Couch to 5K - Starting Over

Well, I am starting the Couch to 5K plan all over again. It's been a month since I was on track and posted anything. I did end up speed walking my first 5K on Sunday, March 13. It was the Mini-Mukluk Marathon that is both a fundraiser and a "fun"raiser for the Rotary Club of Nome. We raise money for college scholarships for students from Nome. Anyway, I walked with people with long legs and a person about my height who wanted to walk fast. Instead of turning around where the rest of the walkers turned around, my friends and I turned around farther up where the runners turned around. I finished in 64 minutes - I kind of slowed down and talked to some people at the end. After that, my husband and I came home and cleaned our house in preparation for Iditarod guests. I ended up getting in over 20,000 steps that day. A record for me!

I did not exercise again until I hiked on vacation. I took a little time off to attend to some work-related issues. While in hindsight I know that I could have been still on track for couch-to-5k, I just needed to let something go and it was training for my challenge to run a 5K sometime in 2011.

Now I am back and did Week 1, Day 1 again. I walked at 3.8 mph and jogged at 5.0 mph. I am thinking that the next time I exercise this week, I may jump to Week 2, Day 1. I did not really break a sweat today, but I did not want to push myself too hard. I pushed myself too little, but still feel that I got a fairly good workout. I will be traveling this week, so workouts will have to be flexible. The next time I work out might be on Thursday morning. I am hoping to walk/run the country roads of Northwestern Ohio as I visit some of my relatives. One of my uncles is not well and I really want to see him. Please keep him in your prayers.

Tonight while I worked out, I listened to a sermon by Rev. Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor of United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, called "If I Don't Do It...Remember Rule #6." He talked about taking time to slow down and listen to God. He also urged listeners to resist the urge to busy ourselves so much that we miss what God is saying to us. I am someone who can easily busy herself and spend 12 hours a day on church-related matters if I am not careful. I am a Pastor and I want to be the best Pastor God has called me to be. I am grateful for a husband who gets me out riding snowmachines (aka snowmobiles) and going to the Recreation Center. Again, I find that I have time to slow down and listen to God when I am exercising. Even though my body many be running or walking, I have still taken the time to get out of the grind and do something healthy for my body and soul.

I hope that you will continue to journey with me...even if I did take a break in the middle. My next opportunity to run a 5K will be in August. I am looking forward to running outside in Nome once the snow melts!!

Week 6 Take 2

So I took another detour/break in the journey. God is good thought! I am back on the track, just not sure which part of the track. :-)

Tonight after a 5 minute brisk walk, I ran 10 minutes, then walked for 3 minutes, then ran again for 10 minutes and then walked for 5 minutes and then cooled down. I ran mostly at 5.0 mph and at 5.5 mph for 30 seconds toward the end. I walked at 3.5 mph. I am hoping to run for 25 minutes on Saturday. Before my workout at the Nome Recreation Center, I met up with at friend in the earlier part of the evening and walked in the beautiful sun and snow in 15 degree weather! There was no wind - it was indeed marvelous! We walked for about 45 minutes total.

Tonight's sermon was one I needed to hear again. Staying focused on God is tough when there are so many other gods to distract us. These gods include money, prestige, power, facebook, twitter, texting, internet...basically anything that is used way more than necessary. Hearing this sermon is timely as I ponder what to either fast from for Lent. I am sure it will become all too clear by Ash Wednesday...March 9. I already have an inkling, but will pray about it before I totally commit.

The journey is back on and continues...

Week 6 Day 2

Well, I was supposed to run last night, but got on a roll with the writing project that is before me. By the time I was ready to go, the Nome Recreation Center was closing. I went instead this morning around 6:00 am. I know, I do prefer to do my workouts at night but I was wide awake at 6:00 am. After a brisk 5 minute walk, I ran for 10 minutes @ 5.0 mph and then walked for 3 minutes at 3.5 mph and then ran another 10 minutes @ 5.0 mph. I cooled down by walking for 5 minutes. There were not many people at the NRC this morning. My next workout will be to run for 25 minutes. I know that a good sermon will sustain me and knowing that I am getting closer and closer to running for 30 minutes excites me!

The sermons I listened to today are about our need for Jesus - our need for God. If we let God do the guiding we can be at peace. Life is not easy, but with God at the helm we can do anything. It's just too easy for us to want to take the helm and then ask God to take over when life all of a sudden becomes difficult. It happens to many, if not all, of us.

The journey continues....with God at the helm....God, thank you for being on the this journey with me and all others who are reading along....

