Getting Started

I’ve been running for about eight years now (started at the prompting that I had more than a few pounds to lose). I consider myself an -onset athlete and absolutely LOVE running! It took me several years of training and running half marathons before I worked up the nerve to enter a full marathon. A half dozen or so of those later, my hubby and I completed our first 50 miler last fall with plans for a 50K and a repeat of the 50 miler this year. Sprinkled throughout will (hopefully, Lord willing) be some other halfs and full marathons along with some 5ks.

All that said, most folk think running 50 miles is pretty well insane. And I’d probably have to agree with them. However, the principle in running 50 miles is pretty much the same as running 5 miles or running a single mile. It all begins with the first step out the door or onto the treadmill with a purpose in mind. The first several minutes are usually not all that comfy. The body’s response of going from inertia to (what? -ertia?) movement. Forward movement.

Forward movement means progress. Progress means growth. It can be slow growth or fast growth. Doesn’t really matter. Growth is growth.

And year after year, that’s what I strive for. Running provides a fun, tangible way for me to do that. Running provides me the forum for learning. Lessons about running, yes. About my body and limitations, yes. Lessons about life, bigger yes.

Training for and running in races — from half marathons to full marathons to ultras — have taught me more about what I CAN do than what I can’t. It has taught me more about ENCOURAGING others than I ever dreamed possible. Running is certainly something we cannot do FOR someone else; we cannot run someone else’s race. We can, however, believe in people and help them believe in their dreams about running … even when they may not be able to believe for themselves. We help them believe (and we help ourselves) by continuing to run.

Them there’s my thoughts on beginning running.

Running and walking

Yesterday I ran 4 miles at lunchtime, trying to squeeze it in before the afternoon ‘parade of adventures’ began. It was a good thing I did, too. The afternoon “quick” doctor’s visit with my son turned into a small surgical procedure in the office lasting a couple of hours. Picking up prescriptions for a sick dog as well as for my son tied up pretty much all the rest of the afternoon before heading to the next state (not really that far) for youth group with both guys. Home late and tired. Still very happy to have run at lunch … always a good day when I’ve run.

Today I just did 2 miles on the treadmill while catching up on some reading. That is the one really, really nice thing about walking the T. Hubby and I are planning to run 8 tomorrow, probably as the boys are helping out at church in the afternoon. Don’t know whether we’ll hit the trail someplace — which would be our first trail run after the JFK 50 — or whether we’ll hit some country hills or in town. I’m happy to run wherever hubby wants to. Got some new toe socks that I’m anxious to try out on a (long slow distance).

Finished up the Daniel/Beth Moore study last night, too. I really enjoy her stuff. She just so DIGS into the Word and just simply inspires me to do the same. Oh, that I would be able to get my little ol’ act together and organize my time better to do the mining I’d love to do! Lord, help me with this! Thinking I’m needing more discipline and more training in this area, for sure.