IF IT WASN'T HARD, EVERYONE WOULD DO IT

Do you remember the girl's baseball movie, A League of their Own, which includes the unforgettable assertion: “There’s no crying in baseball!” As I've been trying to build back up my mileage for what seems like forever, I’ve thought of another scene from that movie. Dottie, the main character, has determined to leave, right at the climax of the season. The manager says to her, “…sneaking out like this, quitting, you'll regret it for the rest of your life. Baseball is what gets inside you. It's what lights you up, you can't deny that.” She replies, “It just got too hard. “ And he responds: “It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great.” What a great reminder!

Since my fall last July and the subsequent foot issue it has been difficult to get my mileage back up. Right now most of my runs are a lot of self talk and slow progress. But this is life isn't it. Life is filled with difficulties. As a Christian running is just an extension of my life, a life God has called me to, a life with eternal implications. Moreover, as a follower of Jesus Christ I am promised, not ease and comfort, but trouble and persecution. Life will have challenges and difficulties. In short, it will be hard. We live in a broken world, and our bodies and the struggles we have are just part of the evidence of that. But as any runner knows running gets inside you, it's what lights you up and we endure the hard stuff because we understand that's part of what makes it so great! If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it...It’s the hard that makes it great!

Lon·gev·i·ty

I'm a bit of a vocabulary geek. I like learning new words and get kiddy when listening to someone who has a large vocabulary. Lately the word longevity has been on my mind. Dictonary.com defines longevity as: a long individual life; great duration of individual life: length of service, and tenure. My favorite definition came from Merriam Webster which defined longevity as: a long continuance: permanence, durability. I was recently looking through the race photos of a race a friend just ran and one I hope to run next year. As I was thumbing through the various shots taken of the race I saw her, not my friend, but her, "the alpine lady." Well, that's what I named her when I would see her on the running trail every morning around 5:30am. I nick-named her that because she always wore support hose under her running shorts and layered her tops in such a way that it made me think about something you might see in the Alps. It's really my weird way of seeing things than me making fun of her. Actually I think she was on to the whole idea of compression wear long before it is what it is today. Anyway there she was 16+ years later plugging away at that race. Out of curiosity I looked up her age and discovered she is 65 years old. During the years I saw her every morning I lived near and ran a particular part of the trails on Riverside Drive in Tulsa. Even though we never met we would exchange a friendly hello. As any runner knows there’s a common comradery that comes with seeing the same faces every morning. Lately I've been running a particular trail here in Houston and the same thing is happening. Those familiar faces that don't have names but you share those moments along the way. Who knows maybe they have a nick-name for me... I hope that longevity, continuance and durability will be definers in my life, not only in running but in my relationships as well.

Speaking of running it has been going VERY well!!! I got rid of that silly foot pad which seemed to be causing more issues than helping and amazingly I have had very little to NO foot pain. Praise the Lord!!! My race schedule is filling up fast for the Fall and my hopes are high that things will be back on track for seeing some long desired goals met this year.

Do you have nick-names for people you see on your running trails?

The "Perfect" Weight

At my "perfect" weight

If you have been following this blog for anytime you know the issue of loosing weight has been a topic of discussion. I am still trying to drop as much as 20lbs! wow why does that look so large in type. Probably like many of you I have counted every bite that has gone in my mouth, exercised an insane amount of time only to step on the dreaded scale and see no change! Recently I had to do a hard amount of soul searching and admit I had a unhealthy, and as a Christan, unbiblical mind-set about my weight. So with Gods help I'm focusing on being healthy rather than focus on a number on the scale. One thing I stopped doing was weighing myself regularly. So yesterday I decided since I had not weighed myself in about a month I wanted to see if my weight had dropped. At the same time I knew I needed to be careful with my attitude no matter what the scale read. In my mind I thought if I don't know the exact number it wouldn't be as hard. So not wanting to see the number I thought I would be clever and ask my daughter for some assistance. I told her I was going to step on the scale and only wanted her to answer one question. The question was "is my weight below ___lbs?" (y'all didn't really think I was going to tell you the number now). All I really wanted to know was had I gotten past this particular number that my body seems to camp on. So I step on the scale and ask the question at which time she replies "well (long pause) it's not below____lbs but you are only about 6lbs away" ha ha ha! Okay 6lbs+___lbs= no weight loss!!! hilarious! I forgot to tell her this was a yes or no question-lol. Although I was not crazy about finding out I had not lost weight I had to laugh at my daughters attempt to make the news brighter. As a mom with two girls I want them to have a healthy mind-set about weight and not be defined by the number on a scale. I hope in some small way the laughter we shared yesterday conveyed that message clearly. I am thankful today that I can continue to move forward in becoming a healthier me both inside and out!

