Why I Run

I am writing and eating my favorite post-run breakfast, quinoa with maple syrup and dried fruit. Sippin' on my yummy black coffee. Just got back from my early morning (5:30) slow run.  This week I start my tapering for the Illinois Marathon.  It's in 2 weeks. Tapering is when you start to run less and eat more.  Well, I really won't eat more until a few days before.  My long training runs are done. Why did I do this again?  I still haven't figured it out.  Last year's marathon was my first.  Not a good experience.  I was doing great until mile 14 then the heat, gus, gatorade, and bbq grippo potato chips I ate the entire week before kicked in. Let's just say my Break Wind Running Club shirt I was wearing with our logo "we never run out of gas" held to it's name.  In fact, I was walking for a period and a woman (rather arrogant) ran past me and said "looks like you ran out of gas." I said "nope, I still have plenty left, that's my problem." Thank goodness for the 4 porta potties.  Yes, this is TMI but if you are a runner, you have empathy for one suffering from runner's trots.  So, I think my motivation for this marathon was to simply do better. My time was 5:19.  My goal is to have a race that I only visit porta johnny once and beating the 5 hour mark would be nice.

I started running April of 2011 when my youngest was 18 months.  My reason was not to lose weight. My 5th baby burned me 500 calories a day nursing.  I lost my baby weight pretty easily. In fact, I gained 10 pounds within a year when I started running!  I started running because I was so tired of going up and down the stairs feeling like crap. I had no energy.  My husband had started running and had ran a couple marathons.  He was a huge source of inspiration.  Another reason I ran is because of my birth defect.  I was born with hip dysplasia.  I had casts on my legs as a baby, a surgery on my hip when I was 8 and another on my knee when I was 12.  My doctor said I would start to get arthritis in my 30's. I was starting to notice it especially when I got above a certain weight.  I figured maybe I could keep the arthritis at bay if I exercised.  So far, it has worked!  Looking back at my experience with my dysplasia, I believe I was truly blessed with a progressive doctor.  I could always do sports and now am running marathons.  He fixed me up good!  I wish I could find him to say thank you.  I know of another gal who was born with the same condition.  She is just a few years younger than me and just had a hip replacement.  She may have been born with a more severe case so I don't know if I am comparing apples to apples.  I am so thankful and know that I am blessed to have the opportunity and ability to run. I pray often when I run.  I usually begin my prayer "thank you for this ability to run,  I offer up my pains, tiredness and weariness as a sacrifice for those that can't."

I have run 5 half marathons and soon to be 2 full, a few 10ks and countless 5k's.  I love racing. It gives me a goal.  I love the camaraderie of fellow runners.  Some may think it vain or boasting to post a 13.1 or 26.2 sticker on their car, but I beg to defer.  Well, ok, maybe a little sin of pride there, but it's also the (not so) secret society club symbol.  I yell out 26.2 to my kids when we pass a fellow marathoner.  However, I do find the 0.0 stickers hilarious.  I call them honorary members because they at least know the language.

A few years ago a group of not-so-serious runners here started a running club.  The master mind behind the name was inspired by another club named 'Second Wind'.  He, my husband and another guy have ran together for awhile and would joke that they were the CRC, Covington Running Club.  We were at an expo and he said what about "Break Wind Running Club?"  We all laughed. It was perfect!  We made a  facebook page and voila the club was born!  Some people ask me what you need to do to join.  I honestly laugh and say "can you break wind? you can only join if you can break wind."  We are truly a not-so-serious grassroots club that just wants to run.  We post funny stuff on fb, try to get together to run once a week, eat a few times together and support each other.  Recently, I wrote the BWRC Creed:  "I believe in never letting anyone face a long run alone. To keep what's said on the run, on the run. To never judge the smells that linger around me. To always keep handy a Kleenex, lend a sock or hankie for my fellow runner. To allow a right of way to snot rockets (aka farmer's blow). To support local races and be an enabler for our addiction."  FREE BWRC membership belongs to those who run, walk, ride, cheer from the sideline, dream about running, want to run or basically interested in  running.  I have  made some good friends through this club and look forward to our early Saturday morning runs.