So Long Self - Mercy Me

In case you want to hear the song I ran a bit to this evening for yourself, you can find it on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxMnr0pM78U. It is called "So Long Self" by Mercy Me.

Week 6 Day 1

I just finished week 6 day 1 workout. I feel great to have run 5 minutes then walk 3 then run 8 then walk 3 then run 5. This all of course with a 5 minute brisk walk warm-up and a 5 minute cool down. I listened to a podcast on New Year's Resolutions. Within that podcast was the song by Mercy Me called "So Long Self." As I was running I thought about how I was running from the negative thoughts that try to keep me to being on this journey. I am so glad to be working toward becoming a runner. I feel more positive in my body than I have in a long time. May the journey to health and wholeness continue...

Week 5 Day 3

I just got back from jogging for 20 minutes. Yeah!! I made it!! It's amazing what our bodies will do when we put our minds to it! Tonight I listened to a sermon about stress which I really needed to hear. Looking forward to my next workout!

I enjoy blogging about my journeys. Life is a sacred journey!

Week 5 - Take 2

Here is a photo David took of me during the second take of week 5 - Tuesday, February 8. I am wearing a Texas A&M t-shirt this time. Hope to take another photo next week.

Week 5 Day 2

I just got back from Week 5 Day 2 on my journey toward preparing to run a 5k sometime this in 2011. After a brisk walk of 5 minutes, I ran 8 minutes at 5.1 mph, then walked 5 minutes at 3.7 mph, ran 8 more minutes, then finished by walking 5 minutes. Running 8 minutes at a time seemed to go by pretty fast - I probably could have run faster, but could have tired out more quickly. This weekend I am supposed to run 20 minutes after a 5 minute brisk walk. I am hoping that a good sermon podcast will spur me on as it did tonight!!

The sermon I listened to this evening was entitle "If I Don't Do It...Remember Rule #6" by Rev. Adam Hamilton. Several weeks ago I mentioned that I heard a sermon and felt inspired to cut something out of my life. This week I finally made the tough decision to step back from two organizations that I work with in my spare time. Both of these organizations are really important to me. I am still supporting both of these organizations, just not in the major ways I was previously. It was not easy for me to say no. Listening to the sermon tonight helped affirm for me that sometimes we have to say no so that we can prepare the way for others to say yes. What may be on the verge of burning me out could be a blessing for someone else to do. Saying no to these two major commitments is allowing me to say yes to other things in the works in my life that need my attention. I am grateful for saying yes to running and the opportunity it has brought me to listen to sermon podcasts. I am more engaged on both the physical and the spiritual fronts when I do them together. I thank God for guiding me to this place. I feel as though I have found my spiritual home. Praise be to God!!

The journey continues...

Week 5 Day 1 - Take 2

After a week of traveling and getting back into the swing of things in Nome, I ended up taking a week off from training for a 5k. I decided to repeat week 5 since I only did day 1. It seemed to go just fine. I hope to continue with Week 5 Day 2 on Thursday.

Tonight I listened to another couple sermon podcasts on Christmas. I know it sounds crazy, but I have enjoyed listening to these sermons during the season of Epiphany. We can either look back at Christmas 2010 or look ahead to Christmas 2011. Christ was a beautiful gift to us that we must never take for granted. Christmas is about Christ and often we make it about ourselves and what we want. How can we just be and enjoy during the Christmas season? With Easter coming up, will we face some of the same anticipation and family dynamics? People in our lives say things that can really hurt us. The preacher I listened to tonight suggested that when someone says something hurtful to us, this is an opportunity for us to pray for that person. They may be feeling insecure about themselves and need the prayers to deal with what they have going on in their lives. This is all easier said than done. May we all strive to be Christlike and see those who hurt us through the eyes of God. We just may be surprised.

The journey continues...

Week 5 Day 1

Well, I did it! I got up early with my roommate at 5:30 and made it to the workout room early! I got in my work out. I ran three intervals of 5 minutes each with 3 minutes of walking in between. The running was at 5.2 mph & the walking was at 3.7 mph. One of the other conference participants came to work out as well and we found out that we have mutual friends in Alaska. What a small world!

I listened to two sermon podcasts on Christmas. I really learn so much from other pastors and enjoy listening with a spiritual ear.

It's been a long day with lots of learning and walking! I met a lot of great pastors today and had my mind opened to more social justice issues. What a gift to be here!

Anticipating Week 5 Day 1

I made it to the place I am staying and my roommate, whom I just met, is amazing! She said she wants to work out in the morning too! So we made a plan to wake up and work out at 5:30 am!!! I know that I said before evenings have been working well for me. Tomorrow begins at 7:30 am!! When one travels, one often has to be flexible. Getting up at 5:30 tomorrow morning is really going to be flexible!!!