Do you have number in your head that says this is my "perfect" weight?

Princess and the Pea

It feels like Spring in Texas and with it a sense of renewal, the hope and promise of brighter days ahead. That's how I am feeling lately! I'm entering my 3rd week of pain free running! Well I say pain free in the sense of nothing hurting bad enough to keep me off my feet! Praise God! I completed 20-25 miles total each week the past two weeks! I know that's low but I am ecstatic about it! I have had some typical soreness and age related aches and pains but for the most part my ability to increase my mileage and frequency has my running day's looking up. I have been overwhelmed with thanksgiving to God for what seems to be the return of my running mojo. It has helped to have sworn off all shoes with even a slight heel. Also I'm using a little pad in my shoe that is hopefully taking some of the pressure off the metatarsal. I'm not crazy about feeling this lump in my shoe where the pad is stationed but if it's helping I'll keep it in there. I have never needed to wear any type of pad or orthotic in all my years of running, so it feels odd. I'm not even sure it is helping. My favorite fairy tale growing up was "Princess and the Pea" I must have read that story a hundred times. Soooooo if I feel the lump in my shoe does that make me a princess! Oh I hope so, I need all the help I can get! Have a great week of running!

Pressing on,
Terri

22 Years and Counting

I was not planning to take a break from blogging but life sort of got real busy these past 4 weeks.

My husband and I are celebrating our 22nd anniversary today. We are planning to go to the rodeo :) We love doing things like that. Should be a fun time with my beloved!

 Running has been going very well the past couple of weeks. I ran 5 miles today which is the longest I've run in a while. As of today my running has been completely pain free! I have really sensed the Lord drawing me close to Him and bring much healing both physically and emotionally. I have learned a lot from this season...I will tell you it has not been without tears as I have had to consider giving up running all together. But God. Yes God, has had all of this in control and seems to be moving me out of this wilderness season into a season of hope. I know that tomorrow I could step out that door trip and fall or experience pain that keeps me from running. I hope that doesn't happen but if it did I hope I have learned to worship Him and trust Him in everything.  I have a long way to go. Looking forward to reading about several of you running races today.

Pressing on for His glory and fame,

Terri

Wow! two post in one week! Unfortunately it's because running this week has had to take a back seat. I tried to run yesterday but it was pretty awful! I managed to endure 4 miles but it was all about pain management. Even my knee started to hurt which I think was from probably adjusting my gait to compensate for the foot pain. I also had this lower leg pain show up. I was a mess out running yesterday. Actually the lower leg pain was the worst of all three I was experiencing. I have had this pain before in the front of my leg from time to time which seems to happen when I increase mileage. But normally after a few runs at the new distance my leg adjust and I don't have the pain anymore. Since I took two days off to rest my foot it was a surprise to have this area hurting. The worst part about it is it is all the same leg! ugh! As I was running I thought if I could have a new left leg this run would be great! sigh! I haven't decided if I am going to run today or not. This area in the front of my leg is hurting right now so I'm not real thrilled to get out there and run in pain again. Anyone know what this could be or have had similar pain? I circled the area that hurts in the picture below. As you can see it is not my shin. It feels real good when I massage or roll it. I sure would like to know what it is. I've tried googling it but it keeps giving me information about shin splints. The pain is not in my shin but that big muscle on the front side of my lower leg.

