When your in Dog house

"It is Better to Ask Forgiveness than Permission."

This is my HUBBIES favorite quote......Now it might be mine..

 

"Anita, you are never going to change." I knew I was in trouble.
I KNEW a FEW things.

 

Tuesday, at work, Andy called me.

"Hey, I am running to the bank...." He continued to share his plans of the day with me.

I got a bright idea. "Hey, since you are going to the bank, will you stop by my work and get my deposit too?" I knew I may have opened a can of worms, I don't make deposits usually.

Andy confused replied, "What do you have to deposit?"  

CRAP, CRAP, Double CRAP, I knew he didn't remember. Of course, we had only talked about it once and it didn't go over well. This was a lot more then hiding a new pair of running shorts in the back of the closet and getting busted.

With my heart pulsing, I tried to flirt my way through my explanation. "You remember, I am registering for the Goofy Challenge.." I had my cutest voice I could come up with. I think I was even battering my eyes, not like he could see me of course. My hands were sweating...

SILENCE.

I threw up in my mouth. I could tell I was in BIG trouble. I ran to the backroom to try all my verbal moves to get away with new running adventure.

 

Andy came to the salon (still angry) to pick up the 375$ I had saved for this race in Disney.

 

"It is Better to Ask Forgiveness than Permission."

We didn't talk to much about it. I am no dummy. The fire needed to fizzle out. Later that night he said "Nita, we need to talk, You are so stubborn, you are never going to change, You know, maybe I will just right you a letter."

 

My thinking: I am actually running this with my sister in law, Leeanne. Leeanne and my brother live in Florida. I am going down by myself for the weekend to run and visit them.

I am so excited. This is something that was on my bucket list. I honestly wanted to do the Dopey Challenge but it was almost two hundred dollars more. That would have been the straw that broke the camels back! I would be sleeping in the barn.

 

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.

Goofy Race and Half Marathon Challenge: Half and Full Marathon courses through Walt Disney World® Theme Parks totaling 39.3 miles

Disney Characters and Entertainment on-course

Event Weekend Transportation for Walt Disney World® Resort guests

Family Reunion Area with live entertainment and characters

The Cool Down Party at Downtown Disney® (Sunday evening)

 

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge Participants Receive

• Champion® Long-Sleeved Tech Shirt in Women's or Men's cut for the Marathon, Half Marathon and Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge* -
• Special Goofy finisher medal, along with the Commemorative Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck finisher medals for completing the Marathon and Half-Marathon*
• Official Event Guide*
• iGiftBag
• Personalized bib (Must register by October 06, 2015 for name to appear on bib)*
• On-course and post-race refreshments
• ChronoTrack B-tag timed race with live runner tracking sign up for friends and family
• Personalized results website

 

FLASHBACK: Andy and I ran the Disney Half Marathon in 2010. That was the year my LOVE for running was starting to take off.

Half Marathon time: 1:57:49

This is NOT a race RACE. It is a RACE to Have FUN. And I am SO EXCITED.

 

 

BTW, Dopey challenge is already CLOSED along with Half Marathon, 5k and 10K. BUT the FULL is still open if anyone wants to run it with ME!!!

ANITA

Get Through IT.

We went to Big Apple Bagels after Church with mom and dad.
As we sat there waiting for our food, mom curiously asked me "Nita, are you running alone today?"
I love when mom engages in my passion. She is always in my corner.
Very sure of my running plan, I replied "No Mom, not today, today I need to run alone, I need to feel it, I need to plan it, I need to see how my body responds to me."
Mom had a great reply, "Ah, you gotta get into you."

Many years ago, in the season of my life I was young, strong and fearless I boxed. My trainers always said "Go through the Bag ANITA"

Today,  I reminded myself it was a run that I had to Go Through. And I had to go through it alone.
I had 15 miles to run, intensely and intentionally.