On that note...I am going to try to get some sleep! Tomorrow is three intervals of 5 minutes of running with 3 minutes of walking in between. Should be good!

Week 4 Day 3 - Day After

Yesterday was a busy day. Friday is often the day I take as Sabbath, but it seems that Saturday is my sabbath this week. I am traveling all day for a continuing education opportunity and excited for an opportunity to meet other young clergy in the United Methodist Connection. Left Nome last night and have made it through two out of three legs of the journey. Lots of time for reflection while flying....

I did manage to get a workout in yesterday afternoon. I ran my first three minute interval at 5.4 mph and then down to 5.3 mph. Maybe I'll get to 5.4 mph in a future workout. I still walked at 3.7 mph. I was one of two people in the workout room when I finally made it there in the afternoon.

I did listen to a sermon podcast as I did my workout. The sermon talked about serving others - that we are created and called as children of God to love God and love neighbor - to serve God and to serve neighbor. Often in serving others, we gain insights into God and the kindom of God. I may get more into this as I continue to write my ordination papers, but for this blog I will share that I have learned that God has a lot of patience and compassion for all of us. Sometimes others need our patience and compassion and need a safe haven from a world that seems to beat them up at what seems like every turn. We never know the difference God might make in their lives through us - God's hands and feet in the world. Sometimes God calls us into situations that we do not expect. Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit we can accept those opportunities to help others and learn about how God is always ready to help us when we need it the most. I must say that I am constantly amazed at how much patience and compassion my husband shows toward others - always willing to do what he can to help. I thank God every day for such a great partner and how I grow to appreciate David just a little more each day. I am certainly blessed more than I can see sometimes. It's quite humbling actually.

Thank you for traveling this journey with me. This journey continues as we approach Week 5...

Week 4 Day 2

Today I realized that I am in my second trimester of training. I feel a sense of accomplishment. Today I jogged at 5.3 mph & walked at 3.7 mph. I felt like I was on Kairos Time (aka God's time) tonight.

I got to the Rec Center with just enough time for my work out. I enjoyed singing and visiting with the Inupiaq Methodist Choir. We sang many of our translated songs in preparation for 5 opportunities to sing in the month of February. Exercising the lungs while singing, exercising the spirit while singing and praying, and exercising the smile muscles while chatting with a three year old. Then exercising the whole body while listening to a sermon podcast on following God's will for our lives. Loving God, Loving Neighbor - striving to serve others with their best interest at heart. Luke 10:27 says, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" As we love others, we are loving them in Christ's name - we are striving to love them as God would love them. We may not always do it perfectly, but that does not mean that we should not keep trying. Life is a journey and a journey with God is one filled with grace.

May your journey be filled with God's grace. And the journey continues...

Week 4 Day 1

Another great and amazing workout! First of all, I entered the gym and saw a "fellow Rotarian" who is on this journey with me. I was happy and because he was there working hard, I knew I could too. I really did not think that I could run for 5 minutes straight without giving up at some point!! Wow! Mind over matter, I guess. My left hip has not been hurting as I run which is a relief, so I really did not have any excuse to stop unless I mentally talked myself out of it. Lately, other part of my body have been a little sore. It felt so great to run an interval of 3 minutes, walk for 1.5 minutes, run for 5 minutes, walk for 2.5 minutes, run for 3 minutes, walk for 1.5 minutes, run for 5 minutes, walk for 2.5, then cool down!! This was all after a brisk walk of 5 minutes. I was running at 5.2 mph and walking at 3.7 mph. I did not feel like this was too much, but just right. We'll see what Wednesday night brings as far as speed.

I have decided for the next two weeks to train on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I will be traveling beginning Friday night and then nearly all day Saturday to attend a continuing education and young clergy opportunity. I will be back home on the following Thursday night. So basically, I am going to be on a series of airplanes the days I normally do my training. The hotel where I will be staying advertises that they have a fitness center, so I am thrilled about that!

Tonight I listened to one of our United Methodist Bishops on two separate podcasts. The first podcast was more his editorial on equitable compensation of clergy within the UMC and the second was a sermon on the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. Both of these are stories I need to hear once in a while to reflect where I have been recently in those stories - although, it's much easier to cast others in your life in those roles than it is to admit that sometimes we (I) may be the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son or one of the religious leaders that just passed by someone who needed our (my) help. Those stories sure help us to put things into perspective whether we like it or not. May we all strive to be like the prodigal's father, full of grace as he welcomed his younger son home after the hurt he caused. May we all strive to be like the Good Samaritan, breaking down the barriers of race and prejudice to do the right thing. May we all strive to be more like Christ, and receive God's grace and mercy when we just don't quite get there.