In other news I have had to re-adjust my schedule of races this year already. The one run in Oklahoma I had hoped to run In May they moved the date up an entire month! We can't go in April while my son is still in school. The Wounded Warrior run in June was the one I really, really, really, wanted to run the most. But it too will have to be another time. We had serious time restraints this year with the time share we use for vacations and of course it happened to be the same weekend! I can't complain as I am looking very forward to vacationing in Colorado this year. The beach is always my first choice but the mountains are a close second. Between the leg pains and schedule changes life has really put a crunch in my Spring/Summer "come-back" ( y'all didn't know this was my come-back year did ya ;) ) When I look at all that is happening I could get discouraged real quick...between the pain I'm experiencing and the 180 in my race schedule things are feeling a bit challenging. Life is not going the way I would like it. It's funny how when you purpose to be more steadfast that life has a way of coming along and bumping your glass of water. Thankfully purposing to honor the Lord by being steadfast is helping me to focus through this time of disappointment and adjustment. I know that He is in the business of teaching me to live (which includes running) from the inside out. All of this stuff that is happening on the outside of my life He is wanting me to deal with from the inside out. I know He is wanting me to worship Him regardless... So I will not grit my teeth and force my way, I will not ask why, I will not buckle... but rather be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water..."But his delight is in the law of the LORD"...

Planted by the waters,

Terri

These Boots Were Made for Walking...

You will never catch me running one of these!!!

I have not been able to run this week so far because of foot pain. I'm mad at myself because it's my fault my foot is hurting! I stupidly choose to wear high heels Sunday! I wore my boots to church thinking the heel was not that high but within a short time my foot was killing me!! I ended up on my feet and walking a lot Sunday which was not planned. It wasn't long before I was grumpy and limping. Thankfully my oldest daughter wears the same size shoe as I do and she kindly switched shoes with me. Really she just wanted to stop hearing me complain! Unfortunately by then it was too late. Sunday was eye opening to the fact that I can not wear ANY heels, not even a standard boot heel. And since running is a priority over vanity I wave the white flag. Really it's not so much vanity as I just own more heels than I do flats. Also being married to a guy who is 6'3 and I'm 5'3 I could use a little height. I guess it's time to go buy some FLAT shoes. So no more heels, not even my boots anymore! Good-bye boots! sniff, sniff...

I guess it means I can't sing this song anymore either :). I know this video will date me, although I was only a toddler when this song hit the charts I remember singing and dancing to it as a child :) I dare you not to dance while it plays.

Have a great week running!

His Heart Beats in Every Step

Mind: (the Word)
In addition to my scripture reading I’ve been reading through; The Heart of Christ by Thomas Goodwin. The book specifically looks at passages of scripture that show how Christ love and attitude toward us is demonstrated in His life on earth and His life in heaven . It is written in old English which makes me laugh sometimes, but can pack a punch in fewer words. This excerpt talks about how Christ love is seen through the gift of His Spirit;

"...It is the Spirit which speaks in Christ's name, even as himself is said to speak from heaven, Heb. 12: 25. And when you pray, it is the Spirit that " makes intercession for you" in your own hearts, Rom. 8: 26, which intercession of his, is but the evidence and echo of Christ's intercession in heaven. The Spirit prays in you, because Christ prays for you: he is an intercessor on earth, because Christ is an intercessor in heaven. He also follows us to the sacrament, and in that glass (mirror) shows us Christ's face smiling on us; and thus we go away rejoicing that we saw our Savior that day." 

 

Body: (health)
I have been on a mission since purging all holiday junk food to eat as clean as possible. I have had great success but have not lost ANY weight even though I am tracking calories and eating well. While I was out yesterday I got a salad from Panera Bread. When I got home and checked the calories on-line I was SHOCKED!!! This so-called "healthy" salad had a whopping 560 calories!!! and 34g of fat!!!(yep you read that right) what!?!? It had two tiny containers of a vinaigrette dressing, hardly any cheese and just a sprinkle of nuts! I still can't figure it out. Good thing I had the calories to spare that day. I'm not sure why the weight is not dropping when I am tracking calories like it's my job and eating well??? I am trying not to focus too much on the numbers for now just maintaining a clean diet.

