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!