Author: runnerwithahunger

January 13, 2018

Seems like that’s all it’s been lately, one weather extreme to the next. In the weather’s defense, I did miss out on the two best days of the week- 30* on Tuesday, I lifted, and beautiful, clear, abnormally warm 50* morning Thursday. Had I been smart enough to look at the weather that followed I would have ran Thursday rather than Friday…. Yes, Friday here consisted of down pouring that resulted in flooding. As I get out of bed my husband says to me, ‘I’ll pray for your sanity.’ 😜

Other than the rain, and that first puddle that I tromped in (it’s hard to see the puddles in the dark 😵), it was an ok run! The weather didn’t win but I have to consider it a ‘truce’ because I was planning to do 8 but figured 6 was enough in that weather. 

Then the down pours and flooding turned directly to ice and snow. We went from 58* to 30* in less than 2 hours time…crazy. I feel the area we live in can experience 3-4 different seasons in a weeks time. So, the weatherman got this one right; we ended up with the 6-9″ of snow they called for over night. As I climbed out of bed this morning, my hubby says, ‘there’s no shame in the treadmill hunny.’ (He apparently doesn’t understand how much I  hate the treadmill!)

I’d rather run in falling snow than falling rain, however it required the yak traks as the snow plows were having a hard time keeping up in the early morning. I think I’ve determined that the constant slipping and gripping of trudging through the snow not only slows me down and uses up all my energy, but strains my back issue (SI joint pain) too. I appreciate the beauty of the winter wonderland, but I love the days the roads are dry too! Can’t have it all (not in January anyway 😊). Really missing my running buddy too! She’s definitely smarter than me 😜 and doesn’t hate the treadmill quite as much as I do! 

Main Street winter wonderland:

January 11, 2018

So as I mentioned yesterday, things haven’t seemed to slow down at all from the busyness of the Holidays.  It’s funny how God speaks to you sometimes.. I’m glad He does and I’m glad through the busyness I still make time for Him (most of the time, eek), otherwise it would be harder for Him to speak to me or get through to me; and there’s always something good in it when He has something for you.

I’ve heard the story of Mary and Martha many times (Jesus comes to visit and Martha invites Him into her home and her sister Mary enjoys time just sitting with Jesus, listening to him talk, while Martha is too busy to sit and enjoy this time like Mary because she is distracted by all the preparations); and for the years that I have spent playing the Martha role, I have never felt convicted about it.  I have even made the comment before that I enjoy being busy! (This was a few years ago and I feel like I’m coming to my senses now.) Well, as I said before, its funny how God speaks to you… and maybe it’s just a sign of getting wiser with my old age 😝…. But right smack dab in the middle of the busyness of the Holidays one of my devotions was about the story of Mary and Martha… go figure.  Back up a week before Christmas, just before all the busyness started, at a class we had started attending at church (Soul Care- good stuff!), at the end while we were praying for one another, someone had prayed for me\spoke a word over me: ‘You don’t have to do it all.’  So, God are you trying to tell me something? Perhaps this busyness I used to love and have become so used to, is sucking the joy out of me. My to-do list is always a mile long and probably always will be, but I’m going to make more time to be Mary. I don’t want to miss out on the little stuff, especially while my littles are still little.  I’m going to be intentional, perhaps even put some of the down time stuff ON my TO-DO list!  I already have a date to play a new board game with the kiddos tonight! Not going to miss it for the world! The dishes, laundry, etc. can wait!

What’s God trying to say to you? Are you listening?

January 2, 2018

Well it nearly killed me not getting my run in yesterday, on the first of the year; so I had made up my mind last night that no matter what I was running this morning. No matter the weather, I was running, even if that meant the dreaded …treadmill or dreadmill as I’ve heard it called.  

What? You’re surprised I have a treadmill? I can hear you asking yourself, ‘Then why the heck does she run out in the bitter cold?’ Because that is how much I Hate the treadmill. Isn’t there anyone out there that can relate? I am so much slower on the treadmill, and sweatier…ick…not to mention you aren’t going anywhere. I literally stare at the wall; and music or my favorite TV show make no difference.  As much as I love to run, I can’t wait to be done when I’m on the treadmill! So I choose to run outside as long as it’s not icey or super windy cold. 

