Friday, April 30, 2010

April 30th 2010 Running Blog

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." ~Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life

No. This will STOP! Something inside had... had it! So I agreed with it and said, "No I will not let dumb ole allergies make me miss another day of running!" So I went to Boling walked most of it but at least I went; 1/2 drugged, dealing with allergies and all that that entails.

On the bright side of things I noticed as I walked more of the beauty of nature. I had to slow down to do it, so regardless of the itchy/watery eyes, sneezing spasms, sinus headache, sore throat and swollen face...it was pleasant to look upon so much so I smiled :-)

Well, today is the last day of April. This month has overall been a good month. I've had new accomplishments so in light of all the days that didn't go the way I planned the victories far outweighed it :-) My only concern (fear) is that my body will think this is the way its supposed to be and I'll have to start from scratch....that would suck. Oh well, I have good things to look forward to in May so here we go!!

Boling Park
3 Miles.....AACHEW!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

April 29th 2010 Running Blog

"Keeping my eye on today is about all I'm capable of. And today, I think I'll go for a run." - John Bingham, "Back to the Future," Runner's World

ugh. bad day.

Boling Park.....don't even ask.....

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

April 28th 2010 Running Blog

"Run the first mile with your legs, the second mile with your mind, and the third mile with your heart." - Unknown

On miles number four and five it helps when teenage boys are shocked and impressed because they can't run as long as you and make it a point to say so :-) Very cool!! They were out there with their gym class timing their mile. They were very kind and moved out of the way so I could sit down. I said, no thanx I need to do five gotta a little bit to go. That is when they dropped their mouths and said, "5 Miles?" haha they asked if I did triathlons and marathons I laughed and said no...but I'm training for one :-) They thought that was cool. The rest of my run was surprisingly easy hehe!

Boling Park
5 Miles

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

April 27th 2010 Running Blog

"Are you a Warrior" - Warrior Dash 2010

Jeremy and I for our anniversary are going to Run the Warrior Dash on May 23rd. He bought it last night. That being said, I must train. I was nervous at first because you have to scale a wall. However I thought well, if I can't get over, he can help haha So! I did cross training today :-)

Zoomba 1hr
2.5 Miles Boling
Weights (to the best of my ability)

Warrior Dash 2009 Race

Monday, April 26, 2010

April 26th 2010 Running Blog

"You can't do the work of the Lord and not be blessed." - Robert Moore

Ok. so here's the deal. Today's run was awful. My legs felt like they were attached to bricks. It was hard to lift them. On top of that my left foot was throbbing!! I had to sit to shake off the pain. I stopped at three miles. I was feeling rather crummy about it, trying to scramble around in my brain, "what in the heck happened?" What happened next turned my little frown up side down :-)

I sat next to this elderly gentlemen (well over 70) named Robert Moore. He was kind and friendly and we started talking about running. I told him that my feet dictated to me how many miles I could do and it only came to three. He smiled and shared with me why he can't run having to do with his knee's. Well, of course I had to ask...."can I pray for your knee?" He didn't mind at all and so I did. I asked for a miracle, new cartilage and bone and tendons and muscle's and nerves...I just asked for everything and spoke that there would be no more pain in Jesus name. When I was done he smiled and said, "You can't do the work of the Lord and not be blessed." Then he said, "I love to hear a good testimony, wanna hear a story?" I said yes of course and he went on to tell me miracle after miracle that God had done for him in his lifetime....he laughed and said, "at some point I just stopped counting." I just want to share a couple because his testimonies changed my outlook for the rest of the day.

When he was a child he couldn't breathe, had real bad asthma. He was only getting 1hr of sleep at night, very sick. Someone came and told his mom about a revival happening at a little church and said you should probably bring your son. She did. The preacher asked him, "boy whats wrong with you?" he replied, "I can't breathe" The Preacher looked him in the eyes and said, "son, the Lord wants you to know, you'll never have a breathing problem again."

Robert looked at me and said that was over 70 years ago and smiled.