At mile 9, more than half way through my body felt great. I heard the little chime on my Garmin. I looked down to discover I NAILED it again. "YES, YES, YES!!" I screamed out loud on the back roads with a big cheesy grin painted across my face. I gave a fist pump to the sky I was so stoked.
I took each mile as they came telling myself to "GET Through IT."

Of course I didn't run just 15, because I mapped my run wrong it turned into 16. I did bring the intensity WAY down that last mile.

I took that mile to give thanks to GOD. I thanked him the whole 15, but I expressed it wholly during that last mile.
See truth be said I heard him speaking to me days ago. Telling me to rest. My body was achy, I was crabby, my knees were hurting and I could tell I was feeling discouraged.
I took Friday and Saturday off. I took 2-30 minute naps last week. My miles were down but I knew it was for the best.
My legs thanked me with 15 strong miles. Quality not Quantity.


Bringing it all together:

• We have to be rested up to get through the challenges of life.
• We have to have a plan, a goal, something to strive for and challenge ourselves.
• We have to get inside of our selves, with NO distractions to know what we are made of.
• We have to Seek God in our insufficiencies, Seek God in our dreams, our challenges and our goals.
• We have to give THANKS, have gratitude in it ALL.

Anita

Not to be taken Lightly

When you blog you open yourself up to plenty to scrutiny. I give people lots material to talk about.
Sometimes I care but usually I let it roll off me.

It's none of my business what you think of me.

 

I recently heard some words said about me and my running. God has given me the gift of recognizing when I am a conversational piece. A blessing and a cursing. I try not to hold grudges and most of the time I succeed.

 

Here are a few points I want to share about ME;

1. Yes, I LOVE RUNNING. Sharing it with others, learning from others, coaching, encouraging and running.
2. My IDENTITY does not lie in my running. This is a running blog, clearly I am not going to flood it with other parts of my life, my family, my dog, my church, my work or whatever else makes me who I am.
3. Yes, I run a lot, that's what I like. My running might bother a few, but to those who I have met, encouraged, cheered, taught, watched, my running has made a positive impact.
4. For the few haters out there, WHAT have you done to encourage someone else? What have you done to try and inspire someone else?
5. I Run to not just be part of a community that encourages, edifies, and supports one another but to invite others in and watch them inspire as well. All Are Welcomed. All colors, All sizes, All Shapes, all Beliefs, I don't JUDGE.  I have been in many groups. And some of the biggest haters have actually come church people. I am a churchy person, however, I don't do many groups due to the fact they are not always welcoming, not always encouraging and not always nice.

 

Today, at Cross Country a mother came to me. "I just wanted to say "Thank You". Thank You for taking the time and stretching Trinities hips out. Whatever you did she said really made a difference."

 

Matthew 5:16                         

"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

 

Maybe My Identity is "Just trying to make a difference."  A hip stretch, a high five, a smile, a couple words or a pat on the back.

It is all given to me from God. I do not take my responsibility as a Christian lightly. I am a LIGHT and I try to show it in the gifts HE has given me.

The Rundown

Distance: 14 miles, 1 mile XC & 4 miles biking.

Location: Clover Park Linden

Temp: 31 degrees, cold windy

The Crew: Danielle and Jama

The whole run was all effort today. I don't know what I would have done without the girls. Our route was another hilly one. My It Band is getting a bit angry, last weeks 60+ miles didn't score me any brownie points.

On our run we still ran a sub 9 minute mile and that is with a few water/walk breaks. I couldn't figure out why I was so fatigued, "REALLY girls, I thought this was LSD?" I felt better knowing my burning lungs weren't from being old and weak.

I have been making out with the foam roller this week. I even took 30 minutes today and laid down with Sheba after our long run and before Cross Country.  I took a bike to XC in order to stay off my feet.

Pain seems to fertilize a lot of negative thoughts. Coach Jeff called me. He said this to me "Celebrate what you can do right NOW, Do the Work, and if you are still slowing then You are getting to be an Old Lady." Jeff's profound Wisdom.

