Me vs, The Universe

It seemed like the universe was against my workout yesterday. I had a sock mishap (that I would explain but it's embarrassing .. we'll leave it at that), then the road I take to get to Woodlawn was closed for an accident and I had to take this winding meander through some not-so-good side streets, and when I got there, it was so windy I got dirt in my eyes - and for those of you fellow contact wearers, this is a very painful experience.

But I persevered. I told myself I would compromise, and just do two miles, which is less than I would normally do. The wind kicked up even more, and I felt like I was running against some big guy trying to push me backward. Not fun.

However, I finished and couldn't believe how fast it really went by. It was less than 22 minutes, and I can certainly handle 22 minutes of cardio workout. I'm glad I didn't skip, no matter how much I wanted to. And really, the biggest drive for getting me there and keeping me from skipping was knowing I have a 5K on Saturday morning. Otherwise, I might have chosen to go home instead of lacing up my sneakers and giving my body a challenge. (I think it's obvious my biggest driving force was God, but hopefully that goes without saying.)

And of course, I'm always grateful I did it, and refused to give up. It makes me feel good about myself, and reminds me that if I were in control of this whole life, things would never get done. :)

Givers Anonymous?

God has done a wonderful thing in that I have a spirit of giving like I never have had before.

The downside is ... I give away all my money! Not that that's a bad thing, but I do need some of it for myself too.

It seems there is a season right now where many people are heading into long and short term mission trips. And every person who asks, I want to immediately write them a check for as much as I can possibly give. But since I want to give to so many, it means I have to spread out the love.

I've never thought much about giving (outside of tithing) but now that I've spent so much of my time living off the faithful support of others, I know how important even a $20 gift is! I also know what a huge blessing such gifts are to those receiving. So I can't help myself - I want to give to everyone!

My priority in giving is supporting friends still in HK, but I also want to support friends here who are heading into missions. I also want to give to every worthy cause I come across, buy food for the food pantry at church, adopt every child on the Angel Tree, send all the Proclaimers out into the world, and anything else I can do. Of course, I'm not financially able to do all those things, but I have a desire and a JOY in giving that I never knew before. I love it! I have finally begun to allow God to free me from the trappings of money.

It's still good!

Yesterday was a beautiful day. Tuesdays are always my first run for the week, and therefore always the hardest. Thursday is pretty good, and Saturday runs are awesome. Yet each Tuesday, I am excited and determined that this time, it will be fine. Yesterday was no different.

Yet, despite eating the same as I always do, as I drove the short distance to Woodlawn Lake yesterday after work, I started to get these awful hunger pains. I had even just eaten some fruit, which I usually do pre-run to boost my energy. But it didn't matter. I never get hungry like that, because I make sure to eat something before I run.

Well, I set out to do three miles, but stopped at 2.6 (twice around the lake) because my hunger pains were, well, painful. I could even feel them jabbing me as I walked to cool down. And I am positive I'm not confusing other pains, like cramps or something else, for hunger. My tummy was growling. I was hungry.

Even so, I am still glad I persevered, and didn't just go home and eat instead of running (a thought that crossed my mind around mile 1). Even if I don't do as much as I set out to do, the discipline of still going is huge, and very beneficial. And besides, 2.6 miles is still a good workout!

The Deer Scatterer

On Saturdays, my friend Claire and I usually go running together. Our normal running spot is Woodlawn Lake, but a 5K was being held there so we decided to try somewhere new. Claire lives in the med center, and had told me of this neighborhood nearby where she had gone running before. So at 7 am on Saturday, we parked at the med center track, walked over to Babcock and entered into a magical, enchanted forest called Dreamhill Estates.

It was awesome. Just off a major road like Babcock, you'd think you'd hear street noise. But no, it was blissfully quiet and serene. The place was covered in a canopy of tree branches from the big, leafy trees everywhere, and there was a mixture of quaint and luxurious houses on huge lots along the roads. The best part were all the deer. And not just a few deer, but hordes of deer. Bucks and babies, too. It was great! No one was out yet, and the neighborhood was still a little dark and cozy. Claire and I don't keep together when we run since we keep different paces, so I was on my own for the 45 minute workout (that's right, I ran 4.1 miles!). It wasn't even too hilly, but challenging enough. As I would inevitably come upon a pack of deer hanging out in someone's yard, they would scatter as I approached. I would think, "Don't worry, there's no way I could outrun you!" But I guess they felt they were better safe than sorry.

