I think I can...I think I can... I think I can...

I wrote an eloquent blog post in my head yesterday about running, as I ... ran. But the heat must have evaporated it right out and left in its place jumbled thoughts and rambling words. Oh well! :)

My blogging/running friend, Wendy, once encouraged me that 'the hardest part of running is getting out the door.' (see her repeat that encouragement in this cute, motivational post.) That's certainly been true this summer! So many days I don't make it out until the heat is unbearable and running isn't fun.

Yesterday, I tried to beat the heat. It was only 77 when I decided to run, but 86 by the time I fed the kids, found all my gear, and hit the trail. It was 91 before I was done. (and approaching triple digits by the end of the day - yowza!) Makes a huge difference when this sun-beaten, windy, 1/4 mile uphill section of the trail is in your loop! (the pic doesn't do it justice - it's a beast and I felt a sense of accomplishment when I conquered it twice yesterday!)

It is a small victory - only hashed out 2.5 miles with a disappointing time - but I'm proud of myself for hanging in there. And I'm thankful for so many things: that I'm healthy enough to run, for strong legs to run with, beautiful park trails, teenagers that babysit, and even for the heat. Yes, the heat. As another friend (also named Wendy :) reminded me this morning, the seasons are a blessing - one that God promises will continue until the Lord comes (see Gen 8). And the heat of summer reminds us to be thankful for the refreshing cold of winter, and vice versa. "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." I Thessalonians 5:18

(I found a race. It's a 5k, and sooner than I'd like. But my husband has some business that will take him to my hometown over Labor Day, and it's for a great cause, so I signed up! Still shopping for a late-fall/ cooler temps road race close to home.)

(Oh, another funny side note - yesterday was a first for me: I spat on the trail! [not on the trail of course, ha ha] I'm always amused by the evidence of spitting runners - never thought I'd be one!)

Comments

Mary@notbefore7 said…
Yaaay! I have not run since getting mono in May. *sigh But mono isn't the excuse anymore...just heat and motivation! I am more like the garfield comic you have - squishy feeling myself :)
August 4, 2011 at 9:18 PM
Wendy said…
How did it go? I've been meaning to ask you for awhile.
October 20, 2011 at 12:03 PM
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