Independence Day 2019

It’s hard to believe that it is July already. Summer just got here, but it seems like it is slipping away so quickly. Before we know it, summer will be gone, it will be fall, and we’ll be slipping into winter. After that comes the new year! Sigh.

Tomorrow is a big day here in the U.S. It is our Independence Day celebration. What are your plans for Independence Day? Growing up it meant a block party! There were five houses on our street. In the evening people would begin to gather. We had all kinds of homemade treats to sample. The most exciting treat was always the homemade ice cream. There was often a strawberry sauce to put over it if desired. There was always homemade hot fudge sauce. Once we had our fill of ice cream, cake, brownies, and fudge sauce it was time for the fireworks. Most of the time the weather cooperated. I can remember times that it was so cold that we were sitting out in the yard in our sleeping bags.

Times have certainly changed. We’re all much older now. Some have passed away, others have moved away. None of us have the metabolism or the stomach to eat pounds of sugar in one sitting.

Tomorrow I’ll start my day with a 4-mile race that goes to benefit a local hospital. This is the third time I’ve done this run. It’s a small race in a small town and lots of fun. Afterwards, I’ll have my BLE muffins for breakfast. They’re really good, but nothing compares to homemade ice cream and Mom’s hot fudge sauce! (Hot fudge sauce on a blueberry muffin? Now you’re talking!)

Later, we’ll get out our copy of the Declaration of Independence and give it a read. It’s a nice reminder once a year. I often do it in the car–it’s easy to hold everyone’s attention there.

Freedom is a valuable thing. We’ve had so much of it, that we often take it for granted. We have reaped a bountiful harvest yet are not cautiously storing up for the famine around the corner. We don’t even recognize when our freedom is slowly being taken away. Our founding fathers understood the value of freedom and what it was like to live without it. They and their families were willing to give up everything to guarantee that you and I would have the luxury of living in freedom. Let’s honor them, as we should, on this carefree day.

Physical freedom is a great thing. Let’s not forget where the most important freedom, spiritual freedom, comes from.

 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  John 8:36

Lee’s Birdwatching Adventures has a nice Independence Day post. Hop on over there and check it out!

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It’s Summer!

Yes! Summer is here! It’s my favorite time of year. What’s yours?

I feel like summer is a time to be free and enjoy the outdoors. As a school-age child, summer meant no school and lots of time to play outdoors. As a homeschool mom, it’s almost the same feeling! It’s a time to lighten up on the academics and to concentrate on being outdoors and preparing for the next school year. Planning the next school year and seeing what we’re going to be learning is always exciting.

Summer is a time of lots of fresh fruits and vegetables in season. Lately we’ve had blueberries on sale in the grocery store. I love blueberries and have been able to have fresh blueberries instead of frozen with my BLE breakfast every morning.

I love going to our local farmers’ market and loading up on local produce. I take my fold-up wagon and buy what’s available–corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, eggs, fresh made bread, and the list goes on and on.

June 21st is often referred to as the “longest day of the year.” I know it’s not actually the longest day of the year since all days have 24 hours in them. However, it is the day with the most day light. That is the one drawback of summer–the days are going to start getting shorter in terms of daylight.

Our summer started with thunderstorms, a possible gustnado, and torrential downpours this morning. There were 18,000 people without electricity due to high winds and lightening strikes. There were over 25 water rescues due to flash flooding. However, tomorrow is bringing us warm, 90 degree weather. After a morning run, we are planning on being poolside!

What are your summer plans?

He made the moon for the seasons; The sun knows the place of its setting. Psalm 104:19

A Huge Disappointment, Second Quarter Update

April’s race was the Tortoise and Hare. This is a small race in a small town. I was not able to do this one last year due to a conflict, but I did run it with my two daughters in 2017. We had quite the weather change, and it was my first warm race of the year!

Transitioning from winter to summer is always difficult for me. It takes me longer than it should to shed the extra layers, so I often end up too warm. That was the case for this race as well. The forecast was for it to be foggy and cloudy that day, and I was counting on it. We were lined up at the starting line waiting for the gun to go off, when the fog lifted and the sun came out. I could immediately feel the warm sun on me, and my first thought was that this was not good.