At one point as I was exploring during the run, I ran along a different street (the loop of the neighborhood was only about a mile, so I looped it a few times). This new street brought me back on to Babcock. I immediately was surrounded by the sounds of cars and people and the smell of exhaust and fumes. I ran a length of Babcock and as soon as I was able, ducked back into the neighborhood and back into the magical land of quiet and beauty and animals.

On the very final leg of my run, I came upon two peacocks. I tried to think if peacocks were native to San Antonio, but regardless, there they were walking along the side of the street I was running on.

I'm definitely going to run there again. It was beautiful, and the cool morning with the sunrise just made it a completely worthwhile location.

Runners' Etiquette

As I was running last night, I was thinking about runners' etiquette. I was mostly thinking about it because there was a guy doing something that I found incredibly annoying.

He was running slow (slower than me!) and I came up and passed him. No big deal, right? Well, then he speeds up and goes back around me. And then after a bit slows again. But as I come back up on him, he speeds back up. Then what he would do is start walking. And as I closed in on him (since I was still running) he started to run again just as I came up beside him. So then we're basically running together, which is awkward. I kept thinking, "Just pick a speed, but stop running right on top of me!" Maybe I was the driving force to keep him running, but I don't care. It was annoying having him in my way the whole time. Maybe he didn't want to get beat by a girl. Who knows. But I don't think that's proper etiquette. I noticed this same thing at the Zoo run. As soon as you start to pass someone who has started walking, they start running again and you're just on top of each other. It sort of reminds me of when you're driving and start to go around someone slow, and then they just speed up again once you start to pass them, so you can never get around them, but then they slow down again after a bit.

Another thing that happened to me was, during my walk after my run, I swung my left arm out a little (where I was holding my keys) and ended up jabbing some guy in the leg as he ran by. I don't think I did it hard, but I said, "Sorry!" However, he had on earphones and was running along past me, so I know he didn't hear it. But am I still required to say, "Sorry"?

Finally, another pet peeve is people running with strollers. It doesn't happen a lot to me at the track, but during the 5K last week, there were quite a few stroller runners. They take up a whole lot of space and it can be hard to get around them. The 5K next week doesn't allow stroller runners, so I'm happy about that.

On the Road ... Again

Turns out I am a glutton for punishment. I'm signing up for another 5K!

This will be the Feast of the Heart 5K in Brackenridge Park next weekend, on Halloween. It benefits the Raul Jimenez Thanksgiving Dinner, which is a great cause bringing Thanksgiving dinner to those who otherwise would have none.

As you may recall, October 31 was originally my date for my GRE (which is now happening November 21). So I guess in my brain, somehow I have an urge to be in pain on that day, whether it be a big scary test or running 3.1 miles.

This run is the same location as the Zoo run, so at least I sort of am now familiar with it. And I get a t-shirt! My goal is to at least do as well as I did in the last 5K. Now I feel more prepared for it, and I'm excited. At least this one starts at 8:30, so I'll be in the car heading home by 9:15. Actually, I will likely be in the car headed for Panera, but same difference. :)

If you are interested in running, or walking, or run/walking, just google Feast of the Heart 5K and come join me!

Musings from the Track

I definitely think it's a God thing that each time I set out for a run, I get excited and think, "Only two times around the lake ... no problem!" And despite that mindset, it's always hard, yet each time I go to do it, in my head I think of how it's no big deal at all. It helps me get there, and finish my workouts. Yesterday was a great day for running - cool and windy and overcast but no humidity. It was great, and a tangible difference from last week's runs where I thought I was going to have heat stroke.

I don't know about you, but when I work out, my mind wanders. There's the obligatory thoughts related to pain and telling myself to push through, but there's other things that wander through my head too. I thought I'd share since I know you're all dying to hear about it. :)

I watch too many crime shows (and love them!) like CSI and Criminal Minds. And since I run around a lake, it's only natural that I find myself scanning the shoreline for dead bodies, since that's a recurring scene in crime shows, and it's always someone out running that finds a body. So then I wonder what I would do in that situation ... call the police, obviously, but then do you have to wait around near the dead body until the police get there? How creepy and gross! I hope it never happens, but I still always look.

