The Unexpected

Happy Spring to Everyone - Although it really feels like summer! I am loving it, especially because I am starting back up running! This week I have been dwelling on something I heard at bible study. As some of you know, I volunteer with a sports ministry called Athlete's in Action. One component of the ministry is an all women's bible study on Sunday nights. This year we are studying Genesis. Alisha Kaiser speaks at the end, and something she said struck me: "God always answers “yes” to our prayers or answers it better than we ask or imagine." She proceeded with an analogy using her son, Weston. They had just cleaned out the car and there were some stale Goldfish crackers under his car-seat. Weston wanted the old and dirty crackers so badly. Alisha refused to give them to him, despite his pleading and crying. Instead, she opened a new box of crackers and offered him some. Even though Alisha offered Weston far tastier crackers, he wasn't satisfied because he had made up his mind that he wanted the ones he set his eyes on. I can totally relate to this one and a half year old. So often I deem what I think God's plan is and get so fixated on willing “my plan,” that I miss out on what God is offering me that is better. I dwell on what I am missing, rather than recognizing what goodness is right in front of me.

Naturally I will apply it to my recent training. Although I don't have God's long term perspective, I have to believe that my recent hiatus in training has been a blessing and is molding me to be the person God intends me to be; I have been reminded that God is in control and nothing is impossible with Him, been able to work out with a diverse group of people, developed my aerobic capacity because I can cross train much longer than I can run, improved my strength, developed a more disciplined mind, become more grateful for the opportunity to train and compete, etc. The list could go on. Although I would have preferred to not get hurt, I am dwelling on what is in front of me rather than what I think I am missing out on. Just as Weston missed out on enjoying the snack he was given because he was so fixated on the old crackers, I wonder what blessings from God I don't enjoy because I am so focused on willing my own plan. I am currently refreshed and ready to jump into some very quality training. I am excited to look for how God answers my prayers better than I could even ask for in all aspects of my life.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you"” Jeremiah 29:11-12

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or imagine" Ephesians 3:20

THANK YOU

Earlier this week I was doing a workout and reflecting on the experience of the past few months. Looking back on my short history as a ‘professional runner’ the number of people who have supported my dream and invested in my running goals is no less than amazing. Even in the moments when I doubt myself, the fact that others are invested and believe in what I am doing makes it possible to push myself through the ‘tough’ days and believe that big things will come.

My college coach liked to challenge us to consider if our self-talk resembled how we would talk to a friend. Honestly, I am much more critical and doubting of myself than I would be to any friend. I often wonder why I see so much potential in others when they don’t see it themselves, then I soon realize I am the same way! I think it is necessary to surround ourselves with those that will speak truth to us and to help us truly see ourselves the way God sees us. With that in mind, I want to say thank you to everyone for the constant encouraging words, prayers, interest, and investment in my training. My interactions with everyone have been so reinforcing, I will continue to train hard and remind myself that others are interested in my training because they believe in me! THANK YOU!

Be Proud and Look Around

As many of you probably noticed, my name was not in the results for the US Cross Country meet. Unfortunately it was not because I ran so fast that I didn’t get a time:) I am currently on the DL (disabled list). I decided not to travel to St. Louis because of a foot injury. I have been off for about two weeks and will hopefully be back running in about another two weeks. Obviously I was very frustrated when I first had to stop running, but there is little to do but to accept it and move on. My sister reminded me that our purpose is to always strive to be the best we can be, and I can do that whether I run or not. So…the plan for now is to dwell on truth, especially on the fact that God knows the plans for me and that they are good (Jeremiah 29:11), and then march forward with enthusiasm and perseverance.