I was wearing my running jacket that I really, really like. I quickly looked for a place to ditch it, but didn’t see one where I thought it most likely would still be there when I got back. Instead, I ended up taking it off and running the entire race with my jacket tied around my waist. It was aggravating, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

May’s race was the Brandon Russell’s Flash Dash 5K. I ran this race last year as well. This race is on a very flat course that zigzags through town. Last year it rained and rained until the race started. This year the rain started right before I got to the finish line. It was warm, so it felt good!

June’s race, the Hero Hustle, was a welcome surprise! I had a friend that had registered for a race but was going to be out of town, so she transferred her race entry over to me. She ended up canceling the trip and registering for the race again so we could run it together.

We have had the wettest May on record–ever. The original location set for the race is now under water and has a bridge washed out making it impossible to hold the race there. The race coordinators were able to find another location for the race. The race was held in a park with a walking trail. It rained and rained the night before the race, making it hot and humid. The shaded trail of the park was very much appreciated. My time for this race was not lightening fast, and I don’t expect it to ever be, but it was the best time I’ve had in a long time!

I mentioned in last week’s post that the Couch to 5K program was going to be kicking off this week and that I had been asked to help coach. We did not have enough people sign up for the program, so it has been canceled for this season. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was to hear this. However, our coach has offered to go ahead and meet with anyone that wants to, so we are still meeting! None of us are new runners, and we’re all training for various races and distances, so we are getting together and working on speed and distance. It’s going to be a great summer with lots of hard work ahead!

The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9

It’s Global Running Day

Today, June 5, is Global Running Day. What is Global Running Day?

Global Running Day is a worldwide celebration of running that encourages everyone to get moving. It doesn’t matter how fast you run or how far you go—what’s important is that you take part, and how you do it is up to you. Run a lap around your block, take your dog for a long walk, or call your friends for a pick-up game in the park. The important thing is that you have fun being active—and you inspire others to join you.

I’m in a group that regularly meets on Wednesday nights, so we’re having extra fun tonight. We have a photographer coming to take pictures along our route and the pizza place we meet at is having specials for us tonight. It’s a time of fun and fellowship!

There are plenty of specials online as well. Discounts on races and drawings for prizes. Fun, fun, fun!

Our local running store is asking people to post pictures of their favorite running buddies which might get you a free race entry. My two daughters are my favorite running buddies.

My two daughters are my favorite running buddies.

The important thing is to get out and have fun with the people that you love.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and [yet] walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
I John 1:6-7

The Indulger

Who is the Indulger?  He’s that little voice inside of your head telling you that you “deserve” something.  He likes to hang out with the Rationalizer who will tell you that it’s ok–that little bite won’t matter.

My Indulger is alive and well.  He likes to talk to me when I step into the grocery store.  One day last week I ran into the grocery store to pick up one thing after running with friends.  We ran right at dinner time, so I was hungry and ready to eat.  I also knew that my dinner was at home waiting for me.

As soon as I stepped into the store, my Indulger started talking to me.  “You’re hungry.  You deserve it!”  Then the Rationalizer spoke up too, “You just ran four miles.  That candy bar won’t matter.  No one will know.”  I went to the produce department, grabbed the vegetables I came in for, and then headed for the checkout.  Since I only had one item, I went through the express checkout which also has less candy.  I turned my back to the candy shelf.  I kept thinking about how I would feel afterwards if I did get that candy bar.  I checked out quickly and made it through unscathed.

During another trip to the grocery store I had a cart full of things to pick up.  I was doing ok until the end of my trip.  The last aisle in my grocery store is the dairy section.  I picked up a few things and was ready to head to the checkout.

There it was.  That little shelf of tasty morsels that have been strategically placed as you’re leaving the dairy aisle.  And there’s the sign, saying that they’re 10 for $10, so at $1 each you know it’s a bargain.  And within reach, there they were–Sno Balls.  Pink Sno Balls.  Nostalgia and memories kicked in, and my Indulger started to go wild.

As a kid, Sno Balls were my favorite junk food.  They were always prominently displayed at the checkout counter.  I would beg my mother for them every time we would go to the grocery store.  She didn’t always give in, but I had them often enough.  One great thing about them is that there are two!  You can have one now and one later–that is if you can manage to put the second one away for safe keeping.

