How????

51 Days to go until the Marathon and 18 until the Half. The Half I'm ready for....The Marathon not so much.

Since When did a Half Marathon...like 21kms become NOTHING??

How did THAT happen??

One Step at a time I suppose.

I remember the first night I ran in University like it was yesterday. I was a good 25 pound over weight. I ran at night in as much loose clothing as I could. I plugged away at 3kms. At the end  I was sweaty and tired, and was so proud of myself for getting out that door. 

I remember running for the first time after each of my babies. Overweight and feeling dumpy, running in as loose a clothing as I could find trying so hard not to be embarrassed.  I used to close my eyes every time a car passed and tried to pretend they could not see me.

I remember running after my spinal surgery. Taking one step at a time. I remember running after my knee injury and wondering if I would ever run again.

I ALSO remember....

Running 5 kms for the first time and beating my old record. Coming in second place several times in my age category. Getting faster. Getting stronger. Adjusting my nutrition. Losing the weight.

I remember pushing myself past a difficult km and glad that I did it. I remember sticking to my plan no matter what. I remember the  rush of adrenalin and the realization that I can do anything if I just stick with it. I remember the hard work and how good it feels to accomplish something for myself. I remember the sound of my breath on the silent country roads.

I remember the 1/2 Marathon last year and how strong I was at the finish. I remember surprising myself that I could do something so crazy.

So I guess that is how it happened....One Step at a time. 

That is also how the Marathon will happen...and I will hold onto that.

Running for me is life

Today I headed out for a 6km run. My final run of the week and I was going to make it a hard one. 10 minutes before heading out my 9 year old daughter asked me if she could run with me. So we did. And it was amazing. She was amazing.
When I watch her run, I see so much potential. I see HER. I see her spirit and her youth. I see her entire life ahead of her, full of triumphs and disappointments. I see myself all over again before I made all the mistakes I made that I can't erase....and I am filled with so much hope and joy and love for her.

When I run I get to forget my past. I get to move on, and conquer once again. I get another chance to push myself past my limit of what I think I can achieve. Running proves to me that I'm still here. I have not given up and there is still so much hope left in ME. There are triumphs still waiting.

To share that with my daughter brings me a joy I can hardly put into words. When I watch the video below I get the same feeling as I do when I see her run.When I see any of our four beautiful children accomplish anything amazing..which is all the time. I get the same feeling when I conquer another km, another milestone. Another run.

Running has also allowed me to let go. To let God take control of every day,every run, and every step. Every run is not a record, but every run and every step is a victory....know what I mean??


Watch the video. Know that YOU too can conquer anything. Any fear. Any desire. You just have to want it bad enough and believe in yourself.

This video for me is also not just about victory. It is not just about getting up and finishing after falling. It is about believing who you are. Who God made you to be. That girl KNEW she would win that race. She knew deep in her heart that she was the fastest runner there.  She did not allow a fall to take that from her. 

So what will I do the next time life knocks me down? What will YOU do?



Picture perfect Moments

There we were. Me the ninja dressed in my fancy  black running gear from head to toe. And head to toe meaning hat, headband, and fuzzy neck thingy pulled up over my nose. With sun glasses. Her.. In four layers of clothing. Husbands sweater with hood pulled tight around her face,slushy pants pulled up to her nipples, and my ski goggles.

There we were.

Running 7 km and not caring at all what anybody thought.

We were running. And chatting. And running some more.

Not allowing the weather to stop us.

That my friends...is commitment....and memories ;)

I'm a stupid runner

I ran 7km tonight. It was 2C/36F and POURING rain. My running partner and I were completely soaked through to our undies, but it felt fantastic.  Tonight I felt like I was floating...like I came alive again after a long day feeling grumpy.  I was pumped at the thought of pushing my limits with the marathon this spring, and the first words out of my mouth after the run were 'That was a AMAZING!!'. 
I then VERY quickly drove home to a hot shower before the hypothermia set in.  I still think it was a great run and seeing this button makes me want to run again.  lol

Happy running,
Alyson

INSPIRATION

No Words. Just Inspiration

Running the Race....

I know I have not posted much. I have been doing that on purpose. I put the kids in school this year to have a little more time to think. I still have 2 babies with me most of the time and so life is still very busy. Not homeschooling has simply freed up a little more mental time for me.

I have not been blogging much as I have been taking this time to be still and hear God's voice. I have been praying more, reading more, and listening a lot more.

I have been working on me. The person deep inside this body of mine and listening to her voice. Sometimes the voice inside clashes with God's voice and we duke it out. Lately God is winning and I'm slowly allowing Him to take control.

I am writing today because I believe that I have found MY verse. The verse that speaks to me. The verse that keeps me going both spiritually, physically and emotionally...and as always I can apply it directly to running ;)


Hebrews 12: 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won't become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

These 3 verses our not only for running but for life as well.

