Taking back the trail

So  I know I missed a post from my first long run on a road, and then Mondays run before I even get to today's.

Saturday was a 12 mile run and my first long run on a paved trail. I ran straight from my house to the Silver Comet and brought one goo thing to take half way. It went well and I ran faster then I thought I'd be able to, hitting an average of 8:30 minute per mile.  The weather has been great so that mixed with actually taking a supplement really helped my time.

 yes that is a Vulcan salute 

 my time was really better but I did a cool-down which killed the pace per mile on the bottom, I've still not loaded my data off the Garmin so this is all I've got. I want to put it on a new laptop but doubt that I should spend the money on it, so until I decide to this will have to do.

It was so nice to see so many runners and people on the trails Saturday morning!  Women running in pairs as well as some running alone like myself, as well as men and families.  We cannot let fear control us and scare us away from doing what we love.

Together we can take back the trails.

Monday Tina and I ran at the gym, so nothing very exciting except we got to watch Bones, I've never ran to a show before really so it was interesting.

Today I decided to run the advanced run of 8 instead of the 5 I usually do, mainly cause Saturday I won't be able to do my long run since I'm running the Savage race with a friend that is coming up from Florida.  Again the weather was amazing and Oreo even ran the whole thing with me.  I think that doing the same route (he's a bit scared of cars and cyclists) we always ran in the neighborhood was getting to him so I risked it and took him on the trail which really helped power him.

I will admit that I miss my runs with the Lord...I hate that the idea of trying to run again without music and just my thoughts and prayers to God. The idea of being quiet before Him as nature surrounds me sounds great but impossible for me. I guess at least I still have the desire to be with Him intimately. I just have to find a way we can.

I think training for my marathon, knowing I have certain distances and speeds I need to reach is making it harder, but after I've achieved this I want to return to these calmer runs. The runs I did just for fun, just to being with my heavenly Father.

On a side note we had to reschedule our Prophecy group to Thursday this week in place of Tuesday so cannot wait for that!

Lastly, the group workout I had mentioned in a few posts didn't workout. Which does show me that I think God has me going in a different direction, but at least allowed me to meet two wonderful people along the way. Now I have the rest of this year to save and think about becoming a substitute Ride instructor for Gold's, if they still need one by then.

Running & Revelation 17

Another great run with Oreo. Not quite as fast as yesterday, but still so proud that he ran a little over 5 miles. His time was above 9:30 minute miles but he was definitely getting tired.

I've been trying to figure out the change, and what I think has helped is the temperature dropping (major help), me running him more in general, I've started not holding the leach tight and letting him try to run just on his own around me which I definitely think has contributed. But the last two runs I've also tried something else, encouragement.

When he starts to fall behind I've started calling him, not a quick tug yet just a sweet happy Oreo call. The kind I do when I just get home & want to get him all excited. I really think it helps. Right after calling he usually comes trotting back beside me, or closer at least then he was.  It definitely shows me the power of being positive and an uplifting spirit. Encouragement goes a long way and is something if I am wanting to become certified in Ride I'll need to learn better.

17 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters:

2 With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication.

3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

4 And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:

5 And upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon The Great, The Mother Of Harlots And Abominations Of The Earth.

6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.

7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns.

The drunk with the wine of her fornication reminds me of those who use wine for communion, which I don't find wrong personally let me just say now. Oftentimes the church will use a fancy cup when they do which also reminds me of what is described... But what came to mind this morning is that if they were taking communion and the Lord felt like she cheated on Him, and not just her but lead how many others to do the same...how horrible, openly defying God while acting like you are serving the Lord, you are really mocking Him and His sacrifice. Acting like she's serving God while killing and misleading His people.  
Of course she's riding the beast, so I guess that kinda shows the state that the world is in during this time. Cause also, she is splendorous enough that she causes him, knowing all this about her, to have "wondered with great admiration"

Hard to imagine anyone would look up and follow someone like that, yet we will, and then again, look at most of the celebrities and sport stars, artists, and politicians. Look at what they do, listen to the news and see it's not hard to believe after all...

It's all gone to the dogs...

So today I did another 5 miles with Oreo, and although I felt exhausted before I even started and I worried about my knees handling it, we had a very good run. With the breeze and slightly cooler temperature it felt awesome. And he did great!

For the first time in what feels like forever (although really less then a year) he ran over 3.5 miles and didn't drag me.

