Monday: We were scheduled to run 20 miles at Pontiac Lake. I was so nervous. The last time that I ran out there was when I was training for Hungerford 50M. I had never met any of the runners but knew that I needed the training.
I COULDN'T WALK FOR A WEEK.
Monday the temps were rising fast. Our first loop we ran great. Minus the bugs that left the other runners looking like "Connect the Dots." I was fortunate enough to not get bit, they must have felt sorry for my skin and bones and gave me grace.
The second loop DIDN'T go nearly as well. 5 miles into our run Ken rolled his ankle. Ken didn't throw in the towel. "YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO". We didn't leave him as we walked/ran that last 5 miles back.
Matt said it perfectly. "..So when I fall I would hope you would stay with me." See it is not a matter of IF you roll, trip or twist, it is WHEN.
LESSON learned: What goes around comes around. Don't be that guy.
Wednesday: I planned a night run with Claudia and Lacey. EXCEPT..I never told Lacey it was a NIGHT RUN. We ran two 4 mile loops at Holdridge in the trails. After the first loop, we got our head lamps, flashlights and water. Lacey didn't have any of these items. I brought extra. She kept coaxing Claudia and I to hurry up. "Its getting dark guys, lets go." I was secretly cracking up. After the first mile Lacey says. "It's getting really dark." I could hardly run I was laughing so hard. I finally confessed. "Claudia, I may have a confession, I didn't send the NIGHT RUN portion of the memo to Lacey." Lacey started laughing. I wanted Lacey to come so bad, "YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO".We had so much fun. We will totally be doing that again!
LESSON learned: Probably should not eat dinner directly before you run. And you should go pee before you run. I peed my pants laughing so hard.
Thursday: Thursday was supposed to be a group run. We had Rachel, Kris, Ken and I meeting at Holly Rec. One by one they were canceling. I got a last minute meeting at work scheduled for 8:15am. I decided to cancel all together at the same time Ken cancelled. His ankle was still sore.
I still had to figure out how I was going to run and make my meeting.
"YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO". I ran to work, Holly to Clarkston. I thought it would only be about 8-9 miles. When I realized it was going to be AT LEAST 10 miles I began to get nervous.
That meant:
- I was going to be late for my meeting.
- I was going to need to pick up the pace.
- I had to still run back home!
I couldn't hardly pick up the pace, as I continued to hit rolling hills on Holcomb. I was sore from the first mile, now I was concerned I would be picking limbs up off of Blue Grass rd.
I started looking for one of my co-workers in hopes I could catch a ride. " I will just get a ride, that way I won't be late." Lindsey drove her cute white Juke RIGHT BY ME!
It was 11 miles to work. I wasn't late. After the 45 minute meeting, the girls were going to breakfast and offered a breakfast invitation and a ride home. I fought the urge with everything I had. I was tired, hungry and sore. I was unraveling. Food sounded so good. "YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO". I knew I needed to get out of there before I changed my mind!
LESSON Learned: NEVER QUIT. It is easy to find an escape route. I had a reason to bail. It didn't matter how fast I got home, I just knew I needed to GO. Training your mind is harder and more important than training your body. Don't quit on yourself. Believe in yourself.
"All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think." C.S. Lewis
You do what you have to do. There is so much noise clanging in our ears. Even when I am running I am desperately trying to change the channel of chaos. I find myself listening to the tune of FEAR, INSECURITY or DEFEAT. I need that gentle whisper that only comes from the LORD. Reminding me "Who I am" and "What I am capable of." I need to condition my heart to His TRUTH. I can hear him just fine when I am seeking him. His still small voice speaks volumes if I am willing to LISTEN. He doesn't have to shout.
He never said it was going to be easy.
AND "nothing is impossible" without Him.
Anita