On a happier note, there are so many CUTE dogs everywhere! I love it! The best is there is inevitably one small dog, walking with its owner in the opposite direction. When I run by going the other way, the small dog does an immediate about face to run with me (or after me, depending on how you look at it). Then of course that pesky leash stops them short and they get distracted by the ducks and probably another runner. It's adorable.

I also have to say how much I appreciate the people in their cars who are nice enough to stop for us running. The path only crosses the opening to the parking lot, so it's not too much of a problem, but every once in a while you get people who won't stop, so you either have to run in place (which I hate!) or stop completely while you wait for them to go by, always slowly. So I love the people who are nice and stop, and let me keep running.

And finally, the stopwatch on the ipod needs to be reworked. Granted, my ipod is one of the first generations, so maybe newer ones are better. I time each of my miles, but it takes so many clicks to get from my playlist to the stopwatch, so I'm basically running for 10-15 seconds with my head down trying to get through all the menus back to the stopwatch. It's super annoying. Plus, when I get to the stopwatch, I have to press 'Lap' then "pause" then "resume" to get it to time my lap (mile) and then it doesn't keep going until I hit pause, then resume. Anyway, some day I will find a better solution.

So what do you think of when you work out? Do you think about dead bodies too? Look at the puppies playing? I'm curious to know. :) Write some comments!

Hi. My Name is Suzanne, and I'm a Food Snob.

I think I've become a food snob after my time in Hong Kong. I never cooked much before living overseas, but when I was there, I didn't have a choice.

Now that I'm back, I can't bring myself to buy all the ready made meals at the grocery store. Even canned veggies aren't good enough. I like my produce fresh and I'll cut and cook it myself. I won't buy pre-made crust for a quiche (I love quiche) and sometimes I won't even get pre-shredded cheese. My mom almost solely buys everything pre-made. She has her signature dishes that she'll make from scratch, but if she can buy a chicken pre-roasted or potatoes pre-mashed, then she will. Of course, I'll eat what my mom puts in front of me, but inwardly I'm such a snob about it, and know that mashed potatoes made from scratch would have been even better.

I'm definitely the same way about Chinese food. I haven't touched Chinese since I've been back. At first, it was because I just needed a break from Chinese for obvious reasons. But lately I have really been wanting it, but Chinese food here isn't the same. Even at Chinese places that are owned and run by Chinese people ... they still make American-style Chinese, since of course most of their customers are people who are wanting sweet and sour chicken and egg rolls. Did you know in China egg rolls aren't even served? They have spring rolls which are similar, but they're a dim sum dish and only available for dim sum. Also, there's no such thing as hot and sour soup or egg drop soup, and you certainly don't get it as a given with your meal. And everything is served with a huge mountain of steamed rice, never fried rice like you always get here. Those are just the beginnings of how different it is. I'm debating going to a local restaurant owned by a family from HK and seeing if they'll make me a 'real' HK Chinese meal. I just really want a fix of my favorite dishes from there.

Do you ever find yourself being a food snob? Are you like my mom, and you will buy anything pre-made that you can? I never thought twice about it before, but now I always notice it.

Mission Accomplished!

That's right. I successfully completed the Spurs 5k on Saturday! Hurray! Here's the recap.

We had to pick up our packets between 7:30 and 8:30 am, but the race didn't sart until 9:30. Thinking there would be tons of people there, Kerrie, Claire and I set out for the AT&T Center at 7 am, and arrived at 7:30. We pretty much got the best parking spot available, and by 7:35 we were all checked in and had our packets and t-shirts. So we ended up sitting in the car for an hour and a half, then finally at 9 am we walked towards the start line and walked around a bit for warm-up.

Sean Elliot was MC-ing the event, and Mayor Castro was there too. They had you gather around a marker that stated your average mile time, so the faster runners were in front, as well as the handicapped. The Star Spangled Banner was played by the color guard, and then we were off.

I felt pretty good at first as my legs got warmed up. Then I started to think, "Why am I doing this?!" But I kept going. Then I hit an unforgiving hill, but I powered through and made it to the top (it really wasn't a big hill, but still, it hurt).

