Whats your LSD??

LONG SLOW DISTANCE = LSD RUN

I have ran multiple 17 mile  runs, so why did this one bother me so much?
I had so many fears going into this.

• What if my body falls apart, my knees, my IT Band..?
• What if I can't keep pace?
• I just want to be warm..

Lacey and I ran 15 miles last week and 2 miles more seemed daunting.

We met at Indian Springs. Everything was picture perfect. Danielle actually lead the run most of the way. My body is a weird one. I always feel great on long runs after I am midway through. It is like I hold reservations in fear. As my body gains miles I begin to shed Fear and Faith grows strong in its place.

After mile 10, I was in the game. The girls had to keep holding me back. I did this to Lacey last week too. Sub 9 minute miles was not part of the plan. My legs wanted to go with excitement.

PAIN FACTOR: Running is NOT Pain FREE. I have learned what I can run through. I learn to welcome certain amounts of pain.
As we approach 16 miles we are going up the stupid hill to the parking lot. I am grateful I am sore. I am thankful I am out of breath and not out of commission. Dear Sweet Jesus IT HURTS! But I can see my Saturn Outlook and my heart skips a beat. I find myself thanking God for the pain, the pain is my TROPHY. It is a reminder that I rocked that 17 miler! Gratitude takes the emotional sting out of friction of Pain.

It is MENTAL. I have to wrap my puney brain around all the pain and find the Purpose in the Pain.

The Purpose In The Pain:
Life is full of pain. There is no one that is going to get through this life, in this world unscathed by pain and adversity. Don't think you are so isolated and are the only one struggling. Many of us, me included are haunted by the pain of our past. We all take the blows of the world, some of us get harder than others while some of us have been to Hell and back. At the end of the day it all hurts the same.
But at the end of the day, how did you define your pain? Were you strong enough to define your pain or did you allow your Pain to define you?
Are you the Victim or are you the CONQUEROR?

As we came up to 17 miles, Danielle, Lacey and I discussed walking the hill. My eyes located the orange poles in the grass. "Get to that next pole..."  I huffed. Pole by pole we never quit despite being out of breath, out of energy and sore.
Danielle's Garmin went off, not mine. I still had a tenth of a mile to go! They stuck with me. Lacey yells "OH BEEP ALREADY!!" I found myself actually finishing my run laughing.
We have a larger purpose in this life. Life is going to be at times a uphill battle. Take it on little by little but don't give up!

Anita

Will Run for Cupcakes

Endulged in a breakfast with BACON! I am afraid I have lost some weight. So I am intentionally trying to eat more calories.

Another night I couldn't sleep. I tried everything. I prayed and  I daydreamed. I tried the social media route, I went on FB, twitter and my Instagram.   I even tried my favorite, playing games. No one wanted to play me on Trivia Crack or Words with friends, probably because they are bored from beating me all the time. The last time I saw the clock it was already 3am.

It was like a dream come true, the beautiful blue sky and warm temperatures. I wanted to run in the heat of the day.
I put on SHORTS, a TANK and my ING NYC arm warmers. Oh YEAH!! I had to put my sunglasses on though, I wasn't sure what was glowing more, my Casper white legs or the SUN!

I had a Cross Country coaching meeting at the school at 3:40. I didn't have enough time to change so I headed up to the school a muddy smelly mess. I didn't even have time to hit myself up with body spray. Nasty. I hoped that my Eucalyptus Spearmint body lotion was still working. I did however have the barn painted (make-up on). Mom always says "Every old barn looks better with a little red paint!"


I got home about 5pm. "Alec, LETS GO!!"
Alec was going to try out those new CC shoes. I came home to Alec being a emotional hot mess.
"Good Grief" I thought.
Somehow I convinced him to lace up his shoes and go.
He didn't put his new Mizunos on, he squeezed his big old flat foot in last seasons shoes because he didn't want to get his shoes dirty.

It was a good thing he did that. We were a muddy, scratched up, soaked mess and only ran 2 miles.
ADVENTURE time. I love running with Alec. He was ahead of me on the dirt road, but his position didn't last long. Alec got struck with a devilish side stitch that  put the ugly face on him.

Adventure Time.

I couldn't stop laughing at him as he contorted his face and rolled his shoulders forward.
"Breath Alec, get you shoulders up."

Alec took me though the woods, into mud puddles, 3 feet of snow banks and picker bushes. I had no idea where I was going but it sure was fun. My shoes were drenched with snow and dirt. My bare legs were beat up but again, it sure was fun.

