13.1 Miles

Something I never really thought I would want to do, but here I am considering it. A half marathon. 13.1 miles. 

With each week I spend in the gym/on the track, my endurance is steadily increasing. Last Wednesday night, I was able to run 5 miles for the first time in my life. Thursday night, I ran 3 miles. Sunday, I ran 4. Then on Tuesday, I reached another record. 6 miles! That's when I started to think that I may be able to push even harder to go those extra miles and run a half marathon. My friend Becca is also interested in running one. We're not signed up for one yet, but we're definitely doing the research.

I found a training schedule at MarathonRookie.com. It seems doable for someone like me who is completely new to running. I plan to complete this 10 week training schedule and then sign up for the Germantown Half Marathon with Becca. Her mom and another friend are already signed up and are training for the race. I am looking forward to stretching myself beyond my perceived limitations. Isn't that what life is all about after all?

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 

-1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I love how well physical training relates to our spiritual training as Christians. I can't help but see this as a physical and spiritual experience. To God be the glory!

Pride Goes before the Fall

You've heard that verse before, right? Well, last night, God showed me that verse. Check out my previous post before proceeding.

After I got home from working out, I got a quick shower and put on the red satin pajamas that James bought me for Christmas a couple years ago. I then slipped some really comfy socks on my feet. I was feeling so good. I jogged five miles; I was clean, refreshed and ready to relax.

I'm not entirely sure if it was the pride or the socks that caused my literal downfall, but I took two or three steps and down I went! I screamed out in pain and fear as I slid all the way down to the bottom of the stairs. James of course jumped toward me in record time to see if I was ok. He told me later that his first thoughts were, "I've got to get her to the emergency room." Poor guy expected the worst. Thankfully, I walked away with only bruises and a stiff soreness this morning. As I lay there trying to figure out what just happened, I burst into tears. It hurt! Plus I was shaky and scared. In the same instant, I started laughing harder than I have in a long time. I could not help but see the humor in me sliding down the stairs in my satin pajamas faster than a kid in a sleeping bag. You must know what I'm talking about. We used to do it all the time when we were kids. Get out the sleeping bag and glide down the stairs until Mom found out and put an end to our dangerous idea of fun. What were we thinking? Going down the stairs like that last night was definitely not my idea of fun, but I'm so thankful that God protected me through my little blunder.

As I stated on Facebook, I'm not sure which has made me more sore: jogging five miles last night for the first time in my life or falling down the stairs in our apartment right after I got home from jogging five miles.

5 Miles

The second I start writing about my fitness progress is usually the second I start to slack off from working out regularly. This time is different. I have reached an all-time first for me. Last night I decided to skip the treadmill like I have been using for the past three weeks and chose to jog on the indoor track instead.

Before I continue, I'd like to recap the past several months. I started exercising consistently sometime in February, and I worked my way up to jogging 3 miles. I ran in a 5k in April for the first time ever. I had never been in such good shape. Unfortunately though, over the summer I became somewhat lazy and backed off from all that progress. I didn't exercise for at least two and a half months. I don't know if it was the summer heat or what, but I had no motivation whatsoever.

Something sparked me to work out again in late August/early September. I've been recording the food I eat and the work outs I've completed. To be honest, my main goal this time wasn't to be healthy. I knew I had exactly two months before the Marine Ball, and I wanted to look good! Along the way though, my drive to be healthy and to exercise has only increased. For the past three weeks or so, I've been walking on the treadmill for about an hour three to four times a week. The treadmills at UTM have TVs on them, so you better believe I've been catching up on all kinds of Food Network shows! The Food Network has helped me to be motivated to get off the couch and in the gym. More recently, I've started to add little jogs into my long walks. James asked me earlier this week if I have been able to jog two miles consistently again. As far as I knew, I had not reached that point yet. On the treadmill, I have been able to jog about a mile or so before my calves started "screaming" at me, so I'd stop jogging and walk for the rest of the time.

Back to my original story: I started jogging on the track around 7:55pm last night and did not stop until 8:45pm. I kept thinking "one more half mile" . . . "one more half mile". The next thing I knew, I had jogged five miles! And it felt so good too! It really is a great feeling to push so hard and achieve more than I ever thought possible.

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Ten

One confession:

I don't handle stress and feeling out-of-control very well. Because of this, I have experienced some pretty awful anxiety attacks in recent years. I have sought therapy for these issues and have overcome a great deal. James is my biggest supporter. I find strength in Philippians 4:4-7 which says "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." 

The more I confront my issues, the more I am able to overcome them. What brings me great joy is that there's nothing on earth that we cannot overcome when we put our trust in God. Thanks for reading!   

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Nine

Two words that describe your life right now: 

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Eight

Three things I enjoy: 

1. Massages

2. Castello del Poggio Moscato

3. Going on trips with James

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Seven

Four turn offs:

1. Dishonesty
2. Disorganization

3. Unkindness
4. People who don't wash their hands after using the restroom

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Six

Five people who mean a lot to you:

1. James (big surprise!)

2. My family

3. My friends

4. My church

5. My co-workers

Yes, I cheated. How could I possibly list only five people? I had to include everyone in my life because they all mean a lot to me! Seriously though, James is my favorite. ;)

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Five

Six things you wish you could change or wish you would have never done:

1. I wish I had never tasted sugar because now I'm pretty much addicted to it.

2. I wish I was a stronger and more disciplined person. 

3. I wish James and I started dating in college instead of after he got home from Iraq. 

4. I wish I would learn to think before I speak.

5. I wish I could relive my childhood and teenage years with the experience and knowledge that I have now. Hindsight is always 20/20.

6. I wish my body and mind didn't require so much sleep. I could be so much more productive with those extras hours everyday!

10 Day Blog Challenge: Day Four

Seven things that cross your mind often:

1. God (prayer)

2. James

3. Doing the right thing/saying the right thing

4. "What's for lunch/dinner?"

5. My need to exercise

6. My friends/family

7. My mortality

I would also like to give a little shout out: 
Happy Birthday Dad!