I have always wanted to be a “Regular” somewhere, and I guess I am officially a “Regular” at Lifetime Fitness (not quite what I had in mind…) Although I do not hope to cross train indoors the rest of my life, I have been encouraged and inspired by those around me. Being in the pool and on machines confines you, but also makes it so you can work out alongside people with a variety of goals. I have found myself in the pool a lot during the Water Aerobics class where there are at least 2 generations separating me from the others. Their workouts look very different than my own; people are typically floating on noodles, following the instructor’s directions, or chatting. Despite the dramatic difference in our age and workouts, I realized we have a lot in common: We both are in the pool taking care of ourselves, looking to better ourselves, and taking pride in our efforts.

One of my most inspired moments at Lifetime happened this week when I was doing 6-minute aqua jogging intervals in the deep-end of the pool. A rather elderly woman joined me as I was halfway through the workout. She lowered herself into the pool via a mechanical chair and paddled over to the deep end. She floated in the deep-end and did toe touches and other mobility exercises. As I was huffing and puffing she would tease me with insensitive but friendly comments like “Looks like you are running out of steam” or “So you are starting to torture yourself again?” After I finished my workout, I chatted with her a while. She shared her entire pool routine; how she would wake up and the first thing she did was put her suit on and come swim, do 40 toe touches, etc. She clearly beamed with pride. I was so impressed with her ambition and all that we had in common. Her motivation is to make sure that she maintained some mobility and to get out of the house, while my motivation is to work as hard as I can to maintain fitness so I can have a smooth transition back to training and run a fast 5k, but we both were proud of what we were doing and were able to encourage the other. After my interaction with Eileen, I have been excited about the fact that no matter who is around me, I generally have something in common with them and can acknowledge them and encourage them to be proud of their endeavors. For now, while I am working out at Lifetime, I hope to acknowledge those working out around me and to affirm them so that they can take pride in their workout to be the best they can be!

1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.”

Be PROUD and Look Around!

Action Vs. Evaluation

I have been back in Minnesota now for about two weeks. It is good to be back home (especially when the weather is almost 50 degrees and sunny in February!) I ran my first race of the year a day after I returned. I ran a 3K at my Alma Mater, the University of Minnesota Fieldhouse. It was strange lining up with Gophers alongside of me and not wearing an “M” on my chest and having my old coaches Gary Wilson and Sarah Hesser there, but not coaching me. Although it felt odd, it felt great to get back on the track and be surrounded with people that I love. I was reminded of the joy that comes along with racing. I felt overwhelmed with the opportunity to be in an environment where it is encouraged to be intense and to be the best that you can be. Also, it was so wonderful to be surrounded by a number of people that I care about and that continue to encourage me. I certainly get nervous, but I am trying to celebrate the fact that being nervous simply means that I care about something and that I have the unique opportunity to channel my excitement into a performance. I ran with my teammate, Jamie Cheever for much of the race. I ran a 9:29, which is a PR by a few seconds. Although it is only a few seconds, I was encouraged because I did not modify my training for the race, so I entered the race feeling tired and without much speed work! I am looking forward to more races to come.

Next on the docket is US Cross Country Championships in St. Louis this Saturday, February 11^th. It is an 8K Cross Country race. Honestly, I am a little anxious about this distance; collegiate races are 6K for women. While I was at Lifetime Fitness doing pull-ups I had a bit of insight into how I want to approach this race. I was doing 2 sets of pull-ups. In my first set I was focused on how many I was trying to complete and evaluating if I was going to be able to accomplish the reps. On my second set I decided that I was going to focus not on the number of reps I wanted to get done, but on pulling really hard and being powerful. During my second set, I found that my pull-ups were more quality and that I got through them with much more success. I realized that when I focus on the action involved rather than constant evaluation of where I am at and how I am feeling, the process is much more successful and enjoyable! Rather than trying to preserve energy and worry about getting to the destination, I have to believe I will get to the end goal and aggressively focus on doing the action necessary for that moment. This weekend, that is going to be my mentality. I am confident that I can run an 8K well. Now all I have to do is to enter the race with an aggressive attitude and focus on each moment and race. I asked Dennis what a good strategy was for running an 8K, and he just said, “You just have to race.” I had to laugh at this seemingly uninspired advice, but in reality, that is all I have to do: start the race and be an aggressive competitor each stride. My verse for the week is 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, and self discipline.” I am not called to be timid, and am eager to run for God’s glory with power, love and self discipline as a good soldier would! To God be the Glory!

