Some people *cough* @300_therunner (twitter) *cough* have brought up the fact that I haven't blogged in a while. This is true. So, here I am blogging to rectify this problem. And what more appropriate topic to blog about than why I haven't been blogging.
The reason for my lack of blogging is actually quite simple...because I haven't been running all that consistently. Now, don't misunderstand the situation here. I have, in fact, been running a couple of times a week. But they have all been short, easy runs. I've sort of hit a funk. Since I haven't been gung ho about running, I haven't been gung ho about writing on my blog about running. It's one of those pride things I guess. But, whatever the internal reason for not wanting to write when I'm not seriously running, it's the case. And I haven't been seriously running.
I guess the real question is...why haven't I been serious about my running. The answer to that is probably pretty simple too...at least on the surface. I haven't been running because I have lacked motivation. At the end of the day we all need something to motivate us. I am not currently training for a race so what can I use to motivate me? The truth is that health and overall well-being should be enough. My clothes are beginning to get snug again. That does offer pretty good motivation because I'm too cheap and proud to buy bigger clothes.
So why is it that sometimes I stay motivated when I'm not training and when I'm in good shape and sometimes I don't? Believe it or not, I believe I discovered the answer to that recently. It hit me when the mail came a couple of weeks ago. In sorting through my mail, I saw the latest issue of Runner's World. It quickly occurred to me that I hadn't received an issue of Runner's World in quite a few months. That's when it hit me...I also get super psyched/motivated to run when I read about other people running. It's almost like I get jealous that they are enjoying running so much so I want to do it too.
I then thought about how I hadn't picked up Running with Joy by Ryan Hall to read since vacation. In fact, I hadn't been reading anything about running. No wonder I haven't been motivated.
So, my solution. I will start reading that Runner's World that came this week and I will also get back into Running with Joy. I'm sure I'll be back to my old running self in no time.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
never forget: 9/11...a look back
I still remember where I was on September 11, 2001 when I first heard the disturbing news. I was still a fairly new freshman at Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. I was in my 8:25 (central time zone) Intro to Missions class. During prayer requests, a student mentioned that she heard there was a plane accident in NYC, but that was all she knew. We prayed and went about class completely oblivious to the tragedy that had just occurred. In fact, we didn't begin to grasp the reality until we left that classroom and heard the murmur in the hallway. My 9:25 class professor broke into tears as he spoke to our class before it (as all the others) was canceled. We were released to go back to our right's to watch the news unfold. Our whole Horton 2nd floor seemed to be huddled around the small TV in the lobby. News was still coming in, but the truth surrounding the rumors was becoming clear: the USA was under attack by terrorists.
We ended up going to chapel where the college's president addressed the faculty and student body. Class and sports were canceled for the remainder of the day. Something that would normally bring me joy suddenly offered none. We prayed. We all met in the chapel later to hear President Bush address the nation. I can't even tell you how many tears I shed that day. I didn't know anyone who died and once I discovered my Air Force uncle was not at the Pentagon that dat, I didn't suspect that I did. Yet, I grieved along with America, because though they weren't my family, they were my American brothers and sisters and they did have families they left behind. My patriotic pride kicked into full gear.
The patriotism that swept the nation in the days, weeks and months that ensued was precious. Americans came together to pick up the broken pieces. It seemed that there was an American flag everywhere you looked. United we stood, implored to never forget!
Unfortunately, people began forgetting. It wasn't long until a person driving a car with an American flag flying proudly and a "Never Forget" bumper sticker on the back could be seen flipping off another driver in traffic. It was sad to me. I was disappointed because I saw hope. I saw so much strength in this nation. It's sad that it took a tragedy to see the unity and strength of a nation. But isn't that true in life? We show our true colors when our backs are against the wall. And let me assure you, America's true colors are bright. That is who we really are. Nobody wishes another tragedy on this nation. That's why it is important that we never forget 9/11. It's the best way to honor every hero (and in my book, they all are) who died for our country that day!
May we always live as one united. God bless the American people...and God bless the USA!
Friday, September 9, 2011
deja vu...all over again
I swear this has happened before. In fact, I know it's happened. It happened just a couple months ago leading up to the Sharon Timlin Memorial 5k. I regretted it then. I told myself it wouldn't happen for the Run to the Rock 10k. Yet tomorrow is the Run to the Rock 10k and here we are...again.
As you have probably observed in my lack of posts over the last few weeks, I have lost some motivation in my training. As I mentioned in some of my previous posts, things have been really busy for me and free time is not something I have a great abundance of. That being said, I also know that it's not as though I haven't had any free time. In fact, I believe my situation could be described with the following set of inequalities:
Busy Time > Free Time
but: Free Time > 0
so, I must conclude that: Excuses > Sticktoitiveness to Persevere
This is unarguably the truth of what's going on here. I have been busy and have been limited in free time, but to say I've had no time would be a lie.
