The continued prayer is, “Lord keep me focused. Keep my mind stayed on You. Help me to bring You praise. I know You believe in me. Please help me in my unbelief. Amen.”
I have to admit, this run was not the greatest. I hadn’t been out since the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The truth is I just didn’t want to get out there. I allowed my schedule and the Arctic temperatures to get to me.
Now, I am very aware that there are people across the country who think nothing of going out for a run in sub-zero weather but I live in Southern California! And in Southern California, anything below 50 degrees is cause for MAJOR concern.
Granted, I’d think nothing of running during an earthquake and would only cut my run short if a major brush fire broke out but temperatures below 50 degrees give me pause. If you add winds over 10 mph, I’m done!
I was not built for cold weather. I am a Weather Wimp and I admit it without shame.
I say that to say, we have been having some pretty severe weather lately. By that, I mean, after dark, you can sometimes see your breath when you talk…. And for that, I hung up my running shoes for a bit.
However, after it had been 10 days since my last run, I couldn’t stand it any longer. My body was starting to rebel against this lack of activity.
Still, my schedule was working against me. My baby girl was turning 4 and this was a very BIG deal. I did the Mommy thing. I baked the cupcakes for her class, bought her a new outfit to wear to school and got her exactly what she asked for. When she told me she wanted “a baby” for her birthday, I immediately ran to the American Girl Doll website and ordered one, for nothing is too good for Lady Jay!
She got to decide what we’d have for dinner and of course any pre-schooler with impeccable taste wants the best McDonald’s has to offer, so it was Happy Meals all around!
It was still cold, but after dinner, I made sure everyone was settled with their favorite pre-bedtime vice, strapped on my high visibility gear, gloves and performance vest and hit the road. I knew it was going to be a short run, just in my neighborhood.
This is my least favorite route because I am literally running laps from one cul-de-sac to the other. I really do hate running laps but again, it had been too long and I was afraid that if I let this opportunity slip, I would never get back out there. I am so proud to be a RUNNER that I can’t imagine going back to being a regular citizen.
When Jayda, in her cute little footed PJs, pretty face and fluffy afro-puffs caught me at the door holding her new baby doll and said, “Mommy, please stay with me…”, it almost completely wrecked my resolve. But I kissed her sweet mouth and said, “I’ll be right back, Baby” and hit the road.
Was it worth it? Probably not….. But I’m glad I got it in. And I was back in time for prayers. So I’m calling it a win.
Happy Birthday, Pretty Girl!!!!
OK I think it is time you got yourself some winter running gear... Yes the type of stuff that excites you, so as the weather gets cold, windy, wet, you want to go running to see how well all this stuff works...
ReplyDeleteps I feel guilty about not running in the morning if I see other runners, even if it wasn't on my program and I'm running that evening, so get out and run...
Hey, Coach!!! I love you, Man! Never stop calling me on it when I settle for mediocrity.
ReplyDeleteI have some winter running gear: The running pants, running gloves. I'm always in a hat. There is no real weather-related reason for me to skip a run in SoCal.
I too am always envious of people when I see them running in the morn. I always think, "What must your life be like for you to be out running at 8am? Is you schedule more flexible? Are you a homemaking mom (or Dad)? A doctor?"
I should get up early but I rarely do. *sigh* AND.... I can still fit in my skinny jeans!
Running (like GOD) is far more faithful to me than I am to it.