"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
Romans 7:15
Andersons orders have been to keep running,
- but cut the load way back
- get off the pavement
- do the "McGills 3's"
- check out Squat University
- get stronger
I laughed when Dana Anderson told me to start strength training. I knew it was coming.
So I am 2 weeks out, doing all the things he said and feel just as old and broken. I took two days off this week, reluctantly.
I do the things I do not want to do.
I am doing these exercises that look so basic and find myself sweating in frustration as I am humbled at the struggle in them.
And the things I want to do I don't.
I wanted to run so bad yesterday, but I didn't.
I didn't run for 2 days, hoping today was going to be the day I felt like a gazelle through the woods.
The sky was as crystal clear, an endless gazing blue that invited you out to play.
I wanted to run and run, but I knew I couldn't. I didn't even know what my body would do.
I could see my breath as I got out of my truck at the trail head. And I smiled.
I was going to give this run all my emotions.
All my heart.
All my frustrations.
All the best and all the worst I had. 
I have been running mostly solo because this injury feels so burdensome and I don't want the pressure of being "Chipper" when I feel like dookie.
I could smell the wet leaves, and the woods were calling me. Life was calling me to go forward, to lay it all down and go. I was scared to move not knowing how my body would respond.
It only took a few steps onto the trail to feel my body want to pull back. I have learned that my body will loosen up after a couple miles, so I just needed to GO!
The trail was covered in beautiful amber and red leaves. This beautiful path is hiding ankle breaking roots, sharp rocks and a mystery of unhinged injuries waiting to happen.
I felt fear as my heart skipped a beat as I tried to get my body to dance around the obstacles.
My voice was screaming over my music, "Stay Strong" and "Pick up your feet".
My hands were in fists tucked in my jacket as I slowly warmed up. The chill faded away pretty fast as I decided I would run all the hills. If it was going to hurt, I may as well go all in.
And I went. My body cooperated with some back talk.
With every mile I fought off frustration and focused the finish. I welcomed the solitude in prayer and praise even in my pain.
The woods hid me deep inside her home. The brief windows of light shattered the dim lit forest, at times blinding you. After a while, I forget about the ache in my piriformis. I was in love.
I ran 6 miles. I would have loved 2 loops but embraced the one loop with gratitude the Lord allowed me to have those.
THE RUNDOWN:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
Romans 7:15
While I was running, I was thinking of this verse. It felt rather fitting when I was thinking about my week of running/not running.
The verse actually encouraged me. sometimes doing the right thing feels so awful. I hate following these orders. I want to do what I WANT. And the truth is, that is probably why I am in this position of pain all together!
A good reminder that sometimes we have to do the very thing we do not want to do. And it doesn't always make sense or feel good, but it is the good thing.
OCT 13-19-34 Miles
OCT 20-26-27 Miles
OCT 27-NOV2- 26Miles
I have cut my miles back about 40%. I will stay here for the month of November.
In Peace, not Pieces.
Anita
