"When I do the best I can with what I have, then I have won my race." Jay Foonberg



Monday, July 18, 2011

My Cup Runneth Over & Prayer Request

News: Please pray for my friend who is suffering with a painful knee problem. She doesn't need surgery which is wonderful but is struggling with the frustration that comes when you're not able to run. Pray for healing and for her to learn what God wants to teach her now. Thanks so much!

Good Morning...


We've been on the road some this week and I've been tied up with my Summer Crop Event. I love those! For you who don't know, this is a scrapbooking event. These are very long days up to midnight and my runs are put on hold until it's over.

My first day at Ross Barnett Reservoir, I got in a run early before the heat starting rearing its ugly head. So when light appeared, I hit the street. It wasn't long before I was meeting more fellow runners and it was so exciting. I had my annual doctor's appointment with routine bloodwork later in the morning but I wanted to run so bad. With that in mind, I had to take it easy and not get overheated so as to "need" water until the lab work was completed. So I limited myself to 3 easy miles which was a good decision. Had a good run, sweated respectfully (my terms) and was able to wait to replenish my fluids at lunch without a problem. Just couldn't see not doing something and I was dying to run. Many good decisions on that run. Not sure where "that" wisdom came from, ha!

My weekend was full and so was my stomach. Oh my, I ate sooo much, sooo often and sooo bad; but it was sooo good! Though I love this event, these hostesses really don't let you get hungry cause there's a snack or meal every time you turn around. I'm gonna have to watch this next time. Let's just say, I've got to hit the road a lot now to clean up my act. On top of that, I do my work standing up...for hours and hours and hours at a time. This is where I share that my feet were so swollen by Friday night I was miserable. BUT, I knew this was temporary and didn't worry about it much. The Crop ended Saturday night and Sunday came and we headed out to eat our weekly Chinese lunch. Well, being as smart as I am (tongue in cheek), I added my usual soy sauce to everything. Did I say "soy sauce" ??? And, does this not spell sodium which equates to more swelling??? Okay, all I did was add insult to injury and my feet continued to be swollen for another day.

This morning came and I was dying to get in a run. Sleeping pretty good, I looked over at the alarm clock and saw the time. Yikes, I wanted to be up before this time so I could get out before it got too hot. Up I jumped, trying to get awake fast so I could be out the door and on the road quickly, I donned my clothes and shoes. I noticed that my ankles weren't as swollen and was excited about that (they still were but not near as bad). Decided to shoot for 5 miles and a one mile cool down without looking at the time or pace...just run! I told Kent I was leaving, opened the door and it was practically raining...very heavy mist going on. Now, what am I going to do? I'm still half asleep and trying to make a decision that will affect 30 minutes down the road...okay, these things don't mix well. I stepped back inside and told Kent it looked like it was fixing to (you know what that is, huh?) pour down raining. And, it was then, I don't know what happened, but "it" took me by the bootstraps and turned my Garmin on and told me to take it for what it's worth. Aha!! I needed that. No thinking about it, just go! I thought, "you know, I've never run in the rain from the gitgo (you know what that is, too, don't you), I have nothing else planned to do today, it's not storming or thundering and lightning and there's no reason why I shouldn't get wet (after all, I'm going to be wet with sweat anyway), now go! I turned back to him and told him I was gone. Heading out the door and as I stretched some, the sprinkling toyed with my brain to not go. But I pushed through, took a few steps, turned my Garmin on and off I went. Within a quarter mile, it felt like rain...nice, cool rain. I evaluated the situation and noticed that I was loving it! Okay, I've never said I had much sense. I mean, didn't your Mama tell you to get out of the rain when you were little?? I've always liked it when it was raining and now I'm experiencing a "new" adventure with rain. Oh, it felt so good.