I'm seeing a Marathon in my future....I'm just sayin' ;)

A Little ME Time

Today I waved goodbye to my  3 oldest babies as they climbed the bus to school while my husband took the baby to the farm.
I then plugged in my ipod shuffle and headed down the road for a morning run. The weather was crisp, the sun was out, and I waved to the neighbors.  I came home, stretched in front of 'Regis and Kelly', and showered.  By the time I made breakfast and some coffee Adam was back with Audrey for the day.   It was a surreal moment for me.

You see I have ALWAYS dreamed of being a morning runner. You know the type. The mom that straps on her running shoes, heads out the door, waves good morning to the neighbors, and then comes home to do all the domestic stuff while the kids are in school.  Every time that scene in a movie or commercial comes on I think how wonderful it would be if that were me..if that were MY life....Then I  hold onto my coffee a little tighter and remind my children not to talk to me before my first sip ;)  lol

My point is that I did not think I could ever be a morning runner. Of course I also never dreamed I would put my children on a school bus and wave goodbye. 

My other point is that it felt great.

Running in the morning makes me feel alive and ready for the day. I don't know how many times I'll get a chance to do this and I don't know how many times I'll be able to pry myself away from my morning coffee.

Frankly I think it just felt good to get back to running again. I've taken the summer off and my waistline shows it. I'm no longer comfortable in my skin and I hate that feeling. Running is mine and I love that.

Sometimes it is nice when I allow myself to live my life for 'ME'. 

Full Marathon yes, Summer off Yes Yes!!

I've come to a conclusion. Actually I already knew this but it was just confirmed to me yesterday as I ran in the sweltering humidity....

I HATE running in the summertime in Eastern Ontario.  ALMOST as much as I hate soccer...ALMOST ;)  (all 3 kids scored goals tonight because they decided to stop picking dandelions) ...I digress.

I hate running in the summer and I have decided NOT to train for the full marathon in the fall.  I like to relax my schedule in the summer. I like being able to fly by the seat of our pants and do whatever.  I'm pretty sure that I run the rest of the year so I can look decent in my bathing suit. Then for two months I get to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

O.K and there is just no way I think running a 20km Sunday run in this humidity is any fun at all. So I'm not doing it.  I've decided I WILL continue running a couple of times a week so I don't lose ALL of my training. I'll pick it up in the fall  to build my base when my kids are back in their programs and the weather cools down.

Then in January I'll begin training for the FULL.  I will do exactly what I did for the half but with higher kms and with a stronger base.  I am completely happy with that goal.

I run to be physically and mentally fit and I like taking my summers off of a scheduled routine. I'm afraid that pushing through this heat will turn me off of running for a while. Besides...I REALLY don't want to HAVE to go for a run. 

So there you have it.
My decision.

Sunday Sunny Silence

Went for my long run today. At one point everything was still. There was no wind, no cars, no train, no animals...nothing. Just me, the sun, and the earth. All I could hear was the rhythm of my feet on the gravel and the sound of my breathing.

I just wanted to stop for a moment but right then it was just me and the world. It is a very hard feeling to describe but listening to the sound of my body pushing through the silence was amazing. I felt alive and powerful, yet humbled and small.

How often are we surrounded by such silence É(french keyboard on thanks to Audrey...that is a question mark)

We are constantly surrounded by noise of all sorts, always thinking and processing. I was able to focus on the sun, focus on the trees and the road and just BREATHE....

It was MY time...MY worship and I thank God for it.

THIS is why I run.

Caution: Reading This Post May Cause you to Gain 5Pounds

I went for an incredible run today. The air cooled down, the sun was hidden behind clouds and the roads were silent. I love a good Sunday run. Sunday is my day to refresh and renew and what better way to do that than to listen to worship music on my ipod shuffle. In fact, I do my best worship on these country roads when it is just me and God.

Good worship today...Good worship indeed. I felt alive and refreshed. I talked to God while I worked my body. My heart and my lungs were in rhythm as my feet carried me home. At the end I felt energized and healthy. Renewed. Refreshed. Alive.


Then I made this......


Homemade Poutine. I think it may just be the REAL reason why I run and perhaps why running is keeping me alive ;)

Problem Solving

I am tired and run down, sad and disappointed, overwhelmed and distraught.

I run. I hear my breath. I hear my feet on the pavement and the rhythm of my heart.

I breath deeper.

My body aches and my mind says I cannot do it.

I push through. The ache leaves. I overcome.

I begin to dream of the days to come.

I triumph and everything becomes clear.

I return refreshed and energized.

My world is good again. I am good again.

And I wonder why I waited so long to head out the door.

And I cannot wait to do it again.

I Froze three times and got this T-Shirt

24:44 Minute 5km race today in the 3rd and final Freeze UR Buns run (Yes the seconds count). This is my best 5km time this year. I had a fabulous run. Nothing hurt on my body, the sun was out and I stayed focused long enough to push myself under the 24minute mark.

Sometimes it is hard being this competitive because although I ran a GREAT run, the competitor in me screams BRING IT ON!

This is an important moment because I have 2 options now. I start to train for LONGER distances or the same distance but FASTER. I am kind of a speed junky and a little pressed for time during the week so I'm thinking a faster 5km would be more realistic. However, now that I'm finished having babies and my knee is healed the elusive marathon goal is a possibility.