In my very first blog, I mentioned my problem of keeping life simple.  Running is probably the simplest sport there is. Just lace up your shoes and go (the most complicated part of running is to make sure you do have good shoes, many injuries could be avoided if we had the right kicks). My problem is I can't just lace and go, nope I have to run races, join a club, subscribe to runner's world, track my miles, study high protein food and carbs,  analyze my run on my Garmin, oh and am a race director for a local 5/10k.  My husband is starting to come back to the joy of running. He decided not to run any marathons this year and if he feels like it, he will go out for a 20  miler if not, oh well, nothing is lost.  After this marathon, I am looking forward to the joy of running. Sometimes when you are training it is just another thing on your to do list, it seems like a chore.

This morning's run I got a glimpse of why I remembered the reason I run.  For the health of it. Health not only for fitness and not being able breath when I go up the stairs, but for the health of my sanity and soul.  I had been using my daughter's mp3 player. I usually run 1 mile before I put the plugs in.   This morning when I was done with my 6 miler, I took the plugs out and was disappointed. I had missed the most musical symphony ever composed.  It happens every spring and summer morning around 6 am, the explosion of birds singing their morning song. I am convinced there is an alarm clock bird. One bird chirps, wakes up another and within 2 minutes they are all awake jabbering about how their night went, what to eat for breakfast and what today's agenda will be.  So why this talk about birds? These original tweeters reminded me why I run, for the joy of doing something good for me, the chance to hear their beautiful voices and be outside enjoying God's creation. It really can be that simple.

Runners, why do you run?

Fou-tay-one

March 31st fou-tay-one years ago, I was born.  A quick glance at my life.  I have had a very blessed one. Good parents, a simple childhood that we had everything we needed but not necessarily everything we wanted (which is a good lesson for today's kids).  A nice, small Indiana hometown to grow up in.  Did well in school and in college.  Have always had awesome friends.  Found an incredible husband and we are in the mist of raising 5 very active kids. Life is good.


I woke up feeling fou-tay-one. I had a bad night sleep, night sweats, achy legs, icky stomach.  My daily reading was Psalms 71 "Prayer in the time of old age".  Oh vay...hope this is not any indication of how 41 is going to be.


My plans to celebrate this one day a year that I should feel special...enjoying the outdoors.  Cleaning up the garden, raking the dead leaves out of flower beds, Fulton wants to jump on my niece's  trampoline (something a woman with 5 children can no longer do).  I might have to come inside a little to do dishes, laundry and tidy up.  After school, Kevin and I will wave at each other on the road while we run kids to their various activities.  Probably not going to have a family dinner together tonight.  Understand now why I long for a simple life?


Or maybe (if even the coffee kicks in and I start to feel better) I will just 'play sick' and lay on the couch all day eating cookie dough.  Oh but that's not me, I will get bored.  Plus, the weather is beautiful.  Maybe I'll just brew another pot of coffee and Fulton and I will make chocolate chip cookies. Cookies are my request in replace of cake, but no one else has time to make them, so Fulty and I will just do it and eat 1/2 the dough!


Having my birthday this time of year it often falls around Easter and a few times, on Easter.   Easter is this Sunday.  I love coloring Easter Eggs.  I adore the imaginations of children. I believe they are true artists.  I am proud of my kids artwork.  More importantly, they understand Easter is not bunnies, chocolate and eggs.  


To get to Easter, we have to have Holy Week.  Thursday the Lord's Supper, Friday the Passion, Saturday waiting in the tomb...then boom SUNDAY! Christ will rise!  One thing I did last year was pull my kids out of school for the Good Friday service at 2.  They loved that.  I encourage parents to do the same. Losing a little school time for the Lord is not going to hurt their academics. 


So, my birthday and Easter and aging body...all in one blog.  My life may not be as simple as I want it, but it is more blessed then I deserve. My fou-tay-one years have felt like I am living heaven on earth, I can't  imagine wait the real place will be like.

Are you living Heaven on Earth?

Lent and I'm not talking the belly button kind.

Oh me, oh my. It's been forever since I've blogged.  I'm putting my simple life into practice. Eliminating things that are not necessary, like blogging.  Lent has started. I am also trying to cut back my computer time.  It really is a time waster.  While, the internet is a marvelous invention, as with all things...moderation.  Today, I am writing as a sleeping little boy is on my lap. He was up all night vomiting while holding his stuffed puppy (so cute) and another is on the verge.  Three down, four to go.  Not a bad time of year to be sick. Today it's another school delay. -4 degrees outside.  What else do we have to do?