 

 

Isaiah 60:1            

 "Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

 

ANITA~

 

 

 



Runner Wisdom.

I hate when I can't control my thoughts. I woke up after only sleeping for an hour. I couldn't get it together. My mind was chaos, and the same cumbersome thoughts kept drilling deeper and deeper into my space. I couldn't get out of it.
I found myself praying for God to "Create in me a Clean Heart." I prayed For "Peace"
I was desperately begging God to calm the storm in my mind.

With little sleep, I woke up at 5:30am to Andys alarm. I laid there only to find myself back in my own metal torment.

In a mild anxiety attack, I sent Andy a text message asking him to pray for me. My chest was heavy, tears rested on my eyelashes and my body was shaking internally.
"Get a Grip Anita, Calm down."
I recited all my mantra, I recalled Gods promises but I knew I had to just suck it up and get the day tackled.

It's like I can hear God saying "RUN Anita RUN".
Yes, I believe God loves to see me run. Because He knows I am running right next to him.
I felt my wet tears hit my shin as I ran around the cold track.
They were not tears of emotion. They were not even tears, my eyes watered from sweat and effort.
They watered from the release of a whole lot of chaos.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 7 miles at GAC track
3 miles with Husky Road Runners. We had a great turn out in the snow. We hit the trails for 3 miles at Sorenson Park.

It's been a rough week being Anita. My kids have had a rough week, my heart is heavy. I continue to pray for a clean heart, wisdom and discernment. I wish I knew the right thing to do all the time.
Claudia reminded me that I shouldn't beat myself up so bad on the trails tonight. I love my running friends. Claudia is a crazy funny as she is deep and wise. I knew I was where I was supposed to be out there tonight. So grateful.
Runners Hold A Lot Of Wisdom.

Anita

No Stopping Monday!

"AHH, IT'S 6:25!!!" I heard a toilet seat drop, waking me up out of a sound sleep. It probably startled me because it is a RARE occasion the boys in my house ever put it down. "Mom, You should leave the seat up for us, because you are the only girl in the house."

I slept through the night, it was a beautiful thing, COFFEE, I need COFFEE is all my mind replayed in between remembering to turn the Alarm off, grab lunch meat and find my robe.
I felt clumsy trying to do my routine in order without making to many mistakes.

I didn't want to run. I needed to run. It looked like rain. I was still trying to wake up. I didn't want to run.

I needed accountability. I called Lacey. Lacey sounded like she was just waking up. "Hello" she said in a droggy quiet voice. "Lacey, You wanna run this morning?"
She sounded like I felt and she felt the same way I did.

12 miles of Hills.
You know, that there is only 1 vowel difference between HILL and HELL? I discovered that as we were running up another HILL and my body felt like HELL. "Hey Anita, I was thinking we could do 10 miles, I have a route on Rattalee Lake rd."
I didn't want her to see the fear in my face, Rattalee Lk road is EVIL. It was created by Satan to injure runners, eat them up and spit them out with no REMORSE.
"Ok" I replied trying to hide the terror in my soul.
We were running our miles at a moderate pace about a 8:20 mile. Somewhere about mile 6, I turned the gears over. Lacey was hanging tough next to me.
Together, we just kept nailing the hills. The backroads were thick of muddy sludge making it difficult to get grounded. Mud was flying faster than we were! We gritted 3 miles out, running at a sub-8 minute mile. It actually felt good. We both agreed it felt better to tackle them hard, to run with speed. Breath deep and turn them over! We brought the last 2 miles down to a conversational pace, the only time we had the energy to converse at all.

