Crazy Good

Running three miles without stopping, for me, was a HUGE milestone in my running journey... I can't believe that I actually did it! I mean, I thought I could, but knowing I did is a pretty great thing. I feel like many of my walls that I had put up or that I was facing have been completely knocked down, and know I could run anything I set my mind to.

While it wasn't a fast run, it was still three consecutive miles... My first mile was REALLY hard! I think that is how it has been this week, or anytime I run. The first little bit is always the hardest! I think it took me like, 14 minutes just to run that mile. But then I hit the corner to turn on to mile number 2, and I was super motivated! The nice thing about running way out in the country is that there is nobody out here to here me when I have to motivate myself to keep going, or when I get super excited about the first mile and about the next one!! A little bit in to mile 2, I got into the mode of 'I can run all night'. I felt good, and had found my groove, which was a good feeling. I had started praying at that point, just praying for people in my life and things going on in the world, all while praying for God to get me through the second half of the run. Then my iPod died! I was pretty sad, because it was helping me stay in the groove, but I realized it was a great time to be out in the beautiful country that God created talking to Him.

I also felt a pulled hamstring from softball tightening up at the end of two miles, and I have been dealing with my right foot going numb when I run, and it was like pins and needles in my toes at that time, so I prayed for God to take away the pain. That third mile was pretty awesome, because I was running by my grandparents' house and my uncle's house, and they were out in the barn, so I had my own little cheering section! It was just what I needed to finish out strong. Also, my mom was on her way to my grandma's and drove behind the last .2 miles.. I felt like one of those super awesome runners that run across America and stuff :P

Anyway, it was an awesome experience and it has given me confidence and now I know that I truly can be a runner and I can do things if I set my mind to them. And so can you! I am excited to see where God is taking me with this running thing, and I am excited to feel healthy again. Yay!

Oh, it took me about 37 minutes to run three miles, I think. I thought it would take a LOT longer than that, so I think I will be happy with three miles at about 12 minutes per mile!!! :D

Mission Accomplished

As many of you know, and as I keep letting you know for accountability purposes, my goal is to run a 5K by the end of the summer.

Josh left for a YFC mission trip today, and he will be gone all week, which means Aurelia and I get to visit family in Clare and Mecosta for the week (yay vacation!!). We left Saturday evening, and have been enjoying our stay thus far. It was really great because Saturday night was nice for running, and I went the furthest I have gone yet! Also, it was out in the country on sand/dirt roads, so it was a bit more challenging and hilly than it is back home in Kingston.

It was such a good feeling to know that I finished what I had set out to do... which was run further than I had before at one time. My last distance was 1.85 miles in 24:20. This time I ran 2 miles in 24:53! That is about a 12:26 minute mile, but those numbers are just to help push myself to do better and go further and faster. Anyway, what a great feeling to know that I could run 2 miles! It is also good to know that even though I am on vacation, I still can have the discipline to keep 'training' and to keep getting healthy!

Also, Aurelia went swimming, and abosolutely loved the water! She was splashing and talking and sqealing for quite a while with us in the pool! It was a lot of fun; today is another action packed day with Mommy, Grammie, and Great Grammie as we head to Mt. Pleasant for a girl's day out!

Good Morning Sunshine...

Literally. So I have been planning to run since Tuesday, and because of the heat, I just haven't had the courage to do it... even after Mr. Sun went down... So last night I said, "I'll just run in the morning after Aurelia wakes up and eats"... I was thinking it would be cooler. Well, I did run, but it definitely wasn't much cooler at 8:00 in the morning than it was all day yesterday... at least when running is concerned, it didn't feel like it was! I give many kudos to people who run in the heat... especially to that guy who ran across America in weather like this :P

While the heat and humidity brought a new aspect to my running adventure, it felt good to finally start running again since I had my wisdom teeth removed 13 days ago. It was also a nice change to run in the morning. Since I'm already up and awake, it makes it easier, and I feel accomplished already, and it isn't even 9AM yet!

I still plan on running a 5K this summer, but I will definitely have to get used to at least some heat, since I will probably be running a race in August... I think it would be awesome to have lots of people running it with me. I will keep you posted on when and where it will be. And if you've never run one before, or have never run before, or are just starting, don't let it intimidate you... God made us all to be able to run, and if you put your mind to it, you can do it! We don't have to run fast, and we don't have to run with perfect form, we just have to run! Because its good for us :)

Alright, time for Aurelia to lay down for her morning nap :)

Starting back up...