Spirit: (running)
Running continues to go well! I laid out a 1/2 marathon plan that should have me back up to 1/2 marathon distance by mid April. I have enjoyed virtually pain-free running so far. My mileage this week is still low but building: Mon. 4mi, Tue. 4mi. and today another 4! I hope to finish out the week with 4's and a LR of 5 on Sat. Not much of a long run I know but I'm happy to be running at all. Although I still feel like I am having to push it a bit physically my spirit could run forever! I am so very thankful that I sense His Spirit drawing me into a place of worship while I do something I love so much. I never feel alone while I run as I sense His heart beat in every step...

Back to Our Regulaly Scheduled Program

If this post had sound it would sound like a big Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!! After our  prolonged Christmas/New Year hangover life has been better this week. The holiday's just seem to come with everything disorganized, not enough sleep and too much sugar in our systems to think straight. With holiday company gone we are back to our regularly scheduled programming.

Mind: (the Word)
I have been spending a lot of time meditating on John chapters 13-17. This was Christ last conversations with His disciples before His crucifixion and resurrection. During my studies I wondered, if I knew this would be my last conversation with those that I love, if I wanted my thoughts and affections toward them to leave a lasting impression, what would I say? What would I do? I'm not sure washing 12 set of dirty feet would be on the top of my thoughts, yet this action best communicated Christ thoughts and affections at that time...I have so much to learn to be like Him.

Body: (health)
I have been really working on eating clean and already feel so much better. This was lunch on

Wednesday and was so satisfying, I think I'll have another today!Green vegetables such as spinach are good sources of magnesium.(chlorophyll which gives green vegetables their color contains magnesium) Magnesium is a key player in nerve and muscle relaxation. But don't take my word for it learn about it here. http://www.livestrong.com/article/285488-magnesium-deficiency-muscles-and-nerves/ 

Spirit: (healing)

Running has been back on track and after taking a little over a week off. I started back Monday with a 5 mile run which was a bit ambitious because I could hardly sit down with out holding on to something on Tues. oops! Tues. I took it easy with a 3 mile run. I took Wens. off to allow some of the soreness to subside and did a 3 mile run this morning. I've got my heart set on building back to higher mileage weeks and if the Lord allows I hope to be back on track by Spring. I am thankful my foot seems to be holding out well.

                                                          Little by little one walks far.

Better Late than Never

    Now that my mother-in-love has left I feel like I can really begin to get serious about moving forward toward some of my goals for 2012. Just a few minutes ago I purged all left-over junk out of the fridge and cabinets that made it's way into this house over the holiday's. I purposely did very little holiday baking but between gifts and other festivities I cooked for we ended up with pies, cookies, birthday cake, etc... I normally allow myself a bit of indulgence with moderation, but for what ever reason I found myself just mindlessly stuffing my face over the past few weeks! UGH! Between the big dinners I was fixing for various  friends and family, eating sweets and getting in very little running my body literally feels ill !!! So it's time to detox both the kitchen and my body. Better late than never! Do you ever feel ill after eating a big meal or too much sugar? I know I do and it feels gross!!!

In other news the Olympic Trials as well as the Chevron Houston marathon has made this town a buzz of activity! I so wanted to hit up the expo and watch the trials downtown but had to take my husbands mom to the airport which happened to be around the same time. I know it's going to turn out to be a fun weekend for y'all. And what perfect race weather we have too. We southerners know how to do it right y'all.

I can't wait to read all the race reports and PR's that I'm sure are going to happen. Happy running!

I'm still Here!

Just checking in to let y'all know I'm still here! My husbands mom is here visiting for another week from Oklahoma. Busy times mean no time to post. I've been reading your blogs and getting some great info on training as well as getting pumped-up for the Olympic Trials here in Houston!

It's count down time for those of y'all running the Chevron Houston Marathon!! It's been pretty warm the past few days so come prepared for some Southern humidity and hospitality! Happy running y'all !!!