I wore my old shoes, they took a beaten

  
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was completely consumed in front of the computer screen watching the 2015 Boston Marathon. It was just incredible. The tears welled in my emotional eyes. My stomach had butterflies in it as I stared intensely at the runners. I wanted so bad to be there. Watching the Boston Marathon is like a Superbowl game for runners!
Desi Linden lead the pack, however, she just didn't have the extra gear to make the last 5K to the finish when the pack picked up the pace. She still finish 1st American over Shalene Flanagan and Amy Hastings and 4th Overall. With a Time of 2:25:39
Meb came in 8th and was a total crowd pleaser. He is a class act. I think he has replaced Ryan Hall for me! He finished behind Dathan Rizenhien from MICHIGAN.
Mebs time: 2:12:42
Dathan (RITZ) 2:11:20

I wanted to be there so BAD. But a big Shout out to those that were there, Kathy M and Mike K.


Chopped Salad
I cut all the veggies up small, layering them, just add salt, pepper and feta cheese. I like it without dressing.
Garbanzo beans are also a great layer, I ran out of room!

 

Red Onion, tomato, red pepper, green pepper, carrots, cucumber, cauliflower and broccoli.

If you watched the Marathon today, what stories did you enjoy??
Anita

The Long Haul

The Long Run reminds me of the Long Haul.
That place in life you wonder if you are ever going to get through it.

As a child, when chaos was brewing in our little trailer I knew I had to figure out how I was going to get through it. I would play out several different scenarios to make sure I had all my options covered.
It didn't take long, a case of beer, a bag of weed and Eric Clapton shaking the walls to know you were in for the Long Haul.
I would sit in my bedroom with my cassette player blasting Prince or David Bowie, hoping to drown out the dysfunction going on less than 30 feet away.
The clock would stare at me, haunting me. Father Time was like a bomb, the more he ticked the worse I knew the party was going to get.
 I would break the night up into segments, trying to make it easier to get through.

This in many ways reminds me of the Long RUN. I tend to have anxiety over it. I have found that it is best to break it up into compartments. Rather than looking at the run as a 20 miler, find a way to section it out making each segment a victory.

The Long Run teaches you so much. But you have to get through it to learn what you are made of.

Kensington Metro Park and Huron Valley Trail.
Lacey and Danielle were my running partners today.
Danielle took the time to map and organize our run. Over the last week, I don't think you want me in charge of keeping track of the route,  keeping your keys or cell phone!
Originally we were going to run Island Lake, However, because we are not familiar with that trail system we decided against it.

We all know what a challenge Kensington is when it comes to a long run , therefore, we accepted the fact we were going to have to step it up.
 No WHINING.
What doesn't kill you makes you Stronger.
Suck It up Buttercup.
It's just a Hill GET over it.


Lacey was running circles to get her Garmin caught up to Danielle's, while Danielle was filling her water bottle!

Between the 3 of us, we had a shocking amount of quiet time.
3 hours of running, you do a lot of thinking. It is not just trying to Control your legs it is more important to Control you mind.
"Strong Mind Strong Body"
It goes Back to the word I spoke about a couple weeks ago: DESIRE.

The three of us held each other accountable when it came to keeping our Target pace. We all whined up the hills but not too much where we would lose out energy.
The Last 2 miles we did at a threshold pace:

RUNDOWN
Distance: 20 miles
Time: 2:59:53 
Average Pace: 8:59
Mile 19-8:33
Mile 20:8:14

The days total Miles 21. I told the coaches I wasn't able to run with them, I ended up running a mile, it was ugly!

FUNNY STORY, Andy took me out to lunch after my long run. As we were leaving a very attractive lady stops me. I was embarrassed because I  look so bad . Shyly I approached her. "What perfume are you wearing if you don't mind ." I didn't want to laugh because I couldn't imagine I still smelled good. "Well, to be honest I am impressed you still smell my Versage, I just finished a long run and feel like I shouldn't be smelling good at all!"


Do you have a favorite route for your long run? What makes it your favorite?