My Indulger was telling me that it would be ok.  I had just gone for a run.  The calories wouldn’t matter.  My Rationalizer was telling me that I could have one today and one tomorrow.  I stood there, I stared, I contemplated.  I knew that once I opened the package that I could not eat just one.

Finally, I walked away.  I felt a strong desire to go back and grab that package, but I didn’t.

It’s taken a while, but I’ve learned how to deal with the Indulger and his buddy the Rationalizer.  The first and most important step is to not give in right away–to delay that decision and to put them off for a few minutes.  If I can stop to think about how I’ll feel afterwards and how eating this “treat” is going to make me feel the next day (usually lots of inflammation), then I can make a better decision based on ALL the facts.  The truth is, it’s not worth how I’m going to feel the next day.  It’s not worth watching the scale go up overnight, and then taking the rest of the week to go back to where it was.  It’s not worth the cravings it’s going to put into motion.  It’s not worth taking two or three days to get completely back on track.

We were made to crave, and the food manufacturers know this.  Scientifically, they have figured out how to create food that we will crave and become addicted to.  Breaking the addiction and the craving cycle is very difficult.  However, we have more knowledge now about this than ever before, and it can be done.  This is what Bright Line Eating (BLE) is all about.

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.  Psalm 42:1b

 

First Quarter Update and My First Running Injury

I haven’t posted an update on running for a while, so I thought I would do that for this week’s post.

Running outdoors is very weather dependent.  And once you start enjoying running outdoors, the thought of running indoors, especially on a treadmill, is almost crippling.  I’d almost rather do anything else but run on a treadmill.

That said, we had a very snowy and icy winter this year.  Our Sunday church services were cancelled three Sundays this past winter.  Most of the schools in the area have started taking away holidays and days off to make up for the days the schools were closed this winter.  So, even on days where it was unfit to run outside, it was also too treacherous to drive to a gym or to the caves to run.  There were lots of days that we opted to stay home for safety.

For January, I again registered for the Battle of the Bean 5K.  This race was early Saturday morning, and we had a snow storm predicted for Friday night into Saturday morning.  At packet pickup, everyone was being asked if they were planning on attending the race.  If not, you were not given a timing chip.  I went to packet pickup with full intention of running the race on Saturday morning.  We all got a nice mug like last year except that they were blue this year.

As predicted, the snow and the blowing wind came.  The race was still on, but my friends and I decided that it was not worth the risk to drive across town and then run on a major thoroughfare and risk getting hit by a car.  And, after seeing photos from the race, it was clear that we made the right decision.

For February, I again registered for the Sweetheart Run 5K.  This was my third time to run this race.  We had had lots of snow and ice a few days before the race, so I did go check out the route when I went for packet pickup.  I was glad I did, as the parking lot was literally a sheet of ice since it was at a place that has closed and is no longer in use.  The route had lots of snow and slush on it, but I saw a snowplow working on it, so I was hoping it would be in better condition by race time.

Race time came.  It was cold, and crunchy.  All the snow and slush was now frozen into ice.  It was a whopping 14 degrees with a 13 mph wind.  The emcee was telling people that if they didn’t want to run that they could hand in their timing chip in exchange for their medal.  Most people were taking him up on his offer.  I thought about it, but decided that I knew I would get warmed up once I got started.

The race was slow-going but doable.  Everyone had slowed down to where it was pretty well one big pack.  It was cool, but I did get warmed up once we got going.  Then at the mile two marker I stepped on a ball of ice from the snow plow and rolled my ankle.  It was excruciating, but I did not think it was as bad as the last time I rolled my ankle.  I tried running after that, but couldn’t.  I had to walk the rest of the way, but I finished.  This was the coldest, crunchiest, iciest, and most treacherous race I’ve ever run.   This was also my first running injury.

March’s race was again the Hospital Half and 5K.  Actually, I believe they gave it another name this year, but we’ll go with this one.  This is my third year for this race as well.  I was still recovering from my ankle sprain and had done some walking but no running at all.  I had a friend that injured her knee a few days before the race, so we decided to walk the race together.