Here is a link to the US Cross Country webpage.

The Simple Life

I am still in sunny San Diego. I have had great weather, had some great workouts, and had a lot of time to reflect on my life. Jamie Cheever has been here for the last week and it has been such a gift to have a training partner. We are both staying in my sister’s studio apartment. There is no kitchen; we have a microwave and refrigerator, a toilet to toss our plate scraps in, and bathroom sink to wash dishes. It has been an inspiration to see how simply you can live! (see pic)

It is not only the studio that has been an inspiration to live simply, but also my daily routine. It is fairly simple, and I think it is benefiting my training. I acknowledge that this lifestyle is like a vacation, but want to consider how to bring some of it back to my life in Minnesota. My day here generally consists of waking up, doing a short devotional or bible study while drinking coffee and eating a few handfuls of cereal, and eventually heading out for my first workout of the day. I come home, eat, shower, go to a coffee shop or sit on the ocean and read a book, and maybe take a nap. Then I go for a second shakeout run, stretch, roll out, do some core strengthening exercises, and make dinner for when my sister returns.

After a workout with Jamie, we were sitting on the beach and acknowledging how beneficial it is to be able to devote time to training and not have to practically run to the next commitment.

I think my mother said it first, but I didn’t take it to heart until a friend, Alisha Kaiser, said “There are many good things in life, but only a few GREAT things. You need to consider what the great things are.” I have a tendency to be passionate and excited about so many things in life and have a hard time passing up the good things! I consider that I can just keep “pressing on” and continue my same lifestyle until summer and many of my commitments will end. I told Dan, my boyfriend, about my ideas. After making sure it wasn’t him that I was going to cut, :) he reminded me that the next few months, with upcoming races, are important for deciding if a running career will be a part of my future. He reminded me that I can’t do 500 things if I want to be really good at one thing. Thus, as I prepare to return to the great state of Minnesota, I am trying to consider what is best and precious and what is not. It is uncomfortable, but I think it really is necessary. I will keep you updated on the progress! I am off to spend my last day in California with my sister (I guess she can be considered a priority:).

California Update #1

Although I said that Minnesota might be a running mecca, I have to admit that running out West has been awesome…too:) So far, my time here has been a major gift. I flew into Las Vegas, where my sister picked me up and we drove to Zion National Park. We hiked for two days before heading to our final destination: San Diego. I can’t even communicate to you how beautiful this park is. If you ever get a chance, GO SEE IT!

It has been a breath of fresh air (literally) to come to a new place; it is really helpful to have a little change in my life to refocus on my training. There are times that I forget that each workout has a value and that each one requires a unique intensity for a specific goal. I lose sight of what I am working toward; for now, my focus is towards running a 5K PR to qualify for the Olympic Trials. While in Zion, Dennis had me do a workout on the track. It couldn’t have worked out any better because there was a track across the street from where I was staying. Besides climbing a few fences, it was a perfect situation: the track was set in the mountains, the sun was rising, and the surface was quality. Before heading to the track, I committed myself to being intentional about visualizing an actual race scenario and using positive affirmations throughout. My workout was 24 200’s with 45-second rest. Throughout the workout, I envisioned where I would be in a 5K race and how I can break it down so that it is manageable and so that I remain positive. As the workout progressed, I found myself truly getting excited to race and more committed to the workout. After completing the workout, I truly believe that I am one workout closer to running a 5K PR and one step deeper into a passion for competing and training.

I am so thankful for the workouts that rejuvenate and excite me. I will admit that stepping onto a track in the middle of the mountains with the sun rising is enough to motivate anyone, but I am also convinced of the power of focusing on personal goals to inspire purpose and motivation.