 Anita

The Tempo Run

Tempo Runs; also known as Lactate Threshhold Runs. These runs help to improve your ability to hold a solid pave before having to slow down.
My tempo runs usually begin with a mile easy then 5-8 miles at a target pace then a mile cool down.
Some people will run their tempo runs at a 5k race pace or a 10K race pace or just comfortably hard.

Today, I opted for a target pace I wanted to achieve. I wanted to Up Chuck at my second mile. I hung on and noticed I had taken those first 2 miles to fast. I tried to scale down without falling down, yet keep my target pace.
I just kept thinking "Another mile down, only "X" amount to go."
I did a 7 mile Tempo run, 1 mile easy, 5 harder than I thought and 1 mile cool down.

Its been a LOOONG day. Every hour has been accounted for. It is days like this that I make more mistakes. Like losing my phone at Krogers. What a stinking nightmare.
Andy was able to track it to the Kroger Parking lot. I went back up there for the 3rd time and someone turned it in. I took more grief from Andy making fun of me then anything.
However, this mishap cost me over an hour of my run time. By the time I got home I only had an hour to run. Hence the dreaded Tempo RUN.

I was literally running ALL day. I left my house to RUN to Cross Country. Thankfully we were not running with the kids today, we were doing Time Trials.
I had to Run back home to make dinner, I didn't have enough time to eat it though. I did make some healthy blueberry muffins from scratch, probably why I didn't have time to eat.
Then I  had to Run back out to Run our adult running club.
I got 10 miles total in today.
No shower until 8pm.
Grateful for deodorant, body spray and perfumed lotion.

Boston Bombing. Today was the Anniversary of that horrific day. The day was perfect until it was hijacked by the chaos. The Boston Marathon in 2013 will always be a day of Overcoming to me.It haunts my youngest son. He was forever altered on that day. He overcame his fears and went back last year to support me as I ran the Boston Marathon my final time.  That day is Victory, a Day so many came together to support, encourage and Overcome the terror that framed that day. I am reminded of how grateful I am in that tragedy. Humbled. Not worthy. Blessed. Speechless.


Anita

10 Reminders while Training for your Marathon

10 Simple Reminders while you are Training for your Marathon

 

"I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part with your legs, and the last part with your heart."
              

 

I have several tips that I juggle through when I am training for a marathon. These are my Top 10.

 

1. Set 3 goals for your finishing time for your marathon:1. Beyond your wildest dreams 2. Dream come true 3. Grateful goal.
2. Find a training partner: Accountability, Encouragement and Motivation.
3. Prepare and Recover Properly: dynamic stretching, static stretching, rolling and icing
4. You are what you EAT!: Eating the right foods at the right time. 65% of your total calories should come from carbohydrates, 10% protein, 20-25% unsaturated fat. EAT whole foods. Keep it clean!
5. Drink Alcohol in Moderation: Remember alcohol dehydrates you.
6. No Pain No Gain: Remember to pick up the intensity, Hills, Repeats, Tempo runs, these help not just physically but also Mental Strength, YOU are going to need!
7. Rest Days are part of training: Allow your body to recover and heal.
8. Core, Core and More CORE. The core is what powers you, keep it strong.
9. Listen to your body. You should treat your body like a machine. If it tells you it is hurting, take care of it. If it tells you it is tired, take a nap. Listen.
10. HAVE FUN! Laugh, buy some fun gear, go on some different routes, just have fun!

 

 

Collision:

 

• This morning I was seriously dragging. I got out of bed at 6am and after dropping the kids off I crawled unto my neatly made bed. I grabbed a throw and fell back to sleep for another hour and a half. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
• I woke up wanting to do some recovery miles from yesterday horrible mishap. Even though my body wasn't sore I didn't want to press my luck. LACEY left a message that she would be at the track. I got it together and headed that way. TRAINING PARTNER
• We did some repeats. Only after a couple 200's and 1 400 I knew my body wasn't participating. HOWEVER, I continued running them and TIMED LACEY. When she finished I put a bug in her ear.."Lacey, you were on target with all of those, I want you to consider trying to qualify for Boston for your marathon." Set a GOAL
• I started my run off this morning rolling my IT Band. I finished my run stretching and with a power smoothie because my belly cant handle solid foods right away. I also double up on my Juice Plus and hydrate.  PREPARE AND RECOVER PROPERLY

These are just a few of my reminders that help me train better and get the most out of my training and my Marathon.