The 7 degree weather this morning was not that bad; there was no wind so the negative ‘real feel’ was bogus. There was a dusting of snow covering the roads but it was so cold it was the kind of snow that squeeked under your shoes, not slippery at all and didn’t require me to wear my yak traks.  Over all it was a good start to the year; I never regret getting a run in. 

I told myself I was also going to start a 30 day core challenge (see below). I badly need to start lifting again; my core is in desperate need of some strengthening exercises. I’ll let ya know how it goes.

Good luck in the week/month ahead with the goals you have set! 

January 1, 2018

The new year. New beginnings. 

We all know that many set big new goals or resolutions and the majority fail to follow through.

Yesterday in church we were told a statistic that by the year’s end, only 8% will have stuck with it and accomplished the resolution or goal they set at the start of the New Year. I’d like to think I’m one of those 8%. I’m very goal oriented. I have set resolutions that I didn’t stick with, but for the most part, tend to achieve it if I’ve made my mind up on something. I was thankful to have met my running goal for last year, as I previously mentioned. I also set a crazy resolution when I was 12 to give up cookies and pop; the pop lasted a good 6-7 years and to this day I still don’t eat cookies. I eat enough other junk (brownies, pie, ice cream etc.), I don’t need cookies too. 

I know this doesn’t mean anything…these goals or resolutions are kind of silly. 

I know some don’t even bother setting goals or having resolutions, but I like them and feel almost like I need them to be focused. I’m a planner, like to have a vision, something to focus on. I like goals that are clear and  measurable, easily defined. I’m actually at somewhat of a loss this year. I don’t have any set number of miles I want to reach or marathons I want to do. 

I think more than anything and probably like many others, I want to strive to be a better person. I want to be love; not just show love, but be an example of God’s love. I feel like I’m good at being a friend. I’m  good at being thoughtful, kind, and loving to those who are easy to love.  But it’s in those times when you are tested – waiting in a long line when you are short on time or when the neighbor kids are picking your flowers or playing in your garden, or even when your own kids are pushing your buttons, or those people in your life that you may not always see eye to eye with- it is in these times I want to still respond in or show love. 

I know where and how I have failed in the past and I get down when I focus on the things I’ve done wrong, failed miserably at, or wish I would’ve reacted differently; but I also know it’s Satan who would like me to focus on the negative and see myself as a failure.  Instead I’d like to draw nearer to God and let him lift me up, encourage me, and allow Him to make me into the person He wants me to be. 

So for this year, even though it’s not a measurable, well defined goal, I’d like to be a better person; I want to show love in all those more difficult scenarios. I want to be a more gentle, kind, patient mother. I want to continue to grow in my relationship with God. I want to be present- especially with my kids, putting my stupid phone away. I want to continue to make my husband feel loved. 

That’s one of the best things that happened or changed in 2017- our relationship with God grew as individuals and for the first time, together as a couple. Our marriage did a 180 degree transformation and I am so very thankful for where we are today. Thankful for the opportunity to renew our vows and make each other our world. 

We’ll see what 2018 has in store for us! I know as much as I’d like to get a New Year’s Day run in, at -11* it’s probably not happening today; but there’s always tomorrow. We’ve got a relaxing family day of snuggling, watching movies, and playing with new toys in store anyway…much more fun. 

Do you have any goals or resolutions? Feel free to share them and we can help hold each other accountable. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy New Year ahead! 😊

December 30, 2017

Another cold morning run, which has become the norm for the past week or two; I’ve lost track and just become accustomed to dressing in many layers. Today, approximately 6*, 2 layers of pants, 3 layers of shirts, and due to the 2+ inches of fresh snow, my yak traks too. Without my running partner, I quickly become bored running the same loops around town. Today I headed back out to the beautiful reservoir (I’ve mentioned and pictured before).  It’s beauty can be appreciated in all seasons.

Being my last run of the year, I reflected on all the miles behind me, as well as the past year as a whole. I was thankful to have reached my goal of 1200 miles, improving from 1000 last year; my final total after today’s 8.5 was 1276 miles for 2017. 

I’m weird and like to end with a whole number (9 rather than 8.5), but I knew my total was at a half number so did 8.5 today. 😜

Looking forward to more runs ahead for 2018.