 6am and ran when I didn't feel like it.  I even ran 9 miles one night. 

Mostly, I can look back on this summer and know that I set a goal that was pretty lofty in all reality.  I know there are always unexpected hiccups in life, and especially with small children: illnesses, teething, waking in the night etc.  Right now in this season of life, being mom trumps all else.

I'm proud that I reached for a goal.  If we never reach for anything new or out of sight we'll never grow.

I learned that a lot of what we think we can't do is mental not physical.  The body has amazing abilities to keep going long after the mind has given up.

I learned that I'm more capable and stronger than I ever knew.

I learned that I need to do more to take care of myself in the midst of taking care of others.  I'm a better wife, mother, person when I do.

I learned that even when I make plans life can come along and change them. 

Remind Me Who I Am

Lessons From the Pavement/ Part 2

The temperature had to be already in the 80s this morning at 6:15 when I stepped outside to run.  They are talking record highs for today (95 degrees).  I missed a run last week, so I had to make up for it this morning.  No excuses.  Thankfully, my little alarm clock (the one who requires a feeding) went off at 6:00, so I was up anyway.

As I was running, a girl ran past me, going fast.  I had a revelation at that moment, Oh, so that's what running looks like.  Not sure what to call what I was doing.  It wasn't walking, but I guess it's not exactly running either.  Anyway, just as I was about to beat myself up for being a slow runner and compare myself to the blur that flew past me, I stopped myself, and lifted my head and saw this girl now a block ahead of me, and I became inspired and encouraged.  I knew that I couldn't run as fast as she was going, but I also realized that I could run faster than I was going.  I didn't think I could.  I thought I was going as fast I could go.  It was hot.  I was just plodding through the 4 miles I set out to complete.  But, it challenged me to push myself a little more.

It's important not to get caught up in the comparison game-no matter in what situation you find yourself.  It won't help your progress in the least if you do.  But, instead, focus on your goals that you set out to achieve.  Your goals will look different than someone else's.

My goals were as follows:
Get out of bed and go running.  Check
When you feel like stopping, keep going.  Check
Run (jog or whatever it is) for 4 miles.  Check

P.S.  I did sign up for a half-marathon (13.1 miles) on Sept 2nd.  I have never ran more than 4 miles!  So, I have my training schedule and I'm sticking to it.  My goal for the race is to "complete" it not to "compete" in it.  You have to be realistic about your gifts/talents/and goals.   

Encouragement

I set a new (old really, but with a new outlook) goal for myself: starting June 1st, I began a serious attempt at this whole weight loss get back in shape deal.  Does this sound remotely familiar?  Like maybe you've heard me say this before back in December...then February, and probably still in March & April, too.  Yes, well, ahem, I found that all I have from those months is a bunch of excuses (some of them are actually really legit, too).  I also know that excuses do not yield results. 

 So, after many failed attempts, and half-starts, etc, etc, I put June 1st as my new starting date.  Since then I have gone running 5 out of the last 6 mornings.  And, I'm not relying on sugar to get me through the day. It feels good- the great weather helps, and I am finding that 6 in the morning is actually quite a peaceful time of day.  If I want alone time I've found this is the time I have to seize before the children are awake.  Don't get me wrong, I love sleep.  It's a precious commodity when you're a young mother of three littles.  But, I've found that once I get over the initial feeling of, I really don't want to get out of bed feeling, that it's quite enjoyable.  I have my clothes set out the night before, and I'm out the front door before I can barely rub the sleep out of my eyes.  

I've also found that when I'm running, that I can hear my husband's voice saying, "C'mon now, pick up the pace.  You got THIS! Let's go."  We've gone running enough times together over the last however many years that he knows my running pace (snail-like), and he knows how to encourage me.  Don't we all just need to hear that sometimes no matter what we're facing-"You GOT this!"  

I also made the mistake of stepping on the scale today, and it about deflated me.  I know I'm not supposed to weigh myself yet.  But, I've been working hard, and I WANT results!  Aren't we like that, too.  We think, okay, now I'm trying, so poof things should be as I want them to be.  Yes, well, that's not quite how it works.  So, don't be discouraged if you're facing a mountain and you're a tenth of the way up and it feels as if you've put in all the effort you can muster because you still have a ways to go to reach the top.  But you'll get there, if you keep doing what you're doing.  

C'mon now.  You've GOT this!  Let's go!!!!  

Philippians 3:13- Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

An Analogy for Life~

I've attempted to be a runner on and off for probably the last 6 years or so.  It hasn't been very consistent with 3 pregnancies during those years.  I never considered myself to be a runner growing-up- in all truthfulness I despised to run.  It has only been in recent years that I have been drawn to running and found it to be very beneficial; it improves my mood, gives me confidence, and it makes me physically stronger.  Most importantly, is it gives me some precious time alone to be with my thoughts without little voices interjecting.  

Now that my third baby is reaching the six-month mark, I feel like my body has finally recovered enough to start running again.  The other day I was running (or let's call it what it actually is-a plodding jog) up a steep hill, and I thought of how running up this hill is like reaching goals in life.  I found that putting my head down, putting one foot in front of the other, and pushing through the pain; was better than staring straight up at the top of the hill wondering and fretting about when/how I was ever going to reach the top.  Yes, I could have made it easier on myself and stopped and started walking up the hill, but the benefits would not have been as great.  The reward is in feeling like you can't do something for whatever reason, but persevering anyway until you make it to the top.  If I focus solely on where I want to get to, I lose sight of the journey and forget that it actually takes work to reach that summit.  So, I put my head down and I push on through the pain (And, don't forget to get those knees UP!).  You will know when you've reached the top.