 

What tips do YOU HAVE?

 

Anita 

My Neverending Story!

I get so mad at myself. I wonder if there is a pill that will fix me.
Maybe I am imbalanced, that is why I do ridiculous things.
Maybe I have a disorder, that has not been diagnosed yet.
Maybe I should change my diet, I must be lacking some nutrient.

People are always so kind saying "Nita, it is because you have so much going on..."

Well, it just sucks to be me and loose track of all the bone head moves I do accidently.

Trust me, I couldn't make this up!

Another way to turn a 15 miler into a 17 miler!
Loose your KEY FOB!

Sometimes it is so painful I just want to cry.
I wanted to cry because I was afraid to tell Andy.
I wanted to cry because I didn't want to run another step, yet I was backtracking down the back roads looking for the little plastic she devil.
I wanted to cry because I was so thankful that Jama was still at Genesys. We met there to run. Jama was running 20 and I was running 14 or 15...Which ended up 17! I left Jama and headed to my car. Jama continued to finish her 20 miler. I called her and told her of my mishap. She finished her run while I backtracked and picked me up in route.
I wanted to cry because I NEVER found the little thing.

And to add injury to insult I was running with just a sports bra hoping, to get some sun. . I got more that I planned, I am BURNT!

The only thing that held the tears back was reminding myself, "The only thing that is the end of the world is the END OF THE WORLD."

Build a bridge and GET OVER it.
It was a marvelous day for a run. I had great company and a perfect route. We were not the only ones out there, we saw so much wildlife. The sounds in the elements made my heart flutter. Jama even discovered a small patch of violets.
And we saw several horses. Jama grew up with horses, this made her heart happy.
I LOVE being in the elements, the sounds, the sights and the smells, All the smells but mine. I was pretty ripe, I think my deodorant ran off at about 13 miles and I know my Versace was long gone!

Rundown:
17 miles.
Enough said.
Last weeks miles: 51

Anita

2 Easy Lessons

I'm not confused. I'm just well mixed. Robert Frost

I am challenged in many ways. Many many ways. I believe that if you put on your best smile somehow that is the best recovery for mistakes, mishaps or my misfortune.

My first house was on Buckner Rd in Lake Orion off Clarkston Rd. I had a bike/run route that I used a lot.
When Lacey text me and wanted to go on an adventure on the Polly Ann Trail I was excited.
We had 12 miles to do.
Lacey said she looked at the map and the trail did a little "jog" but it picked back up again.

Lesson 1: NEVER keep SILENT. No one likes a "Know it all". We came to in intersection where the trail stopped. Without saying anything I let Lacey lead the way straight ahead. In my gut I knew we should have turned. I remembered this little 3 way intersection but I kept silent.
After about a half a mile I spoke up.
"Anita,why didn't you say anything?" Lacey laughed.
"Well, I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt...."

Sure enough within a mile caught back up on the trail.

Lesson 2: NEVER keep Silent! Lacey was letting me navigate our miles on my Garmin. I can not add and run. Heck, I really can not add at all.
We ran the whole morning in a light drizzle but otherwise really nice conditions. The problem was we were still running and it was going on noon. Something was not adding up right.
I even had us ADDING miles because of our mishap. In that mishap I turned my Garmin off by accident at 3.15 miles.
My runner brain must have gotten shut off too! I forgot about the 3 miles that we had already run and had us run another 6 miles out!
I turned a easy 12 miler into 15 plus miles.
Lacey says "ANITA, I couldn't understand why my legs were burning, it was only 12 miles..."
"Yeah, but it wasn't, it was actually more that 15 and I picked up our pace the last 3!"  I replied with a BIG SMILE!
"ANITA, I wanted to say something.."
OOPS, she should have said something!