He told me another story about after a heart surgery he got up an moved too much and started bleeding. They couldn't get ahold of the Dr. and no nurse knew exactly what to do because it was internal they thought he may have ripped open his incisions. He asked a little tiny black nurse to pray. He said it was the most beautiful prayer he had ever heard. He said suddenly a bright light filled the room. It was so bright he had to shut his eyes in that moment the bleeding stopped. Then the light left. The Dr. came and he said he couldn't find the source of the bleeding and since the bleeding had stopped it was going to be ok.

He looked at me and said, you know, Moses couldn't look upon the face of God. I believe that's who that was.

At some point he had an ulcer and he said, "it was very painful" It was so painful he went to church and was going to leave because he couldn't take the pain anymore. So he told God, "I'm sorry. This is too painful if this doesn't stop I'm gonna have to go." He got the biggest smile ever and said, "Do you know what happened next? The choir started singing, Standing on the Promises of God!" Then there was no more pain.

I like Robert Moores smile. All these stories just touched my heart because I took a moment and thought, wow....God is so kind. He doesn't just rule the Universe, He's such a loving Father.

Boling Park
3 miles, I'm blessed :-)

Sunday, April 25, 2010

April 25th 2010 Running Blog

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired...You've always got to make the mind take over and keep going." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian

Dear Mr. George S. Patton,

   Thank You so very much!!

It is my day of rest...."Tomorrow will not be said my mind to my body!"

Saturday, April 24, 2010

April 24th 2010 Running Blog

"I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure." - Eric Liddell (Chariots of Fire)

:-) I think He made me more long than fast but when I run I do feel His pleasure as well. Today I got sick, ugh. However, I still feel His pleasure even when I am too weak to run :-)

Did not Run.

Friday, April 23, 2010

April 23rd 2010 Running Blog

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" - Ralph Waldo Emmerson

You know, that is one thing I would really like to do. Of course I'll need to bring a GPS and the right gear to do it but ya, I could totally see myself doing just that. Its like you start on a track, then you run a trail, then you go to all kinds of different trails and while you're doing that...something on the inside is wanting to go beyond that just to see whats out there? I'm no where near that point but I'm pretty sure it will happen, one day :-)

Boling Park
5 Miles :-)

Thursday, April 22, 2010

April 22nd 2010 Running Blog

"And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. And God blessed (spoke good of) the seventh day, set it apart as His own, and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all His work which He had created and done.This is the history of the heavens and of the earth when they were created. In the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens" - Genisis 2:2-4

Today is Earth Day! One of Gods great creative gifts to us. The whole first chapter of Genisis was a great reminder of taking care of His artwork. That being said the girls and I were invited with other friends to go pick up litter at Dwight Terry Park and we did :-)

Its also my recovery day, yeah! I did three miles of speed walking. I'm trying to take advice from all my running friends who all seem to keep saying, "you need a recovery day." Alrighty, time for me to go plant some flowers :-)

Boling Park
3 Miles speed walking

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

April 21st 2010 Running Blog

"Run hard, be strong, think big!" -Percy Cerutty

Totally Bazaar Day!! For some reason I woke up hyper (not my character.) That being said, in all seriousness I told the girls, "Pack a lunch, we're not coming back till I do 20 miles then when we get back we're gonna clean and organize the garage, pick up the house and then I'm gonna iron the clothes your dad needs for the week, lets go." If that's not thinking big, I don't know what is! Somehow I was totally functioning in delusion, that's crazy?!? That being said, I did 11 miles and cleaned and organized the garage. That is defiantly a first!! How in the heck can I clean a garage after 11 miles??

But I must talk about this, its totally random and I don't understand why this would be a point of conversation but in light of my body suddenly being full of energy, I guess I'll talk about this too. While I was running this thought came to me (I've learned to not just throw random thoughts "out the window".) Anyway, it was a statement I heard many years ago and I can't even remember who said it? This is what I heard while running, "Everything that God ever created doesn't have a straight line, there is always some form of bend in His creation." Um...ok? I'm out running and I'm thinking, what does this have to do with anything? Well, I began to think about Gods creations; sky, land, water, creatures in this realm and in heaven. My ultimate conclusion was simply I have yet to know of the person that has visited every single aspect of Gods creation, therefore they have just put God in a box. How can you come up with that conclusion if you haven't even seen all of Gods creation? Alrighty then....weird, I know but its what I thought about while I was running 11 miles. The last mile was a cool down.

