A Run With Kori

Today was a bit of a weird day. It started out as being slightly overcast and very windy. Then around noon, it cleared up substantially with not as much wind. It was then that I decided to fit in my Saturday run. As I was preparing to leave while stretching and such, Kori asked me if she could come with me as she rode her bike. Of course I said yes! So the two of us went out to the garage and got her all set up to roll out with me on her bike. Needless to say, it made for a much more interesting and fun run as we talked, laughed, I pushed her, etc. We were out for 45 minutes (until she had had enough for the day) and it proved to be the most meaningful and enjoyable run that I've had since this whole thing started. I always cherish the times that I can spend individually with my girls as I know they will become fewer over time.

After the run and doing some replenishing of fluids, I decided to get in an hour of cycling on the indoor trainer as I watched the NCAA tournament. It ended up being quite a nice little workout considering I couldn't ride outside due to scattered thunderstorms and high winds. The workout ended up being a constant spin in zone 2 during the actual game on tv and some intense zone 4 workout during the commercials. This was an idea given to me by my coach Triswami.

Once that was over, it was off to relax land for me. That's when the tornado storms moved in and dumped some serious rain and hail on Williamson County. The whole day's temperature was quite nice and in the mid 70's until the storms had moved through and brought back the cold weather. Man, when is Spring going to be fully here?

Today was a good day. Now off to church tomorrow with all my girls then swim practice. The Lord is good and merciful. . . thankfully.

Thursday Morning at 9:00

So it's Thursday and I haven't updated this thing since Monday. Between bad weather for training, hectic work schedule, and being a taxi service for teenagers, it's been hard to get to update this blog. I must confess however, I truly miss the accountability of the daily updating of this blog. It's therapeutic for me to be able to get out what's on the inside whether I'm referring to training, things spiritual, or anything else. For the last 3 days, I've missed being able to document and write to what I feel has turned into an old friend and confidant.

Training-wise, I have been able to get some exercise in. Last night I did an hour on the trainer while watching tv. Not exactly the most exciting thing to do in the training world, but it did the trick for now. Monday was a swim day and Tuesday was a day of rest (but not by my own choice). I'm really fiendin' to get out and do some more running now that the calf muscle situation has run its course. Hopefully, there'll be good weather this weekend that maybe I can get in some sprints and a couple of long runs. I won't hold my breath though.

My scripture for the day was one that hit me pretty hard. It was penned from one of my favorite people in the bible - David. He's a guy that I feel like I can relate to in many ways.

"I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust."
- Psalm 91:2

A Sore Calf Running Day

Have had a bit of a frustrating day after my morning run. What has gone from, what I thought was a cramp, has morphed in to a minor injury or slight muscle pull. It's now extremely sore and instead of being able to run tomorrow, now I have to spin on the recumbent bike and I'm not too thrilled about that. I would've loved to have taken a long ride tomorrow but the weather is supposed to not get above 40 degrees. This weather is brutal and I'm ready to move to a tropical region where I belong!

Today's run was actually not that bad aside from the so-called cramp that I thought I had. I felt good otherwise and the injury or pull just shows me how much I still need to work on the running portion of my training.

Heard a great podcast from Everyman Endurance that talked about making it through adversity from the perspective of Todd Crandell. It was very inspiring in many ways and in fact somewhat spiritual. Check out the link. Very cool.

A Boring Sunday Spin

Nothing much to report training-wise outside of just getting in a pretty good 60 minute stationary spin indoors. It was very uneventful and super boring! Thank God for music! I would've wanted to die if I'd had nothing.

Still trying to be diligent about my training and I'm still very connected to the spiritual aspect of the mental escape. I, once again, found myself in a different mental state once I was well into the indoor spin. It simply amazes me what happens mentally, spiritually, emotionally, etc. Maybe there's something chemical that happens within the body. I DO know that major amounts of endorphins are released and that may have something to do with it. I don't really know, but it IS fascinating and I look forward to my "spiritual" time alone.

I think Troy is getting back to a place where he's wanting to jump back in, but I'm not sure. He's expressed interest and I'm hoping that he is wanting to again get going - for none other than his personal health. He'll be back. I know it and I can feel it. It just has to be on his timing and willingness.

Draw Me Close

It was a quiet, cold, and dreary morning. Obviously, not the type of weather to be getting outside to train in. Therefore, I decided to get in an hour spin on the incumbent bike. Not exactly my idea of exciting training. At any rate, I kept things quiet and low-key. No tv, no training partner, no kids. Just me, my bike, and some music through my headphones to do some escaping. Once again, I found my self drifting to that spiritual zone. The one where God makes himself one step short of visible. I've come to realize this is a very real and cherished thing for me. It's my one-on-one time with my Lord. It's my prayer closet per se'.

With all that's going on in my life, the lives around me, and our society in general, it's easy to get caught up in the problems of self. The Lord spoke to me again about being more giving to other, more selfless, and more aware of others' concerns. This is where I want to go and be. So, as I'm listening to my worship music while I'm spinning and pouring sweat, the Lord (once again) speaks to me through a song that comes on. This was my message:

Draw Me Close
Draw me close to you never let me go
I lay it all down again to hear you say that I'm your friend
You are my desire no one else will do
'cause no one else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way bring me back to you

Chorus:
You're all I want, you're all I've ever needed
You're all I want help me know you are near

I feel that this is all that God asks and longs for from us. Continuous and personal fellowship with Him. I'm so grotesquely human and I have such a long way to go!