Rundown:
Distance 6 miles Solo, 2 miles with Alec. 8 Miles TOTAL

Danielle and I have been texting all afternoon. I am in slight panic. I didn't realize tomorrow is 17 miles. My stomach did a bit of a flip, I think it is still inside out or upside down.
Danielle, Lacey and I  are heading to Indian Springs in the morning. It is going to be 46' and SUNNY!!
I have great company, great weather and I am going into 17 miles with positivity.

I could REALLY USE some SLEEP though!

I am drinking my water, doubling up on my Juice Plus and charging the Garmin.
I am starving, I am going to finish off the Popcorn Lacey turned me unto to, then top the night off with my favorite, Breyers Mint Chocolate chip Ice cream.


What will you RUN FOR?

Alec made a pit stop at Maw Maws to get this!!

Anita

Unmotivated Monday

I was up all night. It was 1am and I was wide awake. Getting up at 6 am was hateful.  I jumped out of bed at 6:33 in a panic. AHH, late!

I couldn't move, the coffee wasnt working, my eyes wouldn't open and I actually felt like I had jet lag.

"Get the kids off to school and go back to bed."
"No, Anita,you will feel better if you go."
I agued back and forth in my head as I packed my gym bag and headed out.

I saw Jeff on the machines. I visited him whining about being so tired. He looked pretty rough too, this actually made me feel better. How does 1 hour steal your energy so much?
We chatted for a minute before I reluctantly headed to the track.

I wanted to run on the treadmill but thought I would probably fall asleep. The track would at least inspire me, challenge me..maybe..
I even thought I would just do some "Junk Mile". Go 4 or 5 miles at a turtles pace just to get it done. No sweat, no pain, no problem.

How the HECK did I end up behind "That Guy" again. "Stay with him Nita, he is running a clip slower, you can do this."
I was not breathing down his neck, honestly. I was a healthy distance behind him and of course he decided he was going kick it up.

At mile 3, I was counting my laps. I wanted to QUIT. Then I see this old timer. He is a regular with a cute smile and competitive spirit. He usually walks/shuffles on the track until you get near. He then turns his head, always looking for you and when you pass him, he picks up his pace and sprints past you!
I smiled at him when he discovered I noticed his strategy. I was barley sticking with "The Guy" in front of me. Sure enough, Here he came. He came up next to me and mumbled something. I turned off my ear buds and said "Ahh, you are going to make me work today!"
He replied "No, you are making ME work!"
Laughing now with a big cheesy grin I added "Today, just getting out of bed was WORK!"

As I was leaving the track, I looked at the Everlast Bag hanging and my mind took over. My shoes and socks were off. The cement floor was cold on the palms of my feet. SNAP! My foot hit the center of the bag. It felt so good. Again and again. "AHHHEEE" The breath released from my lungs as I felt the welcomed sting of the leather on the top of my foot. "Through the bag" I whispered to myself as I threw a roundhouse to the bag. SNAP! I loved the sound it made, I loved the way the leather stung, I love the power in my punches. Ahh. Love.

I only ran 4 miles. I convinced myself I would run when I got home with Alec.
I never ran another mile Monday.
I did however RUN the boys to Baumans Running store to get new shoes.

I had some money put away for MY running shoes and gave it to the boys and didn't buy shoes for myself.
Austin pitched a fit I wasn't buying him the shoes he wanted. He wanted them because they looked cool. Cool was going to cost me 130$.
"Austin, If you were going to be running CC, I would totally buy these for you, but you are doing the High Jump, I can not justify spending that. However, if you would like to add some of your own money then that is fine!"
He acted like a total 5 year old King Baby. I was mortified at the store, considering I know everyone that works there.
Alec picked out his shoes, I didn't even look at the price because I knew he was going to be putting in the miles on them. Alec's shoes ended up on sale, so we left with 2 pairs of shoes and 2 pairs of Feetures Running Socks.

It still wasn't enough for Austin. He was not done pitching a fit. Alec sat in the back grateful and quiet while Austin and I got in a heated grumbling match.
It was a good thing I took most of my aggression out on the punching bag at the gym because I was about to knock his teeth to the back of his head.
Don't call DSS on me, I took a mental step down and calmly replaced my back hand with words that hurt worse.
"Austin, Hand over your Phone, NOW, You are DONE."
He got a few more verbal jabs in then folded, handing his phone over.

