Tuesday, March 3, 2015

A Quick Question...



The Letter X
eX-am
 
eXamine yourself. be an eXample. eXpress greatness.
 
I received this text from my niece Becca a couple days ago:

Ok quick question
What do you do when a dog comes out of know where and up to you when your running............
A. speed up
B. slow down
C. stop, drop, and roll
D. scream
E. all of the above

I replied;
F. look for large trees and run like a squirrel


My niece Becca has been running now for a few weeks. I am proud of her. I have had most all my nieces attempt to run or exercise.

Who do you INFLUENCE? Do you INSPIRE?

Monday, I was on the track scheduled to run 10 miles. I was HIT. Wiped out, tired. I have been dealing with some girly issues.
I just was not in the mood to get it done.

I needed to be INSPIRED. MOTIVATED.

There he was. A little guy running at a good clip passed me.
"Hmm, I think I can do that."

I snuck up behind him about 20 feet back.
After a mile, I checked my pace, 8:09. "Yeah, I can do this."

That little TURD. No, he decided he was going to give me a RUN for my money.

I saw him sneak a peak over his shoulder, it was over. He was going to make me work for that spot in his shadow.
He shaved off 20-25 seconds.
I started to get a side stitch at mile 5. "7:40?! He is trying to kill me."
I was not throwing in the towel quite yet. I noticed he wiped the sweat off his brow. He started to slow down. He bowed out at mile 6.

I was so proud of myself. "HA! Take THAT! I stayed with you!" I had a party in my head.
I even thanked him, with a THUMBS UP as I caught his eyes on the other side of the track.
He looked at me like I was NUTS!

The party was coming to a abrupt halt, as mile 7 came, so did the nasty sided stitch.
It is like a rubber band slinging you back to reality. My legs suddenly felt heavy, my breathing was labored, and fatigue suffocated me.
"You suck it up, think of those who aren't whining, Kathy, Matt, Danielle, Austin, Kris, Karyn..."
I thought of those who inspired me, those who had no idea that they were a ghost of encouragement and motivation.

I finished. 11 miles total. I dropped my pace the last 3 miles. Recovery. Whiner miles, but finished miles.


eXamine yourself. be an eXample. eXpress greatness.
 
I don't just live this life for myself. How could I? How is that Living?
I see people and I see a seed of something special in them. I want them to see that. I want to help them to harvest that seed. I want to be on their team and help them to dig deep, work hard and be more than then they thought they could be,
 
I have made so many mistakes. I will make more. I made mistakes today, and I will make them tomorrow.
I can look at my yesterday and forgive myself and others.
I can see the person I want to be and try to aim higher.
I then take my yesterdays, as a learning tool, my todays, as a gauge and my tomorrows, as inspiration to Not Quit.
 
 
SO...What do YOU do when you see a DOG??!
 

ANITA~

7 comments:

  1. Hello Anita! Sounds like you are running well! I have been running my regular 3.50 daily runs at my turtle pace! But hey I just run to run! When ever I am approached by a dog, which actually happened to me this morning while I was trail running, I immediately put my arms up over my head! I have no idea why I do this, I don't even think about it, it is my instinct! And I do it all the time!

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    1. Carri!
      Hello darling! So funny that I mention DOGS and you had this experience. The only instinct that I have is to RUN. lol. How is coaching going? Have you ran any races?

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  2. I go pet the cute little puppy ;) JUST KIDDING!!! Great run, sheesh you are going to blow me away! I am hoping we can manage an outdoor run Thursday, we will have to see how this snow/ice and incoming cold front impact us!! I miss my Anita day!

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    1. I will NOT be blowing YOU away! You are real funny. I am excited that it is getting warmer. I am hoping we can run out at Kensington next week!! It is looking like 40's!! And we have our half marathon at the end of the month!!!

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  3. Lol haha I had to read to see if you put this on still laughing about it next time ill bring food and throw it in opposite direction! One day I hope I can go 11 miles! The build up was hard in beginning to do my lousy 2 but its getting easier. Thank you for being a good inspiration. And aunt

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    1. Becca, Sweet Thang needs a chicken Wang...Ahh, that just sounded good!
      We are RUNNING a RACE this summer!

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  4. I pray for favor, and say, "Hi, pretty puppy!" Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." - Ragen

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