I love working out. I really do. That being said, I have made lots of excuses or let lots of things get in my way these past few weeks. The other night, I got on the bike. I decided to see how far I could push myself and still keep a good pace. Truth be told, I don't really know how to judge a good pace on the bike but I usually keep it above 80 RPMs on a random hill setting on level 4 or 5 (whatever that means).
I got to 10 miles which has been my standard on the bike to this point. My legs are usually starting to get a good burn and I am labored. I always get off the bike thinking, I really could have gone farther. So, I set the bike for one hour (usually only go 30 minutes). At 10 miles I had my normal pains and uncomfortable-ness but I kept going. By the end of 45 minutes, I was tired. I could have quit there but I wanted to go farther.
At the end of one hour, I hit 17.68. I kept my pace between 17 and 18 miles an hour. I did not over do it. It felt good to know I could push myself farther than I have and still not feel like toast when all was said and done.
In life, I find that I like to remain comfortable. I don't want to go the extra distance because I don't want to fail. I don't want to give into fear. When I find myself pushing just a bit further than I thought I could, the results are often so spectacular that all I can do is give thanks and praise to God.
Tonight, I will finish my 26.2 miles for Boston. I started those miles a month ago and have my final 3 to finish. I will push myself for all those that will not be able to go that extra mile on 2 feet again.
Dear God, Challenge me, push me and pursue me to live my life fully and completely in honor and praise of you. AMEN
It's about alot more than green tea. Spiritual journeys are funny things. God comes to you in ways you never would have imagined and dwells in that place. This is my journey for health, prayer and happiness.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Friday, May 3, 2013
Always strive to do better
This past year, I have been going through a deeply spiritual, deeply personal awakening of myself. I have been going through this process that has absolutely nothing to do with running but so much to do with all of me.
As I have gone through this, I have struggled. I like the little comfort zone I have created for myself and don't really want to rock that boat. In life we make choices and we live with those choices everyday. What I struggle to remember is that all those choices belong to God and they are all blessings in my life.
At the gym last night, I was sorting some stress out. My prayers focused on letting stupid stuff go that really didn't matter. My prayers focused on letting go of that silly inner child that only wants my way and will fight til the bitter end to get it.
As I am at the completion of this journey that I am on, my prayer also focused on how my life has changed, how my views of myself and the world and God have changed. I cannot listen to mainstream music anymore. It is painful to me. Some of the words are so degrading and offensive, that it just is garbage (for me). I find myself more and more wanting to surround myself with things that remind me of the graces I have been given by God. All of my life is a blessing.
Then my prayers turned to my sins. I am sinful. Simul justus et peccator. I am simultaneously a saint and a sinner. For every good jog I have, I put off working out and lounge in front of the tv proclaiming that I don't have time to workout. As much as I try to model that I am living a godly life, I realize how many times I fall short of that glory and fail miserably.
I often wonder what people think about when they are at the gym. If people could get in my head while I am pumping out miles, I know they would find my prayer crazy and definitely not gym related. Normally I listen to my mp3 and whatever Christian music pumps and drives a beat to push my run faster. Last night, I found myself listening to the strangest non cardio pumping song ever, but it was beautiful.
It is by Downhere. It is called Beggar Who gives Alms. http://youtu.be/bltQkFUGPbQ
The words drove me faster and faster.
I completed 2.5 miles on the eliptical and then did 1 mile on the treadmill. I wish I would have had more time because I actually wanted to do 1 more mile on the treadmill. I had a meeting so I had to finish.
May I always remember that life is not about the motions and pushing through activities just to get finished. May I always search for more, to do more and desire more for myself so that I can truly give all that I have to God.
AMEN
As I have gone through this, I have struggled. I like the little comfort zone I have created for myself and don't really want to rock that boat. In life we make choices and we live with those choices everyday. What I struggle to remember is that all those choices belong to God and they are all blessings in my life.
At the gym last night, I was sorting some stress out. My prayers focused on letting stupid stuff go that really didn't matter. My prayers focused on letting go of that silly inner child that only wants my way and will fight til the bitter end to get it.
