Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Four......
January 7, 2014......The plan today was a treadmill workout in which I warmed up 4-miles with some strides then run 2-miles at half-marathon goal pace, and finally cool down for 2-miles. The warm-up was fine. The 2-mile tempo did not go as planned. I have talked about in past blogs how for some reason it is much harder for me to run the same pace on my home treadmill as I would on the road or track. I have done workouts on the treadmills at the YMCA in which paces felt similar or even easier than running on the road or track......but not my home treadmill. I wanted to complete the 2-mile tempo at 11.3 MPH (or 5:18 per mile pace). To me, this sounded reasonable since I just ran a 5K last week and averaged under 5:00 per mile. Well, I basically made it to 1.5 miles and my heart rate was WAY up, and breathing was labored. I was trying to decide whether to gut it out for another 1/2 mile, or back off. Knowing that workouts do not increase fitness the week of a race, I felt the best decision was to back off. I lowered my speed to 8.0 MPH (7:30 pace) for 1/4 mile, then ran at 12.0 MPH (5:00 pace) for 1/4 mile before easing into my 2-mile cool down. I have to admit that part of me felt like I wimped out when I slowed at the 1.5 mile mark. My confidence in my fitness took a little hit. Of course, this could be a good thing. When I toe the starting line before sunrise (way before) on Saturday, I want my confidence to be in God, and His plan.......not myself or my current fitness level. I want it to be in Him alone. I want to walk(not during the race :-) ) and run(during the race :-) ) in His Spirit, so He accomplishes His plan through me. My desire is for Him to be lifted up. To Him be the glory.
Monday, January 6, 2014
5 to go!
January 6, 2014.......8-miles (Home treadmill) 60:00. I never really considered running outside today with the slick roads, single digit temperatures, and below zero wind chill factor. I was amazed how good I felt for this run on the treadmill. My legs felt fresh, and my breathing was controlled. I plan to do a relatively light workout tomorrow (again on the treadmill).
Even though I know that God is always with me, I have sensed His Presence in a special way the last few days. It's heartbreaking to think that the majority of people in this world have never sensed God's Presence or even the 'inner peace' and feeling of 'completeness' that comes from knowing Him. So many people go through their daily live's with such a 'void.' Some wonder why it is there; some try their best to ignore it; and some try in vain to fill it with whatever the world has to offer (money, drugs, relationships, hobbies, sex, success, religion, etc.). Filling it with anything other than Christ is like pouring water into a bottomless glass........you can pour all you want into it.....your soul still comes up empty. Jesus is the ONLY one that can fill it.
Even though I know that God is always with me, I have sensed His Presence in a special way the last few days. It's heartbreaking to think that the majority of people in this world have never sensed God's Presence or even the 'inner peace' and feeling of 'completeness' that comes from knowing Him. So many people go through their daily live's with such a 'void.' Some wonder why it is there; some try their best to ignore it; and some try in vain to fill it with whatever the world has to offer (money, drugs, relationships, hobbies, sex, success, religion, etc.). Filling it with anything other than Christ is like pouring water into a bottomless glass........you can pour all you want into it.....your soul still comes up empty. Jesus is the ONLY one that can fill it.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
One week to go!
January 4, 2014......16-miles (15 miles in 92:21, then a 1-mile shag). What a gorgeous day today! When I woke up this morning it was around 8 degrees, and by the time I got out for my run at 1 pm, it was up to 41 degrees, which almost felt like 61! The run itself went really well. I hadn't planned on running as fast as I did, but I felt so good, and so strong, I just let it rip a little bit. The good news is that I never felt like I was straining. I was definitely working hard on the uphills, but never felt strained or weak. From here on out, the longest run I will probably do will be about be around 8 miles. I will need to make a strong effort this coming week to stay hydrated and get plenty of rest. I want to do everything I can to do my part in preparing for the race, and leaving the results up to God. I'm just really believing that He is going to do something with this race that I could never achieve on my own. To Him be the glory.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Down to 8!.......Days and Degrees!! :-P
January 3, 2014....6 miles recovery....home treadmill. I had thoughts today of breaking out the Yak Trax (a piece of rubber with metal coils to help with traction) and running easy in the snow. After thinking about it though, I felt the best decision was to stay off the ice and snow...the last thing I need right now is to slip and fall, or get some weird soreness or injury from running in conditions I'm not accustomed to. Also, running at 70 degrees inside the house would probably do more to prepare me for the possible warm conditions at Disney.
Speaking of competing in possible adverse conditions, I can't help but be intrigued by Sunday's NFL playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. I believe the high temperature in Green Bay is supposed to be around -5 and the low is around -20 with the wind chill a mind numbing 20 to 50 below zero.....ouch! I cannot imagine competing well in such conditions and certainly cannot imagine sitting outside and watching a football game in these conditions. Sitting inside and watching a game like this is intriguing though. I guess only a cheesehead would understand exposing themselves to such adverse conditions. I would imagine almost every square inch of your skin would have to be covered with something.