2011 Reflections and Word/Verse for 2012

First let me start with a little explanation...a few years ago I met the wonderful Jane through blogland. Jane comes up with a "word and verse" every New Year. I liked the idea so much that I started doing that myself. The neatest thing happened, that one little word became a simple reminder of a goal or objective throughout the year. It would also serve as a mantra in running. Last year my word was "thrive" and sometimes saying that one word to myself would help me to re-focus on the bigger picture. This year after much wrestling contemplation I came up with my word;

Steadfast: marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable; firm and dependable especially in loyalty
Synonyms: permanent, abiding, enduring, lasting, steadfast, changeless, fixed, unchangeable, constant, persistent, durable, stable, unbendable, unshakable, unfaltering, steady, unwavering, undeviating, firm
Antonyms: inconstant, irresolute

Yesterday during my devotions this verse just seemed to be the key one to mark 2012;

"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers". Psalm1:3

Although it doesn't necessarily use the word steadfast, it is definitely applied!

How is this person steadfast? It's found in the previous verse; "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night"

Reflections of 2011
As I reflected back over this year, especially the last 5 months or so I really don't like what I see...I am not complaining or going into "looser-land" here but rather being very honest. It's easy for me to hide behind the curtain of this blog, only letting you see what would make ME look or sound perfect normal. But y'all know life can be really hawrd and it's really easy to get knocked down. I see a lot of areas where I am missing the mark. Where my actions and choices resulted in "reactive chaos" rather than obedience to the God I love. Most, if not all of what I see is the result of not being steadfast, not being firm, resolute or abiding. Allowing life's circumstances, the way I'm feeling at the moment...life's challenges, the ups and downs affect me to the point of wavering;
"...For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed." James 1:6
So this year closes for me on a bitter-sweet note...I am thankful for a fresh start!  I am thankful for a God who will enable me to be more steadfast this year. I am thankful for a God "who is able to do abundantly more than we ask or think"

Do you have a word you've chosen for this year?

Have Your Way...
Terri

The Heart of the Competitor

The Christian school my son attends has an amazing football team. He played football this year and grew both as a young man and competitor. The team made it into the state playoffs and finished the season as district champs for the 3rd year in a row. I learned a lot about competing watching this team and the coaches. The coaching philosophy is not the norm. Its foundation is the Word of God. The philosophy is to teach players to play football or for that fact any sport from the aspect of worship. Not self worship but Christ centered worship. What I saw from shifting the focus off of self-exaltation to Christ exaltation was something that changed the way I looked at competing forever. You would think the temptation would be for the players to become complacent about wins or losses, I mean after all it's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game right? Not at all. Actually the standard was perfection, not that we can attain to it, but that is however Christ standard. They were driven by a greater cause, they became competitors in the truest sense of the word. Not being driven or lead by the score on the board or by personal success or even failure. These young men were competitors from the inside out. It was interesting to watch the ebb and flow of emotions and drive of some of the other teams they played based on the score board. A true competitor is not someone who competes for a number on a board or for a prize but rather they compete because that's what they are. Competitors. Warriors. Fighters. (Below are the nine core values used on the team)
1. Called to Love
2. Relationship Driven
3. Servant Leadership
4. Humility - Be the First to Give All
5. Live Lives of Sacrifice
6. Success is measured in how we “Close the Gap.”
7. Persevering with Eternal Perspective
8. Live with Passion
9. Love to Lose
I learned a lot about myself watching this team...I learned that although PR's are great and there's nothing wrong with striving for certain goals, pace, distance, etc...even if I achieve every goal, that's doesn't necessarily make me a competitor. It's also not the same as being competitive. Which I am not. I really find no joy in smoking someone on a race course. Don't get me wrong I love the exhilaration of crossing the finish line having accomplished my dreams, but being competitive and being a competitor at least in the sense I am speaking are different. It's in a sense a heart attitude. It's playing or running from the heart, for a cause that goes beyond ourselves, but is at the same time every bit of who we are. It's playing or running with an expression of worship.That's how I want to run with the heart of a true competitor!

As the New Year is approaching I look at my goals from the eyes of a competitor. Yes, I want that sub 2hr. half marathon, yes, I want the experience of crossing the finish line of my first marathon! I will make similar goals as last year with mileage totals and pace goals but this year will have at the heart of it;

Colossians 3:17—“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:23-24—“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Pressing on...
Terri
(the nine values listed above all have bible verses with them if you are interested in the complete list let me know and I can e-mail it to you)

If You Give a Mom a Marathon

Below is a fun article I found while looking at the Wounded Warriors Half in Dallas. It appeared in Sports Day DFW and was written by Gabriella McCord. Too cute not to read.