Today is the day that I am going to start running again... I am going to wait until later though, when the sun is going down, because it is SUPER hot out! I am a bit nervous, because it has been about 12 days since I have run at all, so it is probably going to be a hard run, but I just have to get this one over with so that they keep getting easier. And I won't ever finish a 5K if I don't run until the event... that would just be an ugly sight!

So, I am in this thing to finish it out -- to become a runner, or at least to become a person who can run for more than five yards before I get tired... :P It is also becoming an awesome way for me to trust in God in another aspect of my life. Trusting in God isn't the easiest thing in many different areas of life, some of the hardest for me being finances and self confidence. I remember when I finally figured out that I could run for more than a minute without being completely winded and out of breath, and it was such a great moment that I had to glorify God -- there was simply on other answer for it! So, as I keep trucking on, I remember that I am doing this for God, to make this temple stronger for Him, physically and mentally.

Oh, and also, as some of you know, I am part of a book blog, and when I post a book review on my blog, you should read it and rate my review. You can rate it right from my blog! That way I can keep being a part of the book blog and I can get free books. If you like to read and have a blog, you can join the blog too! Just email me and ask me how :)

One more thing: I am super excited for dinner tonight... I am making broccoli and cheese stuffed chicken breasts with rice and zucchini on the side!! Mmmmm.

5K Bound..

A few weeks have gone with no update on my 'weight loss journey' that I started a little while ago, so here is an update. But first I need to address and change the name of this journey. I was talking to Josh last night and realized -- remembered, really -- that while losing weight is important, the most beneficial thing for me is to feel healthy and in shape. So with that said, I am trying not to focus too much on weight loss right now, and am focusing more on running. I guess we can call it My Running Journey, or something that like that.

I have come a long way in just a few weeks, but as is life, I've had a major setback. Let's start from last week, though... I think Josh and I did a good job of running every day that we were supposed to... We missed our Monday run, but because we were at the cottage, we took advantage of all the different styles of cross-training there and went kayaking, biking and swimming. Thursday I ended up going for a run on my own because Josh was pretty tired from working so much, and it ended up being an awesome run! I was a little apprehensive because I knew that Josh was a major motivator for me on runs, but I ended up running almost two miles without stopping!!! I praise God for that run because now I know that long distance running is a possibility if I trust in Him and put my mind to it.

On Friday, I had to get my wisdom teeth removed, which was the roadblock to this exciting journey... I haven't run since Thursday. I am excited to get back to the grind though, and I hope that it can be sooner than later... my mouth is healing, but it is still sore when I run. And this week has been pretty hectic too... We've had four softball games already, and the Pigeon YFC Auction is this Saturday, so Josh is working long days.

So, I plan on starting running as soon as possible, but I think it might be Monday before I can. Oh, and my goal is to run a 5k by the end of the summer, and I feel like that goal is in sight! I've run close to two miles, and with God, I know that I will have the strength to run three :)

Thanks to all those who have been a blessing to me throughout this journey... all the encouragement really keeps me moving forward toward my goal.

The Final Hour

The Final Hour by Andrew Klavan is an exciting, action-fiction book that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire book. The last book in a four book series, Klavan wraps up the story with unexpected twists in plot and memorable moments. Klavan does well with building up the story and then giving the reader an over-the-top ending.

Even though this series is an action series geared toward teens, I really enjoyed this book and would suggest the series to anyone looking for an easy read that is exhilarating and suspenseful, yet not to gory or scary.

I received this book for free from www.booksneeze.com

Lilies in the Moonlight

"Lilies in the Moonlight" by Allison Pittman is novel about love and second chances. Set in the times after the war, Lily is a girl who, while trying to make money for rent and living, meets a family that shows her about acceptance, love, and what it means to do the right thing. It is a nice story that you will capture your heart and will teach you something more about life.

I really enjoyed reading "Lilies in the Moonlight" and I would suggest it to other readers who are looking for a light and relaxing read. Pittman does a great job building the characters and setting the plot for the story.

I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah.