Should've Been the First Posting

I am a 31 year old overweight woman.

That might be the first time I have ever referred to myself as a 'woman,' but it is true. I am not a girl, or a young lady. I don't know that I fit into the young woman category . . . so there it is - woman. It's not a bad thing. It just is.

I am thankful to be out of my twenties, an era of struggling to learn how to survive and fleeing from anything that posed a threat to my existence (bad or good). Maintaining 'status quo' was an artform I desperately wanted to master. Calm waters in my ripple-less pond. There in lies the problem. No motion leads to stagnant water, nothing coming in and nothing going out. I think you get the picture.

Looking back I wasn't running from responsibility - I am responsible. I wasn't running from adulthood, or my family . . . I was running from myself. More than that, I was running from God and His plan for my life.

This background information is crucial in understanding the seemingly insane endeavour I am about to undertake. January 13, 2008 I am going to run a marathon. Put your eyes back in their sockets and pick your chin up from the floor. Sounds crazy doesn't it. While I have lost around 70 lbs. in the last year (almost) I have at least that much to go before I can "Train." Right now I am nursing an injury and 'Pre-Training.' I have to be at a 17 minute mile with fuel to spare by May. Please pray for me.

The following pretty much sums up my thoughts on running and this journey. It is a portion of an email I sent to my sister in the midst of discouragement. I am posting it here as a reminder to myself more than anything else.

Running is not defined by your speed or your grace; your lean muscle mass, or genetic makeup. It is a willful act. It is dedication. It is discipline. Some days it might be a 10 minute mile, others it might be an 18. Today you will struggle, tomorrow you will fly. Make no mistakes - running is not something that will eventually be easy. As you progress you will push yourself harder and farther than you did yesterday. Running is progressive. It is not selfish. It gives back what you give it. It is not easily angered. It does not boast. It does not mock or belittle. Run a little, it encourages you to run more. Running is subjective to the runner. Running is time spent with you Maker. It is a connection to the sound of your breath, the beating of your heart, and the rhythm of your feet (feat). Running is sanity.

Running Woes

While I would absolutely love to start off with a positive note - present circumstances forbid it - but I will try to end on one. I have somehow in someway (read - overtraining) injured my calf/hamstring and the road to recovery seems longer than the 26.2 miles I will attempt in January 2008. If you are reading this please pray for a speedy recovery. I tried my usual Sunday trek up Airport Road (very steep) yesterday. The going up was good. I took it easy and only went half way up - knowing I have barely been able to walk over the last 3 weeks or so. Half way down I was praying for someone to drive by (5:30am, not so likely) and save me. So it is back to heat and ice, Ibuprofen (my friend) and praying for divine intervention. I will hit the gym this week and focus on weight training and the elyptical so there will be little stress on the injury(s). Ughh!

Lessons Learned:
1. Know the definition of "over use."
2. Don't push myself so hard (easier said than done)
3. Follow the training schedule. It will save me from this again.
4. God has a purpose in this too.