Sunday, February 24, 2008

4th Long Run - 9 km

Today was the first day I could run without something over my face. It was cold going into the wind, but so much easier to breathe! I enjoyed the route I picked, and the 9k actually went by quite quickly, (1 hour, 7 min to be exact). The sunshine and happy music propelled me along. I got caught up in a daydream about halfway through and didn't even notice the clouds move in until I was almost done.
A good run all in all.

Monday, February 18, 2008

3rd Long Run - 9 km

I set out today with a little trepidation. Nine kilometres. A new distance for me. After a few technical difficulties (with the watch and ipod), I was on my way. The first leg of my run was into the wind, so I started off pretty slow. I got hot quickly and wished that I hadn't worn my balaclava. Thankfully I had my music to distract me, and to keep me from thinking about my rising temperature. (When the wind picked up later, I was thankful for it.) I got a second, third, and fourth wind just when I needed it and felt my spirits picking up as I ran. Music and running are two of the things I can count on to restore my optimism.
Today's effort was an interesting combination of running/scrambling/shuffling over the various terrain. I happened to map out a route that didn't have sidewalks the whole way, so I had to pick my footing carefully in some spots. Although I look forward to running with lighter clothing and on dry streets, summer running isn't quite as interesting as it is in the winter.
(side note: apparently I'm not recognizable as a female in my balaclava and all-black running duds, as some guy called out to me as I passed - "Hey, buddy! Hey! Buddy!" I didn't stop to see what he wanted, but smiled to myself and carried on.)
When I rounded the corner for home, I checked my watch and did an internal fist-pump as the time was better than I was expecting. Good times.

Sunday, February 17, 2008


Fuzzy

Friday, February 15, 2008


purple

In Amongst The Chaff

I love it when you come across an unexpected nugget of wisdom in a book that's otherwise just a bit of fluff. I finished reading "The Hopeless Romantic's Handbook" today, and came away with this bit of advice:

"Do something different today. Be bold in your choices, accept invitations that previously you may have shunned...by bringing something fresh into your life, you will begin to see the world differently. You will be enchanted again by things you have taken for granted. You will see that beauty is never far from your door. And you will find romance in the small things of life, which are as important as the significant ones. Remember that if you only stick to what you know, then what you know now is all that you will ever have."

I feel like I'm at a turning point right now, with choices laying themselves out in front of me. I want to be bold and choose something new, even if it seems intimidating right now. I will pray for faith to lean not on my own understanding, but to trust in God who has always been faithful in giving me not always what I want, but always what I need.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Today

Theoretically, we never know what a day has in store for us, but things usually go as you think they will.
Not today.
I had no idea what today would hold when I woke up this morning. I thought it was just another Tuesday, slightly warmer than it has been lately, only 3 more working days this week.
Just Tuesday.
Now I am in a completely different space than I was this morning.
My how things in the course of a day.
Everything has changed, and some things have stayed the same, all at once.
Just Tuesday.

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Chilly Goodness

Tonight was one of my coldest runs this Winter, but I think it was also one of my best. On the way home I whispered a prayer of thanks that I live in a land of such varied seasons. In some ways I've always been thankful for Winter because it makes me appreciate Summer that much more. But I tonight I was able to appreciate the cold and the snow for just what is was. It felt clean and crisp outside, and there's a satisfaction that I get from Winter running that just isn't present in Summer.
Your body doesn't have to work so hard to cool itself for one thing. In fact, my internal heating system seems to work so well that I've yet to finish a run with my gloves still on. I usually take them off about halfway through.
There's also the light factor. I appreciate the long days of summer, but I also enjoy the quiet stillness of a winter night. There aren't too many people out, and I feel at peace running through the streets of my neighborhood.
Praise God for seasons.

Monday, February 04, 2008

2nd Long Run - 7 km

My run yesterday went much better than last week. It was a bit colder out, but I've figured out a new combination of layers that doesn't weigh so much. I didn't get tired quite so quickly, and found myself in good spirits throughout the run. Praise God for sunshine in Winter, it does so much to lift my mood!

Timepiece 2

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Small Prayers

I believe God answers small prayers. My car has been dead since last Tuesday. Each day, I've gone out and tried to start it, to no avail. I haven't really needed it until today, because Nicole has been driving me to work. I decided I would try it one more time today, and then call for a boost. I prayed as I turned the key, and it actually started! I see no reason why it should have started today as opposed to any other day, except that this was the first day I really needed it. Praise God for giving us what we need, just when we need it!

Saturday, February 02, 2008

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