The journey continues...

Week 3 Day 3

I am now a third of the way done on the training journey to 5k. I have noticed that my hip hurts less than it did a couple weeks ago. Praise God for that! I did jog 5.1 mph and walked 3.7 mph.

The sermon I listened to while jogging/walking was about the need for Sabbath. I feel like running is like a mini-Sabbath. I look forward to it and it rejuvenates me. The preacher, knowing that his audience is full of super-busy people, encouraged us to critically discern one activity we can take out of our life so that we can slow down, enjoy life more, and lead a life more focused on God. I am wondering what that might be for me. It will not be running or listening to sermons. These two things have sustained me during this exceptionally busy time. Only time will tell.

The journey continues....

Week 3 Day 2 - Part 2

This is me after my week 3 day 2 work out. If you look closely, I wore a United Methodist t-shirt last week and wore a different United Methodist t-shirt this week. This one was from General Conference 2008. Last week's was Rethink Church. What shirt will I wear next week?? The journey continues....

Week 3 Day 2

Tonight was another great work out. It was not crowded at all at the rec center. David was there with me exercising again! His parents would be so proud! The guy from the other night with the cassette player was there again. Tonight he moved closer to the 21st Century with his discman. Fun times and fun building of community.

Speed-wise I stayed at 5.0 mph jogging and 3.5 mph brisk walking. We will see what Saturday brings. I felt good running and again a sense of accomplishment when I jogged for three minutes straight in two different intervals. Endurance is building.

Tonight I listened to another sermon podcast on prayer. I felt encouraged to pray prayers of thanksgiving. I am thankful for legs to run, a husband who came to exercise with me, someone to laugh with at the gym about technology, dogs who welcomed me when I got home and for God who loves me unconditionally. Many more prayers of thanksgiving to come.

The journey continues...

Week 3 Day 1

I just got back from training - Week 3 Day 1. I have to admit that a tiny bit of me secretly wanted to stay home. I did decide to go and David went with me!!! Phew! What a guy! He was working out on an elliptical machine down the row from me as I did my workout. He asked the guy next to him if the cassette player he brought belonged in the Smithsonian and all of a sudden there was much light bantering around the workout room. Many of us agreed that the cassette player was from the 80's and maybe did belong in the Smithsonian! All in good fun!

I did enjoy my jog/walk this evening. At first I was overly ambitious and started jogging at 5.2 mph. Then I realized that I would burn myself out quickly. I dropped to 5.0 mph thinking that Thursday I would try 5.1 mph and then 5.2 mph on Saturday. We'll see how that rhythm works - Tuesdays 5.0; Thursdays 5.1; Saturday 5.2. I feel good and was pleased to be able to jog for more than 90 seconds - 3 minutes in fact! I am excited that my endurance is increasing. I am continuing to enjoy the journey toward 5k. I am really glad I did not stay home tonight!!

Also, I listened to another sermon podcast on prayer. The challenge in this sermon was to be intentional about prayer and not to pray 2 second text message-type prayers. May we all be intentional in our prayer lives!! It's all part of the journey!

The journey continues....

Week 2 Day 3 - Day After

I am happy for a couple days of rest before beginning Week 3. Last night I was wearing some of my shoes that I cannot exercise in because they just do not give me the support I need around the ankle. I call them my "look good" shoes because they are cute and look good with jeans which is what I mostly wear. They are like tennis shoes, but billed more as hiking shoes. Yeah right! When I bought them a few months ago I expected to be able to hike in them or at least walk in them. Anyway, I know not to wear them to jog or walk briskly. What I did not expect was that they caused my ankle to hurt when I wore them several hours after my workout. Consequently, I was limping as I wore them and even for a few hours after I took them off. Because I spent more money on my "look good" shoes than I would normally spend on a pair of shoes, I am reluctant to give them away. I want to get my money's worth out of them. On the other hand, I cannot live my life in pain especially when I am trying to get healthier and build up my endurance to run a 5k. The soreness of exercising is one thing. Pain for the sake of stylishness is another. I hope someone else will be able to wear the shoes comfortably that have given me so much pain. I am, however, grateful for the actually running shoes that my sister-in-law helped me pick out. Thank you, Rachel!! Thank you for your wisdom and for your inspiration!!