Traverse City Cherry Festival 5K

This was a great race and I hope to do it again! The date of the race falls at the end of the Cherry Festival which has lots of family and kid events, a fabulous carnival with lots of different rides and all on the shores of gorgeous Lake Michigan.

The race started at Northwestern Michigan College Campus and ended in downtown Traverse City. My time for this race was 26:49 - a great improvement over my first 5K earlier this year at 30:15. I can't wait for my next race! I've been thinking about training for a half marathon . . . sounds like a challenging adventure!

Race Results

I ran the River Bank Run 10K today with my friend Laura. We've been training once a week together with our friend Rebekah who couldn't run today due to a serious sinus infection AND being awake all night due to Mucinex. Who knew? It was rainy and windy and gray and hard! I'm not feeling to well, either . . . I have a bad head cold, laryngitis, coughing fits, etc. If you know me at all, you know that I either a) don't fess up to being sick (some might call it denial) or b) don't get sick very often. Really, it's true. Jeff didn't want me to participate but I paid $36 to register and that's a hefty chunk of change out of my (very) little pocket book.

It was so fun! There were people stationed all along the race route cheering us on, mile markers with timers so you could check your time, water and Gatorade stations AND at the end they had water, watermelon, oranges, bananas, bagels, yogurt, granola bars AND a special pin that says 10K River Bank Run 2009 AND my RBR '09 t-shirt. All in all, this race is/was worth every dollar spent!

Our time (we stuck together!) was 58:15. We did do a short walk while drinking some water and Gatorade a little more than half way through. Just to think if we had kept running during our water walk we could have made it in 57:??! does drive me a little nutty.

We've decided that we (Laura, Rebekah and I) are going to keep our weekly running group together and aim for another race. We're looking at the Traverse City Cherry Festival - the Meijer Festival of Races coming this summer and ultimately, we'd like to train/run the Grand Rapids half marathon in October. Woot woot! Aim high, right? Too bad all of this running doesn't have me showing off a leaner physique (yet?!)

Irish Jig Results

I did it! I ran my first 5k last Saturday - after working 3rd shift at the Sleep Clinic, even. Although my time was not too impressive (30:11) it was fun and I think I'll do it again. I ran with 3 other sleep techs and while we were at work the night before we made t-shirts (plain white t with green bubble paint) with our names and the slogan on the back 'Work all night, run all day: Sleep Tech Run Club '09." We're in talks to do the Riverbank Run on May 9. I think I may want to aim for the 10K but we'll see! I'll post pics later.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Mountains

I've been training for a 5k this coming Saturday, 'The Irish Jig.' I've been pushing myself harder, higher, faster, further. 3 mile runs have become a thing of the past as I've decided I can run 5 miles - every time. Well, now I'm loving 6 mile runs -- this is crazy for me at age 33 and 3 kiddos. Especially in light of the fact that I was never a runner before (I liked short sprints!) You might say that I'm addicted. I love the feeling of accomplishment afterward, the endorphin rush and no, I don't mind all the sweat.

I recall lots of sermons based on Matthew 17:20 and 21:21 talking about having faith to face and yes, even move your mountains. Just have faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed and you can move that mountain out of your way. Have you heard one of these sermons?

I've been adding in moderate inclines (think small or medium hills) and some speed work into my daily runs and it has got me thinking about hills, valleys and mountains that we face in our lives. Consider this: is it possible or likely that our Creator might want us to actually climb some of these hills or gulp, mountains? I think so.

As I've added speed, inclines and distance into my runs I've noticed lots of physical, emotional and spiritual changes in myself. Running hard, fast and long makes me stronger in all three areas. Physically I am seeing my body and muscles change over time, my lung capacity increase, my weight decrease. Emotionally I am more strong, confident and capable. Spiritually I know truly "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

So often when facing one of life's hurdles i.e. difficult parts of relationships, finances, parenting, etc. I just want to see that problem disappear miraculously. But as I recall each hardship or difficulty from the past, I also recall lessons I've learned, insights God has given, changed behaviors/attitudes (yes, I'll own up to the desperate need for that:) Each 'mountain' has had immeasurable value in the process and at the end.

Life is tough sometimes. But even when it is tough, or we encounter tough things, we can always be assured that ". . . in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 and that God says in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

There's a little cupful of sunshine I'll drink this afternoon :)

Workin' it Out

Alright, today was another running milestone day for me . . . 5 miles with a brief sprint at the end. I'm getting there! Well, as far as endurance and strength are concerned. I can't seem to stop eating like I'm still prego. Where is my willpower, determination and self-control when it comes to food (okay, wine too?)

I started working out when Viv was 4 or 5 weeks old. She is now 14 weeks and I've lost about 7 -9 pounds. I just can't seem to get it off as quickly as I'd like to. I know that I really need to start shaving away calories and reducing my portion sizes and keeping it to one glass of wine on occasion. The problem lies within the realization that I really just don't want to. I'd be happy to work out 2, 3 hours a day (I know that's weird, but I really enjoy it) but I really have no desire to cut back the caloric intake.

I guess I need to change my mindset from thinking that I can eat/drink extra calories because I'm running/working out frequently to thinking that I don't want the extra calories because I don't want to waste my workout.