I Can.

Running on base proves to be a little tricky here because I’m not a huge fan of hills.  I avoid them if at all possible.  I much prefer running downhill or on flat ground.  Lately, running proved to be a struggle since I took a week off for Cape Town and then was sick for a while during Family Days.  I’m just now trying to get back into the groove of things.  Though, I’ve been frustrated with my lack of motivation and lack of results.  I hadn’t ran in two days and then started talking with another intern, Allen, about running last night and the upcoming Flatberg race (15k including going up a mountain…).  The conversation gave me the drive to finally get out and complete a “good” run.

I started out this morning determined to get up and go.  I set my alarm and was out the door by 6:05 a.m. with my iPod Nike+ set to a distance of 7k.  About 2k into my run, I got this ridiculous idea that I shouldn’t just run 7k, but, no, I should run a 10k.  Mind you, the farthest I’ve ran in the last week or two has been around 35 minutes.  But, when I decide something that’s that.  So, I kept running and running.  Being bored, I did some run there and then run back along with some circles in the field.  Basically, I did everything possible to not go up hill and still complete a 10k.  All of that to say that I did.  I ran 10.02k in 55:30 min. which translates into a 5:32 min/km pace or a 8:54 min./mile.  This was only 1 minute slower than the 10k I ran in July. Woot!  For being out of practice, I was happy.  Also, I was reminded of the power of determination, persistence, and the need to set my eyes on an achievable goal while not letting my feelings get in the way or let my mind start believing the lies of “I can’t.”

So, what’s been your greatest accomplishment this week?

I feel like I’m still learning how to trust

Above: Me rappelling/abseiling down about 8 stories.

Below: A view of the rock I went down.

Thoughts: I feel like I’m still learning how to trust. Trusting God, trusting others.  Trust holds such power and potential.  With trust, comes vulnerability and in turn we can be known.  Walking down the side of a cliff with only ropes and metal holding you up requires trust.  Trust in the  ropes, in the person who set up the ropes, in the harness, and most of all in God.  Trust in God’s plan, purpose, and protection.  My fear of heights really centers on whether or not I trust God no matter what happens.  I made my way down the cliff in one piece and definitely learned more about trust.  Right now, I’m still learning to trust God while I’m still waiting and not planning what’s next, but letting Him show me what He has in store.  And yeah….I’m pretty excited

The Year Through Pictures

So…I’m a copy cat.  Annie had this awesome post and so I wanted to do the same:

January: Ringing in the New Year–ready for a fresh start

February: A little salsa dancing fun before “real life” aka full-time job-ness sets in.

March: No homework means time to make fun recipes like Cheesecake pops, read lots of books, take a ceramics course, and work out

April: “ 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

May: I said hello to love at first sight

June: Summer nights with friends and  enjoying our sweet deck

July: There were a few crashes along the way this year.  A few rough spots, but in the end the plastic pops right out and the head lights are millimeters away from being smashed.

August: Spent some time with family.  Said “Look at the bull ship,” which was interpreted as “Look at all this bull shi*” (say that 3 times fast and your family will think you are NOT having fun when really you are)

September: Life may be a little messy, but at the end of the day I can always turn to my “church family” for anything I need.  I’m going to miss them…

October: “Ransomed” God, theology, podcasts, blogging, life, and everything in between could always be found in our conversations.  I miss her already!

November: “But if the bright lights don’t receive you, you should turn yourself around and come on home.”

December: Stay warm with a puppy, lots of blankets and hot chocolate while looking forward to a New Year. 

Good-bye 2008. Hello 2009.

Human Race

Not going to lie….I REALLY want to do this.  How cool!?  All those runners, all over the world, all running a 10k.  If I can find someone to roadtrip to Chicago with me, I’m totally in.  If not, then I might just have to run it here.  Would you “just do it”?

You Are My Strong Tower, Fortress When I’m Weak

” …people are haunted by the idea from the intellectual heights that life is, in reality, absurd.” p. 10 The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard

Loving this book and definitely have felt like that before.  Like life is boring, not purposeful, the same thing over and over.  But not today and for that I’m thankful.  I’m thankful for dreaming, realistic planning, being able to run 5 miles, a camera, good talks after Core Team (even if I went to bed WAY too late), exciting plans, achieving goals, friends home from Australia (above! with yummy fruit), biking, Kutless (I love their songs “Strong Tower” and “Take Me In”–can we say, repeat), and that tomorrow is Friday!

No goose, but there was a rabbit!

