the christian left

Man, I have been slackin.  I have cooked some interesting things, I have knitted a bunch, I have been getting in my exercise.  So, no lack of text, just lack of discipline to get over here and type it up.  I’ll post some pics later of beautiful food, mostly dessert.

But here’s what’s on the mind this morning.  I did a good thing.  Really.  I got an iPod (one of those new-fangled nanos) and loaded it up with some songs and took it out for a run this morning.  I ran with a friend on Saturday, and it was just ok.  I knew I slowed her down, like a lot, and that was sad for me.  I had a really hard time running without any food in my system and I was extremely tired.  Probably just the day.  I had stayed up late and had eaten a pretty big dinner at PF Chang’s the night before.  I wasn’t able to make it through a run anywhere close to what I can do inside on my treadmill at way more incline than we experienced.  WHY IS THAT?  Anyway, this morning I decided to revisit the concept of hitting the street while it’s still cool and nice outside and before the kids are up and before I eat.  The iPod made it way more bearable.  I still can’t do my 35 minutes of running without a break when I’m outside, but I got my time in.  At least.  If my legs aren’t too shell shocked (why is the road so much tougher on them?) I’ll do my intervals on the treadmill tomorrow.  I’m trying to temper myself for the 5k.  How do you get your mind right?  I know it isn’t right, but how do I get it there?  I should feel liberated and free that I leave my house and run away from all the stuff I have to do there.  Literally.  But I am more relaxed and comfortable  on the treadmill.  Maybe I know there isn’t anyone behind me trying not to watch my shake.  I don’t know.

But the rock helped.  And I came home and whilst still listening did my squats, lunges, etc.  And then I ate a nice breakfast with the kids.  Oh, and yeah, I showered.  It’s a pretty amazing device, you know — I had really thought iPods for college  kids or high school kids or people not like me.  But I do love it.  I do wonder how you keep your earbuds in when you’re really sweaty.  Maybe I really am a freak of nature.  Who knows?  Or maybe it’s my stupid midlife crisis.  Hopefully it’ll take me through the pitiful 3.1 miles I need it to.

Another digression — how unfair is it that I do not have “natural ability” in athletics?  I was a good student, I have never really had to struggle in an extreme capacity to succeed.  Sure, I have had  to work hard and clock my time and make sure I am prepared, but never have I felt like something was SO much bigger than me.  And I have never worked for less than the best.  And all I am doing is holding on and hoping I can stick with it.  I got lapped  by a pregnant woman today.  How did I know she was pregnant?  Well, she looked about 8.5 months.  Is that supposed to make me feel good or bad?   Because it made me a little angry.  Oh, well, take a look at what I have!