Back in the Saddle!

Or should I say shoes!

Today I went for a run... first one in over a week. Can I say it felt great!! I love it...

I thought of a few things while running. Running is really one of the ways I worship God. It's funny to say that considering most of the time I just black out and think of nothing. But, I think that's a form of worship (not all but part of worship).... allowing yourself to just be. Turning off your brain and letting your mind go. Other times* I stop (not literally) take a moment and experience what's around me... the fall day, beautiful weather, the city that I love, etc. So, while I was running today I pondered this and since I'm in community group mood I thought about how I could best bring this to group. You see, one of the main aspects of community groups at my church is worship. This means on Wednesday my group and I will be taking a 5 mile run together so I can demonstrate how I worship God!! Yea, that's what I think about while I run... it makes me giggle** a bit!!

Since this blog has become less and less about training, I'll go off tangent a bit more. Today I finished a little house project of mine... the b/w wall!! I really like it... check it out!

before... hodge podge of random pictures, medal, fliers, and sticker.



after... LOVE IT!!


*typically during that short period where my breathing is centered and I'm not in pain
** that is until I lose conscientiousness from not being able to breath

Another Non-Training Post

Considering I've gotten 6 hours of sleep the last two nights combined, I don't feel that bad about not running. But, what to post about. Another fun little home project!!!

I LOVE FALL!!!! And, my grandpa and his garden!!!!

When I went home last I collected three ears of Indian corn. I'm not exactly sure what Indian corn is good for other than decoration. But... this is what I came up with!



It kind of makes a creepy shadow from the other side...

mmmmm protein!!

I didn't get that run in at the folks like I was hoping too. Time just flew by and I was much busier than I thought I was. That meant today I was back out after several days off. I feel like I'm becoming much smoother with my stride which makes me feel like I've increased my pace as well. Today was one of the most annoying runs of my life. I'm not sure if this happens every year, but the number of bugs flying into my face, mouth, nose, and eyes has doubled no quadrupled!!! It was the grosses thing ever.

Does this happen every year? Can anyone really run with their mouth closed?

Tangent

Who cares that the title of this blog is "in training?!" I'm not "training" for any particular race right now, which means I get the chance to blog about whatever I dang well feel like it. As inspired by Kara, I have a little house project. You see, I've been working weird hours lately (4 days on 5 days off, 3 days on, 2 days off). And, I didn't know what to do with myself. What else is a girl to do but throw crap away. After getting rid of an entire dresser worth of clothing it was time to rearrange the bedroom, a task which has never been done in this apartment. Here's how it turned out!

I moved my bed under the window (still not sure if I like it there) and moved the bench in from the living room.

My bed was orginally where the two column dresser is now. I always use those little art deals as a make shift headboard, but I think I like them there too.


Until I can have a place of my own or we move and get an office, my office must be in my bedroom. I'm planning on developing a bunch of my pictures in b/w and put them all on that board to make a b/w wall.

Okay, this isn't in my bedroom, but I bought a shoe organizer and moved these shelves to the kitchen. Now I'll never get angry about not finding the lid again!!

I'm off to Illinois for the second leg of Steve's funeral tour. Hopefully I'll at least get one run in while I'm up there.

So many races

I love autumn for so many reasons: the sound of leaves crunching under your feet, the smell, sweater season (ie jeans and a hoody), the beautiful colors of leaves changing, not having to get up at the butt crack of dawn to get a run in, turkey trotts and pumpkin runs. Just off the top of my head I can think of 5-10 races I'd like to be a part of this fall. One of my friends is running her first 5k in a few weeks and I'd love to run with her. So, what's stopping me... $$$.

Dang, this running thing is expensive. You would imagine it would be a fairly cheap sport considering all you REALLY need is a pair of running shoes. But, each race cost anywhere between $15-$25... Yes, the proceeds generally go to a very worthwhile cause, so I should feel bad about giving them my money. I guess I'm feeling cheated out of a good race season because I don't even have the money to pay my bills right now. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but I'm lacking about $200 this month to make ends meet. So, there I'll be standing on the sidelines cheering everyone on. Yes, I'll have fun, but deep down, I want to stinkin get my "free" t-shirt!

I have managed the last few days to get the motivation to "take one step out the door." My friend and meet for breakfast the other day and we both lamented about how we know what we need to do, but just can't figure out the first step (haha.. oh! irony). Of course I knew exactly what SHE needed to do, but failed to see what I could possibly do. Praise God she's awesome cause she just looked back at me and said "well take a step out the door!!" Stupid logic! The three runs I've done this week have been fairly short, but I feel like my pace is increasing. Since I never keep track, I just have to go on a feeling. Never the less, I'm once again running in circles and feeling great! If only I could run in circles to receive a free t-shirt!