I love our little adventures. The Polly Ann Trail was very flat and beautiful even in the fog and drizzle. We both agreed we would be returning soon.

Training TIP:
Two of the reasons Lacey was able to run 15 not  our scheduled 12.
1. We were running at a conversational pace.
2. We had taken a couple breaks, pictures, dogs chasing us, and getting lost.
This allowed us to not only add mileage, it also allowed us to finish strong.

Not Obstacles, Opportunites.

We all have something we could complain about.

• My stinking back has been out for over a week. I have a nice size lump on it that is questionable.
• I have nagging blisters on 3 of my toes.
• I am so sore from a silly game of junior high Sharks and Minnows FROM MONDAY!

I have a whole lot more if you wanna entertain my negativity and complaints.
The truth is I hate complaining as much as I hate listening to my own verbal blahh.

We all have circumstances that we can let create a life Less that Zero.

We are called to persevere. To not give in to the pity party. The Woe is ME. I like to call it "EEyore Syndrome"

Life is GOOD. Even in the BAD it is so Good.

It feels so amazing to laugh, to smile. Even in the middle of a $H#@ storm you have to try and laugh at the chaos or you will cry.
Then make others cry.

Because that's what we do in a pity party. We send out invites. We get all down trodden, poor me and sappy. We look like a sour puss and in our misery we have NO idea how many people RUN in the other direction. We cant figure out why we are ALL ALONE. Because NO ONE wants to be around a scrooge all day.

I was born a natural cheerleader. I will sing "Kum by Yah" and cheer you on, but not more than you do for yourself.

Suck it Up Buttercup
Moving real slow this morning. I packed my gym bag to get some dry miles in. I reached my arm around to my back to feel that lump still camping out. As I bent over to grab my shoes, I winced in pain. "UGH, I cant wait to go to the DR.s Thursday to find out what this is." I spoke to myself.

I looked in all corners for Jeff at they gym. I needed his humor this morning.
Disappointed I got on my favorite TM alone.
At mile 2, Here he comes with the distorted smile.
"Nitagirl..."
Jeff was dripping in sweat, it was so NASTY. He knows I HATE sweat. I told him the story about how Andy tries to rub his sweat on me while we run and I want to either puke or punch him!
He jumped on the TM next to me to walk off his spin class and harass me as I ran.

NOT Obstacles rather Opportunities.
We talked about how the kids ran hill repeats on Tuesday at XC. They were NOT happy. It was NOT FUN.
"Nita, you have to teach the kids how HILLS are NOT obstacles, they are Opportunities...." Jeff said as a coach himself.
He continued his thoughts on that. I loved it.

It all comes together RIGHT HERE.
Life is full of Hill's. Moments in our life that it just SUCKS. We are sucking wind, hurting and wanting to give up. We don't move pass that hill finding victory. NO, we take all that anguish and grief move on holding the "UGLY FACE" of defeat.

DUDE! I freaking just climbed MT Rushmore and LOOK at the View from the TOP!! Yeah BABY, take that!
That's right, quit being overcome my the mountains in your life and see the mountains you have CONQUERED!
Use them as opportunities to exercise strength, adversity, use them to help others, encourage those who are facing their giants. To Persevere.


Rundown:
Distance 8 miles.
Fun trip to ATHLETA. Finally spent the Christmas money "Paula J" gave me. She spoils me rotten.  I LOVE Athleta, Lil Mama wants EVERYTHING!  I will show you what I bought tomorrow.

Anita

What do YOU DESIRE?