The first part is the hardest with a hill down and up then it flattens out to a really nice path. It isn't long before I head across the reservoir. I loved it so much the other day and was looking forward to running it again. This time, going further. It starts out on an iron and wood footbridge next to the lanes. Don't know why, but I really liked that part. I love the sound it makes when your foot strikes the boards and if you look closely you can see the water underneath you. The winds began to pick up and, for the first time, I'm actually enjoying them, too! I have this thing with wind and running. It has not been my friend! But today, it looks like nothing was going to deter me from a new experience in my running career. A couple of runners and a biker passed on the other side of the bridge, acknowledging our mutual love for exercise. Man, I'm just not getting enough of this run. It was mentally and spiritually healing. On my way back across the bridge, I literally ran up on several furry baby fowl standing within 5 feet of me scurrying about. This was so exciting. Then I saw Mama! For a second, I didn't have a clue as to what I was going to do and felt she may think I was posing a threat. Fortunately, I'm running and not there long enough to cause her to think I would harm them.

Though this post isn't a weekly one, I couldn't wait to share my newest and most relaxing run I think I've ever had done in 95% humidity, 73 degree temp and absolutely no pressure of time or pace. AND, though this is an isolated case I'm sure, I've not run with my iPod either time I've run here. The enjoyment of the beauty of the reservoir, sounds of my feet slapping the little boarded bridge, the sounds of the tiny little ducklings and the feel of the rain on my skin have been amazing! Thank you, Lord, for such a wonderful day already. I leave you with the beautiful view we have when we open our camper door.


Have a wonderful day wherever you are and,
Run4It

1 comment:

Runwithme said...
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2019 Races

  • 05/11/19...9.38 mile Good Life Ride
  • 04/13/19...Raven 5k
  • Dec. 15 - Mar. 8 2019...175 Mile Challenge
  • 02/16/19...Sweetheart 5k
  • 01/19/19...Casio Bridge 5k...DND

2018 Races

12/09/18...MS Gulf Coast Half Marathon
12/01/18...Honeybee 5k (cancelled-weather)
11/17/18...Seville Quarter Turkey Trot 5k
11/11/18...Battleship 12k
10/20/18...Hope Haven Run for Hope 5k
10/13/18...Shrimp Festival 5k
09/29/18...Don McCloskey 5k
09/01/18...Bloody Mary 5k
01/27/18...Casino Bridge 5k

Through December...200 Mile Fall Challenge
Through August...175 Mile Spring Challenge
Through June...150 Mile Spring Challenge

2018 Goals

Bike 500 miles.
Improve gear shifting.
Strength training 2 hours/week.
Run 600 miles.
Improve running without walking.
No processed sugar 75% of time.
Improve positive thinking.
NEVER give up!

2017 Races

  • 12/10/17...MS Coast Half
  • 12/09/17...MS Coast 5k
  • 11/25/17...Kaiser Half
  • 11/18/17...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/11/17...Rotary Oyster 5k
  • 10/14/17...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 02/18/17...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/04/17...Double Bridge 15k
  • 01/29/17...Big Beach Half

2017 Bike Rides

  • 10/01/17...Southern Magnolia Ride [25.85]
  • 05/13/17...Good Life Ride [26]

Series

  • MS Coast Double Down...5k & Half
  • Run The Beach...3 Half's

2017 Goals

  • Back-to-Back Races [Done]
  • 3 Half Marathons [Done +1]
  • 1,000 Miles-No
  • First Half Marathon Series [3 Done]
  • Work on core/strength 2-3 times a week-No
  • Lose 25 pounds-No
  • NEVER give up! YES!!
  • Control/Eliminate refined sugars-Good

2016 Races

  • 10/15/16...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/16...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 03/19/16...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/13/16...St. Pat's Leprechaun 5k
  • 03/05/16...Bay to Breakfast 12k...1st trail race
  • 02/20/16...Sea Turtle Half
  • 02/13/16...Double Bridge 15k

2016 Goals

  • Run 1,000 miles-Done
  • Bike 300 miles
  • Half Marathon-Done
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Push through the hard times-Done
  • Cut back on refined sugar

2015 Races

  • 12/19/15...Make It To The Line 4 Miler
  • 11/21/15...Wild Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11/14/15...Oyster 5k
  • 10/10/15...Shrimp Festival 5k
  • 05/30/15...PHind a Cure-W/D
  • 05/02/15...Fiesta Five Flags 5k
  • 04/18/15...Zydeco 5k - W/D
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Remember the Fallen 5k
  • 04/??/15...Virtual Boston Strong 5k
  • 04/11/15...Magnolia 5k
  • 03/28/15...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03/07/15...Circle K 5k
  • 03/01/15...Gulf Coast Lulu's 10k
  • 02/28/15...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/07/15...Double Bridge 15k

