Friday, May 28, 2010

A Golden Day

Its my golden birthday. Today, I turn 28 years old.

I'm no longer a kid. I'm well into adulthood. I'm happy. I'm physically fit, although not as fit as I know I could be. I have a great house, a great job, and great people surrounding me in life. I could not ask for more.

But I'm not satisfied. There is so much I would like to improve upon and so much I would like to do. 28 years old is young. I know this. But it feels so old. It feels like I am heading towards "crunch time" for so many goals I have for my life.

So for my 28th year, here is what I would like to improve upon:

1. Trust in the Lord and His plan for me. Trust that He will provide a family for us when He is ready.

2. Use less. Sustain what I have, add little to what I do not.

3. Run hard. Add in hill workouts and speed workouts weekly to improve the gift of running that I have been given. My long term goal is to train and qualify for the Boston Marathon, although I would like to have a baby first so this may not have in my 28th year.

4. Eat real food. Compared to 99% of the world, I eat incredibly healthy. But I know I could treat my body even better. My body responds to real, whole food. It feels better, it looks better, and it performs better. My will power does not always sustain me. In my 28th year I would like to take control of my will power and fuel my body with real food.

5. Keep my words positive and kind. Spread God's word to all.

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.



Saturday, May 15, 2010

Why?

I run for my dad who was in a serious car accident but who, by the grace of God, is safe.

I run for those who cannot run.

I run for those who can run, but don't yet know it.

I run for my best friend who is pregnant and not able to run right now.

I run for those who can run, and are running, but not with me.

I run for those who think running is crazy and only insane people do it.

I run for the fresh air and the sunshine and the waves at other people and the way it makes me feel alive.

I run because I'm blessed to be able to.

I run because I can.
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I'm still trying to decipher what makes my body tick. Cutting out certain foods in my diet seems to help, but I don't feel like I've been very consistent at it. This could not have come at a better time. I am going to give it a try. I may not be perfect (gosh it was hard to type that), but I'm going to give it my best and see how I feel. Anyone can do something for 30 days right?! I plan to use this space as an avenue to vent and tell my story one day at a time.

In the documentary "No Impact Man" (watch it!) he says something along the lines of ... each one of us can make a difference by taking the time to change our own lives and inspiring others to do what they can do along the way. This is how big change starts ...

In the next 30 days (and beyond) I hope to learn about myself and the human relationship with food and inspire as much change as possible.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Cinco Du Mayo Duathlon


My first attempt at a multi-sport race was a success. I won't deny that I woke up, hearing what I thought was rain still falling, and honesty considered not doing it at all. It became unseasonably cold in MN this past week. The high for the day was 45 degrees. Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, the rain had stopped and there was only a small dusting of snow, yes snow, on the tops of cars.

The race was not large, only around 120 participants, and most were doing the "long" course (5k, 20 mile, 5k). For my first attempt at a duathlon I chose the "short" course (2 mile, 10 mile, 2 mile) and I am so thankful I did. I am not a cyclist by nature, nor do I care to be. I rarely train on the bike, and since MN has had some nasty winds this spring, I must admit that I've only been out once this year. I wasn't expecting greatness on the bike, but I wasn't expecting that amount of pain either! The cold wind was gusting up to 20mph and the rolling hills of Stillwater definitely surprised me.

After finishing as the 3rd woman after the first run, I fell back to maybe 5th or 6th woman after the bike. These little legs just do not appreciate the burn! I will also admit that I never practiced the transition from bike to run either. As I type this, I realize how ill prepared for the race I really was :) It felt strange to get off the bike and immediately start running again. My legs felt like they weighed 100 lbs. each and I thought for sure that I was running at a snail's pace. I was delighted to see myself at sub 7:30 minute mile pace in the first quarter mile.

About a mile into the 2nd run my legs started to loosen up and running felt normal again. I was passing a lot of people, which felt great, and I had my eyes set on a gal in pink ahead of me. As I increased my speed, I could tell she was struggling. Knowing I may not catch her, I glanced at my watch and said aloud, "I'll be happy with sub 1:10:00, but my main goal is to pass the pink shirt." On my last surge up the final little hill, with the finish line in sight, I said, "Awesome job!" and blew past the pink shirt.

1:09:00. I'll take that for the first time out, ill prepared and all.

Lessons Learned from my first Multi-sport Race:

1. Practice the bike. And practice the bike again. Or maybe just do relay events with your husband and let him do the bike instead :)

2. Prayer is good. But it's still gonna hurt! I can't tell you how many songs I "made up" with the lyrics "Give me strength Lord, give me strength!" sung to various tunes and possibly sometimes grunted.

3. A sub 20:00 5k is in the cards. Speed work really does wonders for speed (shocking huh?!) I realize more each day that I'm built to be a runner.