Rain, Rain, Go Away!

When my alarm went off at 430 this morning I could here the down pour of rain and lightning. I have run in the ran a few times and once while it was lightning by accident, which I will never do again! So I knew right away running was out. Had it not been that my alarm clock is across the room I would have pulled the covers up and fell back asleep. Anyway it finally stopped raining today around 4pm woo, hoo and I got a easy 5 miles in. I tried the Vita Coco after my run and I must say it was delicious, like a tropical drink. I felt like I was on vacation on an island somewhere. Okay maybe not but it was yummy. I want to post about my recent discovery of coconut milk later.

Todays Run

My husband took off work today to study and prepare for teaching Wednesday nights service, so I was able to sleep in a little this morning and then go for a run. I ran 8 miles on the hilly course near our house. It was tough today and I even had to stop and walk a few of the uphills. I don't know if it was because I'm not used to running that time of morning or what exactly it was. I also went to my favorite grocery store in Tulsa called Wild Oats Whole Foods Market. I love this store! I went to get the usual, but decided to stop over in the drink area to see if they sold sports drinks. I found this all natural product called Vita Coco. It sounds fantastic and "has more potassium than 2 bananas" in one serving. I had not heard of the use of coconut for hydration until someone mentioned it on Kim's blog. Apparently Fresh coconut water is loaded with electrolytes, making it a great drink for athletes and just about everyone. The sugars in the drink are natural and not the processed type, so I don't think it will give me headaches that sweeteners and sugars do. I bought two different flavors. I can't wait to try it! I also found a similar drink while looking called Zico but thought I would try the Vita Coco first.

Beautiful Morning

I got up at 4:30 a.m. so I could drive to the river to run this morning. The weather was gorgeous in the low 60's and a nice breeze. I had enough time to run 5 miles before heading back home.

An off Week

Well, my running this week was pretty minimal...I wanted to run a lot more than I did, but three doctor appointments later and other commitments my week was shot. I did squeeze in 5 today, but the new shoes shortened that run. I will be sending them back for a 1/2 size larger! Thankfully tomorrow is a new week...I have only one doctor appoint this coming week and its for my son to see his ortho so this week should be a lot less hectic. Pressing on!!!

I hope you all are having a great running/racing weekend, I can't wait to read all about it!!

A Loooooong Day

I had a doctors appointment this morning with my new female doctor. I decided this year I was switching over to female doctors for my physical stuff. What was suppose to be a 1hr physical exam turned into 2 hrs. I had a lot of blood drawn and also a Tetanus shot. I have another appointment on Friday where I am going to have my hormones checked. I don't like to go to the doctor but look forward to knowing where I am internally and being proactive in my health.
I ran 4 miles yesterday but have been drained today after the appointment and decided to make it a rest day.
My new Asics arrived today and they feel great. I met the UPS man in the yard and gave a big YIPPEE when he handed me the box, he didn't even break a smile. Do ya think he's delivered to crazy women getting new running shoes before=) I can't wait to try them out!

"to run my own race"

Like a lot of you I watched the Boston Marathon yesterday. Oh, I so wanted Ryan Hall to win. In a post race interview Ryan was asked what his strategy was for the race. His answer was, "to run my own race". Later that day during my run I thought about his comment. I thought about the verse that heads this blog and Hebrews 12:1
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
The Christian life, described as a foot race, a race to be run with strenuous effort and single-minded aim. God has given each of us a race to run. I cannot run your race and you cannot run mine. This is our own personal race, no one can run it for us, we must run our own race... Running my own race requires steady, intense concentration or focus. I cannot afford to become distracted by things off to the side of the course or look at what the guy is doing in the next lane.
I was on the edge of my seat watching the women's race of the Boston Marathon. What a dramatic finish! Not once did those three women stop fighting to win. I love the scene of Kara Goucher taking off her gloves, symbolic that she was in a fight. Even when it was obvious she had been out kicked she didn't quit, she ran her own race right to the end.
I thought about how my reaction to trials and afflictions so often leave me unsteady in my race. Rather than run I retreat. The sword of affliction raised buckles my faith...
We as Christians run for imperishable crowns. Might we today run our own race, boasting only in the cross, magnifying Christ and glorifying our Creator.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FINISH LINE!

Ran---4+miles
Course---Hills
Time---40:00(approx.)

Sports Drinks

The topic of sports drinks can be daunting. There are so many choices, but are they all created equal? My personal experience is no they are not. In the past I have become dehydrated either by choosing the wrong type of sports drink or from being reluctant to pump my body full of the sugars found in most sports drinks. I have over the years learned that my body needs some type of replenishment and the science behind these drinks does offer some real help in this way. "Variables such as the length of your run, the temperature, and your pace affect what you should drink. For workouts that are about 30 or 45 minutes long, a few sips of water will usually do the trick. But for runs closer to an hour, it's important to choose a drink that has the right combination of water, carbohydrates, and electrolytes compounds such as sodium and potassium that help your body retain fluid."---Runners World
I know that after a long or hard run I will notice my skin has a white or salty layer of film. This is known as "electrolyte-sweat". It is critical to your body to replace these electrolytes and minerals.
A good sports drink should provide:(in an 8oz serving)
14-15g Carbohydrates
110mg Sodium
35-50 mg Potassium
Most of these can be found in your local grocery store, such as Gatorade, PowerAde, Gleukos, Cytomax. I have not mentioned the different gels out there because my experience with them has been minimal. I did have a GU pack on hand and looked at the carb, sodium, potassium ratio and found it was low in the sodium, only 50mg based on the above equation.

