Week 6, Check!

It has been an odd week. I personally have not been afraid since my "run in" with creepy bike guy, but I am getting lots of nagging by my parents. My dad really would like me to carry a handgun...what? He and my brother are gung ho about convincing me that it's a good idea. If I need a gun, then I shouldn't be running at all. I have been working hard to be mentally strong and not talk myself into being afraid of running alone.
Today was the perfect remedy. I ran later then normal, starting at 10:15. It was sunny and beautiful and I was so glad I listened to my gut and wore shorts. I had on my new brooks (can you believe that I've put 400 miles on a pair of shoes?), they have a gold emblem on them, I'm pretending they are my Olympic shoes. Not that I think I'm going to win gold. I AM however going to win a medal. I had a song stuck in my head and so I sang it and replayed it and before I knew it 5 1/2 miles had gone by and it was time to turn around.
With about 3 miles left to go, my inner leg and my arch began to ache a bit. I acknowledged it, like the book says to and reminded myself that I am getting stronger each time I run. I was working hard to try to keep my thinking in check. Then the best possible thing happened.
I was running the last 1 1/2 miles right near the golf course. I always watch the golfers and since it was so nice out, there were quite a few on the course. A group of guys were in the middle of the fairway getting ready to drive their balls the rest of the way to the green (I am faking my golf lingo...). I watched as one stepped up to his ball, swing hard and totally wiff it. The ball went maybe 20 feet and bounced back at him. He began to curse and swing his club at the ground. I couldn't help it...I laughed. Hard. LOUD. The group turned to look at me and began laughing too (minus fit throwing guy). The golfer apparently didn't think it was very nice of me to laugh because then he shouted something at me about finding a real sport. But it was already done for me. That was the lift I needed to smile the rest of the road back to my house. A good day.
Miles today: 11
Miles this week: 23
Miles this month: 63
Miles this Year: 119

Scary bike guy...take 2

A few weeks ago I got creeped out by a guy on a bike during my run. On my way out about 1/2 mile from my house he was walking his bike on the road. I didn't think much of it since I was going to be running for several miles and I figured he'd be gone by the time I was back. So I was really surprised to see him in the same spot 40 minutes later. He watched me approach (I got out my mace) and I passed him. At this point I was sprinting and trying to decide what to do. I was only a 1/2 mile from home, but I didn't want him to know where I was going, I don't know anyone in the houses around there, let alone if they were home. The weird part was that he never moved. I kept peeking back and he was just in the same spot. There are some turns before my driveway and so I couldn't see him when it was time for me to stop.
I think I'm pretty safe when I run out here in the country. First I always carry a cell phone and mace. I also never seem to run at the same time so if anyone was trying to establish a pattern for me, good luck. But you can never be too careful.
So today I had 4 miles to run. I hit the turn around point and didn't see anyone beside cars and golfers. But when I turned on to my street I noticed a different guy on a bike coming up behind me. At first I wasn't nervous. I have a very long length of road that is right next to the golf course and plenty of people were out playing. However, who knows why, this guy stayed about 50 feet behind me for about 1/2 mile. He chose to catch me and pass me near the golf course entrance where there is a large hill and bushes obscuring your view to the course. The last mile home is up hill and with few neighbors, I did not want to wonder what this guy was doing and if he would still be near me when I need to turn at my driveway. I really am not worried about being abducted. I just don't want any creepy people to know where I live. I decided to run to the club house and call for a ride home.
I don't like when these things happen and make me feel unsafe about running alone. The whole thing is probably totally innocent, but I am not taking my chances.
Miles today: 3 (one short)

Week 5, Check!

I was thinking today that I did not run a single long run on my own during my 1/2 marathon training. This was #2 of my long runs that I have done alone.
I had a lot to think about since in a few weeks I am going to be the guest speaker at a youth group. A pastor once spoke in a conference that we should have a "life message"...something we can vision those who follow us about. I have never really known what my life message would boil down to until lately. We've been talking in our college group about being 30. I want them to imagine 10 years down the road, dream about who they will be and then work on the now to point themselves there. The idea being if you have a goal/dream you won't get lost in the drama of today and waste yourself and not get anywhere. This is something I feel very passionate about and I'm really beginning to see how it is seasoning everything I teach about.
The mental training this week talks about creating mental "tapes" to play to yourself when you are having a tough run. One is of your best run, what you saw, how you felt etc. The other is how you imagine it will be when you finish the marathon, how you feel, what people say to you etc. Sometimes when I'm running I lose myself for a few miles trying to imagine what it will be like. I still have a level of excitement for it which is good. I know that next month is going to be tough with the long runs getting time consuming and demanding. It's a good thing there isn't a bed at the bottom of my driveway, some days I'd be tempted to get in it.
Miles today: 10
Miles this week: 21
Miles this month: 40
Miles this Year: 96

Week 4, Check! 1/4 of the way done!

Today I got to run with Joan. 4 Miles flew by just catching up with each other of the past few days events. It is amazing how much real "life" stuff...the deep stuff...that comes out when you are sharing the road with someone. By the end not only had I run my 8 miles, but we had planned strategies on dealing with teen girl drama, shared past hurts and how God had brought us through them, laughed over my girls funny stories...and more. The time is so valuable to me. It is not a waste. I already have that satisfying feeling that I am going to be so blessed by this season of my life...I already am!
Miles today: 8
Miles this week: 19
Miles this Year: 75

The decomposition cycle of deer

It's a funny thing...running in the country. The one thing I get really tired of is road kill. I can tell you right now what is dead where and what it looks like. Jonah always says that dead deer in the ditch are doing the "taco" (come on, get the mental picture...you know...). Apparently my neighborhood is really bad for the car vs. deer thing. It really icks me out.
Today was a good run. I couldn't have asked for more interesting/beautiful weather. On one side of me was gray skies, rain and wind. And just ahead of me, deep blue skies and sun.
I can't believe just a year ago I was hugely pregnant and the thought of running was a big joke to me. I told people I thought my MIL was insane. And now here I am...running 19 miles this week...1/4 of the way through my training.
Miles today:5

Week 3, Check!

My first Solo long run. Well not that long. Somehow running the 1/2 marathon has made anything less than 13 miles seem short. Jonah was going to run it with me, but parenting demands that he take the girls to a birthday party. I'm glad that I only have 11 more weeks until my race. I know this is going to keep making our schedules full. It really tests my resolve to constantly have to think about when I need to run, if Jonah is home, who else could watch them, how long I'll be. I feel selfish with all the time that this demands. I better be a better person after this so that my family thinks this is worth it too!
Today I imagined all the other runners out there...slipping on their running shoes...getting out on the road training for the same race. It's funny to be in this community of people that I've never met and we are all working toward the same goal.
Miles today: 7
Miles this week: 17
Miles this month: 56

All by myself....

Well, the writing is on the wall. I am in this training alone. Solo. Uno. just me.
For the most part this doesn't freak me out. I know I am stubborn (just ask Jonah). I know I am tough. I know that I love the freedom that running brings me.
I just wonder a bit if I will be a total nut case at the end. I'll admit, I talk to myself...a lot. I sing, I encourage. I have odd thoughts. I have a lot of "God" moments when things occur to me. I realize that I am growing a new, different friendship with Jesus. I realize that since He is the only one that is with me most days, he is the keeper of all the inside jokes of my running world. I'm thinking of a funny thing that happened during my first run of the week yesterday. I may never tell a soul. But I can't help but smile and think that Jesus is smiling about it too. This is a very wonderful side effect that I never even imagined would come from running.
Miles: 3