This may be my last post until after Christmas (we will see). So just in case, I want to wish you all a very blessed and merry Christmas.

       If You Give a Mom a Marathon

If you give a mom a marathon, she's going write it down in her calendar and tape a training schedule to the refrigerator. She will probably get up ridiculously early to log miles, which means she'll be lurking on facebook while the rest of the world sleeps, all amped-up on coffee, looking to chat with anyone else who might be up at that hour: other runners.

If you give a mom a marathon, she will bring home little packets of gu and stash them in her purse, her car, and her gym bag...she might leave one on the bathroom counter where one of her kids will regretfully think it's a shampoo sample.

If you give a mom a marathon, she will meet other people training for the marathon and bond with them, which will make her feel happy. (Someone "understands" her!) And that will cause her want to bake cookies - the kind with frosting and sprinkles. Her kids will love that, especially since they won't have to share with her, since she's training for a marathon.

If you give a mom a marathon, she will run - a lot - maybe more than she's ever run before. That will generate endorphins, extra energy and excitement, which will invariably cause her to hug her family more - even the dog - to the point of being told, "Please stop, you're hurting me".

If you give a mom a marathon, and the weather is bad, or she misses a run for some other reason, she will exude the behavior of a rabid, caged animal. It is safest to complement her most recently-prepared meal, offer her chocolate, and back away slowly. She will, of course, resume her state of running-induced euphoria once the training has resumed and she begins receiving ample doses of the highly-addictive "runner's high".

If you give a mom a marathon, she will reach for something bigger than herself. It will, at first, scare her, then fill her with excitement, courage, strength, and dignity. She will hang her heart on this dream through months of training, envisioning, as she folds laundry and scrubs toilets, the moment of her crossing the finish line, confident and proud. She will love that moment long after it has passed.

If you give a mom a marathon, that feeling of love, that savory taste of accomplishment, satisfaction and validation - that love will launch her heart in a new direction. It will propel her and compel her, beckoning to her in the secrets of her soul. It will make her put a 26.2 sticker on her car.

If you give a mom a marathon, it will make her fearless in the face of once-frightening situations. It will make her ready for anything life throws her. It will make her sign up for another
marathon.

http://runningblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/12/if-you-give-a-mom-a-marathon-a.html

Week 2 Beach Ball Abs

I have to confess I am not a fan of core training. Even as a young girl flat abs were not part of my figure. At my thinnest weight a two-pack was about as close as I could get. I have what you might call beach ball abs. No, no, I'm not being critical...I have accepted my round tummy and have become very good at sucking it in just as someone snaps a picture. When I was pregnant with my first child I gained around 26lbs. really not that much but it was ALL tummy. Complete strangers would stop me on the street and ask me if I was having twins-I kid you not! And yes, I have had the dreaded question "when is the baby due" and I was NOT pregnant!!!

Really!?!?

When we first moved to Texas I didn't like to drive over the high bridges. As I white- knuckled the steering wheel I would repeat over and over "I hate high-bridges" After a while I started to think this is not helping me, so instead I started saying "I love high bridges" It didn't change the way I feel about them but it seemed to make them less terrifying. So this is the way I'm going to approach Ab exercises;
"I love core training, I love core training"

The hardest part of core training will be timing. When do you do your core training? Before or after your run? Do you do it 2, 3 or 5 times a week? Do you have a list you follow or DVD?

Terri

Week 1 (Recap) Baby Steps

It has been a great week of running! For the most part I accomplished my two goals; consistent running and quality running. Tuesday was a fail day because I let the weather drive my schedule. I put off my morning run waiting for it to "warm-up" uhhh, it never did. It was in the 30's most mornings this week. I decided to forgo doubles as it was too cold. Here's my week in a nut shell:

Mon. 3 m. @ steady pace
Tue. off-not planned fail :(
Wens. 4 m. one word brrrrrr!
Thurs. 4 m. brrrr again
Fri. 4 m.
Sat. Tomorrow the plan is 4 m @ steady pace.
All my runs this week I tried to keep a good pace and good form. I also ran some of these runs with Shadow. He's a good running buddy. I had some VERY minor foot pain around Thurs. but on Fri's run my foot felt fine. It's a slow process back but I'm happy to be finishing a week of running without having to take off to rest my foot. Baby steps but progress none the less!
Terri

Week 1 Taking Flight

Happy Monday everyone. Week 1 of my training program begins with great excitement about the possibilities ahead. Right now my primary focus needs to be toward re-build my weekly mileage. I plan to do that with, first, getting in consecutive days of running (something that has been very difficult the past 5 months). Re- building my mileage will come through extending my daily runs and doing double runs. I can tell my aerobic endurance (or VO2) has gone way down from where it was 5 months ago. I am thankful for cooler months ahead as it would be so tough to handle gasping for air in Texas heat y'all. Second I plan to work on quality of running during this re-building phase. Being alert to form as well as trying to keep at a reasonable pace.

I am continuing to watch my calories and work on loosing this weight. I'm starting my week -4 lbs already! I know a lot of people who try to loose weight through running and don't. I have been one of those people and it can be so frustrating. I think in most cases its a issue of balancing enough calorie reduction while keeping fueled enough to have quality runs. Also I know of others who want to loose weight first then start running after the weight is off. I understand this thinking as it is HAWRD (that's Texas talk y'all) to carry those extra pounds around let alone run with them. But I think just the opposite-if you can handle running at a heavier weight, that will only work in your favor as your heart, lungs, and legs will become stronger through the increased work load. As the weight begins to drop, then that extra strength gained will benefit you in speed and endurance. I don't claim to know anything scientifically but it makes sense to me. I will share more specifics about my diet in future post.

In the meantime I have a question about how you track your mileage. Before my fall I was using a Face Book app to track my mileage. This was convenient but I often thought it could be viewed as prideful. I tried Daily Mile and thought it was okay, maybe I just need to give it another try. I also thought about downloading an app on my cell. So my question is what app. do you use if any to track your miles? If you want to see some super tecky running charts then you need to check out Raina. Besides being in awe of her as a runner she uses super cool charts to track her running.

I hope you have a great week of running - pressing-on

Terri

Wind Beneath My Wings

I found this quote recently "The captive bird that sits on its perch and sings, is wiser than the bird that flies against the wires of the cage, and tries to get out, only bruising its wings in its unavailing efforts." Since my fall in July I have felt somewhat like a captive bird...as I look back over the past few months I hope that I found contentment as I waited to be freed from the uncertainty of my future in running. There were days to be sure that I banged against the wires of the cage but hopefully in those months I managed to sing a little also.

Here is the update and good news on the knee. After a really hard fall in July I had to take off about 4 weeks from running while my wound and knee recovered. When I returned to running I had some expected knee discomfort but what I didn't expect was this mystery pain in the ball of my foot. I assumed the two were related since it was the same leg. Over the next few weeks as I continued running the knee pain became less and the foot pain much worse. After a month or so and no relief from the pain I went into my regular doctor but didn't get much answers on my foot. I continued to try and run building up to 4 miles, but the foot pain was getting awful. So much so that I would limp while walking and the pain was chronic. I couldn't run more than 3 days without experiencing a lot of pain and needing to take Ibuprofen as well as a few days off. By now it had been almost 3 months since my fall and I was starting to feel a great deal of discouragement. My mom came for a visit in early October and as best as I tried to hide my discouragement she saw it. Her concern was not going to be brushed under the rug either. While she was here I took off from running and steadily the pain decreased confirming my fears that running was causing the pain. It was while she was here that I made an appointment with the sport doctor. Problem was I couldn't get in for a month. After she left I continued my quest to try to get back to a normal running schedule and continued to deal with the pain. In early November (after my last post) something changed...the pain just disappeared!!! I went out for a run and I had no pain, none, my foot felt normal! I almost started crying right there on the running trail. I was free...the cage door had been opened and I was soaring!!! The pain did return a little after that but not at the level it had been. Most of all I started to have days where there was no pain at all. It went from chronic pain everyday to off and on...it was a gift straight from the Fathers hand!!! Also around this same time I had the idea to try a lower heel running shoe and after some research ordered the Saucony Triumphs-I LOVE these shoes!!! Since the lower heel promoted a more midfoot landing I noticed an immediate change in the pain level when it was there!! I truly give God the credit for the idea to try a lower profile shoe. "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him"