Now, to be fair, I have been training. In fact, I have been training more than I did leading up to the Sharon Timlin. However, I still haven't been training nearly enough. And I'm not sure my eating habits (while not bad) have been the best either.
Yet, here I am on the eve of Genevieve and my first race together. Everything within me is frustrated that I haven't run more than 4 miles with her (which I've done twice) and that I haven't trained harder. And the competitor in me doesn't want to run if I can't guarantee my best effort. I hate settling for less than what I am capable of. But, if you don't put in the hard work, this is the reality you're stuck with.
This is probably my biggest flaw. It's the same flaw that kept me from doing better in school because I didn't want to do homework. It's the same flaw that kept me from improving in track from my junior to senior year in high school. It's the same flaw that is typically responsible for keeping me from my best at everything. But hear this: As long as God gives me breath, I will NEVER surrender and cower to this flaw. I will never give in and accept it. I will ALWAYS fight back!
This is why, no matter how frustrated I might be, I will run the best that I can tomorrow. Sure, my time will suffer due to my lack of training drive over the last month or so (my best training week was my week of vacation). But my daughter will learn from my example, good or bad. And I would rather set a good example for her. I want her to see that even when we fail, it's no excuse to quit.
Aside from my frustration over my reduced expectations with regards to our time tomorrow, I am wicked excited at the opportunity to run a race with my daughter. I know that once I cross the finish line and get our medal and put it around her little neck, none of this other nonsense will matter to me.
Let me leave you with this thought to ponder: Flaws exist within each of us. We must make the decision of whether or not we fight them. If we don't fight our flaws, they will control us.
I know I can beat this. I've won some battles. I shaved over an hour off my marathon time last time out due to determination and effort in training (and a lot of prayer). Sometimes I win a battle and sometimes I lose a battle. In fact, I've probably lost a lot more than I've won. But I'm determined that when all is set and done and the proverbial book is closed on my life, it will say that I was a fighter and I overcame!
As you have probably observed in my lack of posts over the last few weeks, I have lost some motivation in my training. As I mentioned in some of my previous posts, things have been really busy for me and free time is not something I have a great abundance of. That being said, I also know that it's not as though I haven't had any free time. In fact, I believe my situation could be described with the following set of inequalities:
Busy Time > Free Time
but: Free Time > 0
so, I must conclude that: Excuses > Sticktoitiveness to Persevere
This is unarguably the truth of what's going on here. I have been busy and have been limited in free time, but to say I've had no time would be a lie.
Now, to be fair, I have been training. In fact, I have been training more than I did leading up to the Sharon Timlin. However, I still haven't been training nearly enough. And I'm not sure my eating habits (while not bad) have been the best either.
Yet, here I am on the eve of Genevieve and my first race together. Everything within me is frustrated that I haven't run more than 4 miles with her (which I've done twice) and that I haven't trained harder. And the competitor in me doesn't want to run if I can't guarantee my best effort. I hate settling for less than what I am capable of. But, if you don't put in the hard work, this is the reality you're stuck with.
This is probably my biggest flaw. It's the same flaw that kept me from doing better in school because I didn't want to do homework. It's the same flaw that kept me from improving in track from my junior to senior year in high school. It's the same flaw that is typically responsible for keeping me from my best at everything. But hear this: As long as God gives me breath, I will NEVER surrender and cower to this flaw. I will never give in and accept it. I will ALWAYS fight back!
This is why, no matter how frustrated I might be, I will run the best that I can tomorrow. Sure, my time will suffer due to my lack of training drive over the last month or so (my best training week was my week of vacation). But my daughter will learn from my example, good or bad. And I would rather set a good example for her. I want her to see that even when we fail, it's no excuse to quit.
Aside from my frustration over my reduced expectations with regards to our time tomorrow, I am wicked excited at the opportunity to run a race with my daughter. I know that once I cross the finish line and get our medal and put it around her little neck, none of this other nonsense will matter to me.
Let me leave you with this thought to ponder: Flaws exist within each of us. We must make the decision of whether or not we fight them. If we don't fight our flaws, they will control us.
I know I can beat this. I've won some battles. I shaved over an hour off my marathon time last time out due to determination and effort in training (and a lot of prayer). Sometimes I win a battle and sometimes I lose a battle. In fact, I've probably lost a lot more than I've won. But I'm determined that when all is set and done and the proverbial book is closed on my life, it will say that I was a fighter and I overcame!
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