Parenting. I hardly had the energy to run 4 measly miles, But come Hell of High water, you better have the energy to parent your kids!

He knew he was being a PUNK. He even said, "I know, I handed over my phone..."

My kids are my world. Without that phone, the boys were running through the house like bandits.
It was loud, it was chaos, but they were laughing, teasing, annoying each other.
Andy came in from work wondering what the ruckus was. He could hear them and me all loud from outside.
But they were being brothers. I wanted to pull my hair out as I finished making dinner but I tried to remind myself they were just being brothers.

We have a crazy family life. It is definitely not for most. Not very Beaver Cleaver-y. We play hard together. We tease each other, we all wrestle around and we are LOUD.
But at the end of yesterday, we are all curled up on the couches watching our recorded episode of Walking Dead. I of course am folding laundry like a mom and drinking my green tea in love with them all.

Anita

OUTSIDE!!

My miles for the week were a little down. I remembered that I didn't run last Sunday.
There were NO Excuses for this SUNNYday. Almost 50 degrees of blue skies and sunshine. I was not wasting this. Too much winter whining too not full advantage of this 45 degree heat wave!

Its all about the music for me. I LOVE music. I love dancing. At home, I knock out the cleaning with music and dancing. I have a party with a dust rag and mop.

Running is the same. I have no shame in singing out loud down E. Holly Rd. Jim Croce sings oldies and I get all rock and rolley.
My first mile, was mostly a wash because "Delirious" sang in my ears making me want to dance more than run!
But Prayer in C sings tunes in my ears and my legs hit the pavement with purpose. My shoulders feel loose as I want to swing my hips and dance. I take a deep breath and feel so free, even flirty like a teenager. A little smirk is birthed and I am lost in the chorus.

I love the fresh air, the birds in the sky are floating in heaven, my skin is cold to touch but my temperature is perfect. Everything is perfect.
I am hitting my target pace, the body is strong and pain free. I am actually chuckling to myself, it feels like I am being pushed from behind. I can hardly keep up with my legs.
The music in my ears was motivating me to push through the inclines that I was not used to. Running on the track for weeks kept me from the elements.

I really didn't know how I would run after being pampered indoors on a flat fast track.
Reminding myself of what I ran 10 miles at on the track, I had to try and keep pace with those numbers.
I had to contend with hills, wind, slush, ice, mud, cars and snow banks.
When I looked at my pace it coached me where I needed to be. I even missed my Garmin. Numbers don't lie.

At mile 7, the music had to be louder, "Sail" came on, I took a deep breath and intentionally planted my feel down, brought my arms up, focused my eyes far up the road and pressed in on my tired legs.

Nothing hurt but my pride, The pride of not being the runner I was before I got injured.
The music was my drug of choice to drive it home. I knew I had to be out of breath, when my side started to hurt, I knew I had to FEEL it.
When I couldn't feel my legs I knew I had to be grateful. Comfortably Numb.

At Mile 10, I hit the stop button on my watch and did a easy pace back home the last mile.
I saw a florescent jacket running towards me. I quickly got my best runners posture and picked my pace up as I ran towards them. I wondered who it was, "Don't look tired Nita, Fake it GIRL."
The closer I got the more I knew I had to know this runner.
"Was it Andy J., Ken H. or was it that guy I saw running down my street a few days ago?"
I had to take my glasses off, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me or maybe it was a mirage..was this....ANDY??!
"No FREAKING WAY...LOOK Who CAME out of HYBERNATION!" I yelled from across the street. I was running in the middle of the street to catch him. He started to blush, "Shut up, Turn back, go home." he chuckled.
"Look at YOU!" I teased him for a few minutes.

I let him go his way. I was so happy he was out there, I knew I better not make too big of a deal. I did however grab a couple pictures!!

I put my music back in my ears and headed uphill towards home.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 11 miles
Last Weeks total Miles: 40.
I saw a lot of people waving at me today. I love being waved at and not flipped off when I am running! I tried to smile as much as possible, considering I was on the road most of the time and I was clearly the minority.

"Running is a numbers game. You need to put in the training mileage. Just like making bank deposits before making a withdrawal."  Bill Katovsky

 

 

What is YOUR Power SONG?

Thank YOU for 100,00 VISITS!!!

Anita~

 

Anita

Cookies.