When thinking about equipping and preparing yourself for adverse conditions, I can't help but bring up what God has been stirring in my heart bringing in the new year. As we pull out our winter jackets and layered clothing almost daily in the winter to prepare for the mostly frigid temperatures outside, it's almost as if God has been reminding me that there are much more than physical adverse conditions that we must prepare and equip ourselves for. There is also a spiritual battle that we all face each and every day. In the Bible, Ephesians 6:10-18 adequately explains this battle, how to prepare for it, and how to fight it. It's a battle we cannot fight in our own strength or ability. The battle exists whether we acknowledge it or not. To not acknowledge the battle is to lose it, while winning the battle takes the full armor of God. Turn on your sound and check out the video I posted from youtube.
Speaking of competing in possible adverse conditions, I can't help but be intrigued by Sunday's NFL playoff game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. I believe the high temperature in Green Bay is supposed to be around -5 and the low is around -20 with the wind chill a mind numbing 20 to 50 below zero.....ouch! I cannot imagine competing well in such conditions and certainly cannot imagine sitting outside and watching a football game in these conditions. Sitting inside and watching a game like this is intriguing though. I guess only a cheesehead would understand exposing themselves to such adverse conditions. I would imagine almost every square inch of your skin would have to be covered with something.
When thinking about equipping and preparing yourself for adverse conditions, I can't help but bring up what God has been stirring in my heart bringing in the new year. As we pull out our winter jackets and layered clothing almost daily in the winter to prepare for the mostly frigid temperatures outside, it's almost as if God has been reminding me that there are much more than physical adverse conditions that we must prepare and equip ourselves for. There is also a spiritual battle that we all face each and every day. In the Bible, Ephesians 6:10-18 adequately explains this battle, how to prepare for it, and how to fight it. It's a battle we cannot fight in our own strength or ability. The battle exists whether we acknowledge it or not. To not acknowledge the battle is to lose it, while winning the battle takes the full armor of God. Turn on your sound and check out the video I posted from youtube.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
9 Days to Go!
January 2, 2014.....The last few days of training have gone pretty well. On Monday, I did 10-miles with 6 x 30 seconds hard (but relaxed) w/1:00 recovery jog between each one. I felt some 'pop' in my legs on the 30-second intervals, which was very encouraging. On Tuesday, I did an 'easy' 6-mile run on the treadmill. Our family then loaded up in the car and headed for Charleston for a family New Year's celebration. This was a lot of fun and definitely worth staying up until 1:00 am. Later in the day (2 pm) was a New Year's Day 5K run in St. Alban's, WV. This was to be my last tune-up race before Disney. In my 2 previous 5K's, I had run 15:57 (Shinnston Turkey Trot on Nov. 28th), and 16:01 (Ryan Jobes Memorial 5K in Williamstown, WV on December 21st). I wasn't too happy with my time in Williamstown, but was encouraged that I ran 15:28 in St. Albans. My mile splits were 4:51, 4:57, 5:04, then 37 seconds for the last 0.1. Although, my miles were progressively slower, I felt relatively strong throughout the race. My first 2 miles probably would have been close to even splits had there not been a nasty little uphill right before the two mile mark. That sucked a little of my momentum, and I had a difficult time getting it back. It was an absolutely gorgeous day for the race (50 degrees and sunny).
Today, I ran a relatively easy 12-mile run on the treadmill. From here on out though, I plan to cut my mileage back in hopes of freshening up for the Disney Half. As of right now, the long range forecast calls for a high of 78 and low of 64 the day of the race. I would be thrilled if between now and then, each of those numbers drop about 15 degrees....at least the low. The race starts at 5:30 am, so the temperature will probably be on the low end anyway. However, mid-60's is pretty warm; especially when most of my training has been in the 20's and 30's. I can't worry about it though. It's all in God's hands. Whether it's a perfect 45 degrees at the start of the race, or a sweltering 75 degrees, NOTHING IS TOO BIG FOR GOD. He can change the weather and/or provide strength to prosper no matter what the weather. I want to believe God for BIG things for HIS GLORY. Nothing is too difficult for Him, and He lives inside of me! I really want to lock in on Him. He can do soooo much more with the race than I could ever do on my own. I want to live in daily surrender to Him and His purposes. I often get in the way of this, which is frustrating, but I am thankful for His mercy and grace. He's not going to give up on me........nor will He give up on you.
Today, I ran a relatively easy 12-mile run on the treadmill. From here on out though, I plan to cut my mileage back in hopes of freshening up for the Disney Half. As of right now, the long range forecast calls for a high of 78 and low of 64 the day of the race. I would be thrilled if between now and then, each of those numbers drop about 15 degrees....at least the low. The race starts at 5:30 am, so the temperature will probably be on the low end anyway. However, mid-60's is pretty warm; especially when most of my training has been in the 20's and 30's. I can't worry about it though. It's all in God's hands. Whether it's a perfect 45 degrees at the start of the race, or a sweltering 75 degrees, NOTHING IS TOO BIG FOR GOD. He can change the weather and/or provide strength to prosper no matter what the weather. I want to believe God for BIG things for HIS GLORY. Nothing is too difficult for Him, and He lives inside of me! I really want to lock in on Him. He can do soooo much more with the race than I could ever do on my own. I want to live in daily surrender to Him and His purposes. I often get in the way of this, which is frustrating, but I am thankful for His mercy and grace. He's not going to give up on me........nor will He give up on you.
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