Boling Park
11 Miles :-)

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

April 20th 2010 Running Blog

"My little dog---a heartbeat at my feet." Edith Wharton

I have a little puppy who was hurting all day. She was lathargic and couldn't move her back legs. It was so weird because she woke up like that. She couldn't stand up, just the back legs had no life in them at all. If you tried to stand her up she'd just fall over.
Anyone who has met her knows she's a hyper active puppy (can be annoying). So for her not to want treats or move at all and just lay limp knows there is something wrong. I took her to the vet. But right before I did all that I sent messages all over facebook for people to pray. She's not just a dog to me...she's apart of my family.
To quote the vet, "There is nothing wrong with this dog." It was like suddenly she was normal?!?! That vet bent her back, neck, legs and there was no wimper at all!! There was no need to take xrays, she was fine!
God loves puppy's thats all I have to say about that!!

In the midst of all of this I just got tired. Probably should've run, its where I work things out but didn't.

Didn't Run

Monday, April 19, 2010

April 19th 2010 Running Blog

"Don't fear moving slowly forward...fear standing still." -Kathleen Harris

Do you ever think about those Ultra Runners? I do. I think about them almost every time I run. I am always amazed and wonder how is that humanly possible? In my mind I'm thinking all the places I drive to that take about hour + to get there and ponder, "how can they do that?" Before I started running I didn't know such a thing existed. I invite and run with my friends and family. And do you know what? I am the slowest! Except for the ones who walk, I'm one step faster then they are :-) I'm probably considered an "ultra" slow runner haha! However, I want to not be the last. So, this thought came to my mind. What if I could beat them in miles? Ya, what if they totally run faster and when they are done, I just keep running? That little thought gave me strength for an extra mile. I'm going to think about that every time I run. What if I just don't stop. I don't think I can put a plan into action for this....I'll just keep running, even if its just one step faster than a walk :-)

Boling Park
5.5 Miles

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Kelanie Gloeckler - Dance

April 18th 2010 Running Blog

"The most valuable thing the Psalms do for me is to express the same delight in God which made David dance." - C.S. Lewis

Today was my, "day of rest" but it became a day of dance. Our church started singing this song and I must say every muscle in my body was not resting but dancing! I wrote out the lyrics because it was very powerful to me, changed the direction of my day! This is related to running in that this kind of dance goes way beyond cross training, haha! Totally blew Zoomba out of the water :-) I'm totally kidding but I thought about it later and started laughing cuz it can be counted as that...I think :-)

I’m after your heart
Why should I be still
When the worship starts, Lord
I’m so in love with you
What can man do
Can’t hold me back anymore

V2:
You spin over me
And You are pleased
When I spend myself on you
I’m gonna let go now
Really worship
Letting my dance come forth

Chorus:
Dance, Dance
Let the Spirit move you
Dance, Dance
Holy spirit in you Dance!

-Suzy Yaraei

Saturday, April 17, 2010

April 17th 2010 Running Blog

"Do not underestimate the intimacy of running, and the people with whom you share your miles." -  Kristin Armstrong, Mile Markers blog, Runner's World.com

Today I ran with Jeremy, just us. We decided to make it a fitness date! Then we went and got slushy's :-) Its true, when you add running to your relationships, things change in a new and good way! I so look forward to our running times together ;-)

Boling Park
5.5 Miles

Friday, April 16, 2010

April 16th 2010 Running Blog

"“See every problem as an opportunity to exersize creative energy.” – Covey

I'm sorta ok with today... Had some issues that prevented me from running in the morning so everything in my day was delayed about five hours. I did end up going to a Zoomba class with Meghan at the Y. It will get your heart rate going and can be considered cross training, it just wasn't my plan for today. In case you don't know, Zumba is: Latino Dancing plus Cardio Kickboxing plus Hip Hop with weights!! And if it isn't, thats what I did today :-) Oh! Ya, I have to say it was fun and I was laughing alot! :-D