I kept an eye out for Spurs players along the route, but so far it was just a lot of other people I didn't know, high-fiving us and cheering us on. At mile one, I spotted my first Spur. He looked familiar, but I didn't know his name. That didn't stop me from grabbing the cup of Gatorade he offered (which I had hoped was water, not being a big Gatorade fan). I took a gulp, tossed it and kept on moving.

The whole route wound through the parking lot of the AT&T Center. When I realized that during mile 2, I thought, "This lot is huge!" I kept looking at my watch, since I knew somewhat how long it would take me. I knew I'd only been at it 15 minutes, and I definitely had about 18-20 more to go. More pain, but I pushed through.

The 2 mile marker wasn't right where I was expecting it, but I rounded a corner, and there it was. The Spurs coach was there, along with Tim Duncan. Coach was high-fiving, Tim was handing out drinks. There was also a cameraman right there to capture each of us running by. I had to wipe the look of pain off my face and look happy instead as I ran by. Tim handed me Gatorade (I never seemed to get water), which I immediately spilled all over myself because, as it turns out, it's hard to drink from a cup and run at the same time. But I was afraid if I walked I wouldn't start again.

I knew I could make the last 1.1 miles. There was a steep downhill part, which sounds like it might be refreshing but actually hurt more than going uphill. I hated it. Then it leveled out and I could see the finish line way ahead. I turned up my music and picked up the pace.

As I was closing in on the finish, I pushed as hard as I could and crossed the line. The Coyote and Sean gave me a high five and a pat on the back. Then a military guy cut the timing chip off my shoe, and I headed out of the finish area because I needed to walk it off.

My finish time was 34:00, which was excellent since my goal was 36:00. It was a hard run, but I'm so happy that I did it and ran the whole thing. My next goal is the Turkey Trot 4-Miler on Thanksgiving. That gives me six weeks. Hurray for accomplishing goals! It's a good feeling.

Almost There

Well, I set out yesterday to do 2.6 miles around the Woodlawn Lake track, but at 2.3 I was seriously thinking I was going to have a heat stroke. So I stopped. I don't think this means I wasn't believing God. I think 2.6 was my idea, and God was ok with me quitting early so as not to collapse. Sure, I could have just missed a prime opportunity to witness to a paramedic, but I think I'm ok with that.

I'm still excited about tomorrow, and psyched for the race. I will definitely finish the whole thing, and am just praying the weather is nice. The race doesn't even start until 9:30, which seems a bit late to me, but hopefully the sun will not be too hot at that time yet.

I was a little annoyed that literally a minute after I stopped running yesterday, the dark clouds came in and the wind started blowing. I think I could have run in that, but my whole run took place just before the change in weather, and it was super hot and sunny. Oh well.

So, please pray for me tomorrow, that I will rely on Jesus for strength and be able to accomplish my goal. I'll let you know how it goes!!

Two more days

My 5K is on Saturday, in two days. After my hot and tiring run on Tuesday, I can't say I'm super psyched about my run tonight, but I'm still going to do it, and at least I can tell myself, "You did it Tuesday and survived, so just keep going!"

I was reading another blog by someone who runs, and she talks about picturing vampires or other scary things chasing you while you run. It was a funny post, and I have to admit I like to visualize, too, while I run. I don't picture vampires, but I do picture myself running in a race with people cheering me on. I guess it's whatever works for you.

I'm getting my playlist ready for Saturday, and my friends and I have our plan for carpooling. I guess all that's left is mentally preparing. I know for some, a 5K is a small thing but it's a benchmark goal for me, and the first one, so I am excited about it.

My next goal will be a 10K (6 miles) that I plan to do some time in the spring, but I'll definitely need to work up to it. I've said it before, but I'll say it again - It's so fulfilling to have goals and to meet them!

Thank you, Jesus!

I love accomplishing goals!

My 5K is on Saturday, so my goal this week was to run four times - once on Sunday on the treadmill with less mileage but at a faster pace, then Tuesday and Thursday to run three miles on each of those days. I had a great, though challenging, workout on the treadmill on Sunday. I felt pumped for the rest of the week. Then yesterday, after work I headed the short distance over to Woodlawn Lake (where I normally go run after work) and set out to do three miles.

