on the road again

After a week running hiatus due to a nasty stomach bug, I returned to the running trail today.  I must admit that I was dreading it.  When I have missed even one day in the past, it has been hard to get back out there and settle in.  I think it only took me the first 5 minutes to feel "good".  Almost right away, I started feeling a stitch in my side.  (I haven't had this pain since I started running a couple of months ago!)  Weird.  I was worried I'd have to bail on my sweet running buddy early, but I hung in there.  We parted ways at the two mile mark, but I hung in there another .60 miles before I decided I better not push it anymore.  After all, I was running on fumes.  Still haven't been able to eat much...hoping today is the day!  I miss food!

sharing my testimony

I have been in prayer for quite some time about sharing my testimony here.  I have never really shared it in its entirety, only in bits and pieces as it has become necessary.  I ask that you also be in prayer with me about how to reveal my story while also protecting the pillars and obstacles (positive and negative people) who are intertwined with my testimony.  I have already begun to write it down, and I will begin to share it in pieces starting very soon.  Thank you for reading, encouraging me, and for praying.

a warm beautiful morning

There is finally a little light on my early morning run, and I am loving it!  I know that very soon it is going to start getting hot, and I will struggle with motivation.  Ugh.  Still feeling the funk I have been in for the past week or so.  But I took it slow and steady, and didn't wear myself out.  Probably stretched more than I needed to, but it helped.  Hoping to get excited about Saturday's run.

typical tuesday run

I think I am still a little jaded by the race on Sunday, as I wasn't nearly as excited about this morning's run as I usually am.  It probably doesn't help that I am sore and tired from working in the yard for the past two evenings.  Feeling a little blue about the whole running gig.

redbud classic

Today, I finished my first 5k...my first running race...ever.  I was excited going into it, expecting to treat it as any other of my three weekly runs.  But it wasn't just one of my normal weekly runs.  It was 80 degrees and in the middle of the afternoon...hardly any wind and not a cloud in the sky.  At 2:00pm the start gun went off, and it took what seemed like an eternity to even cross the starting gate.  My place in the crowd left me feeling trapped, as the masses made their way along.  Halfway through the race, I tired of the weaving and bobbing that came with passing people and decided just to settle in and run instead.  I was ready to give up in all honesty.  I suddenly missed the cold mornings I had grown so accustomed to running in.  Though I finished the race in 35 minutes (slower than normal for me), it felt like an eternity before I crosssed the finsh line.  This is the first time in the two months since I started running that I have been discouraged.

socks

This is an oldie from a place I used to "blog", but it is still so true, so I thought I would share it again here...

I detest socks. Not only do I detest wearing the darn things, but I don't like to wash them or mate then once they are clean and dry. I leave them for last when I am folding laundry. Most of the time, I just leave them in the basket and let them accumulate. I can justify this because everyone has plenty of socks and it seems they will never run out. But run out, they do. And when there are no socks, there is usually a lot of complaining around our house. It's not always about the socks, necessarily. But there is complaining, nonetheless. I wonder if there is some cosmic reason my family complains more when there are no socks. The end.

crazy days

This past week has been full of sewing for me. I chose to make my girls' Easter outfits this year. I have no regrets, but I am drained. It was hard work, and I had to neglect the housework, my schoolwork, and sleep. Here are the finished products...

Miss Carleigh Grace

Bayleigh Joy

Brianne Hope

Bella Faith

And then there are my handsomes...

Cameron Scott

Caleb Austin

reached a goal

Today, I reached my goal of running FOUR miles! It was tough, but I know now that I can do it. Naturally, I had to set a new goal, so I now have my sights on FIVE miles! I'm not concerned with how long it will take me to get there, but I am confident that I will indeed get there!