The Heart of Running

I can always tell what condition my heart is in when I set out for a run. Before I even lace up my cloud blue Mizunos or click my Garmin tracker, I know if I'm about to have a good run. 

Good runs, runs that I'm mentally and physically prepared for, begin with a bout of excitement and calm breaths. But those bad runs? They start off-tempo and breathless. When I'm in good running shape and experience a bad run I can know it's pointing to a deeper source. Just last week I set out for a 3-miler, which at this stage in my training is almost like a warm-up. By the first 0.5 miles I couldn't align my breathing with my pace. I knew something was wrong. 

As I struggled through I began listening to my thoughts (funny concept, right?) and realized what was consuming my mind was interrupting me physically. My thoughts kept circling back to a situation that was making me nervous and causing me anxiety. In my heart I wanted to control the outcome of this situation. As I reflected on the anxiety I realized how much running points to the heart of the matter for me. 

Instead of going the full 3 miles I turned the corner a few blocks early and stopped my run at 2.4 miles. Struggling through the front door, I proceeded straight upstairs to my bedroom floor where I just laid down - none of this is good running practice by the way - but as I laid on my floor I took one big sigh and whispered, "I give this to you, Lord." I felt my anxiety quell and my breathing ease. I realized that my determination to control any situation in my life was not going to get me very far.

The cool thing about this whole experience is that once I relinquished control to the Sovereign One I was then able to run one of my very best runs all year the next day and an even better run the next week at 7.25 miles. It always amazes me to see where God will invade our lives when we let Him. Even if we think its just a standard ole run, He has more in store. 

Treadmills

Treadmills

Traditionally I am not a fan of the treadmill habit. The treadmill has a tendency to make one feel like a hamster stuck inside a wheel. It also provides you with the privilege of being able to stop and let your mileage increase while you rest. I also think the treadmill encourages shin splints, but that's a personal experience. 

However, when the weather is not its finest and you just can't deal with that crisp, chilly, "spring" wind (I will go to my grave hating wind), or perhaps there's a PGA tour event on the tele, the treadmill is not a bad place to crank out some mileage. 

And here's one thing I do admire about treadmill runs. If you are consistent about making yourself stay the course, or mill, then this is an excellent spot to improve your pace. You can select just how fast you want your run to be and work to manage it because the treadmill doesn't slow up and down on its own like you would running on the road. Sure you can adjust the speed with these guys +,-. But let's be committed here. 

I also like that if you have access to a treadmill, you don't have access to weather induced excuses. The "it's too cold outside, I'll wait till tomorrow" trick is out the window. So here's to making runs work where and when you can! Treadmill, track or road. Happy treading! 

Running Change

Finishing this run yesterday I was proud. It was the farthest I've ran in a while and it came naturally. I have been trying to get to this point all of 2016. Funny how this time 2 years ago, 4 miles would be considered my easy run for the week. 

Sometimes, what you used to consider a "warm up," becomes a milestone. You are going to have times where you can breeze through a 4 mile run and your milestone is actually a 10 miler. But there are other times in life where that 4 miles is something you didn't know you could accomplish. I believe these are called seasons. 

Currently, the season of change is all around me. Life is very fluid at the moment and let's be honest, quite open-ended. (Yikes, even that phrase makes me want to shut down..deep breaths). Everyone likes to remind us twenty-somethings that this time in our life will be like the blink of an eye, so we should embrace it! And I undoubtedly believe them. But for this 24 year old who forgets she's not still 19, constant change outside of my control is HARD. Especially when I think to the future and realize that change is not it's own season; life is change. Sure there are times where more things are changing at once, like where I'm at right now. But as we grow, it is only natural for our lives to look different.

Some of our path will feel like running up Mt. Everest. Other parts will be a smooth descent. Our runs become longer, then shorter. They may get faster, or slow down. I think it is important to remember that running through the change is not without purpose. We are all given our own "race" to finish and I love what Paul says in 2 Timothy: 

“This is the ONLY race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting - God’s applause!”

— 2 Timothy 4:7 (The Message, emphasis mine)

As I think about the struggle of dealing with change this Scripture creates encouragement. I can know that as the hard stuff hits my Creator is beside me in the thick of it, coaching me and cheering me on. He knows these hard race places. Why, didn't he live them? Although I may not understand why everyone seems to be moving into a different season without me, I can know that what may look like upheaval, is at the very least drawing me closer to my Savior. 

So even though it hurts, all the change is worth it. Even though it's hard, it leads me to the finish line. And even though I can't see the whole picture, the Creator can and He is there shouting His applause. 

Ready, Set, Goal

I am by no means an expert when it comes to the field of running. I ran two half-marathons in college and one full marathon my senior year. Thus, most of what I have to say on this topic is based on personal experience and bad runs. 

My dear friend Callie recently completed the NYC Marathon this past month. She is a gifted runner with a swift pace I don’t intend to ever match. I am so proud of my friend for all of her diligence and hard work towards her second marathon. Watching her accomplishment lit a fire under me to get back out there where feet hits pavement.

I have decided to set goals for my runs that are achievable and not to move on to the next phase until the current goal is met. First one up:

Settling in at a 9:30/mile pace. 

My first goal is based on pace because I have never been satisfied with how fast I run, naming myself a slow runner. I want to get this out of the way so as my challenges grow in feat, I can look back and be proud of my time. 

My plan to achieve this goal is to push myself to keep this time for only 1 mile. After I have consistently maintained a 9:30 pace for 3 runs, I can move on! 

The tricky thing about running is that you think it’s not going to be a big deal. And it’s easy to feel like you don’t have to give much prep towards your runs. But that is beyond untrue. In a lot of ways, I feel like running requires more preparation than other workouts. You are using your whole body from your toes to your core to your brain.

Hear are my 4 key prep points to gearing up for a run: 

1. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. There may be no rule more important. My best rule of thumb is to keep water on my person at all times, especially outside of my runs. While this does cause frequent trips to the… I digress… Keeping water with you prevents ever reaching that point of thirst. Once you feel thirsty, your body can be considered dehydrated. Staying hydrated outside of runs also keeps you from needing more water on your run. And let’s be honest, no one likes running with a sloshy tummy. 
2. Stretch! A lot of people prefer not stretching before they hit the trail, but I truly think this is a disservice to your body, especially before a long run. Stretching helps prep your muscles so that they are less prone to tearing. I also feel like stretching before (and after!) my runs creates a better next run.
3. Foam Roll. This goes along with stretching as it prepares your muscles for the journey ahead. I like to foam roll before and after and notice a huge difference when I skip it just once. Foam rolling can be pretty painful at first.  But fret not! It eases up over time as long as you push through the pain. 
4. Eat Good Food. No, not just food that tastes good, but food that is good for your and feeds your body. Ezekiel Bread’s 7 Sprouted Grains and nut butter are good starters for me. I also like quinoa cooked in all natural chicken bone broth, or for mornings scrambled eggs do the trick. There are a ton of options so do a little research and feed your body right!

Everybody’s body is different, so while these suggestions may work for me, they may not be what is best for you. Again, I am no fitness guru, but I have learned to listen to my body. When something hurts, pay attention. If the workout was too easy, go that extra mile. Our Creator is so cool to give us these amazing, functioning machines found in our bodies. May we honor that gift!