Running in September and Blessings

I've been following a 10k running plan to get ready for the Turkey Trot in November, and am excited to share that I am running faster, longer than I was before! I've been averaging a 12 min/mile and regularly running for a time in the 10 min/mile range, hills and all! This past week (I know it was the beginning of October), I had my first day that I just didn't feel like I could do the run that was scheduled. So I didn't, we went for a walk, instead. We didn't plan it that way, I just never got up the gumption to start running. Every time I tried, it was a like a mental/physical wall went up and my legs and mind said, "nope, not going to happen." So I didn't.

I've been regularly running 3 or 4 miles, 3 times a week, with a 5 or 6 miler on Saturday. I've found that I have to eat EVERY 4 hours to have the stamina when I run. Normally, I will eat a snack of trail mix or cheese or fruit or something like that. If I don't drink at least 1 liter of water a day (plus juice, and other things like milk and I take part of a powerade when I run), I can't run as fast, long or as hard as I normally do.

We've been getting some forced change of scenery on our runs, but it has been nice. We ran up near the dam this week, and enjoyed our time tremendously. They have some nice inclines and declines and it's not too terribly crowded, at the time of day that we went. The sound of the water and the scenery went from city park to country, and open. It was nice.

Jianna has been more and more talkative the past few weeks. This morning, her allergies were acting up and she sneezed. On me. :) After she realized what had happened and we laughed a second about she said, "Mommy, I blessed you!" I thought, yes, baby, you did! In more than the ways you're thinking about! It was a precious time.

To Run With Music or To Run Without?

I had purchased an mp3-player at one time to run with. But I haven't used it more than 3 times and I was thinking about why last week as I was running. If you know me, I always have some music going at home. I drive with the radio tuned to music. I like to listen to music most of the time. But I've realized that, for me, running is my unplug, disconnect time. It is a time that I put aside my devices to hear and listen and think. It is a time to hear the rhythm of nature (all those wonderful bugs, frogs and birds). To listen to the whir of the wheels on the pavement. To study the changing scene of the trees, grass and foliage during the year. To hear my feet, sometimes slapping the pavement, sometimes lightly being placed on the pavement, sometimes stumbling. It is a time to point out all these things to Jianna. It is a time to just think and ponder life and maybe where I am and where I want to be. It is a time to pray. I spend this time enjoying life and working hard spiritually, mentally and physically to slough off the stress of the day, of the week, of the month. For me, running wipes the slate of my mind clean so that I can face a new day fresh and without the past hanging over me. It is something I enjoy. And I like it to be peaceful, without the input of the radio or mp3-player.

What about you? Which do you prefer? To run with music or without? Have you ever thought about why? Have you ever thought about trying a different way? Did it work for you? Or did it not? Why did/n't it?

Running Goals for September

Well I have a new toy that Jason bought me. It's more of a tool than a toy, but it puts science behind my goals and experiences as a runner. I have a new running watch with a heart rate monitor. Included with this watch is access to a website to help set goals, train and keep track of how I'm doing as a runner. I have found that running with the stroller, when I first started running with the watch, put me into the 16 min/mi pace. And I was huffing and puffing to keep up with that pace! Not good. I have been using the 10k training plan to prepare for the Turkey Trot (even though it is only an 8k). They have had me doing interval training. During interval training, you run for a harder pace for a shorter distance (say for 2 minutes at race pace - 10 min/mi), then rest for 1-2 minutes (slow walk), then repeat 4 or 6  or 8 times, depending on the workout. I have been able to drop my pace to 13-14 min/mi pace for over 4 miles. I was pushing the stroller, as well. I was thrilled! I can see immediate results telling me if I am progressing or if I may need to slow down and rest or whatever the case may be.

So my running goals for September are to continue interval training once or twice a week. I want to include a long run once a week and maybe slip in hill repeats to train for running hills two or three times a month. Maybe I could lose 1-2 lbs this month. We'll see.

Blessings... It's the Simple Things!

Have you ever prayed for something and hoped for something and wished for something that you kind of, sort of needed and would use every day, but you wanted it more than you needed it? And you understood that, so you waited. Then got impatient and started looking around for that something. Then waited (because God said, "Not yet.")... You know where I'm going with this? You (really, I) repeated that cycle several times, then one day, out of the blue, God dropped that something in your lap. And it was perfect. And you were thrilled! And you couldn't contain yourself, because you were so excited! Well, you could say that the "you" in all of the above paragraph is me. Today.

I've seen Jianna growing up for the past several months and I wanted to be prepared and have just the right furniture and just the right bed and, and, and... And God told me, "Not yet." Through circumstances, through wisdom and through Jason. But I got impatient with the waiting and prayed and looked around for what I thought we needed. And everything that I saw I wanted, but God and Jason said, "wait". Well, I wanted to finagle (is that a word?) and work it out on my own, but I decided they probably knew better than me. And I hate conflict, so I waited. Then I would get impatient again with the waiting, and start looking again. And they would tell me to wait, again. This has been happening on and off for the past 6 months or so. Sometimes on a weekly basis. But today, God provided just what we needed,  at just the right time!!

It is a beautiful bed, chest of drawers and book/toy case/bench. All white. And just right! Thank you, God! You know so much better than I do what we need and when! Thank you!

Crochet Baby Blanket

Hello Everyone!

I haven't been on in a while and thought I'd share something that I recently made. But before I do, a little back story...

I started crocheting just at a babysitter's house when I was very young (maybe 6 or 7?). I didn't do much with it after we were no longer seeing her as often. While I was browsing  the crafting section at the library I found a crochet stitch dictionary, "The Ultimate Crochet Bible" (link takes you to amazon.com). I loved the idea of trying out some stitches, so I borrowed it. As I was browsing the different stitches, I saw several I thought looked interesting. So I decided to try them together and see what they looked like. I loved the look, so I made a baby blanket for a baby shower. A guest saw it. Her daughter-in-law was expecting and she asked for me to make her one just like it. The picture below is that blanket. It took me 7 weeks to complete. Some weeks I worked up to 20-24 hours on it, others I worked less. I averaged about 45-60 minutes to complete a 1 inch row 48" long (after it was the proper width, I added an inch border on all sides).

Crochet Baby Blanket 40" x 50"
Finished  July 2013

 It was a fun project to work on while I watched the kids. I could leave it at any time and pick it up at a drop of the hat. I really enjoyed it.