2015 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • Eat fruit daily
  • Overlook past failures
  • Push through the hard times/things

2014 Races

  • 12/06/14...St. Jude's Half Marathon
  • 08/16/14...Pinky 5k Virtual
  • 08/15/14...Howl @ the Moon 10k Virtual
  • 02/15/14...Sweetheart 5k
  • 02/01/14...Double Bridge 15k

2014 Goals

  • 1 Half Marathon
  • 700 Running Miles
  • Strengthen my Upper Body
  • Recuperate, Recover, Renew
  • Get active in WW
  • Eat Fruit Daily
  • Start Clean Eating
  • Begin Eliminating Sugar from Diet

2013 Races

11-30-13...Stennis 5k
11-23-13...Turkey Trot 5k
11-08-13...Run For The Kids Virtual Half [St. Jude's]
10-12-13...Shrimp Festival 5k
09-22-13...Talladega Half
07-04-13...Wesson 2 Miles
06-29-13...Emz Liverpalooza 5k
05-18-13...Pursuit of Fun 5k
04-20-13..Warrior Dash
04-07-13...Gulf Coast Half-Pensacola
03-23-13...Azalea Trail 10k
03-10-13...Leprechaun 5k
02-24-13...NOLA Marathon
02-02-13...Double Bridge 15k-Pensacola
01-13-13....Gulf Coast Half-Lulu's

2013 Goals

  • 3 Half Marathons-Done-Plus 1
  • 1 Marathon-Done
  • 1000 Running Miles-No, due to RC Tendonitis & Broken Shoulder
  • Eat fruit daily-A little aggressive but better
  • Maintain weight in 130's-Did NOT happen!

2012 Races

12-08-12...FloraBama Jingle Bell 5k
11-24-12...Jingle Bell 10k
11-17-12...Turkey Trot 5k
10-27-12...Jazz Half
10-20-12...OS Rotary 5k
10-13-12...Race for Grace 5k
09-29-12...5k For Katlyn
07-04-12...Wesson 2 Mile
04-15-12...Gulf Coast Half...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
04-14-12...Diversity Dash 5k
03-24-12...Azalea Trail 10k
03-03-12...MS50 20k...[Withdrew-bronchitis]
02-25-12...Kids Need Heroes 5k
02-11-12...Sweetheart 5k
02-04-12..Double Bridge 15k
01-14-12...Pensacola Half



2012 Goals

  • 1 Full Marathon-Marine Corp filled up
  • 3 Half Marathons-2 Down-Sick had to drop 2
  • 20 Miles-Wkly Mileage-Bronchitis kept me from this
  • Cross Training 2x Week-Poor Commitment
  • Weekly Weights W/O-Again Poor Commitment

2011 Races

  • 11-26-11...Kaiser Half
  • 11-19-11...Turkey Trot 5k
  • 11-11-11...Thumbs Up for Bill 5k
  • 11-05-11...Senior Bowl 10k
  • 10-22-11...Running the Streets 5k
  • 10-15-11...Shrimp Festival 10k
  • 10-08-11...Mullet Run 5k
  • 09-24-11...Waiting for a Cure 8k
  • 09-05-11...Labor Your Legs 5k
  • 07-04-11...Wesson 2 Miles
  • 06-04-11...Bay Fest 5k
  • 05-14-11...Stargazer 5k
  • 04-30-11...Fiesta 5 Flags 5k
  • 04-16-11...St. Benedict's 5k
  • 04-10-11...Gulf Coast Half
  • 03-26-11...Azalea Trail 10k
  • 03-19-11...St. Patrick's 5k
  • 03-05-11...Eco 5k
  • 02-13-11...Mardi Gras Marathon

Secrets to Running a 5k

Here is an excellent site for those who have thought about running a 5k race but just hadn't made that move yet. There's tips, directions and even a section on what to wear. If you have never run a race, you are missing out on a lot of fun. You will have support from most everyone you meet. Now for the site...click here to change your life and get started!

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