The first 3 miles he ran at an average 9 minute mile pace, and the last 2.5 at less then 9:30 minute miles.  I am so very proud of him!

Last night I took r30 (the short & sweet bike class at Gold's Gym) and then did back and arms again before heading home.

I'm really considering getting my certification with ride so I  can be a substitute instructor...I really do enjoy the class.  But that is a long ways away from now.

I have some time to decide, and see how group workout does, but I really do think I may try to get certified next year once my marathon is overwith. What attracted me to Strong was the christian background it had, but they've kinda watered it down to attract more people...but then to me, it makes it no different then all the other "group" workouts out there, and we have a few in the area already...so I'm just not sure.

In the meantime, aside from my obstacle races, I have a half  I might do with a friend for Thanksgiving in place of my Gobblejog 10k/5k I usually do and maybe a couple 5ks with another friend, so things are coming along!

In our prophesy group we have been having an in-depth study of the day of the Lord and are about to discuss the various views on the rapture, or great catching away, which should be interesting!

Monday quicky

So first day of my second week, ran at the gym again today. Went nicely which I was worried about honestly after my long trail run Saturday. Did abs after and stretched. So workouts I'm doing well, eating and portions not so much lol but I can't think of my past failures but how I can do better from now on.

Gotta keep my post short today bit I'll catch y'all up later!

trail running to honor

So after work yesterday I split my warm up between the arc trainer and the stair climber, 15 minutes each thanks to my friend who convinced me to push myself and do the stairs (I almost didn't worrying about my knee-which did totally fine). I then did upper body and back, still working on my unassisted pull-up goal, even though I'm taking a break from attempting them.

I started my morning finally trying to have something to prepare (I usually workout on an empty stomach on Saturday mornings just cause I don't feel up to anything) and did a shake with some unsweetened almond milk, which was light enough I could handle it but filling enough for the adventure that awaited me. I'm really loving this protein powder by P4P! No sponsoring needed for me either I just really do like the protein powder, it's good quality stuff. Thanks to Kenneth  (use his code Hulk15 to save 15%) for introducing me to it. I have the ice cream sandwich flavor now but need to try the chocolate lol.

Today I chose to do my first long run on Sweetwater Creek State Park with a group of friends. It was a slower run but it was really fun and way more challenging for me then just running on the paved roads and trails I'm accustomed to. 

After getting slightly off course the first lap, having to slow to a walk a little during the rocky edge near the river, I finished at 6 miles and one of the guys ran a second lap with me for the remaining 5 (since I really am not supposed to run alone, although I do it got kinda empty there sometimes). It was really nice to run with someone again, although I felt bad cause I knew I was holding him back. He told me what someone told him once, something like a runners oath, "you run with those faster then you to push you, and in turn run with those slower then you to pass the same along to another".  If I can run with people slower then me, I need to learn to be okay with running with people faster then me again.  

He also let me have his coconut water which I don't drink often cause usually I find it kinda gross, but this was actually good!

My long run was supposed to only be 10 miles but I upped it 1 for a virtual run I wanted to do, 11 on the 11th, or for me 11th for the 11th. I couldn't afford it and a new friend surprised me and bought the virtual entry for me!  So grateful and honored that he would, it made this mean even more then it already did. Not only running with friends, but now for a friend, who cannot run anymore. Plus running for our country and those that helped others and lost their lives that horrible day in 2001. While the one act spoke of the horror of humanity, the response after shows the love and greatness that we are capable of!  We can do so much when we come together in love.

Running about with nowhere to go

Today I went it alone for my 5 miles and headed close to the busy street leading to the Silver Comet Trail. After the attack it's still weird for me to run there, but I really enjoyed it and did way better on my time today.  While yesterday just staying above 10 mph was good, today I stayed above 9 mph and actually hung out around 8:30 for an average mph.

I then rushed home, against my usual desire I made a quick chicken onion healthier quesadilla with avocado, salsa, and some homemade pinto beans with it...and then rushed back out to go for group workout...where Isabel and I ended up talking and having nobody show up.

I do think God used it, we had a great conversation and she helped me face some things about myself I need to deal with and work on. One being my self esteem and self confidence. I need to learn to trust myself and stand up for me. She also suggested us running a half together which I am totally game for!

Anyways we never ended up working out and I  headed back home where I tried doing some squats and lunges really quick, but I think I over stretched my right hip so squats didn't happen very well... 

