Out Of My Mind

 "If you run, you are a runner. It doesn't matter how fast or how far. It doesn't matter if today is your first day or if you've been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run." --John Bingham

That's right. I'm a runner. I run.
In the midst of implementing a healthier-me lifestyle this summer, I decided to take a leap of faith and start a running routine.

A little pre-run stretch. Here you will see me sporting some
unfortunate spandex shorts and a sweat-resistant tank.
Bring it on.

For those of you who know me, you'll understand why this is such a big deal. I'm never been what I'd call a ...supporter...of running. It is something I would normally try to avoid at all costs. I recall playing with a bunch of children at a vacation bible school a few years ago and trying to convince them that I simply didn't know how to run. My mother never taught me, I told them.
While that was obviously not true, it is true that running has never been my cup of tea, especially after I broke my foot last semester. With that, I pretty much retired from all possible running.

Went all out and bought myself a pair of Nike
running shoes. They are serving me quite well.

But, alas, summer has come, and my mindset has been renewed. It's time to do something I never thought I could do. So I got online and did some research on how to start running when you've never ran a significant distance in your life. I spent my birthday money on some snazzy running gear, to convince myself that I'm in it to win it. And, I made myself an 8-week running schedule, which gradually increases my running time. No turning back now.

Today begins week two of my program. At the end of my eight weeks (beginning of August), I plant to participate in a 5k race! While I seems like I have a lot of work to do to get to that point, I've already decided that I CAN do it, and I'm pretty stoked about this experience. In the mean time, I'm working on convincing my friend Brooke to join me in this adventure and 5k it up with me!

iPod armband = hands-free running

I run three days a week -- Monday, Wednesday, Friday. On Tuesdays and Thursday I do cross-training, which is anything but running -- yoga, weights, core, etc. And I almost always throw in a couple of bike rides with my sister, Megan. We've been building our biking endurance, topping it off at 7 miles so far...and the summer has only just begun! I'm so glad I have her as a partner in this. We're able to push each other and encourage each other.
 

What in the world have I gotten myself into?

I've lost eleven pounds so far this summer, which I'm pretty enthused about, seeing that my summer goal was fifteen pounds. But more than losing weight, I'm really just focusing these three months on getting my body healthy. College does something awful to the human body, and I'm ready to correct what I did to myself last year.
My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This temporary shell I've been given was created by God, and I want to glorify Him with it in every way. If I was doing all of this sweating, stretching, and pushing myself only for the sake of me, I wouldn't have made it past day one! To God be the glory for all that I am able to do -- which is not from my own strength.

 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men. –Col 3:23