Alec is sitting next to me as I type. I said "Alec, what should I talk about?"
Alec points at the box of cookies next to me "You should talk about those cookies" I had just went down memory lane trying to make my memories more appetizing for him to eat the gingery cookie I gave him.

Windmill cookies. When I was a kid my grandma would give us these as a treat. My grandma was a very healthy lady, She did live to be almost as old as Moses, 99, Moses was way older but I  always say that.

Today, I was at the grocery store getting all the fixens for dads Taco dinner. (Tuesday was his birthday.)
I saw these cookies and had to have them. I actually wanted everything down the cookie isle. I had just finished my run and I was starving.
Krogers gives you the first slice of Boars Head lunch meat they slice for you. I gobbled down the Chipotle Gouda and the Turkey I purchased. But the cookies, all the cookies were shouting my name. Some screamed, some whistled but I wanting them all..until I saw the Archway Windmill. Then my heart got sentimental taking over my urgency to throw in the Chips Ahoy.

Eating the cookie was nostalgic, but cuddling with Alec and trying to convince him they were delicious was even more special.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 9 miles.
2 miles easy peasy- 10x400m repeats 2 miles C/D with Jeff. He was just starting when I was finished with the dreaded speed work, which isn't that speedy.
I was only going to go 1 mile with him but with him talking and me not adding I knew we exceeded my mile. So lets just go for 2!

My legs felt like butter. I got out of the gym about 10:30.I had the rest of the afternoon to recover. Not to necessarily put my feet up but no other pressing appointments.  It was such a quiet day.
This week I have really camped inside my head a lot. It really wasn't as bad in there as it usually is. I actually enjoyed it~

Anita

WHY?

My Blog is almost at 100,000 views. Who reads this ridiculous stuff anyway?

Last week Lacey asked me "So..Why did you ever start a blog..."

The story goes like this...

It was around the time I ran Boston for the 1st time. 2011.

I ran Chicago in 2010 for my first marathon and qualifying marathon. It was so far out of my league that I knew it was a God Thing.
Have you ever had your wildest dream come true, a dream that was so wild that you would not have even dreamed it?
A dream that just seemed reach.

Running a marathon was a wild enough dream, trying to qualify for Boston was OUT of the Park.

With every run that I trained, my thoughts were vivid and clear, to me they were borderline brilliant.
Like anything new, my thoughts were fresh. They were transparent, filled with virgin like emotion.
I discovered ideas and emotions that were so consuming I wanted to never stop feeling them.
I felt wiser than Solomon. Of course we know that nothing new is under the sun!

I found myself with pen and paper on the TM. When I had a idea, I would quickly right it down.

My mind never shuts off. It is a dangerous place, You never want to go in there alone.

The idea came from being a pipsqueak. A nobody in the grand scheme of things.

I would find myself wondering why God cared about Me. I didn't have anything to offer. I didn't come with any great package, no legacy, no inheritance, no title, a nobody.

Actually I came with baggage, I came broken, handicapped and burdened.
How or why would God use me?

But he DID..And he continued to. He even allowed me to be broken. It was part of his process. He was training me. He was conditioning me for Great and Mighty things.

These discoveries came with pain and passion, they were so intense that I had to pen them. I wanted God and others to know how grateful I was.

I began writing to Glorify God in the process of His training.

I always thought of my past as shameful and embarrassing.
Through Running, God showed me that I didn't need to be ashamed.
I always thought I was a NOBODY.
Through Running, I was reminded that I am a Somebody.
I always thought I could never be forgiven for all my ugly demons.
Through Running, I discovered God has forgiven me and that is ALL that matters. I doesn't matter if people forgive you.
I always thought my pain growing up was a punishment.
Through Running, I learned that God was actually protecting me and preparing me.

God gave me a voice through my writing. An outlet. He has given me a past, a passion and a purpose.
He has provided me with the vision to see Him in all of it.

That is why I started this Blog. To share my Heart for Running. My Love of Christ. To Inspire, to Encourage just one person to Persevere. To Challenge others to Great and Mighty things.

 

The Rundown:

Distance: 15 miles

We switched our long run from Thursday to today due to the extreme climate change tomorrow. Lacey, did Awesome. I was so proud of her.

 

I want to say Congrats to Paige tonight on a incredible basketball game against Grand Blanc for the WIN!

 

Also, Funny how I really have no idea who reads this. Brianna, one of my youth students told me the other night that she has read almost all my posts.

I just want to say, "Bri, I love you. I believe in you and I hope you always trust God."

 

Anita

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~