Finally my appointment arrived this week with the sports doc although, I wasn't sure how it would go since I had at this point been experiencing little to no pain most days. When the doc pulled up the x-ray of my foot I don't know why but I just burst forth in praise of Gods handy-work. Seeing this amazing creation I was in awe. The sport doc did a great exam of my knee and foot and basically diagnosed me with Metatarsalgia. For me this was great news. Something that can be managed with a little pad in my shoe if I need it.

Today I sit here completely pain free. I ran a double yesterday for total of 5 mile. I ran 3 this morning and will probably do another double today:) I am so excited to be able to get back to some real training.
Since not being able to run much over the past 5 months (wow it's been that long) I have put on a few pounds. This is not good as I already had a few to loose. I started Monday making some changes to my diet and have already dropped 3lbs this week!
To God alone belongs the praise for the changes that have occurred. His mercies ARE new every morning. Might I be more faithful to sing from the cage. I will update my progress on my weight loss and many more things in the coming weeks. Thanks for stopping by!

I have wind beneath my wings!!!

Keep Your Eyes on the Mountains!!!

Taking a quick moment to update. As some of you might remember I tripped and fell pretty hard in July and ended up with an infected knee and chronic pain. I took off running about 1 month after the fall then started back off and on in August. Finally in September I went to see the doctor again (first time for the infection) as I was still experiencing pain in my knee but now also in my foot (same leg I fell on). I was told then that I had sprained my knee from the fall and that the foot pain was just me trying to overcompensate for the knee pain. Per doctors orders I took off a little more time and started running pretty consistently in September working up to 4 miles 5 days a week. This time my knee felt pretty good very little to no pain but the pain in my foot was getting more severe. I decided to keep running to see if it would just go away on it's own, but it got to such a level that I was starting to limp especially if I was not wearing a shoe. The location of the pain is very isolated around my middle toes and hurts worse when I flex my toes. I didn't have this pain before the fall and somewhat think the two are related. I took the past 3 weeks off and have nearly become pain free. I forgot what it was like to live without pain, feels like I've been able to take a deep breath for the first time in months. Unfortunately I walk/jogged today and the pain came right back...sigh. So today I scheduled an appointment with a sports doctor and will see him at the end of the month. I have not completely lost hope that I can run again and even looking forward to possibly running my first full marathon in 2012. I know God has a perfect plan in all this and I don't say that in anyway to trivialize how hard this issue has been to deal with. I have had days where hope has wavered and trying to figure out why God would not want me to do something I love so much has cause deep discouragement at times. I know that whatever His purpose in this is, it IS for my good, even if I can't see it. I know that my fall was not a surprise to Him in anyway but part of a certain course He has marked for me. I am no different than the next person who struggles when life feels out of control, but I am thankful that I have a God who is not only certain in His plans but also in His purposes. I pray I can glorify Him during this time. I'll keep you posted!

"I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip..."  I believe it :)

Waving The White Flag

I have been hesitating to write this post but I am going to be taking a break from blogging (not that I haven't already). In one sense it feels like defeat but yet I know that I will get back to blogging eventually. I love talking about running but lately running has been minimal at best since my fall in July. I finally went to the doctor because it just kept feeling like something was wrong. Like most "normal" people I googled my symptoms and was sure I had a serious injury. Thankfully the doc said it was only a sprain. I have been trying to get back to running this week but was cautioned by the doc to start back slowly. It has been wonderful to be back running but I have found with our new school schedule and my son in football it has been a challenge to fit it in. I'm hoping that the schedule will level out soon and I can get back to a routine that involves not just running but training! I have my eye on a half in March but don't want to say anything yet until I see how the next few weeks work out for the knee. So here I sit wishing I had time to write but instead waving the white flag on blogging for a while. I will of course pop in on your blogs and be cheering you on from my side of the computer. Until then friends keep pressing on!!!!