Here's a link to a video at Runners World that covers this topic:

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1430551072?bclid=1515735608&bctid=1834405155

7 Miles

Today was an easy 7 mile run. My plan was to run 8 but I could not find the mile marker near the turn around point, which I thought was kind of funny. They were doing construction around the area where I thought it was. I know I ran over 7 miles but not sure how far past. My left foot was hurting and my two middle toes on the same foot were numb by the end of my run but nothing I couldn't deal with. I think its time for some new shoes...I actually took my i-pod with me which is very rare. I have several songs downloaded from Sovereign Grace Music. It was wonderful to reflect on God in this way during my run.
Distance---7+ Miles
Pace---Hard to say with the missing mile marker=)
Time---1:15

Deers, Rabbit, Coyotes, Oh My

I decided to go for a run last night on my hilly course. I wasn't sure how much of this trail I could cover. The trail has various hill about every half mile. The hills range from short and steep to loooong and gruelling. These trails parallel farm fields and residential homes. Its not uncommon to see cows and horses but I was surprised to see 4 adult deer all together. They were running just like me, but in the opposite direction. I could hear the coyotes howling in the background. For a minute I thought maybe I should be running the other way too=). Shortly after that I saw the biggest jack rabbit. It was a regular wildlife zoo out there last night!
I ended up doing 6 miles of hills! I am not timing myself right now just because I am working only on distance and hills until I build up my leg strength and base mileage again. After my run I inhaled the most delicious Texas grapefruit (thanks for the citrus idea Kim!) and looked for my mace to take with me next time.
I am looking forward to a FLAT long run Saturday. Hope you all have a great weekend of running!

Distance---6 Hilly Miles
Pace---Much faster when I heared the coyotes=)
Time----Approx. 1 hr

A Tough 4.5

I really struggled during my run this morning. I think my legs are still getting used to the pavement. As much as I don't like the treadmill it does give my leg muscles a break. But since the weather has been so nice I want to be outside running. I have also told myself I will not buy my Garmin Forerunner until I am running outside consistently. I ran into a couple of friends this morning out running so that gave my mind a break for a few minutes from the fatigue my legs felt. It was so wonderful to see so many people out on the trails before sun rise this morning.

Easy 4

Since I ran last night and also did hills I decided to do an easy 4 today. I'm looking forward to a wonderful week of warm temperatures in the morning. I hope you are all have a great week of running.

Ran 5 Hills

I ran in the evening today instead of this morning because I wanted to run this particular trail that is hilly. The trail doesn't have lights so I have to either wait until my husband is home from work or it gets light sooner in the morning. Anyway this was a hard workout about 5 hills total and I'm tired. I am so thankful that my husband supports my running and is such a godly man to our family.

Book of the Month

I have read sooooo many books on running I thought it would be fun to share some thoughts on them with you. These are only my opinions and not meant to be reviews. My first Book of the Month is: Run Fast How to Train for a 5-K or 10-k Race. Written by Hal Higdon a veteran in the running community. The book is full of interesting stories and personal experiences. Although this book covers the shorter distances it stresses the need for longer distance and long runs as the key to any successful program. I would classify this book as a technical book for the everyday runner. It can be used as a training tool for the more serious athlete but is not too intimidating for the "regular" runner. I bought this book in the 90's when I was trying to improve my 5k times. During my training runs I would regularly see this local runner who I knew was very fast. He was actually shorter than me, but won many of the local races. One of the things I noticed about him, was his stride length. He ran low, quick short strides. Since I saw him regularly out on the trails, I began to try and mimic his stride. It not only made me faster but made my running more efficient. This topic is covered in length in chapter 5 "Form Enhancers". This book takes the technical science of training to an easy to understand analysis. I like to review the advice and tips in this book when I begin to get a little lazy in my form and training habits. Although I would not recommend this book to train for longer distances it is still a wealth of information in the science and art of running and that is why its my book of the month. See if your local library has it!

Ran 6

I ran 6 miles today down at the river. It was a wonderful break from the treadmill. I'm looking forward to the weather getting warmer so that I can continue to up my mileage. After the winter on the old "dreadmill" I am eager to hit the trails again. Running at the river means I must run past a casino that was recently built next to the running trail. This place stretches about a mile long. You really have to watch the traffic at this spot. The place is like a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. My heart breaks for those people who are wasting their lives in pursuit of things that have no eternal value. I prayed for a woman I passed on the trail as she was leaving her work at the casino. I am so thankful for my run today and the beautiful weather.

Have a blessed Easter

Old Blog New Idea

I really didn't keep up with posting much on my blog so I took it off public profile for a while. I have decided to take another try at this whole blogging thing by making my blog a place to keep a journal of my weekly runs as well as share some books and other information as I am learning and continuing on with my running journey. I hope we can encourage one another to not only press on in our running but in our faith and love for the One who strengthens us in the journey.