It's been really cold and I am becoming  worried that it's  not going to be a good year for syrup. We've only made 2 batches so far.  I love making maple syrup. It's the time of year I can spend in the woods. Once poison ivy comes on, I just look at it and it creeps on my skin.  I've been experimenting with maple running candy, I call it. Once I have perfected it, I will post the recipe.  Maple syrup has almost all the nutrients that are in the running gus and other endurance sports candy and supplements. I may be on to something. I've seen syrup in gu-like packages but I think it would be too messy to run with.  The candy I am making is like a mint-like candy. Easy to run and eat. I've added ginger to help with tummy issues. I am super excited to experiment with this.

 Lent is my favorite time of year!  The ending of winter, the beginning of spring.  Time to take restock of your life.  What are you doing in your life that needs to change so you may be a better person for God?  I recently went to confession and my priest gave me simple advice that seemed so obvious, but I never thought of it.  Regarding gossip or being critical to others, the next time you see that person, compliment them or say something nice about them to someone else.  As a 1st communion teacher, I have to also teach 1st confession. We often talk about vice versus virtue. Virtue is the opposite of the sin you are committing.  Here are some examples:
Pride Vs Humility
Greed Vs Generosity
Lust Vs Chastity
Anger Vs Gentleness
Gluttony Vs Moderation/Restraint
Envy Vs Charity
Laziness Vs Zeal
So this lent I will try to better practice virtues instead of committing vices. Especially when it comes to impatience versus patience and negativity versus affirmation .

Lent is a time for charity, fasting and prayer. How can giving up chocolate and meat on Fridays make a difference? I like what my priest said, 'lent is not a 40 day weight loss program.'  Giving up something you like or indulgence and learning to live without does make a difference.  We choose those things we like so that we may focus on higher things.  I am a big meany. I make my family give up tv however, I do allow my children to watch 'Jesus videos'. We have quite a good collection of them that do not get watched the rest of the year.  Whenever we fast, we also are praying.  If you put a meaning behind not eating snacks, chocolate, meat, watching tv, computer, sleep so that you may pray or whatever you 'give up' you are offering up your sufferings with Christ's sufferings.  How little or big your sacrifice is, God knows your heart and your intention.

I've decided to run my 2nd marathon in April.  I say the hardest things about running are getting started and staying motivated (esp when it's -4 outside).  But with running, if you put a meaning behind your run (like running for those who are sick, suffering, for peace, for charity) you will have great motivation and your sacrifice is a prayer. The same with putting meaning behind your fasting. Offering up your fast (or run) with Christ's passion, is a  great source of motivation to become the child God needs you to be.

How can you be a better child for God this lent?

Vanity of Vanities...All things are Vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:2

I really should name my next kid or animal Ecclesiastes.  It's such a cool name and I am sure they would be wise.  That's not the topic of this blog. The topic is me.  Me, me, me.  It's all about I, it's all about me, it's all about number 1... or however the country song goes.  I'll admit, I am vain. I'm so vain that I just KNOW Carly Simon wrote that song about me.  I am becoming increasingly vain since I turned 40 this year (or as my girlfriends say foh-tay).  It's this hair.  I am refusing to go grey.  I have been this way for a few years.  One of my running friends, who isn't much older than me said "girl, you just gotta embrace it!"  She looks fabulous grey.  I just can't do it, yet.  My husband wants me to let nature take its course.  I know, it's vanity


I've always wanted red hair. So, in October I did it. I am not a red head. You have to be born that way.  I found myself looking good in green, a color blondes steer clear of and I couldn't wear red, a color that blondes embrace.  I decided I may as well try it before I let it go all grey.  Mistake, now it's a process to get it back to the dirt blonde I was before. I am in a transitional 'white trash' looking stage.  Good thing it's hat season.  I also decided I should get bangs to hide the wrinkles and receding hair line. Maybe I could pull off the red, but I sure couldn't keep up.  Within 3 weeks grey starts creeping in.  Same when I am blond but it seems to hide it better.  Vanity.








Another vanity of mine: selfies.  I don't like taking them because I usually don't like what I look like.  If I wasn't vain then I would be posting some pretty ridiculous photos.  I definitely would never win most photogenic.  This selfie is of my new hat and scarf my mommy made for me!  I wanted to show the blond hair in hat season.