Yay. I ran 5 miles.  Sorry if the slideshow doesn’t show up unless you click on the view all images. I’m being technologically challenged–boo.

p.s. The title of this post makes sense when you know that I want to read this and review it on my blog!

That’s how fast I run, of course…

TCBC

As promised, here’s the recap from the Saturday morning bike ride:

I’m a jumpy person so when my alarm goes off, I leap out of bed.  Normally, I wake up a little before my alarm to prevent this, but not today.  I was tired.  I reluctantly got ready and the nerves set in.  Do I really want to do this?  Why am I doing this?  I don’t know what I’m doing.  Being stubborn and forcing myself to be busy on this day, I finally get ready and get in the car with the bike in the back seat.  I do a drive-by and see a couple of older people in the parking lot and someone who appears to be a woman driving in.  I keep driving.  After sufficiently wasting time and leaving myself no other choice, I park.  I get out and meet a couple people.  Thankful that the ride will not consist of me and old men!  Instead, the ride will be me, older women and older men.  Yeah, I feel young.  After a sign-in and debriefing, we’re off.  I quickly learn the terms “Car back,” “bike back,” “hole,” ect.   Some people are chatty, but most focus on biking and enjoying the ride.  Plus, the sometimes single file arrangement does not lend itself well to conversation.  We maneuver around lakes, parks, trails, and even a waterfall.  At around mile 15 disaster strikes.  My worst fear is realized.  I get a flat tire and of course I haven’t brought the necessary tools or extra tube required.  Thankfully, a super kind lady lets me use hers while two very informative men change the tire.  I am “lectured” about how I need to ALWAYS carry a tube, buy a floor pump, buy a topeak pump to go on my bike, and to pump up before EVERY ride.  Yeah….I was a tad naive in terms of bike maintenance.  Now to go spend some more money  After my bike was back in working condition, we met up with the others and ate breakfast before heading home the last 4 miles.  All in all, a great learning experience and an interesting time

Ragamuffintop Week 7

Sunday, June 6, 2008

Bike: 15 miles at 57 minutes

Walk: 20-30 minutes

Monday, June 7, 2008

Bike: 10.2 miles at 40 minutes

Run: 25 minutes

–yay, these were right after one another!

Tuesday, June 8th, 2008

Walked: 1 hour 15 minutes

Wednesday, June 9th, 2008

I need more hours of daylight.  Went to dinner right after work and chatted with some lovely ladies and then went straight to Core Team and then to bed.

Thursday, June 10th, 2008

Lazy day. I took a nap and finished my book and went on a short bike ride to get chocolate chips to make white/chocolate molten cake–we made both!

Friday, June 11th, 2008

Dinner and game night

Saturday, June 12th 2008

Drove home for the big bike race tomorrow!

 

p.s. Sorry for no video.  No time  Enjoy the picture though!

Super Pumped!

I just biked 30 minutes and got off the bike, put on running shoes and went for a 20 minute run!  My legs were killing at first, but then it was great Triathlon here I come!

Ragamuffintop Week 4

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Bike: 15.1 miles at 1 hour 7 minutes 8 seconds–13.4 mph average and 21.7 maximum mph 

-Perfect.  Peaceful. Calm. No car accidents either.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Walk/run: 30 minutes

Monday, June 16, 2008

Walk/run: 45 minutes (Walked 20 minutes, Ran 10 minutes, Walked 5 minutes, Ran 10 minutes)

Biked: 4.7 miles at 21:25 minutes–13.1 average mph and 20.4 maximum mph 

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Walk/run: 40 minutes (Walked 15 minutes, Ran 20 minutes, Walked 5 minutes)

Biked: 5.8 miles at 24:07 minutes–14.5 average mph and 22.4 maximum mph

–This triathlon might be a bit hard

Wednesday, June 18th, 2008

Happy Birthday Bj!

Walk: 20 minutes

Run: 20 minutes straight yay

10 Minute Pilates–Waist Slimmer: 10 minutes

Thoughts: My roomies’ boys are going to think I work out all the time…they keep coming over when I don’t know they’re coming…awkward… good times!

Thursday, June 19th, 2008

Run: 25 minutes

Walk: 10-15? I didn’t keep track well.  I also walked to the beach if that counts.

Thoughts: I’m bored with life.

Friday, June 20th, 2008

Took the day off Went to work and then drove home (aka Alex).

 

Final thoughts: I started trying to drink more water toward the end of the week.  I’m going to do that again this week and also try to watch or log how much I’m eating.  Although, I don’t want to become crazy obsessive about logging, but I feel doing so would be beneficial since I really don’t keep track.  Other than that…I’m planning on continuing to train! yay