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 in Heavenly Fog

Running today, the beauty of autumn still lingers as winter begins to take hold.

The Holy Spirit begins to settle all around me as a fog, I run towards it and He fills my lungs. As I breathe Him in He revitalizes me. Filling my lungs with each breath, releasing all the negative events of late.

One little tear at a time, the Lord begins to cry, cry for all those hurt and hurting, cry for the unfathomable love He feels for each and every one of us as He walks with us every moment of every day. He helps me release and all of the sudden I take off. Running faster and faster...all my emotions out, my fears out, my sorrow, running myself out so I can let more of Him in.

I run as fast as I can till I have nothing left.  Then the rain changes, from tear drops of understanding to his baptism. With every drop I am reborn in His image.  Recreated within His love. I feel a bond with all the nature around me, I become one with all of His creation. We running with Him....and I feel empowered!

Now I run quickly again, but not because of running away, not to empty my spirit but to fill it!  I can't get enough of His presence. I want more of Him, bless me oh Lord, BLESS ME.

Fog lies before me again and as my body tires I push myself toward it, I need to reach it. To feel His embrace once more and as I finally approach it I feel an intense love for me, one I don't understand.  One I don't deserve but gladly accept.

I finish my run with a new rejuvenated focus on my Heavenly Father and a greater connection with nature.  I needed this and praise the Lord for those in my life who understand this bond, and help motivate me to move beyond my fears of failure, of others hurting me, and most of all my fear of letting others down and what they want for me instead of worrying about letting myself down. Of figuring out what I want for me.  I realize due to my past I've created, to keep myself away from myself.

I cannot wait to rediscover who this Child of Christ really is, once she lets go of everything holding her back.

Crazy Cats & Turkeys

It's been awhile, sorry about that.

I finally ran on the trail the other day, only 6 miles but it was nice to be back there, even for a moment, with just God and nature.

First it was how I was going to be meeting my husband soon, and now it's how amazing I look-God has been really trying to get messages through to me. No matter how I try I cannot seem to get this recent weight gain off, so I've decided to try and accept it, and just be healthy instead.  Not easy for someone like myself especially since it's the heaviest I've weighed in years and years. Fears of being my old overweight self come flooding to my memory still, and it's a continuous battle to fight them off. Could I be happy at this weight, sure probably but the real question is will I let myself?  After that the fact that I'm now 28 it was really hitting home that I'm 2 years from 30 and still single as ever.  It took a bit for me to become comfortable with it, but I think I'm alright now. Not only the little love messages from God, but just finally not caring and enjoying my life either way. As much as I do want someone, I will be totally happy at this point being all on my own for the rest of my life, although I may need to start my cat collection soon, no old maid is complete without one.

Why do I let my weight effect me so much?  Why cannot I get past this?  Who knows, but being a female in today's society I guess it's a battle that I will be fighting until the Lord returns. On that note, a friend posted a really great article about cellulite:

Cellulite: It’s Time We All Just Get the Hell Over It

For any (and every honestly) lady out there, I think this is a good read and really helps put your self evaluations back in the real world, a world where women have cellulite, no matter the size.


In other news, I've wanted to order a new book and have a (free) phone consultation with a new doctor from FloLiving. The book is called Women Code, by Alisa Vitti. A Friend recommended her and she's a holistic doctor so we shall see how this goes!

Also I signed myself, my friend Chelsi, and sister Christina up for the Gobblejog 10k this year!  W00t w00t! Hopefully Tina can get herself back into running mode, but either way it'll be a fun way to start Thanksgiving. This will be Chelsi's first 10k, & since I was there for her first 5k I'm glad I get to be a part of it.

And to end on a happy note, my bff Marie is pregnant again!!! So excited!!!  She has the cutest little girl in all the world.