Today I woke up in serious pain. I need to be lifted up by a crane and dropped into a large vat of Aspercream. Everything from my ankles to my ribs is sore. Sore to the point of wanting to jump off my front porch rather than walk down the 18 stairs to get to the sidewalk.
The late afternoon game of racquetball with a member of the clergy yesterday didn't help either. I should have just said NO to the game of racquetball--but when one has the desire to kick some one's butt, it's hard to say no. I paid for that yesterday (since he beat the pants off me), and then of course, today, I cannot move without aches and pains.
Oy! I feel old!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Day Two
Woke up early this morning excited about heading out for my first run. According to my plan, I was to run 2 miles this morning. I managed to not only survive the run, I actually made it much farther than I thought without stopping. I only walked toward the end for about a block and a half before picking it back up. I was quite happy with that. My time was much better than I thought it would be. Came home, stretched a bit, now off to the doc.
This afternoon, I might be watching some Disney...
This afternoon, I might be watching some Disney...
Monday, September 3, 2007
Training...Day One
According to my individualized training program for the next 8 weeks, today was designated as a "Rest or Cross-Training Day." I decided that my usual procrastinator's mentality would not benefit me in the long run, so I chose to ride my bike for a bit this morning.
I haven't ridden my bike in a long time due to the wonderful SC heat, so being back on was a great feeling. Unfortunately my iPod (RIP) was drowned in India, leaving me to my thoughts on the ride this morning. That's not a bad thing, I actually enjoy pedaling and seeing where my mind takes me.
I rode approximately 10 miles this morning and as I came back UP my hill and finally stopped at the foot of my staircase, I didn't know whether I would pass out or throw up. :) It's been a long time since I've pushed myself in that way. After those fleeting moments of hanging in the balance between passing out or vomiting passed, I felt great! But lesson learned: I definitely need more exercise!
I haven't ridden my bike in a long time due to the wonderful SC heat, so being back on was a great feeling. Unfortunately my iPod (RIP) was drowned in India, leaving me to my thoughts on the ride this morning. That's not a bad thing, I actually enjoy pedaling and seeing where my mind takes me.
I rode approximately 10 miles this morning and as I came back UP my hill and finally stopped at the foot of my staircase, I didn't know whether I would pass out or throw up. :) It's been a long time since I've pushed myself in that way. After those fleeting moments of hanging in the balance between passing out or vomiting passed, I felt great! But lesson learned: I definitely need more exercise!
Runnin' a Race
Inspiration struck me yesterday as I finished a meal with some friends after Mass. Dogwood carried a pamphlet out of the restaurant advertising some sort of 12K run that is to take place in a few weeks. Wanting to get back into shape and having never done anything like it before, I thought that running in some sort of "marathon" would be fun. I know myself well enough to know that going from 0 to 12K in two weeks is just NOT going happen. However, Dogwood suggested the Governor's Cup Road Race which takes place at the end of October.
I came home after a terrible movie at the Nick (sorry again!) and researched the road race a bit. They have a half-marathon, 8K run, or a 4 mile walk. The half-marathon is OUT. The 4 mile walk would be too easy. So I decided to start training for the 8K.
Now, I know to some running an 8K is as easy for them as it is for me to tumble across the front yard. However, for me, it is going to be quite a challenge. Luckily I have convinced five very wonderful friends to do this along with me. Their participation will motivate me to get off my butt and do some training so as not to look like a fool.
I was reading a little bit online about training for half-marathons and the like, and one of the questions was "what's your motivation?" Why am I really doing this? I thought about it and haven't come up with anything too good, really. I think it's a matter of doing something I've never done before. India changed my perspective on many aspects of my life, one of them being new things. I've always been rather hesitant to try new things for fear of failure. Even though many people have told me over and over again that they won't think any less of me if I fail, and that it's okay to fall short sometimes, I never believed the truth in that. I've since learned that asking for help, trying something new and taking the chance to fail is actually the brave thing to do.
I don't plan to fail at the 8K race, but even if I do--that's okay. I want to enjoy the moments with my friends and embrace this new challenge with an open heart and an open mind.
I came home after a terrible movie at the Nick (sorry again!) and researched the road race a bit. They have a half-marathon, 8K run, or a 4 mile walk. The half-marathon is OUT. The 4 mile walk would be too easy. So I decided to start training for the 8K.
Now, I know to some running an 8K is as easy for them as it is for me to tumble across the front yard. However, for me, it is going to be quite a challenge. Luckily I have convinced five very wonderful friends to do this along with me. Their participation will motivate me to get off my butt and do some training so as not to look like a fool.
I was reading a little bit online about training for half-marathons and the like, and one of the questions was "what's your motivation?" Why am I really doing this? I thought about it and haven't come up with anything too good, really. I think it's a matter of doing something I've never done before. India changed my perspective on many aspects of my life, one of them being new things. I've always been rather hesitant to try new things for fear of failure. Even though many people have told me over and over again that they won't think any less of me if I fail, and that it's okay to fall short sometimes, I never believed the truth in that. I've since learned that asking for help, trying something new and taking the chance to fail is actually the brave thing to do.
I don't plan to fail at the 8K race, but even if I do--that's okay. I want to enjoy the moments with my friends and embrace this new challenge with an open heart and an open mind.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Lourdes Diary
One of my favorite authors is James Martin, SJ, and I recently picked up a copy of his Lourdes Diary: Seven Days at the Grotto of Massabieille. It is a short account of his travels to Lourdes with the Order of Malta as one of their guest priests. It's an incredibly easy read, but packed with great insights and statements that I find myself thinking about hours or days later.
On a subsequent trip to Lourdes, he and a fellow Jesuit travelled to Loyola to visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius. Things happened to turn out incredibly well for them on that trip: they arrived at the great basilica just in time for Mass, they ran into a Jesuit brother just in time for dinner at the Jesuit community, they returned home to Lourdes just in time for another dinner at their hotel with the malades. The following paragraph is one of my favorites from this little book:
"Sometimes in life, when it seems like nothing is going right, I think about St. Catherine of Siena's statement 'Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.' But during our trip to Loyola, I thought of St. Paul's observance that 'all things work together for good for those who love God.'"
I've made the comment to a few people in the past two weeks that "things are all going too well--something bad is going to have to happen!" Well, perhaps not. Perhaps I should have more faith and believe that things are going so well because I love God.
On a subsequent trip to Lourdes, he and a fellow Jesuit travelled to Loyola to visit the birthplace of St. Ignatius. Things happened to turn out incredibly well for them on that trip: they arrived at the great basilica just in time for Mass, they ran into a Jesuit brother just in time for dinner at the Jesuit community, they returned home to Lourdes just in time for another dinner at their hotel with the malades. The following paragraph is one of my favorites from this little book:
"Sometimes in life, when it seems like nothing is going right, I think about St. Catherine of Siena's statement 'Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring.' But during our trip to Loyola, I thought of St. Paul's observance that 'all things work together for good for those who love God.'"
I've made the comment to a few people in the past two weeks that "things are all going too well--something bad is going to have to happen!" Well, perhaps not. Perhaps I should have more faith and believe that things are going so well because I love God.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Wedding Bells
One of my best friends from Kentucky is getting married in March!! I have just been asked to be a bridesmaid! I am so excited! It's so wonderful to know that so many of my friends are genuinely happy and have found true love. Congrats to Erin!!! (Erin is the one on the right. Brooke is on the left and is getting married in October!)
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