I joke and say you know you're 40 when...you are plucking chin hairs and fighting wrinkles but still have to borrow your teenager's pimple cream.  Ugh. Running is a great way to keep you young. The only negative thing is it doesn't help with the wrinkles.  My legs are even wrinkling.   All that jarring and sun wreaks havoc on the skin. You see older people who are running, they look great, but not in shorts.  Vanity.


Some things I am not so vain on...I wear make up only on Sundays, special occasions or maybe on Friday, shopping day.  I like (live) in yoga and pj pants.  Jeans are an equivalent to a dress for me.  I may not have embraced grey, but I have embraced my crooked teeth.  My  hair is in a pony tail most days.   My husband met me in peach sweat pants, no make up and a pony tail and that's how he prefers me.  So, I am just making him happy. ;)


My intent in writing this wasn't really about my appearances but as David's son Quheleth says, "all things are vanity."  What's all this really matter?  And boy, now more than ever, is this culture vain. Selfies, status updates, tweeting, blogs.  I have been thinking about writing a blog for about a year.  The questions I struggled with were "am I vain in doing this? is it showing off? are people going to roll their eyes? what does it really matter? how much of my life do I want to share? Do I really need to spending more time on the computer?"  People really have been writing blogs for years. It was called either a journal or diary.  "Nothing is new under the sun" another Qoheleth saying from Ecclisiastes 2:9. I tried writing a journal for about 3 months.  Blogs are just your thoughts out there for everyone to read. 


What can we learn from vanity?  Lots, if you are people person.  I do enjoy learning from others, seeing how they live, appreciating the differences in each unique creature God has made. For those of us that have constant thoughts in our heads, it's a good, positive outlet for creativity.


Are all things really vanity? The introduction to Ecclesiastes in my bible says yes, unless we give thanks to the Creator who has given us all. (The New American Bible) I really think Qoheleth was depressed.  What's all this really matter?  It doesn't really. Nothing is new. We just recreate it in the time and space we are in today.  War is not new, writing is not new, family drama is not new, love and hate are not new, politics are not new, history just repeats itself.  The only thing that is new are inventions and our spin on the world we live in during our lifetime.  To think any different would be vanity.  We are not really that special.  I think the lesson Qohelelth is teaching is humility. 


So my advice, (I am so vain as to think you will take it) that in this social media world we live in be vain, be the unique person you are.  Post your grey hair status', write your blogs, hashtag your thoughts.  But be mindful, be positive, be loving, be giving, be thankful. Use this awesome invention as a way to connect with others to create a world we love, tolerate, embrace each other and help build up the kingdom of God.  Maybe your vanity will touch others in a way that they need, bring a smile to a somewhat depressing day, or help you make a new friend.


One thing I don't get in Carly Simon's song, she says "your so vain you probably think this song is about you" well, isn't it really about him?  So, in my opinion you can be vain, not in an arrogant way, but humbly vain.


Do you think all things are vanity?




Ecclesiastes Chapter 1


1The words of David’s son, Qoheleth, king in Jerusalem:^{* a}

2Vanity of vanities,^* says Qoheleth,

vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!^b

Vanity of Human Toil

3What profit have we from all the toil

which we toil at under the sun?^{* c}

4One generation departs and another generation comes,

but the world forever stays.

5The sun rises and the sun sets;

then it presses on to the place where it rises.

6Shifting south, then north,

back and forth shifts the wind, constantly shifting its course.

7All rivers flow to the sea,

yet never does the sea become full.

To the place where they flow,

the rivers continue to flow.

8All things are wearisome,^*

too wearisome for words.

The eye is not satisfied by seeing

nor has the ear enough of hearing.^d

9What has been, that will be; what has been done, that will be done. Nothing is new under the sun!^e 10Even the thing of which we say, “See, this is new!” has already existed in the ages that preceded us.^f 11There is no remembrance of past generations;^g nor will future generations be remembered by those who come after them.

It's Super Duper Cold!!!

It's cold outside. I mean really, really cold. I mean like SUPER DUPER cold.  TV says the temp is -8. We are expected to have -25 to -35 degree wind chills. School is closed. We have 4 inches of snow on the ground.  What fun is a no-school day when you can't go outside and play?  I think I might send my kids outside for 1 minute without coat or shoes so they can appreciate a warm house. I know, I know, that would be borderline cruelty.  I would go out with them.  Some lessons need to be taught.  I did smile last night when my 7 year old son prayed for the homeless.  Something is getting through. 