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

    Psalms 37:4

DESIRE

I was given this word this week. I stared at it, I let it penetrate deep into me mind.
DESIRE...I have always thought of DESIRE in a sexual sense.
But as I lathered myself in its description of DESIRE I saw a flip of the coin.

DESIRE, To want something to the depths of your soul. It burns inside you. A love affair, maybe even infatuation..But Need.

WHAT Do I DESIRE? Do I DESIRE?
Do I have that powerful emotion that drives you to exceed boundaries, to escape mediocrity?

I DESIRE to be the person Christ wants me to be.
I DESIRE to Change my heartbreak. I ask to take the thorn out of my side that cares too much over issues that mean to little.

When it comes to running..some days I desire. Some days I grit down, dig deep, I feel the burn, I add the extra.
And some days I don't. I make excuses. I whine, I feel lazy...

I want DESIRE. I reminded myself of my goals. Today, as I ran for the second time, I heard myself conversing with excuses. I heard myself downplay who I am.

I found myself making my circumstances the perfect exit plan.

 

When DESIRE gets softened by our circumstances then it is NO LONGER DESIRE.

We have to get over ourselves, we all have issues, every day a new issue arises. You can either choose to be a passenger on the flight to Defeat making stops at Excuses and Pity.

OR.

You Can get on the flight that leads you to SUCCESS. Letting DESIRE fuel your engine.

 

RUNDOWN:

I wanted to run 13 miles today. We had a XC clinic kick off today. I ran 2 miles easy and another mile of Sharks and Minnows.

When it came time to run my distance:

"I will only run 10 miles, Yeah..."

"Maybe I will run 11 miles.."

"I will run with easy, walk, run ...."

"I am HOT, I will walk a lot."

"OK, I will run back home, change my shirt to a tank top then just do my loop."

I ran 12. miles.  I heard the ambulance and the fire trucks at 10 miles and panicked. I got very concerned where my boys were. I was afraid something happened to them. This was the only time I really slowed down. I was so worried for them.

They were fine, I was exhausted, sore and tired. But I continued thinking on the word DESIRE.

 

DESIRE:

Michelle R. Signed UP for her first half marathon!

Leeanne C. is running a half Marathon with me..She has a small amount of Desire to run a MARATHON....

I have the DESIRE to run another ultra this fall.....

 

Anita

 

 

 

 

 



Rundown. March Miles

Thursdays, that was going to be the day that we do our Long RUNS. Danielle, Lacey and I all are home to train for Bayshore Marathon on Thursday. We all decided we would plan nothing on those days. Just run. I know it sounds like the dream life!
Life gets complicated and we have had to juggle around our long runs a couple times.

Today, was one of those days. Every hour was accounted for. We switched our long run to today for several reasons. It was just Lacey and I.

We ran at Indian Springs Metro park for our 20 miler.
My body was still a bit tore up from running my race and following it up the next day with another 13 miles.
But it was such a picture perfect day to run. Before we even entered the park we saw several deer.
The deer were not even startled by us. The wild turkeys ran faster to get away from us than the deer.
Honestly, I think I got the most startled overall the wildlife.  A little gray squirrel scattered in the leaves sending me into a panic. Not like it was a BEAR! I looked like a squirrel as I tried to climb on top of Lacey I got so scared! I was a bit ridiculous. Seriously, a squirrel!

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 20 miles
March Miles: 199..1 stinking mile shy of 200!
*I gained my weight back. VERY happy.

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

 Psalm 34:14

I had a out of body experience today. One of those moments that you wish you could take back.

Lacey and I had not even started running and I had already behaved badly. I let myself lose control.

I wanted so badly to recover. I don't like that person, I hate that person, I am ashamed of that person and yet I let her out.

Running through the woods with Lacey I could feel peace come over me. As I ran, I could feel my shame melting away. I knew I had to make some amends. Ask for forgiveness, and find peace in the presence.

It was a good day to recover from my bone head move, I didn't take the time to recover from my run quite as well. Oh well.

 

Anita