Happy New Year

Happy 2012! I have not exactly kept my blog up to date and I apologize! As for a brief update, I am still continuing to train. Winter in Minnesota has been so amazing. I think Minnesota should be the new winter running Mecca! Last week I ran on the track and the day before I ran on trails along the Mississippi River, which runs for endless miles! I didn’t anticipate that weather would be this great when I booked a flight to San Diego, where my sister Annie lives, to get some quality training, but I am leaving on a jet plane anyway! I figure a little sun won’t hurt, and as Dennis, my coach, says at least I can improve my tanJ

I am healthy and I continue to love running and training more than ever. At times I feel like I am stuck in the doldrums of base training; no races to look forward to in the next few weeks, but trying to stay focused on what is ahead. Fortunately there is a glimmer of hope with the New Year. The turn of 2012 signifies that the racing season is coming and I can hardly wait!

Something else that is worth celebrating is that I cannot call myself a nomad anymore. I was blessed with an amazing opportunity to house-sit in South Minneapolis near Lake Harriet with one of my best friends and training partner, Jamie Cheever. Living out of my van and with my parents was certainly an adventure, and I have no complaints, but it has been so wonderful to be near many of my peers and have a place for people to gather. Anyone is welcome to stop by and visit or go for a run! I am right by Lake Harriet, part of a chain of lakes that can keep a runner busy for a while. I have two additional roommates who I have greatly enjoyed getting to know; Megan is also a runner and Sean is a full time Best Buy employee (He is the only “Real Person” in our house.)

Living in the house has many advantages, but the best part is living with people that challenge me to be the best person I can be. In a book I am currently reading, it discusses the nature of a true friend. In summary it says that we define friends in many different ways throughout our lives. As children we consider a friend someone who will come and ask to play with you, or who will stand up for you. As teenagers, a friend is someone that likes the same things that you like and agrees with you. Eventually, however, you realize that a true friend is the person that “encourages you to be all you can be, challenges you to become the-best-version-of-yourself, and vice versa.” The author says, “If you want a litmus test for choosing friends, use this question: Will spending time with this person make me want to be a better person?” I am so blessed to have a roommate that trains with me daily. Some how, although we are very competitive, we both truly want the other to be the best she can be. Jamie encourages me to do my best in all aspects of my life: emotionally, spiritually, physically, nutritionally, etc. I challenge everyone to consider whom you surround yourself with and if you encourage others to be the best they can be. This can apply to your training partners, but also to people in all walks of your life.

A new year is always cause for personal reflection. My personal goal in life is to live in a way that brings glory to God. This year, and for much of my life, I have devoted a lot of energy to running. I wrestle with the question of what in the world is the purpose of this all, and how can running bring glory to God? Is it worth the cost of going to bed early and missing out, making little money, not teaching, or missing fun outings for a workout? Can I really justify it? My sister, Annie, sent me a letter a few weeks ago with a book that was incredibly encouraging. The book states that everyone is called to holiness- it is our essential purpose. What is holiness? It says, “to be holy is to become fully the person God created you to be…to become who you were created to be, to become the-best-version-of-yourself.” He argues that holiness is for everyone, and I totally agree. I was so encouraged after reading this, because I believe that we are all made so uniquely and simply by pursuing a real and authentic life while trying to do your best at it, is all we can do. It is pretty humbling, but God doesn’t need you or me, but gives us all unique gifts for the good of all and for his glory. It is so awesome to imagine that if we all really encourage others to be the best-version-of themselves, we will all play the role we are created for, and will collectively live fulfilled lives and bring glory to God. It is scary and uncomfortable to think that we may not always know the purpose of what we are doing, but I think it is truly the most satisfying life when we strive to live to the best of your ability. For me, this means I will continue to write my life story so that everything I do, I will do it with all my heart, mind, and soul.

With this New Year of 2012 I am considering what in my life I can change to strive to be the best-version-of-myself and how I can encourage those around me to be the best they can be. Happy New Year everyone!

BE YOU!!!!