It was cold, and the wind was blowing.  The race also started and ended at a different location with a whole new route.  The vendor expo was inside, which was probably a good thing with the cold and wind.  The new route was extremely hilly.  I’ve heard that there were enough complaints that it will be a different route next year.

Once I saw the finish line, I couldn’t walk any more.  I ran across the finish line, which ended up being a wise decision.  This little sprint made me second to the last in my age group by two seconds!

This will give you a summary for the first quarter of 2019.   I will write more on what has been happening in my next post.

A plan in the heart of a man is [like] deep water, But a man of understanding draws it out. Proverbs 20:5

 

Self-Care

Last summer I did participate in the Couch to 5K program except that our coach also offered a 5K to 10K program.  The race we’ve traditionally run at the end of the program offers a 5K or a 10K option, so it was an easy addition to the program.  I registered for the 10K program.

I ran more miles last summer than ever before, but I made a huge mistake.  The school year before had been stressful and difficult, so I really felt like I just needed to rest and relax.  So, I decided to relax and have fun with my running.  Instead of listening to a metronome to keep my pace on track, I toyed with listening to music.  I tried different genres and different tempos, but never found a tempo to keep my pace where it should be.  I know a lot of people listen to music or podcasts while running.  It just doesn’t work for me.

I naturally want to run slow and with a long stride, so that’s what happened.  My stride got longer and I got slower which makes for more work on the body.  By the time I realized this, it was so late in the program that I decided to not try to correct it at that time.

I did complete the program and ran my first 10K!  It was a great feeling of accomplishment.  Cinderella participated in the Couch to 5K program for the first time and did a great job as well. By this time, I was the heaviest I had been for a few years.

I’ve learned that relaxation can come in the form of self-care.  That has been my focus in 2019, which is why I’ve shared with you some of the new things I’ve been doing this year–like journaling and Bright Line Eating.  Little things like this add up quickly and can give us the energy we need to do other things well.

If you’re feeling tired, exhausted, discouraged, or burned out, I encourage you to find some things that you can do regularly to take care of yourself.  Think of it as maintenance just like you would maintain your car to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.  Filling it up with gas, keeping the oil changed, keeping the tires aired up, giving it a wash and wax every now and then are all important in keeping your car running smoothly so it will perform the way you want it to.  We must do the same for ourselves, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28

Another Four Miles on the Fourth

July’s race for 2018 was the CRMC 4-Mile run which was on Independence Day.  This is the same four-mile run we did last year, with the same course.  The money from the race goes to support a local hospital.

This year, we had more friends join us for this race.  Cinderella decided that she wanted to run this race this year as well, so she also joined us.  Why she wanted to run this race so badly, I have no idea.  I tried to remind her that race time was at 7:30 am, that it was a 40 minute drive, so we would be getting up very early.  She insisted that she still wanted to run this race.

A friend and I went together for packet pick up the day before the race.  This was her first time to run this race, so after packet pick up we went and drove the course.  At least we knew what the course was this time!

I was immediately reminded of the steep hill at the beginning of the race and the hill at the end of the race as well.

Race day morning was ugly.  All the excitement of the race had worn off, and getting up and out of bed at an unreasonable time no longer seemed fun to Cinderella.  However, she did get up and get out the door.

We were plenty early, which worked out well since my oldest daughter still had to register.  There was a playground nearby that kept Cinderella and Sofia the First occupied.

Start time was finally here, and we were off.  The sun was bearing down and felt very hot so I was trying to run wherever there was shade.  After about the first half mile Cinderella decided she couldn’t run any further.  We did some walking and I tried to encourage her to do some more running, but to no avail.  Then I tried running ahead quite a distance, but that didn’t work either.

Finally, I decided to suck it up and walk with her.  She was extremely cranky, and being around her was not pleasant.  I reminded her that I was five times her age.  At one point she asked me to let her win.  I told her not to worry, that I would let her go ahead of me across the finish line.

At the three-mile mark was a water sprinkler that felt really nice.  Shortly after that was a group of cheerleaders.  For some reason, Cinderella decided that was her cue to run; and run, she did.  She took off like a bullet and there was no reason for me to even try to keep up!  She crossed the finish line before I did, and it wasn’t because I let her win.  She was so excited to get second place in her age group!