So, I'm going to pretend that I had planed this day to be a day of x-training and I did Zumba to make that happen :-) See, all is well with the world :-) Still getting fit to run better :-)

Zoomba
1 hour

Thursday, April 15, 2010

April 15th 2010 Running Blog

"You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face." - Gatorade

Gatorade pretty much described the athletes I saw today. I visited the Atlanta History Museum and saw all the display's of Olympians world wide and their story's. I stood in awe, what an amazing example! They went beyond human limitations. I would and the rest of the world would agree (unfortunately) with me that these fetes are impossible! Its amazing what the human body, will and spirit can do if given the opportunity. At the same time, in many cases they had to fight for the opportunity to be able do it. Which, makes their story even more amazing. I was very encouraged to keep running. I know I won't quit but it makes me want to go after it with more tenacity. These people obviously picked up the towel and wiped the sweat off thier faces. I'm bringing a towel tomorrow!!

Due to going to the Museum and all the activities, I did not run but man! I was so hungry to run after leaving that place, can't wait for my alarm to go off so I can get up and RUN!!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

April 14th 2010 Running Blog

"I decided to go for a little run." - Forrest Gump

I wanted to see what would happen if I ran and didn't stop till my body made me. Before, it was about achieving a number. Today was about seeing how far my body would last. The main reason for that was because I was reading all sorts of material and asking various runners how to do alot of miles. Things sorta got jumbled in my head so I thought, "What is Toni capable of?" Even I didn't know.

Basically, God and I had a long talk today because I ran 9.75 miles!! I know it seems silly not to run that extra .25 but towards the end my knee's started hurting and I wasn't gonna cause damage for the sake of a # BUT this is the most huge thing I've ever done in running!!

Boling Park
9.75 Miles Yeah!!!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

April 13th 2010 Running Blog

"Jogging is very beneficial. It's good for your legs and your feet. It's also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed." ~Charles Schulz, Peanuts

Today was interesting. I slept in, missing my morning run then looked out the window to see oh no! Its too late to run....where did today go?? If you find that out let me know.

Did not run - sorry ground ;-)

Monday, April 12, 2010

April 12th 2010 Running Blog

"Fitness is a stage you pass through on the way to becoming a racer." - Dr. George Sheehan

I made up my mind this weekend on what it was that I actually want to accomplish. I would like by November 25th to run a half Marathon, not because it is Thanksgiving but because its my birthday. I would like to be able to say, "Before I turned 38 I ran a Half Marathon!" I think that would be a pretty cool birthday present to me from me haha! :-)

I realize alot of things need to change. I started researching running charts to get you started on the right path to do that. I was surprised at how many days there wern't much running. That does not make sence to me but they are the professionals, right? I hope so. However, I did run today :-)

I also realize there are other fitness type things I need to do outside running, cross trainging. Haven't quite explored that area yet. I know one thing, I know I have ultra weak arms!! Maybe start there, lift weights or something? I'll do more research.

But ya, I need to get my body into shape so I can do this Marathon well. I don't want to do it and just do it. I want to do it well, the best within me. I think I can pin point when.... suddenly, snap! I loved running! I run as much as my body will let me. I just run. Now, I'm going to run with intent. And that is training to run really well for a half marathon, before I turn 38 years old :-)

Boling Park
3.0 Miles

Sunday, April 11, 2010

April 11th 2010 Running Blog

"I love running cross country....On a track, I feel like a hamster." - Robin Williams

This is my day of rest however, I was able to show my friend visiting from Ohio where I run and like to spend peaceful moments and we agreed....anything other than running cross country is boring. So, we enjoyed our time there along with a couple other friends and Jeremy.

Did not run, day of rest.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

April 10th 2010 Running Blog

"Cross Country is like poker. You have to be holding five good cards all the time." - Rollie Geiger

Miss'n a few cards.

Didn't run.

Friday, April 9, 2010

April 9th 2010 Running Blog

"I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can't run, what they'd give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me." - Unknown

Today was hard. I was very ill. That being said I ran with Jeremy who was hurting more than me. Knowing that, I didn't quit. However, I didn't go as far as I wanted to either. But all in all any run is a good one :-)

Boling Park
3.5 Miles

Thursday, April 8, 2010

April 8th 2010 Running Blog

"God is the kindest person I ever met" - Graham Cooke

(teary eyed) My Heavenly Father loves me very much....Thank You for the rain...