As I am at the completion of this journey that I am on, my prayer also focused on how my life has changed, how my views of myself and the world and God have changed. I cannot listen to mainstream music anymore. It is painful to me. Some of the words are so degrading and offensive, that it just is garbage (for me). I find myself more and more wanting to surround myself with things that remind me of the graces I have been given by God. All of my life is a blessing.
Then my prayers turned to my sins. I am sinful. Simul justus et peccator. I am simultaneously a saint and a sinner. For every good jog I have, I put off working out and lounge in front of the tv proclaiming that I don't have time to workout. As much as I try to model that I am living a godly life, I realize how many times I fall short of that glory and fail miserably.
I often wonder what people think about when they are at the gym. If people could get in my head while I am pumping out miles, I know they would find my prayer crazy and definitely not gym related. Normally I listen to my mp3 and whatever Christian music pumps and drives a beat to push my run faster. Last night, I found myself listening to the strangest non cardio pumping song ever, but it was beautiful.
It is by Downhere. It is called Beggar Who gives Alms. http://youtu.be/bltQkFUGPbQ
The words drove me faster and faster.
I completed 2.5 miles on the eliptical and then did 1 mile on the treadmill. I wish I would have had more time because I actually wanted to do 1 more mile on the treadmill. I had a meeting so I had to finish.
May I always remember that life is not about the motions and pushing through activities just to get finished. May I always search for more, to do more and desire more for myself so that I can truly give all that I have to God.
AMEN
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I haven't run since April 20 :(
I have been busy. This is something that is going to happen at times. Sometimes getting to the gym is not going to work. 2 things this makes me realize. 1)My body does not like me when I don't workout. My knees have been achy. I have just felt yucky. 2) I have to pick up where I left off and keep churning on.
2 miles on the eliptical last night. They hurt. They hurt because I pushed myself. They hurt because my knee was achy anyway. I realized the treadmill was a no go since my knee was achy. But, I did it. I made it through and really felt good that I was back in the gym.
Looking at my goals, I have still not hit the 4.0 mark on the treadmill. That will happen this month. I am completing my next 5k on May 25. The Graffitti Run was complete in 55 minutes. It was not fast but it was faster than Bastrop. I am getting stronger. I am getting more steady (I am not faster yet, but I will get there).
I do not yet know if anyone is doing this 5k with me. It might be interesting to see if I can push myself alone. My first 5k, I had a friend pushing me to the end. She would not let me stop. My second 5k was with 10 church members. That one was fun and I lost track of myself visiting. So, we shall see.
The moral of the story: I can't let myself get down when I cannot make it to the gym. It is going to happen. What I need to do is find some workouts that I can do and am comfortable with doing wherever and whenever I can.
Oh, one other thing. I am working on completing 26.2 miles for Boston by May 15. This journey started on April 15 with the bombings. Last night's 2 miles brought me to 15.5 miles left to complete. I would like them to be on the treadmill. I will take what I can get and know that each mile I completed was completed for someone who will not be able to finish a mile again because of that tragedy.
Blessings to all.
Mariesa
2 miles on the eliptical last night. They hurt. They hurt because I pushed myself. They hurt because my knee was achy anyway. I realized the treadmill was a no go since my knee was achy. But, I did it. I made it through and really felt good that I was back in the gym.
Looking at my goals, I have still not hit the 4.0 mark on the treadmill. That will happen this month. I am completing my next 5k on May 25. The Graffitti Run was complete in 55 minutes. It was not fast but it was faster than Bastrop. I am getting stronger. I am getting more steady (I am not faster yet, but I will get there).
I do not yet know if anyone is doing this 5k with me. It might be interesting to see if I can push myself alone. My first 5k, I had a friend pushing me to the end. She would not let me stop. My second 5k was with 10 church members. That one was fun and I lost track of myself visiting. So, we shall see.
The moral of the story: I can't let myself get down when I cannot make it to the gym. It is going to happen. What I need to do is find some workouts that I can do and am comfortable with doing wherever and whenever I can.
Oh, one other thing. I am working on completing 26.2 miles for Boston by May 15. This journey started on April 15 with the bombings. Last night's 2 miles brought me to 15.5 miles left to complete. I would like them to be on the treadmill. I will take what I can get and know that each mile I completed was completed for someone who will not be able to finish a mile again because of that tragedy.
Blessings to all.
Mariesa
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