Afterwards, we went to the same local diner as last year and had breakfast.  Seeing men in uniform was yet another reminder of the great country we live in and the sacrifices individuals and their families make every day so we can enjoy our freedoms.  Thank you to all that have served.

Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof, Leviticus 25:10

Watkins Mill 6K

Saturday, June 16, was the Watkins Mill Get Outdoors 6K.  Proceeds for this race benefit the Watkins Mill Association.  As I mentioned last year, this race is near and dear to my heart.  I grew up just a few miles from the park (before it was a park), and our family spent lots of time there especially once the lake and trail were built.

The race is held on an asphalt trail that encircles the lake.  As all runners know, the first mile is the hardest, and this one is especially hard as you run across the dam in full sunlight–no shade whatsoever.  However, once across the dam, the rest of the race is shaded.

A friend and I prepared for the race by going to the lake a few times and running the actual race route.  Our last time to go around the lake was especially tortuous, as I had a few horseflies that decided I was a horse.  For about two miles, they were literally swarming around me and biting me.  In self-defense, I ended up using a towel to swat at them.  They finally left me alone at the end of the route.

On race day it was much warmer than last year at a bright, sunny 78 degrees.  I remember about two-thirds through the race thinking, “my feet feel like soup.”  We all know the story of the Tortoise and the Hare and the saying that “slow and steady wins the race.”  In this case, maybe it should be, “slow and steady finishes the race.”  The last few races I’ve participated in, someone has been taken away in an ambulance.  This race was no exception.  The only thing I can think of to do in those situations is to pray.

Finish the race, we did.  I don’t think that any records were broken, but the important thing is the good time together with family and friends.

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  James 4:14

 

A Sentence a Day for May 2018

As always, May was another busy month.  Once it warmed up, soccer came to an end.  Then there were graduations and Mother’s Day.  Finally, Memorial Day is often looked at as the official start of summer.

1.  Tuesday:  It is starting to feel like summer:  80 degrees and humid.
2. Wednesday:  We had our first tornado drill of the season tonight.
3. Thursday:  I sweated more today than I have in a long time, and it felt really, really good.
4. Friday:  We had about a week of spring, and now summer is here.
5. Saturday:  Cinderella’s last soccer game was today.
6. Sunday:  I got to spend lots of time with Liam today.
7. Monday:  We heard a loud crash this morning and later found that it was all of my medals crashing to the floor.
8. Tuesday:
9. Wednesday:
10. Thursday:  I finally broke down and turned the a/c on tonight since DH had a fire outside and I couldn’t open the windows.
11. Friday:  I am thankful that Cinderella got to meet some new friends today.
12. Saturday:  It was exciting for a young man to get a “robin hood” in archery this morning.
13. Sunday, Mother’s day:  It would’ve been nice to stay home and rest, but it was a good day anyway.
14. Monday:  Cinderella got to go to an art class this evening.
15. Tuesday:
16. Wednesday:  I had a good run tonight, but I think I need bigger shoes.
17. Thursday:  This evening was the last day of our C25K program.
18. Friday:  The Brandon Russell Flash Dash is tomorrow, and it’s supposed to be a wet one!
19. Saturday:  We went to my nephew’s graduation party tonight–it just doesn’t seem possible.
20. Sunday:  Cinderella got to see a high school graduation today.
21. Monday:  The first day of ITBS for Cinderella.
22. Tuesday:  It was fun to get together with the C25K group one last time.
23. Wednesday:  I made it four miles tonight, but it nearly killed me.
24. Thursday:  I am feeling pretty zapped today.
25. Friday:  We spent the evening with the princess who keeps getting ornerier and ornerier.
26. Saturday:  I just want one day where people do things for me instead of the other way around.
27. Sunday:  It was a hot and miserable run at the mill today.
28. Monday:  I ended up babysitting the grandkids this afternoon.
29. Tuesday:
30. Wednesday:  We had a hilly, but interesting, route with the Rock & Run group.
31. Thursday:  It was nice not to have to go to vision therapy today, but that meant doing it on our own at home.

 

Brandon Russell Flash Dash

Will run for food.

Gorgeous and he knows it.

April showers bring May flowers.