Boling Park
4 Miles Ran

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

April 7th 2010 Running Blog

"Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain." - Author Unknown

I miss the Rain :-(

I waited too late in the day to run and I had planned to do hills. When I started I did ONE hill thats all! Why? Because the heat about knocked me out! I ended up walking gggrrrr. Did I mention I miss the Rain?
 
Taylor's Farm
Miles....ya right.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

April 6th 2010 Running Blog

"Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up."- Amby Burfoot, The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life

Today I was a winner! My intent was five miles and that is what I did :-) The first three miles were very tough and painful. But I pushed through and mile number four and five there was no more pain. Thank God!

I kept telling myself today, "you are not in a race, it is ok to stop and walk it off" so I'd just walked in circles between each mile and lifted my leg. But I ran every mile.

I wonder if this has to do with Saturdays race? It was all pavement. I run on loose gravel, sand, dirt, and grass. Oh well, just push through!!

Boling Park
5 Miles Ran :-)

Monday, April 5, 2010

April 5th 2010 Running Blog

Ask yourself: "Can I give more?". The answer is usually: "Yes". - Paul Tergat

Um...all I have to say about this mornings run was I was working out kinks? Maybe, I think?

Bet me I don't go for a redu later today!

Boling Park
3 Miles Run/Walked

Sunday, April 4, 2010

April 4th 2010 Running Blog

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" - John 11:25-26 NIV

I live.

Happy Easter!

Day of Rest, did not run.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

April 3rd 2010 Running Blog

"Tears streamed down my face as I crossed the finish line. I was a new person, a runner." - Thomas King

Well...I didn't want to cross the finish line with tears coming down my face so I wiped my eyes before I crossed it (no joke) haha however, when I did cross the line my eyes suddenly started seeing spots and were real watery, my head felt much lighter haha! Jeremy came was like whoa!! Keep Walk'n! Keep Walk'n! apparently he thought I was gonna pass out. I remember it getting very blurry, thats so funny. But you know what? Water never tasted so yummy!! My time was 35:33 Yeah!! I'm very happy and proud of myself, that is the very best I've done in my whole life!!

Kailah and Meghan both won door prizes! That was really cool!! Meghan of course put all the dogs in the stroller and when she crossed the finish line all the people thought that was so fun and started cheering, it was hilarious :-) Very memorable that's for sure, so officially all three of our dogs tied for first place in their category hahaha :-D Jeremy beat his last time, so today was a really great day!!

This is all wonderful about our family but I want to say something for real. I try my best to stand at the finish line until the very last person comes in. When my daughter was that person it moved my heart that people stayed and cheered her on. Today there was a little elderly lady who did the one mile and she was the last one coming. I saw in her eyes she was putting everything into it, it wasn't just a stroll for her. I started cheer and then others. I was right there when she crossed the line and when she walked across she leaned over to me and said, "You know, a year ago I couldn't walk to my mail box!" I could tell she was so proud of herself. I was proud of her, and I didn't even know her! That kind of environment will change you....

Run for the Son
5K Ran the whole time!!!

Friday, April 2, 2010

April 2nd 2010 Running Blog

"On the trail you can run away from problems. You can run towards answers. You can loose yourself. You can find peace. And if you run long enough you can find magic." - Dagny Scott Barrios

Boling Park has been the beginning of that for me. I took today to just hike and take pictures of The Park and Trails along the Etowah River. I haven't even begun to see all of the trails. Only one more reason to go back :-) You can just barely begin to see spring peaking through :-)

Resting before race day
Did not run

Thursday, April 1, 2010

April 1st 2010 Running Blog

"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it." ~ George Halas

Today was a good day. Kailah ran the best time she's ever run :-) Her words to me, "I almost cried I was so suprized and proud of myself." She definatly gave her best. I ran but at mile number two I stopped to cheer her on, she needs that....I need that! Then I finished out the rest of my miles. I am so very proud of her, Way to Go Kailah!!

Boling Park
4.0 Miles Ran