5 mile hump day & a STRONGer tomorrow

So today was day 3, and one of the first days we didn't have a rain or storm change looming over my head, so with the beautiful weather I was really looking forward to going on my run today.

The training schedule has either a 5 mile for beginners or 8 mile run for advanced. I was considering the 8 miles if I ended up feeling super awesome during my run, although this is still by first marathon my ego and excitement thought I could handle it...until I got out there that is.

Headed home after work, changed and hooked up Oreo (my furry running buddy) we started out slow, but I was sure after warming up our speed would improve...I was sure...

So that didn't really happen. Usually Oreo can make it for 3 miles but after 1.7-2 miles he was kinda done so I ran him up to the yard and dropped him off.  Hoping that it was partly him slowing me down I started on my own, but yeah no.  My speed didn't improve much, in fact my mind kept wandering off into everything else I didn't need it to, everything about after I was done running.

I was running only to finish running...which is no way to run

I had to make myself focus, prayed for the Lord to help me push through, and finally with His help my speed got better and I finished my run with an extra half mile added for a total of 5.5 miles.

God pulled me through.

After I did my abs routine, same as Monday, and stretched...

I have our second group workout event tomorrow, along with another 5 mile run so I'm kinda scared at how crazy tomorrow will be...only by the Lord above with I survive.

I'm starting to feel so pulled thin, it's hard cause I have a passion for so many things and have so much I want to accomplish, but I've been wanting to run a marathon almost my whole life. It's been on my bucket list from the beginning. Trying to do both is hard to pull off.

I just have to believe that if God gave me the passion He will give me a way

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." 

Joshua 1:9King James Version (KJV)

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

1 Corinthians 10:13King James Version (KJV)

rollin' with my homies and the prophecy group

So today was a cross training day, so I took r30 at Gold's gym, a 30 minute bike class at the gym and then hit a back & arms workout before heading home.  Some of the instructors have talked to me about getting certified to teach ride and becoming a substitute instructor...I didn't realize I was good enough for that. Being a white girl I fit the stereotype of having no rhythm...really I can dance the running man and the macarena.  After discussing with two instructors I respect and looking into it, I cannot afford the training currently and with my marathon training schedule and Team Strong starting I don't want to add it to my schedule, plus it's too expensive to get certified. I'm hoping at the start of next year I might be able to though.

(old picture from my birthday but hey it's what I had)

On Tuesdays I've started attending a Prophecy small group, my mother and her friend host, Sharron and Sharon. I kinda think of it as the Prophecy group by Sharron², two Sharon's for the price of one. Every Tuesday we discuss current events relating to the bible and end times prophecy. My mother has done so much research in this and shared with Sharon, and I've read a bunch she's recommended so it's been very interesting and people I've not even thought originally would be interested have really taken to it so it's been really great.

It brings to mind Acts and the early rain when the church was in the houses, and now the latter rain should be the same.  I don't seem to really feel God and the Lord in church the way I used to, while I go, it seems more about the church as a government then it really does a relationship with the Lord God Almighty.  And with so much going on nowadays that is an obvious sign of the times, it's nice to get together with other believers and discuss what God has been putting on our hearts, encouraging each other, praying, and just the fellowship.  It gives me hope in a world that has so little in it.

Marathon blogging

Hello and sorry it's been awhile. I've thought of posting many times but never did manage to get on here. So today, the same day I start my marathon, my goal is to blog it's progress daily, or at least after the runs.

My plan has me running Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, with a long run on Saturdays.  I plan to try and do strength training on the other days with 1-2 day(s) off.

So here's the tentative schedule:

Monday - run / abs / stretch

Tuesday - r30? / back, chest, arms

Wednesday - run / abs / stretch

Thursday - run / workout

Friday - off / back, chest, arms

Saturday - long run / stretch

Sunday - off / back, chest, arms

I'm not sure if I want my full day off before or after the long run, and also as distance increases whether I should cut and have 2 days off or not but we shall find out!

Today was day 1 and I had to run 6 miles. Wanted to outside but threat of bad weather scared me into the gym instead.

Not my best time but I was going for just a more fun run being my first day. After using Pinterest I found this abs workout which really got me!

 

I only did 3 sets but I'm hoping by the end I'll be up to the 5 sets. 

Anyhoo, here we go!