I felt really good the first lap around the lake (1.3 miles). Then, the heat started to get to me. It was so HOT with the humidity. Fortunately, I had changed up my running playlist on my ipod to worship music, and was listening to Salvation is Here, Mighty to Save, and some other ones that make me feel excited and get me moving faster (side note: it's hard to find Christian songs to work out to. Kerrie is trying to help me, but it has to have just the right tempo).

By the final .5 mile stretch, I wanted to give in. In my head, the outcome of my runs depends mainly on three things: leg strength, breathing ability, and mental determination. I did a mental check in as I looked at the marker telling me I had .7 left. Legs are being challenged, but the strength is there and they feel fine to finish. Check. My breathing feels good. Again, it's a challenge to run but overall my body is handling it. Check. Then comes my mental determination. Ummm... not a total check. I had to really reset my brain and tell myself, "You can do it!"

When I'd first gotten to the track, I told myslef, "This is gonna be a great run!" And I could visualize in my head that it would go well. But I still have to keep myself focused during, and even after, it's over. That's something to be mindful of in my spiritual walk as well. I have to rely on Him every step of the way, not just pray before and thank Him after. That being said, there was some serious praying to be had on that final half mile. I reached the point where I was at 2.8 miles, and didn't want to go on (since there was a final hill still ahead of me I really wasn't looking forward to).

But as always, God prevailed. He got me through it. I was excited because, as my song said, "Salvation is here!" So I pushed myself through, and finished. And the weird thing is, I had my best time. I looked closer at the stopwatch to be sure. Amazing.

My goal is after this 5K to work up to the Turkey Trot 4-miler. I love accomplishing goals! :)

Where does my help come from?

I have been reading my friend Archie's amazing story about how God used him to witness to inmates at the Maverick County Jail over the weekend, at the border of Mexico. And he wasn't just a visitor - he was in the cell with him as he was arrested unexpectedly while crossing back into the US after a mission trip to Piedras Negras for the day distributing medical equipment at an orphanage.

I was reading Archie's story and was thinking what I would do in that situation. Any time I've crossed the border, I always have this fear as I'm coming back into the US that somehow I will get stopped for something. Of course I know I'm innocent, and I don't expect to have any warrants out for my arrest .. but neither did Archie and he still landed in jail for the weekend. He still used that opportunity to share Jesus with his fellow inmates and led two of them Christ (one of which later saved him from being beaten up).

I just wonder what I would have done. I'd like to think I'd be willing to share Jesus with those around me, but I'm afraid I would be too scared of being attacked by fellow prisoners (girls can be just as scary as boys in that kind of situation), and especially I'd be having a panic attack about the whole toilet-in-public situation. But would I be able to overcome those things in order to minister to others? Would I let God take over and let Him use me, and free me from my fears long enough to fearlessly share His love? I hope I would stand the test, and I know it would only come through Christ's strength in me because I certainly couldn't do it otherwise. I guess that's why He sometimes puts us in seemingly impossible situations ... because He wants you to know it is only Him you can rely on. What a good reminder. Thanks, Archie.

Finishing Well

I know I don't blog regularly anymore, but I'm not sure anyone ever checks this thing either. I know I like to hear the sound of my own voice (not literally obviously, since it's a blog) so I can keep posting my thoughts no matter what. :)

I think foremost on my mind this week is my 5K is Saturday! It's been almost 6 months of training to get to this point. Some people could probably do it a lot faster, but I'm perfectly happy with building this new habit at a slower pace. What I do know is a 5K is 3.1 miles, and I have successfully worked my way to 4 miles. So I am ready to own this 5K on Saturday.

I'm so happy that I'm achieving my goals! 6 months ago I couldn't run for 5 minutes without having to stop, but now I can run for 45. And while it may hurt, I know I can finish. It took about 3 months of non-stop torture to get to this point where I can run, and it hurts, but I can do it. I'm so glad I persevered. And now when I run it's no longer torture, but a good challenge that I know I can overcome!

What's the key, you may be asking? Jesus! No, this isn't Sunday School, but the answer is just the same. I pray before, during, and after my workouts. I literally can only do what Christ strengthens me to do.

It's been a good 6 months of learning to rely on God and trusting He will give me the endurance and self-discipline I need to finish the race.