Don't let all this complaining fool you, I do like winter.  I used to not be a fan. I would only like it on snowy 30 degree days that were perfect for sledding and snowmen. As of the last 3 years, I have come to appreciate it this season.  One reason: maple syrup.  I'll explain later.  I should say I live in Indiana.  I do like the Midwest seasons.  As a kid, I wanted to live along the ocean. If I were to do that now (which I have no desire to) I would have to be in the Northeast.  I love the change of seasons.  I couldn't imagine being all one all the time.  I will admit to spring being my favorite, but if it were spring all the time I would grow bored. Kinda like in CS Lewis' Narnia books, "it's always winter but never Christmas." 




Last winter, I believe the average temp WAS -8 or at least it seemed like it. It was brutal. Of course, it would be the winter I decided to train for my first marathon.  Luckily, I had other crazy runner friends training for marathons too so we all bundled up in our balaclavas and would go out for 12-15-18-20 mile runs.  In our small hometown, we are SO SO SO fortunate to have a beautiful running trail. It's a 10K out and back (6.2 miles).  When finished, it will be a 10K loop.  Unfortunately, there is no snow removal so it was impassable for 2 months. So, we had to find other routes. I live in the country and have a beautiful 4.2 mile run.  On one run, my running partner drove to my house and I had 12, she had 10 to run.  We decided to go out and back as many times as we needed (thank you Garmin for your invention). We had 30-40 mile winds with a gazillion inches of snow already.  I live on a dead end gravel road. Each time we came back, the snow was drifting more and more.  The last loop I said "you really need to go home now, my road is going to drift shut."  I think the entire run we kept saying how crazy we were.  That was just one example.  It was like that all winter. My husband, a totally awesome runner, and two other running buddies ran in a 'Fat Ass' trail race. 7.45 mile loop. We had 14 miles that we needed to do. Decided to run 7 on the road and the rest  on the trail.  Took  a little over an hour to do the first 7 and THREE to do the rest.  It was a foot of snow. We did not run, it was a slow hike. I call that race the "dumb ass" race.  At least they had beer and chicken at the finish.  Last winter, I embraced the brutality. I found I love the cold air on my lungs, the stillness of the land, the only noise is the sound of my breath, when I am finished, total exhilaration.  This year I have a new running buddy, Bosco the dog. Sadly, my other running partner, Francis died last December after 9 years. So, Bosco the big puppy is  a joy to watch pounce in the snow.  This morning I am looking outside and know it would be dangerous to run in the snow and am feeling a little depressed. It is a 'dreadmill' day but still I know when I am done, I will feel better.




Maple syrup.  Our family has the tradition of making maple syrup. My grandpa started in the 50's helping a friend and then built his own sugar shack.  I have many fond child hood memories of riding the tractor, gathering in, eating all day long while the syrup was boiling down.   My grandpa passed away and we stopped making it for about 10 years. The old shack was falling in and the evaporator was in need of repair.  My brother decided to rebuild just down the road and we started it up again  about 3 years ago.  We begin around Valentine's day, just the time you are in deep seasonal depression.  Nothing pulls you out of cabin fever like the prospect of maple hot dogs and sassafras tea boiled in sugar water.  I love tromping through the woods, tapping the trees, carrying in the sap.  I try to get my runner friends to help. You want an excellent cross training exercise?  Try carrying two 5 gallon buckets full of sap while wearing heavy boots on uneven, hilly terrain. All those calories burned are quickly replenished (and then some) when we start boiling down.  Usually takes 8 hours to boil a batch and my mom cooks up plenty of food for us to eat. I try to bring healthy  snacks but it's hard to resist good home cooking.  In our family, we really have 5 seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Maple Season.  I joke  saying the Summers' family blood is really maple syrup. This cold day is a reminder that the veins of the trees are getting a good deep freeze.  Good thing.  I will be happy just snuggling with my kids today and let nature do what she needs to do.  Which reminds me, I need to order jugs.




Snow reminds me of when our Priest sprinkles holy water on us and sings from Psalm 51:9 " Purify me with hyssop O Lord, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow." Also Isaiah 1:18 comes to mind "Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow."   Winter's purpose is to wipe away all the old so that the earth can begin again.  What better analogy than snow to demonstrate God's great mercy for us?  I 'let it snow' each time I go to confession.  I then have the peace like the calm of winter when I exit the confessional know that Jesus has forgiven my sins.




On this Super Duper Cold day, what ways can you embrace winter?