I won't think about it today. I think I'm just high on the endorphins and thinking crazy thoughts.

Instead I'll focus on continuing to get out the door twice a week and not injuring myself.

Yes...that seems a little more attainable. However bring on life because these endorphins have not worn off!! Yip Yip Hurrah! Whoop Whoop !!!!!!!!

Soul Food

I am ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!! WHOOP WHOOP YEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

see? THAT is why I run. The best high ever with no crash after. I feel alive. I listen. I feel. I worship the Lord that made me. I breathe. The world is a better place and life just looks better when I get home. I love my kids more and I'm ready to do whatever is asked of me in terms of my life with the Lord.

Yes...Running is Good. Good Soul Food

Takes Two To ''Tango''

Thanksgiving here has come and gone and I've made alot from scratch. Wow there is alot of sugar and fat in things!! so good....but wow.

I think I'm going to continue this baking from scratch thing so I stop eating so much! I have to admit that it is difficult to eat large quantities of something I know contains so much fat and sugar!!

I have yet to go for another run. Life is getting in the way and I don't like using my in-laws all the time just so I can run. I'm tired of asking.

My husband is still in police training and comes home on the weekends looking better and better each time!! He is running, swimming ect. Even his confidence is improving. It is hard for me not to be running when he looks so good. We are a marriage and it takes two to Tango if you catch my drift. I need to find self confidence in that area and running gives it to me.

So...I will run for my husband this week....so we can Tango ;)

I run to GAIN energy!

I went for a run tonight. My first run in 3 weeks. phwew!! I needed it.
Thank you Bess for inspiring me today ;)
I have to say. Now I am refreshed and the stress is gone.

I'll tell y'a though....being by myself with three little ones, having a huge old farm house to look after, not to mention the chickens...the LAST thing I wanted to do was to get out the door.
I nursed Peyton to sleep at 6pm and I almost fell asleep myself!!!

but 2 minutes into it, somehow I found the energy...and now I have more than what I started with..and I'll sleep well.

THAT FOLKS...IS ANOTHER REASON WHY I RUN.

Motivation

"Your biggest challenge isn't someone else. It's the ache in your lungs and the burning in your legs, and the voice inside you that yells, "CAN'T," but you don't listen. You just push harder. And then you hear the voice whisper, "can." And you discover that the person you thought you were is no match for the one you really are." Unknown


My Friend posts this saying on her e-mail. I love it and copied it. I think it is just so perfect.

Me Time

I'm still able to work out for half an hour six days a week even with Adam back to work. I love that I just have to head out the door for a run or a bike and don't need to drive to a gym or anything. That really cuts down on the time. I mostly go when Adam has a moment to watch all the kids. If not about once a week I get grandma to walk down the road and watch them for me. That is a definite bonus for living here and so appreciated.

I'm not sure what I will do when Adam leaves for training in the fall. I will probaby cut my work outs to twice a week and go for an hour. The kids can stay with grandma and that will be my alone time....and stress reliever.

I'm am always so amazed at the amount of energy and calm I get from working out regularly. I have so much patience and I'm more loving in general. I think this fall especially since I will be by myself with the 3, it will be a necessity.

Every time I head outside I am so grateful to the Lord for allowing me to use my legs. You see three years ago I was paralyzed from the waist down after a removal of a tumor from my spine. Knowing me I would have found another way to keep active, but thank you lord for allowing me to run. really....thanks.

God is so good and knows exactly what I need. Yes I went for my run...and yes it was hot. But just as I headed out the sun went behind some haze and the wind kicked up. I ran my best run yet, and as soon as I returned I headed for the cool breeze in our backyard. It was quiet...still and peaceful. There was just me, the sky, and some corn. Those are the moments when I can 'be still and feel God's presence'.
reason # 13 to Run......
Clarity of mind. It was just me out there. I could dance a little to my music on my mp3 and do some yoga without fear of anyone making fun of me. It was great. Running just got my heart pumping and my lungs clear for that experience.

If that does not inspire me to go for my next run I don't know what else will.

Reasons to Run

I am formulating this list as the days pass. I keep saving this blog entry and adding as I go. It seems as though the reasons I run are so numerous that I think of a different reason every day. So here is my list so far.....I am sure I will add to it as the days go on.



1) My skin looks great after a run.

2) I love the adrenaline rush and subsequent calm feeling moments after I complete a run

3) However bad a day I am having it is always left on the pavement

4) I can eat whatever I want because my body burns fat more efficiently

5) I feel more confident in whatever I am wearing

6) I have so much more energy throughout the day and sleep better at night

7) I get to challenge myself. Push myself to my limits and overcome them

8) It is a way to be by myself. I do some great problem solving on my runs

9) I love that running involves me and a pair of running shoes. No fancy equipment.

10) It is a great example for my kids to make fitness an important part of our lives.

11) Running makes me feel alive

12) Fresh air is so good for the soul

13) My favorite thing is finishing a run to 'These 1000 hills' by Third day, as the sun is setting, hitting my face and a cool breeze is blowing.